Moving IWMD service mourns those who have died at work and pledges to fight for living

A moving International Workers' Memorial Day service at the Workers’ Memorial in Persley Walled Garden brought together trade unionists, councillors and citizens to lay wreaths in memory of those who had died as a result of an accident at work or an industrial disease and to pledge to fight for the living.

The late Graeme Farquhar, former President of ATUC, widow Hazel laid the ATUC wreath. 

Wreaths were also laid by Trade Union Representatives from Unite, Unison and CWU. 

A wreath was laid by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, David Cameron who also delivered a message of support and solidarity from Aberdeen City Council. Cllr Alison Evison from Aberdeenshire Council also laid a wreath on behalf of the NHS.

Linda Carmichael of the WASPI pension equality campaign group laid a wreath and delivered a message of sympathy and support for the families who have lost loved ones in workplace accidents or through industrial disease. 

There was a minute's silence held in memory of all who have died.

Organised by ATUC, President Tommy Campbell chaired the event and told those gathered that International Workers' Memorial Day brings together workers and their representatives from all over the world to remember the dead and fight for the living.

He said, “We organise these events because every year more people are killed at work than are killed in wars.  Many workers die because their employer decided their health and safety just wasn't that important a priority.

“This year the IWMD theme is --- Occupational Health and Safety – A fundamental right at work. This theme emphasizes the importance of safe and healthy workplaces as a fundamental right for all workers. The International TU Confederation is also focusing on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalization on occupational health and safety

“Over 50 years ago the Health and Safety at Work Act was passed in the UK Parliament to protect workers but sadly many workers are still killed at work or die from industrial diseases.

“Trades Union Officers, shop stewards and workplace Health & Safety Reps have through organised political campaigns secured other legislative changes to protect workers.

“At a workplace level workers and their Trade Union health and Safety Representatives actively ensure through their vigilance that there is an adherence to all the H&S Regulations coupled with good working practices born from hard won practical experiences of carrying out your work alongside colleagues. We always need to speak up and speak out to each other as well.

“Every day, trade union health and safety reps work with their union members and employers to bring about adjustments to keep working people healthy and safe in their job. We know from the research carried out that workers health and safety is much better in a trade union organised workplace.”

 With thanks to Norman Adams ACC photographer