The focus for Workers’ Memorial Day this year is on a
collective day of remembrance and solidarity for all workers who have lost
their lives as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic affects every
worker regardless of sector or locality. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide
have died. More have fallen ill or continue to go to work risking their lives.
Many workers are still attending work ill-equipped and without necessary safety
measures in place.
ATUC is supporting the call made by the Royal College
of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives and UNISON - who collectively
represent more than a million NHS and public service staff - to undertake a
minute’s silence at 11am as a public display of commemoration and solidarity.
During the crisis created by Covid-19,
International Workers’ Memorial Day has never been more important. Key workers,
who until recently the government and establishment were calling ‘unskilled’
have been keeping the country running, as they always have.
Aberdeen Trades Union Council would like to
extend its gratitude to all workers during this crisis; to all of our health and
social care workers in NHS Grampian, the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
councils, the Community and Voluntary sector, community General Practices and
Pharmacies; and also all other workers (paid and voluntary) who are helping to
keep society functioning during the crisis - our transport workers, teachers,
emergency services, shop workers, postal workers, delivery drivers, NGOs and
community volunteers, and others too numerous to mention.
Sasha Brydon, Aberdeen Trades Union Council President
said, “We have been concerned at the failure of both the UK and the Scottish
governments over their handling of the crisis and their failure to provide
adequate Personal Protective Equipment and testing.
“We have also long condemned the underfunding
of councils and the National Health Service, which has added to the challenges
in dealing with this pandemic in the North East of Scotland.”
Many of ATUC’s affiliated unions represent our
key workers, and we include some words from them below:
Mel Poole, Communication Workers Union: “This
year's International Workers’ Memorial Day marks a very poignant time for the
working class around the world. Many workers have lost their lives due to this
pandemic.
“We in the CWU Grampian and Shetland branch
would like to pay tribute to all key workers and their families who continue,
despite the dangers to serve our communities.
“We would like to pass on our condolences to
all those families who have lost loved ones since last year's memorial day. We
would especially like to remember the ten members of our CWU family who have
passed on, and their passing will forever leave a gaping hole in our union, a
hole which will never be replaced.”
John Singer, Union of Shop, Distributive and
Allied Workers: “Recently
'low' skilled workers have become 'key' workers recognised as vital to the
provision of food and other essentials. Collectively we can get through this
crisis.
“Afterwards
we should have an improved sense of solidarity.
Regardless of whether someone's job status is considered prestigious or
lowly, we are all people.”
Keith Grant, UNISON: “UNISON Grampian Health
Branch are proud to support International Workers’ Memorial Day, and the ATUC.
As an integral part of healthcare within Grampian, and a continuous participant
in this poignant memorial day, now more than ever, we as a branch want all
unions to commemorate this day.”
Graham Gavin, Unite the Union: “Here at First
Aberdeen our members were concerned with the "speak holes" in the
bandit screens and the close proximity of passengers if the buses were busy.
“As a union we lobbied the employer to cover
up the holes with clear plastic and asked them to cordon off the two seats
behind/adjacent to the driver to allow for social distancing . There was no
real clear guidance from division on how many passengers were allowed on a
vehicle at any one time.
“Locally however we have said to our members to
monitor closely how busy their bus is and if they feel that they have too many
folk on to allow the recommended two meters, to contact the control room for
guidance.
“There has been hand sanitizer handed out to every
driver and plentiful supply to top up as required also disposable gloves have
been handed out as well. Apart from that everyone is observing social
distancing within our canteen areas and also where changeovers are involved
drivers are standing back to allow their relief to come off.”
Simon Leroux, Fire Brigades Union: “On International
Workers Memorial Day we are calling on all FBU members to remember these
workers in the traditional way of firefighters, by standing for a minute’s
silence on the forecourt of fire stations and other Fire & Rescue Service
workplaces.
“By doing so we will show our solidarity and respect
for all workers affected by the pandemic, bus drivers, health workers, social
care workers and the many others who have shown themselves to be at the
forefront of protecting and delivering for our communities and society during
this time of crisis.
“We also know that firefighters have died from the
virus in various countries, particularly in Italy and the USA.”
“We are also supporting the call made by the Royal
College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives and UNISON - who collectively
represent more than a million NHS and public service staff - to undertake the
minutes silence at 11am as a public display of commemoration and solidarity.”
Aberdeen Trades Union Council Executive Committee