Planning for WMD 28 April 2007

Workers Memorial Day (WMD - Saturday 28 April) is just over a week away. This should be one of the most important days in the Labour Movement calendar. The picture left “Empty Shoes” refers to the 1000’s of ordinary British workers who die each year at work (e.g. falls, slips, violence, road traffic incidents) or from industrial illnesses (e.g. contact with asbestos). This is the sort of thing that the Trade Unions and the Labour Party should work together closely to promote. It is a core issue.

UNISON health & safety section has posted this useful information “Workers Memorial Day takes place all over the world on 28 April each year. Its aim is that those who have died because of their work are not forgotten, and so that those still at work are not silently left to the same fate. Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living. UNISON's slogan for WMD 2007 is: Health and safety laws work better when they're enforced! The TUC has a similar slogan: Health and Safety needs not just regulations, but also enforcement".

UNISON's campaign demands:

an effective corporate manslaughter law,
directors duties - to hold them accountable for their organisations health and safety breaches,
more enforcement of health and safety breaches,
more effective penalties against organisations and directors found guilty,
more health and safety inspectors, and
More rights for safety reps.

UNISON makes a number of practical suggestions about campaigning activities to mark the day such as: -

ordering and distributing the purple ribbons and car stickers;
writing a letter to the local press about any of the campaign issues, local problems, or events you've planned;
organising a special meeting;
organising a safety reps inspection or carrying out some risk, hazard, or body-mapping;
focusing on a particular issue of concern where you work;
Putting pressure on the government to act by encouraging members to write to their local MP and to John Hutton and Lord McKenzie (at the Dept. of Work and Pensions) and John Reid, Home Secretary. Demand action on corporate killing, directors duties on health and safety, and for WMD to be an officially recognised day;
Remember the workers who have been killed at the workplace or in the community. Arrange an event such as planting a memorial tree in a public place, putting up a plaque, dedicating a sculpture, a piece of art, or a bench;
asking local religious centres to include WMD in their worship during the week;
negotiating with your employer to allow some form of recognition of the Day, such as a one minute silence at 12 noon;
negotiating for any official flags on public buildings to be flown at half-mast on the Day; and/or
finding out what your branch/other branches/unions, your local hazards group, or regional TUC or trades council are planning and taking part or organising a joint event.

What is your local trade union or Labour Party branch doing to mark WMD? Photo above is of UNISON London Regional Council officers (yesterday - Lynn Bentley, Gloria Hanson, Khi Rafe, Alan Jarman, Me) wearing their purple ribbons to show their support. On Saturday 28 April West Ham Labour Party and Newham TULO will be holding a remembrance event in Forest Gate with local MP Lyn Brown.