Sickened Labrador miners must fight for damages: union
A union representing miners in western Labrador is looking for government helpto keep cancer-stricken workersfrom having to fight for compensation from the Iron Ore Company of Canada.
The United Steelworkers of America says IOC has denied or delayed responsibility for what the union describes as growing incidents of cancer cases.
George Kean, president of the Steelworkers local at IOC's operation in Labrador City, said he wants action on cancer-related cases among IOC employees.
"I think government needs to come down, the [workplace, health and safety] commission needs to come down and say, 'We know we've got a problem in Lab West, and miners diagnosed with lung disease will not have to go through this battle,' " Kean said.
The union brought the cases of workers like millwright Kevin Kent— who was a year from retirement when doctors spotted cancer in his windpipe— to the provincial Workplace, Health and Safety Commission.
The commission certified that Kent's cancer, which has since spread to his lungs and liver, was work-related, but the union says IOC has opted to tie the case up in red tape, pointing to legal challenges filed by the company in cases where employees have won compensation.
"I worked for this company. I know what they're like," Kent said. "To me, with this company, you're just a number."
His colleague, Frank Hammond, developed a tumour around his kidney after working at the mine for 45 years. While his cancer is now in remission, IOC has challenged his compensation claim in Newfoundland Supreme Court.
Kean said IOC was told years ago to expect more than a dozen workers each year would be diagnosed with cancer related to their working conditions.
The company was not immediately available for comment.
A monument to workers outside the Labrador City union hall bears testament to the changing nature of work-related disease. Until recently, accidents were the most common cause. However, the last four names belong to men who died of cancer.
Kean said there have been many documents and studies confirming that IOC workers had been exposed to unhealthy conditions in the past, and were or still are at high risk of developing job-related disease.