LTB 240/18 – Workers Memorial Day 28 April 2018 – List Of Events: “Unionised Workplaces Are Safety Workplaces”
No. 240/2018
20 April 2018
Our Ref: N4/18
Workers Memorial Day 28 April 2018 – List Of Events: “Unionised Workplaces Are Safety Workplaces”
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.
In 2018 the theme for the day is “Unionised workplaces are safer workplaces” and will focus the huge difference that unions and union safety reps make in preventing deaths in the workplace. Unions are also celebrating 40 years of union health and safety representatives as part of the Safety Reps 40th Anniversary campaign “SafetyReps@40”.
The TUC has compiled a list of WMD events notified to TUC/HQ as follows. Reproduced below is a list of some of the events that are happening up and down the country. Some of these events will also feature a minute’s silence at noon, or a suitable time
Events
Workers Memorial Day events can be added and for an event to be displayed on the TUC list and special Website Page, details should be sent to:- healthandsafety@tuc.org.uk The TUC will update the list and Web Page as and when they hear about new events so please check back to keep an eye on what’s happening on Workers Memorial Day 2018! Unless another date in the list below is shown, all events are on Saturday 28th April.
London, Eastern and South East
Leyton – leafleting the Bakers Arms in Leyton at 11:00 about the death of Marian Nemit who lost his life on a shop refurbishment site at the Bakers Arms. At 13:15 there will be an event in Coronation Gardens in High Street Leyton, London E10 5NG, close to Leyton Tube Station. This will include a minute’s silence to remember all those killed by their work and wreath-laying at the war memorial in the park.
Waltham Forest – Annual event will be held at 13:00 at Coronation Gardens, Leyton, E10 5NG
Tower Hill London – There will be a rally with speeches commencing at 10:30 at the Building Worker Statue, Tower Hill, London, EC3. Organised by Unite construction sector but all welcome. Straight after the event at Tower Hill (around 12:45) there will be a silent vigil at Grenfell Tower – outside Notting Hill Methodist Church, 240 Lancaster Road, W11 4AH.
Southampton – Assemble from 11.30 at the ‘UNISON’ Bench on the corner of East Park off East Park Terrace overlooked by the Jurys Inn Hotel. Proceedings will start at 12 noon with a few speeches and a minute’s silence.
Milton Keynes – To be held on Sunday 29th April. Assemble in car park on Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, opposite MK Gallery. Short march at 11:30 to the MK Rose, Campbell Park for speeches and the laying of wreaths at the IWMD memorial pillar. All welcome.
Rochester – A Workers Memorial Day Service will be held at 11:45 on Monday 30th April at Rochester Castle Gardens, Rochester , Medway. A short service will be followed by tea, coffee and cake at the Corn Exchange.
Chelmsford – Assemble in 12:00 at Central Park, Chelmsford, at the Memorial Tree, close to the lake and viaduct, where a short memorial event will take place. There will also be a health & safety exhibition in Chelmsford Library’s Remembrance Square from 23rd – 28th April.
Colchester – The annual commemoration will commence at 14:00 at the International Workers Memorial Tree in Lower Castle Park Colchester followed by refreshments at the Victoria Inn, 10 North Station Road, Colchester CO1 1RB.
Portsmouth – Assemble: 11:45 for Noon start at the Workers Memorial Monument Victoria Park, Anglesea Road, Portsmouth PO1 2BG.
Eastborne – There will be a street stall in Eastbourne Town Centre- at Bankers’ Corner in Terminus Road from 10:00 to 12:00. All welcome.
Midlands
Birmingham – 12.30 in the grounds of St Philips Cathedral, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB.
Northampton – Starts 11.00am next to the steelworker statue in Corby town centre or in the Corby Cube if the weather is bad. There will be speakers and the presentation of a cheque to the Mesothelioma Research Fund.
Solihull – Friday 27 April at 12.30 in Brueton Gardens (opp Barley Mow Pub).
Coventry – There will be a commemoration at 12 noon in Bayley Lane , Coventry City Centre, CV1 5RN.
Leicester – Begins at 12 noon at the Town Hall Square with a minute’s silence and a roll call to commemorate those workers who have lost their lives. Followed by a short public meeting.
Telford – The annual commemoration will be held at 11:00 at the Wellington Peace Garden (Outside Wellington Civic and Leisure centre), Tan Bank, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire TF1 1LX.
Wolverhampton – Meet at 12.30 at the Workers’ Memorial Day Tree, Cenotaph, St Peters Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1TS. There will be a range of speakers.
