Remember the dead and fight for the living

April 28 is Workers Memorial Day. UNISON at UK level is campaigning for government recognition of the Day and here in Scotland UNISON member Cathy Peattie MSP is tabling a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on MSPs to support WMD.

UNISON believes that there needs to be a cultural change in the way work related deaths, injuries, and ill-health are viewed. They are not just part of the job, or just unfortunate. In most cases they are also avoidable.

Official recognition of the Day will bring us a step closer towards universal condemnation of the tragic and preventable loss of life, injury, and ill-heath. This in turn may lead to better enforcement of existing health and safety laws. There are lots of other campaign materials and ideas at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/safety/wmd.html

EVENTS

Aberdeen: Details to follow

Greenock: Trades council, unions, Inverclyde council, local politicians, and others will lay wreaths at the workers statue in Clyde Square, outside the council buildings on 28 April at 11am.

Bathgate: 10-12 on 28 April: West Lothian Trades Council and West Lothian Council have organised a Workers Memorial Day Seminar from in the Bathgate Sports Centre. Then participants join with others at the International Workers Memorial for a short service.

Clydebank: Sat 26 April, 12 noon, Clydebank Plaza. Speakers include Ian Tasker, STUC Assistant Secretary

Dundee: Friday 25 April, City Chambers, Annual Memorial Day lecture on the theme Equality for All, Creating an Inclusive Scotland delivered by Mary Senior, STUC Assistant Secretary 12:30. 28 April, Service at the memorial tree adjacent to Discovery Quay.

Edinburgh: Monday, 28 April, 12-1pm. West Princes Street Gardens, near to Ross Band Stand, Speakers include Louise Adamson, Families Against Corporate Killers, songs from Protest in Harmony.

Fife: 10.00 Memorial Service in Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy. 12-2 Seminar on Health and Safety and Corporate Manslaughter Bill. Glasgow: Commemoration in George Square, 13:00. Speakers to be confirmed

North Lanarkshire: Unveiling of North Lanarkshire Workers' Memorial, Summerlee Heritage Park, Coatbridge, 12:00. Speakers include Elaine Smith MSP and Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary

Midlothian: 12:30 at the memorial in George V Park, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian.

Information from the UNISON Scotland H&S Bulletin on the website. www.unison-scotland.org.uk/safety

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