Family of man killed on the job in Windsor, Ont., reminded of workplace safety 'every day'

The family of a man who died while on the job in Windsor, Ont., is fighting to keep his memory alive, and the dangers surrounding his death.

Claudio Cardoso, 36, was crushed by a steel rack that hadn't been properly secured on a forklift in January 2009.

His wife Veronica, and their two teenage sons, spoke during a Sunday ceremony to mark the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured at work.

"Now they are also in the workforce," she said of her sons, who were both young children at the time of his death.

"They know the importance of being safe. I tell them every day: Don't do anything that you don't want to do."

Veronica Cardoso and her sons address Windsor's gathering recognizing the national Day of Mourning for fallen workers on April 28, 2024. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Cardoso said she still thinks about the fact that the main consequence of her husband's death to his employer was a monetary penalty.

"You know, I struggle with this every day. They got a fine. I mean, any company can pay a fine. It's our lives — families' lives — that are destroyed. And they got just a fine."

A worker's right to safety — and the right to refuse work that's not safe — can never be over-emphasized, says the Windsor and District Labour Council.

As in previous years, the council held the event at the workers' memorial on Windsor's riverfront at Coventry Gardens.

A ceremonial wreath was laid at the monument, a short procession was held, and carnations were thrown into the river in a symbolic gesture of recognition.

A black arm band worn by an attendee of the Day of Mourning gathering at Windsor's Coventry Gardens, organized by the Windsor and District Labour Council, April 28, 2024. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

"It's an important day to remember those that have lost their lives at work — or have been seriously injured, where their lives have changed," said Antonella Ciampa, chair of the WDLC's organizing committee for the event.

"People have a right to go to work and come home. They do have a right to refuse unsafe work... You can't equate life to a monetary value."

A crowd gathers at the memorial for fallen workers on Windsor's riverfront at Coventry Gardens on April 28, 2024. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

The Canadian Labour Congress first declared April 28th to be the national Day of Mourning in 1984.

Despite the decades that have passed since then, Ciampa said there still needs to be pressure on all levels of government to prioritize every aspect of worker safety — from establishing best practices for reduction of physical risks, to dealing with workplace violence.

"It's not just the safety measures, but promoting eduction, and training," Ciampa said. "I think (government) can do a lot more."

The 'Fight For the Living' monument at Windsor's Coventry Gardens, meant to recognize workers killed or injured on the job. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre issued public statements honouring the national Day of Mourning for fallen workers.

Trudeau pointed to the federal government's efforts to strengthen the Canada Labour Code. Bill C-65, for example, specifically addresses workplace harassment and violence.

Attendees of the Windsor and District Labour Council's memorial event for fallen workers prepare to throw carnations into the water. (Dalson Chen/CBC)