Category Archives: 2023 Scotland

Scotland: Fatalities at work double – #iwmd23

New information revealed by the Scottish TUC and Scottish Hazards show those dying as a result of work has reached its highest levels since 2019, prompting urgent calls for reform of corporate homicide legislation.

The STUC, Scotland’s largest trade union body and Scottish Hazards, the national charity for safety at work, published the information today on International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Provisional data from the organisations show that 21 workers died as a result of industrial harm this past year, almost doubling the 2019 total (11). Scottish Hazards believe the number is far higher when encompassing road traffic accidents connected to work, occupational disease and workplace related suicides.

The move has prompted calls from the bodies for the Scottish Government to replace the Corporate Homicide Act (2007), reforming legislation to introduce new statutory offences to hold companies and corporations to account for workplace deaths. Since the Act was introduced, over 300 workers have died, but there have been no prosecutions recorded or justice served for bereaved families.

International Workers’ Memorial Day is the national day of recognition for all those who have died at work. STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer called the data “galling” and called for further protections for those at work.

Commenting, Ms Foyer said:

“It’s incumbent on Scotland’s trade union movement to remember all those who have died at work and pledge to make the workplace safer in their honour.

“It’s unacceptable and frankly galling that the amount of workers in Scotland who have died at work has increased.

“Bosses are ultimately responsible for workers health and safety and they must be held accountable.

“We cannot allow this to pass unchecked and on International Workers’ Memorial Day, the STUC reiterate our call to remember the dead whilst fighting for the living.”

Ian Tasker, Scottish Hazards Chief Executive added

“In January 2021, Humza Yousaf, then Cabinet Secretary for Justice said in a Scottish Parliament debate that he wanted to work with bereaved families to develop culpable homicide proposals that addressed reserved matters.

“Sadly, nothing happened and it was no more than warm words in a debate.

“Scottish Hazards wants corporate killing legislation that is seen as a deterrent. Businesses cannot so wilfully put workers lives at risk. We need a just and proper punishment for those who, through corporate negligence and neglect, put workers’ lives at risk in the workplace.”

https://stuc.org.uk/media-centre/news/1692/fatalities-at-work-doubles-in-scotland

Scotland: Unions call for Injuries Council on International Workers Memorial Day – STUC

Trade unions from across Scotland have backed the calls from an MSP to establish a new expert council to support the delivery of a Scottish social security benefit to be paid to workers injured as a result of industrial harm.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress – Scotland’s largest trade union body – in addition to affiliated trade unions from across the country have backed the Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Members’ Bill from Scottish Labour MSP Mark Griffin. The bill seeks to use new social security powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament to establish an independent council with permanent, independent trade union representation. The council would have powers to research workplace injury and diseases and recommend to government it pays specific welfare benefits to be paid to those injured as a result of workplace incidents.

Writing to the Scottish Government, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer has called for workers to be “put at the heart” of any new benefit.

The call comes today on International Workers’ Memorial Day, the national day of reflection for all those who have died at work throughout the past year. Statistics from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) show that over 2.3 million workers succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year.

Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “International Workers’ Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember those who have died at work. We cannot let their memory fade as we strive to build safer, more secure workplaces.

“By backing Mark Griffin’s Bill on introducing an Employment Injuries Advisory Council, we can achieve that safer future for Scotland’s workforce. We must use the full powers of our parliament to increase the voice of Scotland’s workers who have been injured as a result of their work.

“We owe it to those workers who, inexplicably and cruelly, didn’t make it home at the end of their shifts. We must fight for a better future. We hope the Scottish Government will work constructively with Mark and all other MSPs backing the Bill to achieve this. Commenting, Mark Griffin MSP:

“It is workers who know their workplaces best seeing day in day out the risks to their health and lives, so it is vital their voice is central to the newly devolved industrial injuries benefit.

“The strength of support for this bill from trade unions and affiliates across the labour movement is hugely welcome.”

Tony Slaven, Chair of the STUC Disabled Workers Committee:

“Thousands of people are living daily with disabilities as a direct consequence of an injury or disease caused from work.

“The pandemic has starkly and tragically highlighted that the industrial injuries benefit system needs overhauled to make it reflect modern and new diseases which can be contracted in the workplace.