Sandwell – This event will take place on Friday 27 April 10:00-10:30 outside Sandwell Council House Chamber in Oldbury.
Northern
Hartlepool – Hartlepool Trades Union council are holding a remembrance Service 12.30pm, Refectory Area, Cleveland College of Art & Design, 1 Church Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7DS (free car parking accessed from Lynn Street). A range of speakers followed by wreath/flower laying. Before that there will be a Health & Safety Seminar at Room 108, in the College, to run between 09.00 to 12noon (buffet breakfast provided from 08.30) For more details or to register email ejeffries73@gmail.com by 20th April.
Stranley Crook County Durham – County Durham Trades Council will be holding their annual Workers Memorial Day service at St Thomas Chruch, Stanley Crook, County Durham at 19:00.
Sunderland – There will be a Workers Memorial Day on Friday 27th April 2018 11.30 for a 12 noon start at Workers Memorial Garden at Sunderland Civic Centre.
Ashington, Northumberland – Wreath Laying Ceremony with speakers and a piper at 12:30 at the North Seaton Cemetery Memorial Garden. Beforehand there is also a Public Meeting at 11:00 at The Elephant, Newbiggin Road, Ashington where there will be a number of speakers.
Gateshead – Meet at 12noon for a memorial service at 12.15 at the Rose Garden, Saltwell Park, Gateshead.
Northwest
Chorley – There will be a memorial service on Friday 27th April at the Unite WMD tree planted in Astley Park. Meet at the Park Gates, Park Road, Chorley. All welcome, please bring your banners.
Manchester – 12:00 to 13.00 in Albert Square, Manchester. The theme is “Unions make work safer”. There will be music, a play, trade union and family speakers. In addition there will be an exhibition at the People’s History Museum and more events during the week.
Salford – Wreath-laying at the Workers Memorial stone and plaque situated on the lawn area between the Civic Centre main entrance and Unity House at 12.15 on Friday 27th April. Staff and Councillors wishing to remember those who have lost their lives through their work are welcome to attend the event.
Liverpool – Assemble at 11:30am at the Hod Carrier Memorial, Hunter Street (opposite the rear of Jack Jones House). Speeches from 11:45am, followed by wreath laying.
Liverpool – 11:00 (assemble 10:45) on the South Piazza of Georges Dock Building Pier Head L31DD (corner of Mann Island and the Strand) for commemoration and wreath-laying with speeches from 11:30 at St Nicholas Church off Chapel Street.
Preston – 12:00-13.00 at Flag Market, Preston Town Centre. Speeches followed by banner march behind piper to lay wreaths at the Peace Garden on Friargate and hotpot at Black Horse.
Wigan – 12 noon (assemble at 11:45) at Memorial Tree (adjacent Bridgeman Terrace gates) for minutes silence speeches and laying of wreaths. Guests invited for refreshments at Frederick’s Café Pavilion afterwards.
Scotland
Edinburgh – The annual commemoration will take place at the workers memorial tree and plaque in West Princes Street Gardens, (EH2 2HG) commencing at 12.30.
Bonnybridge – A memorial event will be held by Midlothian TUC, with the support of Midlothian Council at the Michael McGahey Memorial in George V Park, Bonnyrigg EH19 2AD starting at 12.30.
Kilmarnock – Dean Castle Country Park, Dean Road, Kilmarnock (KA3 1XB) starting at 11.00, assembling at the Dowar House from 10.45.
Alexandria – The commemoration will take place at 14.00 in Christie Park, Middleton Street, Alexandria G83 0BF.
Glasgow – The event to mark the day will take place at 12 noon at the memorial adjacent to the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.
Dundee – Meet at 12 noon at the memorial tree situated adjacent to Discovery Quay (DD1 4XA).
Falkirk – The Municipal Buildings in West Bridge Street (FK1 5RS) is the venue for the commemoration organised by Falkirk TUC, commencing at 12 noon.
Aberdeen – Please gather at the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen at 12.30 for the event at 13:00.
Bathgate (West Lothian) – The commemoration will take place at 12.30 at the memorial at Bathgate Sports Centre, Torpichen Road, Bathgate, (EH48 4LA). A light lunch will be served afterwards.
Hamilton (South Lanarkshire) – Will take place at the workers memorial situated at Almada Street/Beckford Street adjacent to the Council Headquarters (ML3 0AA) at 11.30.
