Yesterday at Westray
Yesterday at Westray
Into the deep, they trudged along.
‘To feed their families, they must be strong.
A decent wage is all they desired.
A place to work until they retired.
Retired they did in a tragic way,
On that cold and unforgettable day.
They knew, and were told; the mine was unsafe.
But profit trumped. There was no good faith.
Many hearts did break that sad, empty day.
The pain for many will always stay.
Fatherless children will wonder why,
They have only photos on which to rely.
Did they know what was happening before it blew?
Was there fear in their hearts because they knew?
Was there time to pray or try to escape,
When Curragh Industries their lives did rape?
T’he agony still hurts the heart.
Twenty – six lives for change to start.
It’s been twenty five years of healing they say,
Why does it still seem like yesterday?
– Dawn Peters April 2016
Related Articles
-
September 3, 2025
Join Us at River Breeze Corn Maze!
You are invited to our annual event for NSGEU members and their families at River Breeze Corn Maze. Join us...
-
August 1, 2025
August is Acadian Heritage Month
The province of Nova Scotia proclaimed August as Acadian Heritage month in 2023 and it was celebrated for the first...
-
June 26, 2025
Free Swim and Pizza Hosted by the Pictou Antigonish Guysborough Regional Council
What: Free swim & pizza lunch! Where: Trenton Park 119 Park Rd Trenton, NS When: Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 12:00...
-
June 6, 2025
June is National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month – a time to celebrate the rich history, cultures, and resilience of First Nations,...
-
June 5, 2025
Celebrate Pride across Nova Scotia!
Celebrate Pride across Nova Scotia! To find a parade near you, please see the list below. Cumberland Pride: Saturday, June...
-
April 30, 2025
May is Speech & Hearing Month
The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) proudly recognizes the vital contributions of speech-language pathologists and audiologists across...
-
April 17, 2025
Easter Office Closure
The NSGEU offices will be closed on Friday April 18, and Monday April 21 for Good Friday and Easter Monday.
-
April 17, 2025
Happy Administrative Professionals Week: April 20-26
This Administrative Professionals’ Week, we take the opportunity to acknowledge the significant impact you have on Nova Scotia’s workplaces and...