Preston Workers Memorial Day 2006
submitted by Graham King

Preston & District Workers Memorial Day Committee is a co-operative of local Safety Reps & Trade Union activists from various Trade Unions, TUC Education Units and Trades Union Councils. We hope eventually that all Trade Unions from all local workplaces will become actively involved in our activities.

We established our Committee during 2005, following the success of the Workers’ Memorial Day event we held in Preston City Centre, Lancashire during that year.

There are several reasons why we formed a Committee including:

• Collective involvement, organising and campaigning by all local workplace Trade Unions

• Organising and running an annual well attended local Workers’ Memorial Day event in Preston City Centre

• Raising Health & Safety and Trade Union (including recruitment) awareness throughout the local community

• Organising an annual conference, and other events for all local TU Safety Reps and members on or around the 28th April

• Solidarity with world-wide Workers' Memorial Day events

On Friday 28th April 2006 at 12.30PM we held an event to mark International Workers' Memorial Day. The event consisted of a multi-faith service, contemporary folk musicians, readings and speeches by guest speakers, a release of 220 balloons signifying the number of UK workers killed whilst at work during April 2005 to March 2006, a short march down Friargate to Lune Street where a bronze cast memorial plaque was unveiled. This year’s turn out was higher than previous years and we hope to develop and build on this day for our event in 2007. Further information and materials about this event and our Committee is available at http://prestonworkers.org.uk/

Here are a couple of quotes from the day by two of the event’s organisers (both Amicus members):

Graham King Safety Rep from BAE Systems Warton Unit

“Annually on the 28th April, around the North West and in Preston, we publicly remember with dignity and respect, our work friends and the others who have been killed, injured, suffered ill health or detriment as a consequence of work. On this day, Preston’s Trade Unions stand in solidarity with our Trade Union colleagues throughout the world. Whilst today’s event reflects on the past, we also look to now and the future through the activities our respective Trade Unions collectively organise and perform including within our places of work and local community. Such campaigns and initiatives educate employers, employees and members of the public alike, driving change and improvement to the Health, Safety, Welfare and Environment of all. Studies by the International Labour Organisation highlight that Union workplaces are safer worker places with fewer work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses – so if you’re not in a union perhaps you should seriously consider joining one!”

Janet Newsham, TUC Education Unit, Preston College

“Most workplace accidents and deaths could be avoided with improved health and safety controls. People’s lives are being put at risk unnecessarily at work. It is time that safety took preference above profit. Deaths at work including the Chinese Cockle Pickers at Morecambe and the Tebay rail workers were totally avoidable and whilst the convictions of those involved will bring some relief to the families, they will continue to mourn for their loved ones, who have died through no fault of their own. Workers Memorial Day is a time when we remember all those who have been killed or injured or suffered ill health as a result of their work. It is a day when we ask why are workers continuing to die and give an ultimatum to the owners and employers who continue to kill people through negligence, through profit motivation and through a total lack of regard for the health safety and welfare of the people they employ. Ignorance is no excuse in the law and nor should it be in the workplace. Workers deserve much better. They deserve to be able to work in a safe and healthy environment, free from injury and illness.”

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