NEWS RELEASE

January 31, 2012

Workplace safety can never be taken for granted

Operating Engineers contribute $5,000 to Burns Lake Fund

Burnaby, BC – The B.C. Operating Engineers announced today that it is
contributing $5,000 to the United Steelworkers Burns Lake Fund.

“We stand with our brothers and sisters in Burns Lake, their families
and community,” said Business Manager Brian Cochrane. “This is what
unions do. We stand together in difficult times. This devastation
touches us all.”

This contribution comes in the wake of the explosion at the Burns Lake
sawmill on Jan. 20 which resulted in the deaths of two workers and
serious injuries to 19 others. The closure of the mill has put hundreds
of people out of work.

“This tragedy draws attention, again, to the fact that workplace safety
can never be taken for granted,” said Cochrane. “It is shocking to
learn, that in 2010, there were 143 work-related fatalities in B.C.!”

“The devastation to the community will be felt for many years to come.
It is our hope that this contribution will help the families of Burns
Lake on the long road to recovery,” Cochrane said, “and we expect to
raise more money through our own campaign to our activists.”

Additional contributions can be made to the Community Savings Credit
Union at:

IUOE Local 115

4333 Ledger Avenue

Burnaby, BC

V5G 3T3

You can also drop off a sealed envelope at any B.C. credit union
addressed to:

Community Savings Credit Union, 5108 Joyce St. Vancouver,

B.C. V5R 4H1, Transit #11740. Cheques should be made payable to USW

Burns Lake Fund.

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