Category Archives: 2023

2023, 2023 Europe, 2023 Netherlands, Events listing, News

Netherlands: FNV Symposium Workers’ Memorial Day

FNV Symposium Workers’ Memorial Day

https://www.fnv.nl/werk-inkomen/veilig-gezond-werken/bedrijfsongevallen/workers-memorial-day

On the 28th of April the Dutch National Trade Union FNV and the Foundation for Work Related Accidents (Stichting Arbeidsongevallen) will organise a symposium at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport in honour of the Workers’ Memorial Day.

Central topic will be that occupational health and safety is a fundamental workers’ right. In the Netherlands every year over 4000 workers die due to work related accidents or diseases. This is unacceptable!

The symposium will have presentations from Kitty Jong, vice president of FNV, Hanneke van den Bout, director Health and Safety of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Rits de Boer, Inspector General of the Dutch Labour Inspection and Jan Warning, director of Institute of Victims of Occupational Diseases by Hazardous Substances (ISBG).

There will also be various presentations by workers about their experiences at the airport work floor of Schiphol. These workers, like luggage handlers, face very harsh safety and health conditions and are only paid minimum wages.

The foundation for Work Related Accidents will present results of their research on work related accidents among precarious workers.

At the end of the event the Laura Brugmans award will be handed out. Laura Brugmans was one of the founders of the Foundation for Work Related Accidents.

(https://www.stichtingarbeidsongevallen.nl/in-memoriam-laura-brugmans/)

More information on FNV’s policy for OSH

https://www.fnv.nl/werk-inkomen/veilig-gezond-werken

https://www.fnv.nl/nieuwsbericht/sectornieuws/schiphol/2022/01/nieuwe-minister-moet-haast-maken-met-arbeidsomstan

https://www.fnv.nl/nieuwsbericht/algemeen-nieuws/2022/12/minister-van-gennip-tekent-europees-vakbondsmanife

2023, 2023 UK, News

UK: TUC – Our big day is just 7 weeks away!

In seven weeks’ time, it will be International Workers’ Memorial Day, which as many of you know is an international day marked by the trade union movement to remember all workers who lost their lives to workplace illness or injury, and to recommit ourselves to fighting to keep workers safe: Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living!

You might: On 28 April remember someone who died as a result of work by using our online memorial wall; check out our workers’ health & safety timeline and use it for member education; host a IWMD event and list it on our website with an interactive map; or ask your local council to sign up to our Stay Safe, Join a Union campaign.

Action Online memorial wall. IWMD interactive events map. Stay Safe, Join a Union campaign.

Resources IWMD posters and graphics for social media. TUC guide to Organising on Health and Safety. Upcoming TUC Education courses for reps

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023, 2023 global, News

Global: Organising for health and safety on 28 April 2023

Announcing the theme for International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April this year, ITUC’s deputy general secretary Owen Tudor noted ILO’s recognition that a safe and healthy work environment is a fundamental right for workers, adding: “This has given a new impetus to organising for health and safety – a crucial part of union action. This year’s Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28 is dedicated to this core union priority.”

ITUC/Hazards 28 April 2023 website. TUC #iwmd23 webpages. ITUC newsletter, 6 February 2023. Occupational health and safety adopted as an ILO fundamental right at work.

Health and Safety and Organising – A guide for reps, TUC and related interactive guide for union reps (you may need to register to access this resource).

More on organising for OHS. 15 February 2023

2023, 2023 UK, News, Resources

UK: Organising 101- Hazards magazine

Read the Organising 101 column by trade union activist, tutor and anti-blacklisting campaigner Dave Smith.

1. Using flower power at work
2. A walk in the park
3. If you want to win, you better listen
4. Blocking roads and turning a corner
5. Getting bugged by hot desking
6. Something for the weekend
7. Find a friend
8. Just ask what workers want
9. You gotta fight for your right to safety
10. Imagine you’re a tree
11. How to stress test your workplace
12. Unreasonable behaviour
13. Check your make up
14. Pilot study
15. All together now
16. Bright sparks
17. Corporate capture
18. No accident
19. Get back to the classroom
20. No accident [Part 2]

 

2023, 2023 UK, News, Resources

UK: 28 April organising resources from TUC and Hazards magazine

Health and Safety and Organising – A guide for reps, TUC and related interactive guide for union reps (you may need to register to access this resource).

 

Organising for OHS, Hazards website.

 

 

 

 

 

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: la organización en favor de la salud y la seguridad –una parte crucial de la acción sindical

2023 será un año clave para los sindicatos y para los trabajadores y las trabajadoras. El año pasado conseguimos que se reconociera que un entorno laboral seguro y saludable es un derecho de los trabajadores. Esto ha dado un nuevo impulso a la organización en favor de la salud y la seguridad –una parte crucial de la acción sindical–. La Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración de los Trabajadores Fallecidos y Lesionados, el 28 de abril, está dedicada este año a esta prioridad sindical fundamental.

Owen Tudor, secretario general adjunto de la CSI.
Boletín de la CSI – Febrero 2023.

#iwmd23

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: l’organisation des travailleurs en faveur de la santé et de la sécurité – un volet primordial de l’action syndicale

2023 sera une année cruciale pour les syndicats et pour les personnes qui travaillent. L’année dernière, nous avons obtenu qu’un environnement de travail sûr et sain soit reconnu comme un droit pour les travailleurs. Cette reconnaissance a donné un nouvel élan à l’organisation des travailleurs en faveur de la santé et de la sécurité – un volet primordial de l’action syndicale. Cette année, la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleurs décédés et blessés, le 28 avril, sera dédiée à cette priorité syndicale essentielle.

Owen Tudor, secrétaire général adjoint de la CSI.
Bulletin d’information de la CSI – Février 2023.

#iwmd23

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: Organising for health and safety – a crucial part of union action

1 Comment

2023 will be a key year for trade unions and working people. Last year, we secured recognition that a safe and healthy work environment is a right for workers. This has given a new impetus to organising for health and safety – a crucial part of union action. This year’s Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28 is dedicated to this core union priority.

Owen Tudor, ITUC deputy general secretary.
ITUC newsletter, 6 February 2023.

#iwmd23

2023, 2023 global, graphics, News, Resources

Global: Graphic resources for 28 April – #iwmd23

www.hazards.org/unioneffect and www.hazards.org/organise

2023, 2023 USA, Events listing, News

USA: Are you ready for Workers’ Memorial Week 2023?

In April, we will say their names.

The names of the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters who are killed each year in U.S. workplaces. Sadly, we can’t say all of them because there are too many.

At least 5,000 U.S. workers die each year from acute workplace trauma, like drowning in a trench or falling from a height. And nearly 100,000 more die from long-term exposure to highly hazardous working conditions, like repeated exposure to toxic chemicals.

We all know that behind the devastating statistics about worker deaths are real people who leave behind grieving families and shattered co-workers. Their lives will be honored with vigils, rallies, memorial services and other events during Workers’ Memorial Week this year from April 23 through April 30th.

When we say the names of workers who can and should have gone home safely, we want to make sure we are heard loud and clear. By families who deserve better. By workers who can join together to improve their workplaces. By opinion leaders and policymakers who can make a difference.

In solidarity,

Jessica E. Martinez and Marcy Goldstein-Gelb
Co-executive directors, National COSH