The union for life

Keyword Search

Workers' Memorial Day, 28 April every year

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.

Click here for posters and other resources for WMD

Fight for the living

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. This year the slogan for the day is, “remember the dead, but fight like hell for the living” 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, Last year Parliament finally passed a law, which comes into effect on 6 April 2008. 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 2008, make sure you are organised for WMD 2009, 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 2009

see Workers Memorial Facebook page

SERTUC Workers Memorial Day Event

28 APRIL 2009 (6 - 9pm)

TUC Congress House - Great Russell Street - London WC1B 3LS
SERTUC in collaboration with Thompson's Solicitors invite you to join us to commemorate Workers Memorial Day with a film screening of Pin the Pits.

www.tuc.org.uk/sertuc

North-east Lincolnshire WMD services.

The services will take place at the following time and locations and will include the laying of wreaths and a minutes silence. Most important and the reason behind the day if anyone knows of any person who may have tragically lost a loved one at work and would like the names of their loved ones read out and remembered at all the services, and for furthur information on these services please contact H W Styles Convener, Bluestar Fibres on t: 01469 577894 e: hwstyles@yahoo.co.uk.

WMD service Immingham

The service will be conducted by the Reverend Daniel Haylett at 10.30am at Workers Memorial in the grounds of the War Memorial, Pelham Road, Immingham.

WMD service Grimsby

The service will be conducted by the Reverend Terry Bardell at 1.00pm at the Workers Memorial in the grounds of the War Memorial Nunn's Corner, Grimsby.

WMD service Cleethorpes

The service will be conducted by the Reverend Paul Hunter at 3.00pm at the Workers Memorial in the Pier Garden, Alexander Road, Cleethorpes.

Manchester - Rally at Peace Gardens 11.30am - 12.30pm on Tuesday 28^th April - music by Claire Mooney; Speakers - Tony Lloyd MP, Regional trade union officials, TU safety reps., Families Against Corporate Killers.
Joint Union Event, Manchester (PDF)

Refreshments and Workshop for safety reps on how to raise profile of WMD, how to publicise the need for more regulation and enforcement to make work safer at Mechanics Institute afterwards: http://www.gmhazards.org.uk/Manchester%20flyer%202009.pdf

Preston - March and rally on Saturday 25^th April 11.30 am at Preston Flag Market for more information about it, please contact: WMD c/o Trade Union Education, 5^th Floor, Buckingham House, Preston PR1 3LS, Chair: Andy Birchall, 01772 223112 www.lancashiretradeunions.org.uk

Chorley - Chorley Branch of Unite the Union are holding a multi-faith memorial service at the Unite Workers Memorial Tree in Astley Park, Chorley, on Friday 24th, April at 6pm Meet at the Park gates (Park Road) at 5:50pm, all welcome. For more information Steve Turner (Branch Secretary) Mob- 07859369492 www.chorleytradescouncil.co.uk

Liverpool - An event is being organised on the South Piazza of George's Dock Building (corner of Mann Island and the Strand), Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DD on Tuesday 28th April at 12.00 noon. For further information please contact Colin Carr on 0151 728 2200.

Bradford - Everyone is welcome to join in the WMD memorial event outside Bradford City Hall for 12 noon on Tuesday 28th of April.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-16251-f0.cfm

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.