Workers Memorial Day 2022: UNISON Community Activists Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living

 

This morning at 11am in Three Mills Green, Stratford, London, E3 at the "Clasping Hands" statue, we remembered those who had died at work due to accidents and work related ill heath. More deaths each year than resulting from war. 

The UNISON national officer for Community (Housing associations and voluntary sector), Andrew Dobbie, gave us a passionate and eloquent historical explanation of what actually near this spot in 1901. When 3 workers sacrificed their lives in a doomed attempt to rescue a colleague from the bottom of a underground shaft filled with poisonous fumes. 

It was great to have a Clarion Health & Safety officer present as well as L&Q representative, UNISON member Cllr John Whitworth and Unite rep John Saunders. 

Workers' Memorial Day (and stop the Slaughter in Qatar)

Every year on the 28 April it is International Workers' Memorial Day (WMD). A trade union led day of remembrance for those killed at work or who have died of industrial injuries or diseases. Some 50,000 British workers still die every year prematurely due to their work.

It is also a campaigning day for those currently in work and to try and ensure they are safe. I will be wearing my WMD purple 'forget-me-not' ribbon and hope to attend an event later today.

The WMD theme this year is 'Protecting workers around the world through strong regulation, enforcement and union rights'.   I would suggest that you ask all political candidates in the forthcoming Council and European elections - are they in favour of this theme? Then vote accordingly.

See Hazards website for details of UK events.

Last week marked the 1st anniversary of the disaster at Rana Plaza Factory in Bangladesh which killed over 1100 workers. Remember also the estimated 400 workers dead so far in Qatar building the football stadiums for the 2022 World Cup. At the present rate 4000 workers will be dead by then.

While construction deaths in this country are still at a unacceptable level, thanks to regulation and trade unions, not a single worker died in the UK during the building of the 2012 Olympics.

Workers' Memorial Day 28 April 2014 - Remember the Dead, Fight for the living.

"A short film commissioned by Hartlepool TUC to mark Workers' Memorial Day, and annual commemoration of all those affected by work-related accidents and illnesses.

Because worker safety is a full time job".

 Video Created by Gary Kester, Marketing & Media Services Hartlepool College of Further Education ©2014 Category Education Licence Standard YouTube Licence

UNISON Workers Memorial Day poster 2014

"Remember the dead and fight for the living" on 28 April 2014. Check out UNISON resource web page for the day.

The theme for Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April

"The theme for Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April this year will be: 'Protecting workers around the world through strong regulation, enforcement and union rights'. ITUC, the global union body coordinating the event worldwide, says it is also encouraging unions to use the slogan, 'Unions make work safer' on their materials.

For news, resources and updates on UK Workers’ Memorial Day 2014 activities, see the TUC 28 April webpages.

Ÿ For global coverage, see the ITUC/Hazards 28 April webpages and facebook page".

Hat tip TUC Risks E-bulletin.

Workers' Memorial Day

Today is Worker’s Memorial Day which is an internationally recognised day to remember those who have been killed while at work or who have died of work related illnesses or injuries.

It is also a campaigning day for health and safety at work.

At noon - in work workplaces and meetings across the country there will be a minute’s silence.

Hat tip for some of the photos to Nick.

Workers’ Memorial Day – Tuesday 28 April 2009

This morning I received copies of the UNISON 2009 Poster for Workers’ Memorial Day (see picture). This year I am trying to organise events to mark the occasion at work and within the Labour Party.

I read today in the TUC risks e-newsletter that 1 in every 10 carpenters who were born in the 1940’s will die prematurely of asbestos related diseases. 1 in every 10? I have worked as a housing officer with chippies throughout my career. A few born during this period will still be working but I wonder now about the health of all those I have lost touch with and those who have retired?

Below is from the UNISON website here

What is Workers Memorial Day?

Each year on 28 April, IWMD is marked around the world to Remember the dead, Fight for the living. We remember those killed, made ill, or injured by their own or someone else’s work. Their pain and suffering and that of their families deserves not to be forgotten. We also renew our commitment to, and demand once more, safe and healthy work for all.

Far too many workers and their families suffer each and every year. The figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and which make the headlines, never tell the full story.

So what is the full story? It is estimated that work incidents cause up to 1,600 deaths each year; including deaths to members of the public, work-related suicide, and road traffic accidents whilst driving for work.

On top of this, it is estimated that there are up to 50,000 deaths from work-related illnesses; including cancers, respiratory illnesses, and heart disease. For more detail, see The Whole Story, in the Safety and Health Practitioner

TULO Parliamentary Reception for Claude Moraes MEP and Anne Fairweather

Just back from this TULO meeting at the House of Commons which was sponsored by Islington South & Finsbury MP, Emily Thornberry.

Emily is on the left of the photo addressing the meeting while Claude and Anne are standing on the right.

Claude is defending his seat with with fellow MEP Mary Honeyball. While Anne Fairweather is trying to be elected for the first time as a London MEP. Anne is in 3rd place in the Labour Party list for London (its a PR election). At the moment Labour holds 3 out of 9 MEPs but the number of London MEPs is decreasing at the June election to 8 (due to new countries joining the EU).

Claude spoke about the importance of ensuring that enough Labour MEPs are elected in order to help their fellow socialists in the European parliament continue to pass progressive policies such as the new rights for agency workers and ending the opt out from the Working Time Directive. Also they have passed much needed social legislation such as European Works Councils and the landmark proposal for an EU wide ban on discrimination in the provision of goods and services. Labour MEPs are also fighting the threats to trade union collective agreements following the adverse legal judgments of Viking, Lavall & Ruffert.