Coatbridge – The annual commemoration will take place at the gates of Summerlee Industrial Museum at 12 noon.
Kirkcaldy – The annual event in Fife will take place in Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy KY2 5PH at 11.00am.
Inverness – The first annual commemoration at the workers memorial in Inverness will take place at the memorial at Friars Shot/Huntly Street, IV3 8LF meeting at 12.45 for 13:00.
Irvine – 18.30 at the Memorial Garden, Kilwinning Road, Irvine. Meet from 18.15 at Wee Annie’s Shop in Kilwinning Road Irvine.
Wales
Aberavon – an event will take place at noon at the Memorial Garden, Sandfields Road, Aberavon.
Yorkshire and Humberside
Doncaster – Please meet at 11:30 at Sir Nigel Gresley Square, Civic offices, Doncaster.
Cleethorpes – starts at 15:00 at the Workers Memorial and tree in the Pier Gardens Alexandra Road Cleethorpes. Service Conducted By Rev Paul Hunter.
Grimsby – Starts at 13:00 at The Workers Memorial and Tree in the Grounds of the War Memorial Nunn’s Corner Grimsby. Service conducted By the Revd Canon Andrew Dodd.
Immingham – Starts at 10:00 at the Workers Memorial and tree in the Grounds of the War Memorial Pelham Road Immingham. Service Conducted By the Misters of The Immingham Churches.
Leeds – Friday 27th April on the steps of Leeds University Union building 12.30. There will be speeches, a one minute silence at 13:00 and then wreath-laying in St George’s field on the University campus by the workers memorial tree and bench.
Leeds – There will be an event on Friday 27 April, Leeds Art Gallery, the Headrow, Leeds, 11:45. It will include wreath laying and speakers.
Sheffield – Wreath laying ceremony and speeches outside Sheffield Town Hall, Pinstone Street 1230-1330. Will be opened by Lord Mayor with various speakers followed by a minute’s silence.
Rotherham – Sunday 29th April. Meet at 12 noon outside Rotherham Minster in town centre, with speeches and wreath laying.
Barnsley – Assemble at town hall steps by cenotaph at 12.15 for 12.30 memorial. Speakers include local MPs. Wreaths will be laid at WMD plaque in flower bed.
Bradford – Starts with a minutes silence at 12 noon in the Memorial Garden at the rear of City Hall. There will also be wreath laying and speakers. All welcome.
Halifax – There will be a workers’ memorial commemoration at 12:30 which will include the unveiling of a new permanent memorial outside the Central Library, Halifax. Banners and wreaths welcome. There will also be a programme of films in the library starting at 13:30.
Keighley – There will be an event in the Town Hall Square at 11:00.
South West
Bristol – There will be leafleting on the 26th April at commuter-time in the centre of Bristol to highlight the need to remove all asbestos in schools. 16.30-18:00 at the Fountains, opposite the Hippodrome, Bristol BS1 4UZ.
Gloucester – A short ceremony will be held between 11:00 and 12:00 on the 27th April at the Mariner’s church, Gloucester Docks, GL1 2EN.
Swindon – The local Trades Council will be leafleting in the Town Centre mid-morning and then be going up to the Mesothelioma Memorial Garden, Queens Park, Swindon for wreath laying at 13:00.
Yeovil – Workers’ Memorial Day will be observed at 18:00 at the plaque outside Unity Hall, 5 Central Rd, Yeovil BA20 1JL.
What you can do:
- Find out what is happening in your area on 28 April. You can make enquiries with other Unions and the trades council to see if there’s a local WMD event not listed above;
- If nothing is happening then get together with some of your colleagues and organise something. It can be a commemorative event or rally, a workplace meeting or just a small get-together;
- Organise a minute’s silence in your workplace on the day (because the 28th April is a Saturday, if your workplace is closed that day you may want to hold it on the Friday);
- 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;
- Arrange 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;
- If you are planning any events for the day, or you want to raise awareness about Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April, then it is important you consider how you can best use local media both before and on the Day.
- Ask local religious centres to include Workers’ Memorial Day in their worship on the day;
- Distribute purple ‘forget-me-not’ ribbons, the symbol of Workers Memorial Day;
- Let people know about anything that happened in your area on the day. Use hashtag #IWMD18.
Resources (Stickers, Badges, Posters, Ribbons):-
For resources on Workers Memorial Day including ribbons and car stickers please contact the Greater Manchester Hazards centre at: mail@gmhazards.org.uk Phone: 0161 636 7557
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer