Workers Memorial Day

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority.

Workers memorial day 2010

Please send us any information on any events that you are running or involved with in your region to healthandsafety@unitetheunion.org and also HealthandSafety@tuc.org.uk so we can promote your event.

Photos from this years Workers Memorial Day

Click here for posters and other resources for WMD

Worker’s Memorial Day is held on 28 April every year, and all over the world workers and their representatives conduct events, demonstrations, vigils and a whole host of other activities to mark the day. The worldwide theme for Workers' Memorial Day on 28 April this year is to be 'Unions make work safer.'For more information on Workers' Memorial day see the Hazards Magazine briefing and the latest issue. For subscription details contact sub@hazards.org 0114 201 4265 or click here.

Unite campaigning on Corporate Manslaughter

One of the continuing themes of Workers' Memorial Day is Prevention and Accountability. Workplace deaths are avoidable and poor health and safety is the cause. Unite has been campaigning for a corporate manslaughter law, on 6 April 2008 Parliament finally passed a law, which comes into effect on . More details of this campaign can be found here.

Safety reps

There would be no better way to support the campaign than make sure that workplaces are union organised, and that employers are taking action to make them safer. The most practical thing that branches and workplaces can do is make sure they have appointed a safety rep, and are getting them trained. If you already have one or more reps, think about appointing others. For more details on accreditation click here.

Report accidents

It is vital that all accidents, illnesses and near misses in the workplace are reported as lessons can be learned to prevent future occurrences. It will come as no surprise to anyone involved in health and safety that under-reporting is the norm. The HSE has recently carried out research that found only 30% of accidents to employees are reported - these are accidents that must be reported by law. Make sure you are familiar with what your employer has to do when accidents occur - and make sure it is done! Make sure colleagues in your workplace communicate details of any accidents to safety reps so that you can check your employer is fulfilling its obligations. Click here for accidents resources. Make sure your employer is providing a safe working environment by inspecting the workplace regularly - your legal entitlement as a safety rep. Click here for resources on inspections and safety reps' rights.

Organise an event

Regions and branches should think about marking the 28th April in some way. Supporting union organisation and safer workplaces is the best way to fight for the living. If you did nothing in 2009, make sure you are organised for WMD 2010, and if you are involved in organising an event or hear about one that is not listed below or on the TUC WMD listings page, please let us know. Click here for Greater Manchester Hazards Centre's safety reps guide to organising WMD events (pdf 144kb).

WMD events 2010

see Workers Memorial Facebook page

USW

The United Steelworkers in Canada, Unite's partner in the global union Workers Uniting are holding their Policy Conference between April 27th and 29th. To mark Workers Memorial Day on April 28th, the Conference will be declared a Day of Mourning. Unite Assistant General Secretary Tony Burke will take part in the conference and ceremony. The Canadian USW National Policy Conference will see the launch the USW New Worker Health and Safety Awareness programme. Unite's Tony Burke said: "Unite and the USW are also working on the launch of a joint health and safety campaign in the papermaking and packaging sector. The health and safety of Workers Uniting members is paramount to our global union. We have seen fatalities in the papermaking, chemicals and oil sectors in both Unite and USW and we aim to take the issue to a global level. On April 28th we will recognise those members and workers who have lost their lives due due to their work.

Workers Memorial Day Services North East Lincolnshire.

The services will take place at the following times and Locations and will include Speakers the laying of wreaths and a minutes silence. Dignitaries Many Unions and their Representatives the HSE, and most important the families who have lost loved ones at work.

Immingham

10-30am. Location the Workers Memorial in the Grounds of the War Memorial Pelham Road Immingham.

Grimsby

1-00pm. Location the Workers Memorial in the Grounds of the War Memorial Nunn’s Corner Grimsby.

Cleethorpes

3-00pm. Location the Workers Memorial in the Pier Gardens Alexandra Road Cleethorpes.