The message is don’t let anyone (or any Tory tabloid) tell you that the elections in June are not important.

I had a chat afterwards with Claude and Emily about attending possible Worker Memorial Day (WMD) events. Which I will see if I can organise via TULO. While Anne accepted an invitation to help out in the Newham Royal Docks by-election.

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.

Forest Gate South Labour Party honour WMD

Remember Workers Memorial Day 28 April 2007.

Thought I should post a picture of some of the members of the top Labour Party Branch, Forest Gate South, whose members tonight voted to reselect Lyn Brown MP and also had a blinding debate on knife crime (see last post). They are all wearing their WMD ribbons. Newham TULO will be holding an event to mark the day on the 28th in Forest Gate. Further details to follow.

UNISON Royal Borough Backs Workers Memorial Day 28 April

The branch Executive of the Royal Borough of Kingston UNISON supporting "Workers Memorial Day" by proudly wearing their purple "forget-me-not" remembrance ribbons (pictured inside Kingston Guildhall).

Yesterday I attended the Executive meeting to speak them about the workings of the UNISON London region and LGPS Pension Governance. I was there to speak to the branch on behalf of the elected regional lay officers Alan Jaman (Convenor), Gloria Hanson (Deputy Convenor), Lyn Bently (Publicity) and Sarah Lewis (Young Persons Convenor). All of us have been trying to visit as many London branches as possible to listen to members and take note of their concerns.

Beforehand I was at a meeting with branch Secretary Alex Yap and UNISON area organisers Maggie Jones and Jay Williams. They are taking part in a branch development partnership plan (an interest close to my heart!). It was a really interesting meeting. There is a lot the region can do to support branches, recruit and retain members. Organise or die!

Finally, a picture taken of Alex on route to a union meeting. Alex has obvious negotiated a top trade union facilities agreement with the Council!

(picture taken last Sunday). Nothing is too good for the workers.

Lyn Brown MP - Stratford "T Party"

This is the second constituency development meeting (aka "Tea Party") that I have attended. This time the response was overwhelming with standing room only at one point. Lyn is the Labour MP for West Ham. She invited local Ward (Labour) Councillors Richard Crawford, David Griffin and Regina Williams to attend. It took place on Saturday at the historic Old Town Hall, Stratford, London, E15. Tea, coffee and biscuits were on offer. However, the aim of the event is for residents to meet up informally with their MP and Councillors to discuss local issues and concerns. You can become quite cynical about public participation in political life, especially about domestic issues. But this type of event shows that people will turn up and give up part of a Saturday morning to talk about "bread and butter" concerns which are important to them if given the chance.

Next one should be in Forest Gate (North) on 28 April 2007 (which is also Workers Memorial Day)

Number 10 Petition on making WMD "National Day of Remembrance"

Click on Number 10 to sign the e-petition and ask the Prime Minister to declare 28 April an official day of mourning. You just have to enter your name (which is published), email & home address (which is kept confidential). Number 10 send you a confirmation email back, which you just click on a link and your name is registered. Should take less than 5 minutes.

The petition was started by Dorothy Wright who is a founder member of FACK (Families Against Corporate Killers). The petition is being supported by Amicus and I am sure by all other unions.

Amicus Research Officer, Chris O’Leary, "every year more people are killed at work than die in wars, and that 28 April is the international commemoration day devoted to their memory. It was originally established as an international day in 1996, and has since been commemorated in thousands of activities around the world, as well as being officially recognised by a growing number of national governments. “Most workers don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents,’ says O’Leary. “They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. 1600 people die each year in UK while doing their job and 20000 die from work related diseases. The country should remember them on this day, as they do in other countries and by doing so reduce this slaughter.”

See also "Hazards" WMD news and the TUC Risks (free e-newsletter for safety reps)

WMD 28 April 2007 - Safety Reps Network

UNISON London Region Health and Safety Committee has set up a successful "Safety Reps Network". Here, some members of the network at their lunchtime meeting held yesterday (7 March 2007), hold up UNISON posters advertising this years Workers Memorial Day (WMD).

This quarterly meeting is open to all branch health and safety officers. It is very informal and branch officers are able to share problems and experiences with other colleagues from across the region and all UNISON service groups. If you are a London branch Health and Safety Officer and would like to attend get your branch to contact the regional office make sure you are registered as the branch H&S officer on our computer system.

Workers Memorial Day (WMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year. It is a day to remember those who have been killed while at work. Also, it is a campaigning day for health and safety. 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".

In previous years I have helped organise wreath laying events outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall and the memorial in Three Mills Park, Newham. Trade Union members, Local MP's, London Assembly members, Mayors, Council Chief Officers and religious leaders have attended. This year WMD is on a Saturday. London Mayor Ken Livingston normally organises an event outside the Assembly Hall. So we will probably participate in this. Watch this blog.

UNISON members in photo Back - Esther Dowling (Environment Agency) Me (Tower Hamlets LG), Katrina Hoogendam (Lambeth LG), John Caulfield (Transco), Tom Blacker (Brent Health) Front - Adeline Au (Moorfield Eye hospital), Louis Ellis (Royal Free Hospital), Pam McGuffie (Greenwich LG)