Workers' Memorial Day
Workers' Memorial Day 2010 - 'Unions make work safer.'
The CWU
supports Worker's Memorial Day, which is held on 28 April every
year. All over the world, workers and their nnions conduct events,
demonstrations, vigils and a host of other activities to mark the
day.
The worldwide theme for Workers' Memorial Day this year is 'Unions make work safer.'
Cabinet minister Yvette Cooper has announced that the UK will officially recognise Workers' Memorial Day to commemorate thousands of people who have died, been seriously injured or made ill through their work,
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 commemorates those workers.
The day is also intended to serve as a rallying cry to
"remember the dead, but fight like hell for the living".
Download the poster here: WMD
Poster
Links for Workers Memorial Day:
DWP News Release:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=410673&SubjectId=2
Hazards Workers Memorial Day Page: http://www.hazards.org/wmd/
TUC Workers Memorial Day Page: http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-11563-f0.cfm
Greater Manchester Hazards Centre: http://www.gmhazards.org.uk
ICFTU Workers Memorial Day Page:
http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991219085&Language=EN
Prime Minister's Statement 2009: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19130
Advice from the TUC: What can you do?
Get your employer to allow some form of recognition of the day, such as one minute's silence to remember anyone who has died at your workplace;
Ask your local council, or any other public body to fly official flags at half-mast on the day. Remember that the day is officially recognised by the government;
Write a letter to the local press;
Organising a local meeting on health and safety. You could focus on a particular issue of concern where you work, such as violence or lone working;
Arranging 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, to remember workers who have been killed at the workplace or in the community;
Asking local religious centres to include Workers' Memorial Day in their worship during the Week;
Distribute purple 'forget-me-not' ribbons, the symbol of Workers Memorial Day;
Finding out what other unions, your local Hazards group, or regional TUC or Trades Council are planning and taking part or organising a joint event.
If you are organising or supporting an event for Workers
Memorial Day then please email through the details to healthandsafety@cwu.org
