WORKING WITH COAL: Unions and Companies Launch New Online Campaign on Importance of Coal in B.C. for Jobs and the Economy
Aug 27, 2014
Vancouver, B.C. (August 27, 2014)—Unions and companies in B.C.’s coal industry have launched a new website profiling the women and men who work with coal, sharing personal stories and facts about the importance of coal mining, transportation and export for jobs and the province’s economy.
The new website workingwithcoal.ca highlights how the industry benefits workers’ lives, their families and the communities where they live and work. It also addresses common misconceptions about health and safety in the coal industry. The site includes short videos from union and company leaders and front line women and men who work in B.C.’s coal industry. In the weeks ahead more personal stories will be added, featuring coal miners and others along B.C.’s coal supply chain.
“These videos let coal industry workers directly share their personal stories about the benefits of B.C.’s coal industry and the misinformation some people may have about coal,” said Mark Gordienko, President of the Canadian International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). “Our union and other unions that work in the coal supply chain want to make it clear that there is no evidence of any health impacts for our members, who work with coal every day and have been for decades.”
Denis Horgan, Vice President and General Manager of Westshore Terminals, says the new website demonstrates the importance of the industry to the B.C. economy, local communities, and to the 26,000 hard-working men and women who depend on it for their livelihoods.
“British Columbia has been built and prospers today thanks to the development of our natural resources, like coal,” said Horgan.
“Our B.C. coal industry has operated safely and responsibly for decades, and has been one of the economic engines for our province. These videos present the faces and voices of the women and men who are the backbone of our industry and provide an important perspective on the importance of coal to families across B.C.”
“We are thrilled that workers’ stories are finally being told and we hope people will take the time to hear them,” he said.
Unions supporting workingwithcoal.ca include the ILWU, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115, the B.C. Building Trades, the United Steelworkers and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
These videos are supported by the mines, railways, terminals and unions that help keep British Columbia prosperous.
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For more information:
Bill Tieleman
Tel: 778-896-0964
Email: weststar@telus.net
Alan Fryer
Tel: 778-987-5523
Email: alan@coalalliance.ca
