Workers Memorial Day – Thursday 28 April 2022

 

Every year on the 28 April in 19 countries across the world, workers remember all those who have died in an accident at work or from occupational illnesses and diseases such as exposure to asbestos. Sadly, more people are killed at work each year than die in wars. Many more suffer from work related disability or chronic ill health.

The theme for this year’s event following the many unnecessary deaths workers suffered from Covid is making sure that health and safety at work is a "fundamental employment right".

Greater London UNISON Housing Associations, has held an annual memorial in Stratford, East London for many years, organised by local members, other trade unions and some employer safety officers.

The annual memorial in Stratford takes place at Three Mills Green, E3 3DU behind the historic buildings nearby and next to the River Lea. It is about 10 minutes’ walk from Bromley-By-Bow underground station. 

There is a “clasping hands” statute at this site remembering the deaths of 4 workers who were suffocated in an underground vent. 3 Of them had sacrificed their lives while trying to rescue others by trying to pull them out of the vent but were overcome by fumes.  

Local MP Lyn Brown will be laying a wreath on behalf of UNISON at 11am on the day. All welcome. Please bring banners and assemble by 10.45. 

If you work outside London, check out this TUC website for an event near you https://www.tuc.org.uk/iwmd-events

Not only is this a day to remember the dead it is also a day to campaign and remind everyone of the risks they face at work and what can be done to reduce them.

In previous years in our branch line managers and UNISON members on 28 April were encouraged to go on joint “walkabouts” around their offices looking for simple slip and trip hazards while other workers had special “tool box” talks on relevant safety issues. With many employees still working from home for at least part of the week, 28 April could be the day to make sure you have an up-to-date home or office desktop risk assessment and you have any aids that are needed.

Corporation Street, West Ham doorstep Surgery: Boris, Planning, Cats & Parrot

Interesting morning carrying out a doorstep surgery in Corporation Street, West Ham, E15. This is reputed to be the longest residential street in Newham. The four of us managed to cover around half of the properties. 

I had a conversation with a lifelong Tory supporter, who was so disgusted with Boris Johnson over Downing Street Covid parties that he will be voting Labour for the first time ever. It is rare that residents mention national politics but it would appear that Boris is currently haemorrhaging traditional support for the Tories. 

We had picked Corporation Street in part because there is a planning committee meeting later this month to consider an application to build a new 6th form school and housing at the next door site of the old Ford car showrooms https://pa.newham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=R5I67TJY5NA00 alongside. Residents can make comments by 26 February. We wanted to ask residents what they thought of the development. This is by far the biggest redevelopment plan in the ward. 

Most residents we spoke to about the proposal were in favour of something being done with the site after many years of remaining empty but had concerns about the proposed height of development and noise during construction. I mentioned my concerns about the proposed lack of social housing at the site and residents shared this concern. 

There were two delightful friendly kittens to be fussed over (but seemed far too young to be out in the street but their owner assured us they were well looked after) while another, more elderly black and white cat, simply turned his or her head away from me when I said "hello". 

The parrot in the collage was not real but a garden ornament. 

For a change, I had no Councillor case work, I made 20 contacts, with no-one declaring themselves against and only a few "undecided" but all of us found it was overwhelmingly a pro Labour surgery and people seemed  pretty content with the Council. 

Out for social with UNISON branch comrades

It has been a while but this evening some of us met up for the first time post #Covid19 for a bite to eat and to put the world to rights.