Latest news with #NickKasper
CTV News
9 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Reckless and indefensible': Firefighters union president opposes decision to remove equipment in Winnipeg
The president of the union that represents Winnipeg firefighters is calling out a decision to remove one apparatus and relocate a four-person engine. The two pieces of equipment were removed on June 11. United Firefighters of Winnipeg President Nick Kasper voiced his concerns in an open letter to members, saying the decision 'undermines public safety and the operational integrity of our service.' The fully staffed apparatus was at the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) Station 6, which is located on the north side of the city. 'Removing an apparatus during a period of record-breaking structure fires, unprecedented medical call volumes, and a historic spike in vacant structure fires - especially in Winnipeg's North End - is reckless and indefensible,' Kasper said in the letter. Kasper noted the North End and Point Douglas lose more properties and lives because of fires compared to anywhere else in Canada. Removing the apparatus puts people's lives at risk and impacts the safety of firefighters, Kasper said. The four-person engine was from WFPS Station 23 in the Fort Richmond area. Kasper called the decision to relocate the engine 'equally troubling.' 'That engine is required to provide critical support to both our water/ice rescue unit and out-of-water district tanker apparatus in a community that already suffers from the worst response times anywhere in Winnipeg.' Kasper said there have already been incidents where response times have suffered from these decisions. 'The residents of Winnipeg deserve better. The firefighters who protect them expect better. And your union will not stop demanding better.' This is a developing story. More details to come.
Global News
28-04-2025
- Health
- Global News
City of Winnipeg honours lost workers on National Day of Mourning
Winnipeg politicians, union leaders and community members gathered at City Hall on Monday morning to honour workers in an emotional ceremony that focused on workers' mental health. Canada's National Day of Mourning, marked annually on April 28, commemorates workers who have died or suffered injury on the job. United Firefighters of Winnipeg President Nick Kasper addressed the families and friends of the three Winnipeg firefighters who died this year. 'As firefighters, we often describe our bond as a second family, and as your second family, we stand with you today in your grief, in your remembrance, and in your unwavering commitment to making our workplace safer for all,' he said. Preston Heinbigner, Ronald Murray and Gordon Pottinger's names will be added to the Manitoba Fallen Workers' Memorial in Memorial Park. Heinbigner's death by suicide highlighted the need for more mental health supports for first responders. Story continues below advertisement 'As leaders and elected officials, we must recognize the ever-growing risk that our profession faces, the increasing strain on our department, and the toll that it's taking on those we're entrusted to protect,' Kasper said. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Today, we must recommit to fulfilling our duty to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those who serve.' Amalgamated Transit Union Loval 1505 President Chris Scott, who has repeatedly spoken out about the difficult working conditions his members face, said transit staff go to work each day expecting verbal and physical assaults. 'The cost is not just physical. It's psychological and emotional,' he said, adding 44 of the 134 Transit employees on leave are off due to 'psychological injury due to workplace violent incidents.' According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), 1,057 workplace deaths were recorded by the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada in 2023. The association also logged 274,022 lost time claims due to work-related injury or disease. Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino pointed to Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, as an example of the province's commitment to improving worker safety. The bill requires employers to make sure their workplace is psychologically safe. 'The majority of injury claims now are related to psychological injuries, and the workplaces most affected are in the purview of the province and the city,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 1:34 Manitoba to return to original apprentice-to-journeyperson construction ratio
CBC
28-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Dozens gather for National Day of Mourning ceremony at Winnipeg city hall
Social Sharing Officials from the provincial and municipal government along with union leaders gathered at Winnipeg city hall Monday for a sombre ceremony, joining Canadians in observing Canada's National Day of Mourning. The day is an opportunity to commemorate workers who have been injured or killed in the workplace, as well as workers who have become ill as a result of their work, and is held every year on April 28. "We have to continue to work with all of our employees and their representatives to make sure that people can go home at the end of the day as a City of Winnipeg employee — maybe a little bit tired from their job because they put in a full day's work, but go home healthy." Union leaders underscored the challenges Monday morning many still face in their workplaces like violent incidents on city buses and the dangerous calls first responders face every day. United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Nick Kasper fought back emotions during his speech at the event talking about firefighters who have died in the line of duty. "We often describe ourselves as a second family and the loss of one of our brothers and sisters in the service is akin to losing a family member," he said. "There's a number of individuals here who are suffering a close personal loss and we're here to pay our respect, honour their sacrifice and show support to their family." Three Winnipeg firefighters — Preston Heinbigner, Ronald Murray and Gordon Pottinger — were honoured during Monday's ceremony. Their names were also added to the Commemorative Roll, which is a memorial list of civic employees who died of work related causes since 1978. A pamphlet handed out at the event lists the names of 98 others. In a statement Monday, Manitoba's Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino said people in the province deserve to feel safe on the job and when they leave for work in the morning, their loved ones should be able count on their safe return home. "We encourage all Manitobans to take a moment of solemn reflection to remember the lives lost and the loved ones no longer with us," the statement said. "We reaffirm our commitment to keep working together to improve safety and supports for all workers in Manitoba." The Manitoba Federation of Labour also held a walk Monday, which left from Union Centre on Broadway before making its way to the workers memorial at Memorial Park for a ceremony.
