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Vigil being held in memory of three farm workers killed in 2007
Abbotsford/CKNW (AM980)
Alison Bailey Email news tips to alison.bailey@corusent.com
3/10/2013

It's been just over six years since three farm workers were killed when an overloaded van crashed near Abbotsford.

And today, a candlelight vigil will be held in their memory.

 BC Federation Of Labour president Jim Sinclair says, a model of a monument will be unveiled by the families of the women illed, "It's a beautiful tribute, I think when people see it, they'll gasp really because it's so beautiful and it's our tribute not only to these women but to all the farm workers who toil everyday for us, and for the other farmworkers that have died in the last ten years because of the neglect and lack of safety on the fields."

Sinclair says the monument will be erected on the shoreline of Mill Lake in Abbotsford, starting later this year.

The three woman killed were in a van that was carrying seventeen people and only had two seatbelts.


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  1. Giepher posted on 03/10/2013 12:32 PM
    I've never been so upset with the likes of our politicians in not demanding that strong penalties be handed out to all those who participated in this horrific event. The people involved should have been dealt with severlly and handed criminal sentences for allowing this to happen. The operator should have received a jail sentence for negligence, the owner should've been handed the same punishment. The company who certified the vehicle should have been shut down and those involved charged under the criminal act for their failure to provide the necessities for life. WorkSafeBC, ICBC, Superintendant of Motor Vehicles, Law Enforcement and their respective ministers should have all been fired - it is irresponsible and unconsionable for anyone to have had a hand in this ludicrous. A full public investigation and inquiry should be commissioned to ensure this dosen't happen again and to make sure those who were involved get exactly what they deserve for their incompetence.
    1. Ken280 posted on 03/10/2013 12:39 PM
      @Giepher Here,here! You are voicing many peoples thoughts! Thx
    2. ChrisM_18 posted on 03/10/2013 12:52 PM
      @Giepher And do you think things have changed ? Have you seen the old school buses rumbling down the streets picking up the Blueberry farm workers ? Do you think those vehicles have been modified to have seat belts ?
  2. Brian WA posted on 03/10/2013 04:29 PM
    I have to agree with Jim Sinclair on this one. The reason there was no charges as you might have guessed is the principles of the Company would scream "Discrimination". If I remember correctly, the Company went Bankrupt to avoid Litigation . The families of the poor people that died can't raise a stink because they would be chastised in their Community and not have a chance at working again for any one of the "Labour Contractors" that exploit everyone. It would be interesting to know what happened to the Owners of that Company, and if they are in fact back in business doing the same thing. No one ever follows up on these important stories (See any and all Media) because they were "just Farmworkers" !!! Shame on all the Media !!!!
    1. Giepher posted on 03/10/2013 05:49 PM
      @ Brian WA Absolutely true to form for businesses who spend their lives exploiting others. Farm worker stories are not much different than the temp Chinese miners; who would definately have been taken advantage of. I wonder if Minister Bell took any Filopino workers to work in his restaurants; a system abused by Denny's. Let's not forget those who worked for another fly by night otfit who had a contract with Forestry and had import workers living in squaller and not getting paid for their work. Just look at the article about workers in Hong Kong who was injured on the job and Foxconn, an APPLE contractor, was trying to absolve themselves of responsibility to look after an injured worker; why is this any different than our very own WorkSafeBC and the sweat shops that are often used for the all mighty dollar. Most of the cheapest of these businesses off-shore are million and Billion dollar industries who are no better than the Rusky who I read about having a 1.5 billion dollar yaught. Who needs to live like that, knowing that they ripped somebody off, whether they were maimed or died.
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