Howard Willems was always an active person. That is until two years ago, when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Sadly, Brother Willems passed away last week, with his family by his side.
“He was a building inspector for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” said Audrey Berlovan, Willems’ sister and a member of the Union of National Employees. Willems inspected a number of older food plants in Saskatchewan while they were under renovation.
“They were full of asbestos,” said Berlovan.
Since being diagnosed, Willems had been urging the provincial government to create a registry of public buildings that contain asbestos. Recently, Saskatchewan’s NDP introduced a bill that would do just that – and yesterday, the asbestos right-to-know bill passed the provincial legislature.
Even last week, while in hospital, Willems was meeting with union members and his city councillor to make the registry a reality. “Even the nurse said ‘you’re lying here, hardly able to breathe, and you’re still concerned about other people’s health and safety,’” said Berlovan.
The Saskatchewan government says it’s safe to assume that any building built before 1980 contains asbestos. “It’s a lot more prevalent than people realize,” said Berlovan.
More work to do
Berlovan wants union activists to make people aware – to bring the issue to their communities and cities. “Talk to your city council. The Saskatchewan Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization website has templates for anyone who wants to start a campaign in their city or province. [Their volunteers are] more than willing to help.”
Many UNE and PSAC members work in buildings that contain asbestos.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases.