Workers Memorial Day: Mourn the dead, fight for the living

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CWU delegates attending the annual conference in Bournemouth commemorated Worker's Memorial Day today (Monday 28th April) by wearing a purple ribbon and holding a minute's silence.

The CWU, along with other unions around the globe, uses this day to remember those workers, especially CWU members, who have tragically died at work.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes marked the occasion with a special address to the Conference. He called for delegates to remember those colleagues who have died during the course of their duties.

Last year, CWU opened a peace garden at their training headquarters at Alvescot Lodge to mark Worker's Memorial Day.

Billy said: "We in the trade union movement are very proud of our health and safety culture. Our government has implemented massive cuts to the Health and Safety Executive and continually attacks health and safety legislation."

He added: "We need to stop companies in the UK from benefitting from the lack of health and safety standards that lead to disasters such as the Bangladesh factory collapse that killed over 1,100 workers.

"Today, unions across the world commit to ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. That can best be done by building trade union organisation, and campaigning for stronger safety laws, stricter enforcement with higher penalties for those employers who ignore health and safety."

Dave Joyce, the union's health, safety and environment officer, will also mark the occasion at tomorrow's health and safety fringe event.

"Today we mourn for the dead and continue our fight for the living. Trade unionists around the world join together to mark this worldwide day of reflection. Workers are killed, injured or made ill by their work and Worker's Memorial Day is held to honour these workers. It is also a day for us to call for safer workplaces and working conditions," said Dave.