“Disabled workers are not just overlooked – we are deliberately discriminated against. Establishing a Scottish Industrial Injuries Advisory Council could be transformational for disabled people and provide workers facing the worst with some justice and the support from the state they deserve.”

Statement

https://stuc.org.uk/media-centre/news/1691/unions-call-for-injuries-council-on-international-workers-memorial-day

Scotland: Songs, flowers and speeches mark 28 April in Edinburgh – #iwmd23

 

The Edinburgh TUC and Scottish Hazards 28 April event was held at the Workers’ Memorial Day Tree, Princes Street Gardens  with speakers, wreath/flower laying and song. It was attended by unions, bereaved families, pressure groups and others.

The gathering served to remember those who have died at work and refreshed the resolve to fight for safe and healthy working conditions in Scotland and throughout the world. 150 attended laying in total 30 wreaths.

Keynote Speakers were:
Catriona Lockhart (whose partner died through work)
Tracy McBurnie (NHS Lothian Unison)
Gus Sproul (FBU Regional Chair)

Songs from Protest in Harmony, a radical, Edinburgh based singing group.

 

The City of Edinburgh Council, other Councils and the Scottish Government lowered their flags as a mark of respect.

Scotland: STUC says increase in worker fatalities is “unacceptable and frankly galling” #iwmd23

Commenting on an STV news report Scottish TUC said: “It’s unacceptable and frankly galling that the amount of workers in Scotland who have died at work has increased. We cannot allow this to pass unchecked and on #IWMD23, the STUC reiterate our call to remember the dead whilst fighting for the living.”

Workplace fatalities at highest level since 2019, study finds, STV News, 28 April 2023

Scotland: 28 April events throughout Scotland

Events throughout Scotland – STUC listing

Aberdeen, Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm for 1.00pm

Alexandria, Tree, Christie Park Memorial, Saturday 22nd April, 1.00pm

Alloa, Workers Memorial adjacent to Clackmannanshire Council Headquarters, Friday 28th April, 10.30am

Bathgate, Workers Memorial, Bathgate Sports Centre, Torpichen Road, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm

Bonnyrigg, Michael McGahey Memorial, George V Park, Bonnyrigg, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm

Coatbridge, Summerlee Industrial Museum, Heritage Way, Coatbridge, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Dundee, Memorial Tree, adjacent to Discovery Point, Riverside Drive, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Edinburgh, Memorial and Tree, West Princes Street Gardens , Friday 28th April, 12.30pm Falkirk, Callendar Riggs Saturday 29th April

Glasgow, Workers Memorial, People’s Palace/ Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Greenock, Grand Hall, Inverclyde Council HQ followed by wreath laying in Clyde Square, Friday 28th April, 11.45

Hamilton, Townhouse, Beckford Street, Friday 28th April, 11.45

Inverness, Workers Memorial Friar’s Shott/Huntly Street, Inverness, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm

Irvine, Memorial Garden, Kilwinning Road, Thursday 27th April, 6.30pm

Kilmarnock, Memorial Tree, Dean Country Park, Saturday 29th April, 10.45am

Kirkcaldy, Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park, Friday 28th April, 11.00am

Paisley, Workers Memorial , Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Renfrew, Workers Memorial Cairn, Robertson Park, Paisley Road, Friday 28th April, 11.00am

Stirling, International Workers Memorial Tree, Old Viewforth, Pitt Terrace, 10.30am at the tree

Scotland: Large listing of Scottish 28 April events

Scottish Hazards has published a large listing of 28 April events.

Scotland: 28 April gathering in Edinburgh organised by Scottish Hazards and Edinburgh TUC

Edinburgh Trade Union Council and Scottish Hazards have organised a gathering to remember those who have died at work and to refresh the resolve to fight for safe and healthy working conditions in Scotland and throughout the world.

The organisations have issued a broad invite to come and speak for your family, your union or your organisation. The theme is organising for safe and healthy work and will feature speakers from trade union and bereaved families.

The event will take place at the Workers’ Memorial Day Tree at Princes Street Gardens – nearest entrance is the west side of the mound going down the lowest path.

28 April 2023, 12.30-1.30pm