HSA extends message of support to Prince George members
Health Sciences Association of BC offers its condolences to members, their families, and community as they deal with the devastating tragedy of the fire at the Lakeland Sawmill in Prince George
"On behalf of all HSA members, I offer our thoughts and prayers to our colleagues and their families in Prince George," said HSA President Reid Johnson.
-The tragedy in Prince George has affected the whole community, including the many HSA members who were called on to respond to emergency medical demands resulting from the explosion and fire," he said.
Heather Sapergia, a medical lab technologist at the University Hospital of Northern BC and member of the unions board of directors, said the tragedy is being felt throughout the region.
-Our members here are working closely with all aspects of patient and staff care at a very difficult time. We are a close knit community and there are members with family and friends who are at the mill," she said.
The United Steelworkers union has called for a swift investigation to ensure workers, unions, and sawmill operators ensure all precautions are taken to avoid further tragedies. A fire at a Burns Lake mill in January also resulted in the death of two workers.
-This weeks fire is a chilling reminder of the need to work for and ensure British Columbians are safe every day they go to work," Johnson said.
-April 28 marks the Annual Day of Mourning for Workers injured and killed on the job. It is absolutely tragic that we now add the names of two more workers to a grim list of people who went to work at the beginning of their shift, but never got home," he said.