Hon. Iris Evan
Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry
Government of Alberta

May 13, 2007

 

Dear Minister Evans 

Re: AFL Calls on Government to Close Horizon Tank Farm 

I am writing to inform you that, in light of the latest structural collapse at the Horizon tank farm near Fort McMurray, delegates to the 45th constitutional convention of the Alberta Federation of Labour have unanimously passed an emergency resolution calling on your government to close the tank farm until the safety of workers on the site can be guaranteed. 

I dont think I have to tell you how unprecedented it is to have two major collapses on an industrial site in such quick succession. From our perspective, these events raise serious questions about construction practices and safety on the site  questions we think need to be resolved before work proceeds. 

We understand that the site immediately adjacent to the first collapsed tank has already been closed as an investigation by officials from your department proceeds. However, work is continuing by the same contractor on other tanks on the Horizon site. 

Given that all the tanks on the site are being built by the same contractor, with the same design, the same construction practices, the same materials and the same work crews, we think it is reasonable to assume that other tanks may also be at risk of collapse. 

With this in mind, we urge you in the strongest possible terms, to use the powers conferred to you under legislation to shut down all tank construction by the contractor in question until a thorough investigation of the company's construction practices can be conducted. 

Our resolution demanding immediate action from your government was passed unanimously by delegates to our convention representing 30 unions, more than 200 locals and 120,000 members. 

I will be contacting you Monday morning to discuss this matter further.

 

Sincerely, 

Gil McGowan
President
Alberta Federation of Labour 

 

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