Advocate for injured workers honoured with Lifetime Activism Award on National Day of Mourning
It’s been 25 years since Kevin Jones was injured while employed at a factory building transport trailers.
He spent most of his work days bent over.
“There was repetitive strain, motion muscles, skeletal tearing, and nerve pain in my neck, shoulders and upper back,” explained Jones, 51, of London, Ont.
His injuries were hidden, and he worked for 11 months before his company filed an injured worker claim.
“They didn’t take me off work, and instead gave me light duties, but it doesn’t fix you,” said Jones.
Eventually he was sent to hospital, but for one-and-a-half years, he didn’t have any treatment because he said “the company didn’t want to pay me good money for light duties.”
More than two decades later, he’s still in pain, and doesn’t sleep well.
However if you’ve been to Victoria Park, or any major event recently, you’ve likely seen Jones set up with signs that read ‘"Keep the Focus on Injured Workers" or "Occupy WSIB Everywhere."
A certificate presented to Kevin Jones by the London and District Labour Council in London, Ont. on April 28, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
“Activism is therapy for me because it gets me out of the house,” said Jones, who estimates he protests approximately 50 times a year, or 100 hours.
“I talk to five-to-10 people every time I go. We have conversations and about the different issues, and a lot of them are family members or the injured workers themselves, even some of the homeless communities. I've learned I've built up empathy and understanding and I don't judge them because that could be me,” he explained.
Jones was honoured with the Lifetime Activism Award by the London and District Labour Council (LDLC) on Sunday during the National Day of Mourning.
The day is dedicated to remembering and honouring workers who have lost their lives, suffered injuries or fallen due to workplace-related hazards and occupational exposures.
“He’s an incredible and long-time force in this community,” said Patti Dalton, president of the LDLC. “His activism and work is engraved in his heart and soul everyday. He’s in pain as an injured worker, and does incredible work all the time.”
Across this province and country this week, Dalton said labour councils are saying “Enough is enough.”
Kevin Jones spends approximately 50 days a year protesting to keep the focus on injured workers. He is picture here London, Ont.'s Victoria Park on Nov. 5, 2022. (Marek Sutherland CTV News London)
She said statistics show in 2023 there were 269 workers who died at work in Ontario.
“We are here today to renew our commitment to the collective fight to mourn for the dead, and fight for the living,” Dalton told a small crowd at an indoor ceremony in London. “Our efforts, our struggle, our voices can literally save lives.”
Jones said he spends 95 per cent of his day alone, and a story from someone in a similar position is why he keeps setting up and spreading his message.
“A man told me he didn't commit suicide because of the work I was doing,” Jones said. “Our Facebook groups provided an outlet for people to talk to each other. I didn't think I did anything special but he said he wanted to thank me for that. He said because he felt there was hope out there.”
Jones added he didn’t have a computer for a decade after his injury, and doesn’t use a cell phone, and said he was in serious isolation.
A man of few words, Jones reluctantly accepted the honour given to him by the LDLC. He ended his short acceptance speech with, “Keep up the fight and keep going!”
Despite being in a constant state of pain, there is no doubt he will.
Attendees of the National Day of Mourning ceremony in London, Ont. wore these arm bands on April 28, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Robertson's hat-trick drives Stars to Game 3 win over Oilers
Jason Robertson's hat-trick goal midway through the third period broke a deadlock and proved to be the eventual winner as the Dallas Stars beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final to take a 2-1 series lead.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.