Anyone wishing to help support or wish to attend and lay wreaths please contact H W Styles (Nobby)Unite Convenor N E 10-348 Branch on the following hwstyles@yahoo.co.uk

Regional events are now being organised across the North West

Chorley

Unite Chorley Branch is planning a Memorial Service in Astley Park, Chorley at the Unite WMD tree starting at 6.00 pm prompt on April 30. This will be followed by a Health and Safety conference at Chorley Town Hall at 6.30 pm. If you would like to get involved in helping the Chorley event please contact Steve Turner (Branch Secretary) on 07838402614. For more information click here

Liverpool

NW Region Merseyside district Workers' Memorial Day event is being held on Wednesday, 28th April.

This year our commemoration will take place at 12 noon at the South Piazza of Georges Dock Building

(Corner of Mann Island and the Strand), Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DD
Speakers to include representatives from local Trade Unions, Business community, Asbestos Awareness and Solicitors

For more information contact Colin Carr on 0151 728 2200 / 07799114246

Manchester

Unite along with other trade unions, the North West Trades Union Council (NWTUC) Greater Manchester Hazards Centre and Thompsons Solicitors are planning a workshop for Health and Safety reps from 9.30am at the Mechanics Institute, Manchester on April 28^th. At 11.30am we intend to march to the Peace Gardens where we will hold a minutes silence at 12.00 noon. This will be followed by music from Claire Mooney and speakers including trade union safety reps and Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK).

Preston

Saturday 1st May 2010

Starting At Preston Flag Market with a minutes silence at 12.00 then a service led by Fr. Timothy Lipscomb and speakers including Susan Murry UNITE National Health and safety officer, Jo Morino Bakers Union General Secretary, Hilda Palmer Greater Manchester Hazards, Mark Hendrick MP for Preston, Preston College Trade Union Students and entertainment with Geoff Higginbottom. After the pigeon release march to Lune Street to unveil a plaque which has been sponsored by MWR solicitors to name the individuals commemorated by the Lune Street Riot statue and lay wreaths. Then afterwards lunch and refreshments and entertainment in the New Meadow Street Labour Club. All Welcome!

Ellesmere Port

The Shell Stanlow Manufacturing Complex at Ellesmere Port holds a "Safety Standstill" between 11.30am and 12 noon every Wednesday when everyone stops work and discusses a safety topic. On 28th April, Workers' Memorial Day will be the discussion topic and there will be a minute's silence at the start of the Standstill.

www.stanlow.org

WMD events in Scotland.

Wednesday 28 April –

Aberdeen:

Seminar in the morning in the Town Hall, followed by wreath laying ceremony at Persley Gardens Memorial.

Alloa

Clackmannanshire Council Offices, Greenfield. Time to be confirmed

Bathgate:

(organised by West Lothian TUC)

10 am – 12 noon Seminar Bathgate Sports Centre

12.30 – 1pm Ceremony Workers’ Memorial

Coatbridge:

(organised by North lanarkshire TUC)

12 – 1.00 pm Summerlee Industrial Museum Coatbridge

Saturday 24 April -

Edinburgh

12.30 pm Wreath laying ceremony, West Princes Street Gardens

For video of last years event in Edinburgh go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQAfuMi65gc

Glasgow

11.45am for noon Burns Statue, George Square

Greenock

11.00 am Clyde Square

Dundee

1pm Memorial Tree, Adjacent to Discovery Quay.

Clydebank:

12 noon Clydebank Town Hall

Falkirk:

12 noon Wreath laying ceremony, Falkirk Town Hall

Kilmarnock:

11 am Dean Country Park, Kilmarnock. Assemble: Dower House

Midlothian

King George V Park, Bonnyrigg. Time to be confirmed

Paisley

Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street. Time to be confirmed

Hamilton

11.45 for noon Commemoration minutes silence

Also see:

TUC's WMD events listings.

Hazards listings

Resources

New posters can be downloaded below. These will also be available from Unite regional offices.

Hazards posters can be downloaded below, car stickers can be downloaded from the top of this page (order form here). These, and ribbons (pictured below, order form here), can also be ordered from Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, mail@gmhazards.org.uk, tel: 0161 953 4037.