Category Archives: 2021 Scotland

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Scotland, Events listing

Scotland: International Workers Memorial Day 28th April 2021: Fighting for the right to health and safety for all Scottish Workers

On International Workers’ Memorial Day, the STUC and Scottish Hazards will remind Governments, health and safety enforcement bodies and employers that health and safety is a fundamental right that every worker should be able to enjoy and expect. The two organisations have also written to Scotland’s local authorities and other public bodies to ask that public building and landmarks be lit purple on the 28th April to commemorate all those who have lost their lives as a result of work and remind us of the importance of healthier, safer and fairer work for all.

A minutes silence will be held at 11am to remember those who have lost their lives at work through COVID infection and other workplace accidents and disease.

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary said:

“In the depths of current crisis, we must pay tribute to all the workers who have lost their lives through COVID infection but also to remember that workplace death, injury and disease is a day and daily occurrence.   We must use the period ahead to make workplaces safer, to strengthen workers voice and collective power and to bring employer and government to account.”

Scott Donohoe, Chair of Scottish Hazards said

“COVID-19 is not only a considerable health and safety risk it has exposed an occupational health and safety crisis that cannot, and should not, be allowed to be forgotten as restriction are eased and workplaces begin to reopen. This is not a return to normality it is a return to workplaces that have to be COVID secure and where the fundamental right for workers to be kept safe at work is respected.

“Since 2010 sustained ideological attacks on our health and safety regulations and our enforcement bodies have left them ill equipped to proactively enforce our fundamental rights and that is why Scottish Hazards is using Workers’ Memorial Day to call for health and safety and laws and enforcement to be devolved to Scotland and plans put in place to create a Scottish Occupational Health and Safety Agency”.

STUC/Scottish Hazards event 10.45am – 11.45am

Details of the buildings to be lit purple to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day on Wednesday

Aberdeen Council HQ, Marischal College, Aberdeen City Council

St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Perth Bridge, Perth and Kinross Council

Edinburgh Castle, Historic Environment Scotland

Bascule Bridge, Renfrewshire Council

Renfrew Town Hall, Renfrewshire Council

Johnstone Band Stand, Renfrewshire Council

Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland Isalnds Council

SSE Hydro, SEC Glasgow, Glasgow City Council

#iwmd21

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Scotland, Events listing

Scotland: Join the STUC International Workers’ Memorial Day 1 minute silence on Wednesday 28 April

STUC International Workers Memorial Day Commemoration, Wednesday 28 April at 10:45am

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic “accidents”. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 28 April commemorates those workers.

This year’s event is made even more poignant due to the work-related loss of life due to the COVID Pandemic.

Chair: Rozanne Foyer: STUC General Secretary
Pauline Rourke: CWU
Gary Smith: GMB
Phyllis Craig: Action for Asbestos Scotland
Professor Andy Waterson, Scottish Hazards 

We will be holding a 1 minute silence at 11am.  Register

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Scotland, Events listing

Scotland: 28 April activities organised by Scottish Hazards and Edinburgh TUC

News Release from Edinburgh Trade Union Council and Scottish Hazards (23 April 2021)

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Edinburgh Trade Union Council and Scottish Hazards are organising activities to mark this year’s International Workers Memorial Day.

We are calling on people to observe a minutes silence at 11am  at your workplace whether at home or elsewhere.

Wreaths and flowers will be laid at the Memorial Tree and Plaque in West Princes Street Gardens. Fifteen Edinburgh trade union organisations will lay wreaths including NUJ, UNISON, FBU,UCU, UNITE and EIS branches between 12 and 2pm.

Floral tributes will also be laid by the Protest in Harmony  choir, Migrant Pride and Scottish Hazards. We are pleased that the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Council will lay a wreath at 12.30pm.

Individuals can lay tributes in honour of loved ones who passed away during the COVID pandemic.

To mark the day the City of Edinburgh Council will lower its flags to half mast. Historic Environment Scotland will light up Edinburgh Castle in purple between dusk and midnight.

Lord Provost Frank Ross said: 

“It will be my honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Edinburgh and the Council to remember colleagues, friends, and relatives who have died, been injured or made ill by their work.

 “Each year we remember the sacrifices of workers across the world and this year has special significance because of the ongoing pandemic. Key workers continue to work on the frontlines caring for those suffering from coronavirus or delivering vital public services putting their own lives at risk. It is vital that we all take a moment to think about those who are no longer with us and honour their memory.

 “The Council has a long-standing commitment to marking International Workers’ Memorial Day, we recognise the importance of safe and healthy working conditions and we are fully committed to working towards this for our own employees and for all workers in the city.”

 Kathy Jenkins, Secretary of Scottish Hazards said: “Workers Memorial Day is a day for all of us to remember those who have died through work and to pledge again our commitment to fight for improved health and safety for all workers.  This is a truly international day which will be commemorated in well over 100 countries, many marking this day despite oppression and war.  Countries, from Argentina and Albania  through Iraq and indonesia, Myanmar, Palestine and  the Phillipines to Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

The international theme for this year is “ Health and Safety is a fundamental human right” and our related Scottish  theme “Fighting for the right to health and safety for all Scottish workers, today and everyday”

For workers and communities in Scotland and around the world, this year’s  workers’ memorial day  is especially  poignant, as we remember all of those who have died from Covid-19 and, in particular the many thousands who contracted the virus through work – often in the service of others.”

For further information contact Des Loughney, Secretary of Edinburgh Trade Union Council at this email address or 07734012536.

 

 

2021, 2021 Europe, 2021 Scotland, Events listing

Scotland: Webinar – ‘Health and Safety is a human right – let’s make it a reality’

International Workers Memorial Day Wednesday 28th April 2021 11am-12noon 

The theme for this year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day is: ‘Health and Safety is a human right – let’s make it a reality.’

With speakers from trade unions and the wider health and safety community.

Chair: Rozanne Foyer: STUC General Secretary

Pauline Rourke: CWU

Gary Smith: GMB

Phyliss Craig: Action for Asbestos Scotland

Professor Andy Waterson

Others TBC

Sign up for the event here

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic “accidents”. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 28 April commemorates those workers.

This year’s event is made even more poignant due to the work-related loss of life due to the COVID Pandemic.

2021 Europe, 2021 Scotland, Events listing

Scotland: Workers’ Memorial Day action in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Trade Union Council and Scottish Hazards are organising a Covid-safe wreath laying event at the Princes Street Memorial Tree. An online commemoration will be held 11am to Noon.

Further details: Scottish Hazards