Union calls for increased diligence after crash

10 migrant workers reportedly killed in Ontario

The United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW) is calling for increased diligence in the wake of a two-vehicle collision near Stratford, Ont., that reportedly killed 10 agricultural workers riding in a van, as well as the driver of another vehicle.

"On behalf of the 250,000 members of UFCW Canada, our thoughts go out to the families of all the victims of this tragic and horrible accident," said Wayne Hanley, national president of UFCW Canada. "The safe transportation of agriculture workers has always been a critical issue and we must expect a relentless investigation into how and why such a tragedy occurred."

More than 20,000 migrants work in the Ontario agriculture sector each season, said the union.

"This is shocking reminder to the more than 10,000 members of the Agriculture Workers Association (AWA) who already know the dangers involved in working in the agriculture sector. Out of respect for the victims, and for all the men and women working in the agriculture sector, we will work to ensure that every factor in this accident is investigated to make certain it never happens again.”

In association with the AWA, UFCW Canada operates four Ontario support centres for domestic and migrant workers and six other centres across Canada.

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