Unions leaders focus on ‘invisible injuries’ for National Day of Mourning

Workers, families, and union leaders gathered at a monument in Reaume Park Sunday afternoon to mark the National Day of Mourning. April 27m 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)

Ahead of the National Day of Mourning, labour leaders gathered in Windsor on Sunday afternoon to demand better worker protections.

At a monument in Windsor’s Coventry Gardens at Reaume Park, workers, friends, and family members remembered those who died in workplace accidents and made calls for more support.

“I just want to re-emphasize the importance of remembering those that have lost the lives that were working or working and those who are injured, and every single day across the globe that happens,” said Mario Spagnuolo, President of the Windsor District Labour Council.

“It’s our job as unions and activists to prevent that from happening and lobbying those in power or government officials to ensure that there’s legislation in place to prevent any injuries or deaths occurring at work.”

Wreaths were laid at the monument, and those in attendance dropped flowers into the Detroit River as a sign of remembrance.

This year, officials are highlighting the dangers of invisible Hazards, which can include chronic pain or mental health.

For Mike Byrne, the Windsor and Area Director for Unifor, his role within the union has long-involved roles helping people with mental health and addictions.

Byrne shared his own experience with addiction and how it opened his eyes to the reality of invisible injuries.

“I can remember when I first got involved, workers, employers and even unions didn’t think about mental health as a work issue. They thought it was an outside-of-work issue,” Byrne explained.

Due to large amounts of Stigma, he said issues often went unnoticed. Byrne noted people often forget incidents at work can impact a person’s mental health.

“If there is a safe place for that person to talk to somebody, now it’s no longer an invisible injury. Now, it’s an injury because we can help someone,” Byrne said.

Byrne noted that continued progress to combat stigma towards mental health is needed so it can be addressed in the same manner as a physical workplace injury.

“So, it’s always about watching for it, and that’s how we provide a safe place for people,” he added.

Each year, the National Day of Mourning is marked on April 28 across the country.