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
Tag Archives: Scotland
Scotland: Government will join minute’s silence for health workers killed by Covid 19
.@NicolaSturgeon says @scotgov will join a minute’s silence at 11am tomorrow to honour health and care workers who have lost their lives in the battle against #coronavirus The event is being held on International Workers’ Memorial Day #IWMD20
Latest ➡️ https://t.co/ucPHrTCprw pic.twitter.com/rhZd4l9Xe3
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) April 27, 2020
Scotland: 28 April online event
International Workers Memorial Day Tuesday, 28th April 2020 #IWMD20
Online Tribute 10.30am
We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory
National One Minute Silence 11.00am
A moment remember those who’ve sadly lost their lives at work over the past year; to pay tribute to the sacrifice of so many workers during the pandemic; and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk.
Activities on the Day
- Attend the 10.30 online ceremony
- Observe the one minute silence
- Attach a purple ‘twibbon’ to your social media profile to mark the day. (You can attach it ahead of time: https://twibbon.com/Support/intl-workers-memorial-day)
- Continue to request that council and government buildings across Scotland fly their flags at half-mast or illuminate public buildings with purple lighting
Once you register you will be emailed a Zoom link to join in.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/international-workers-memorial-day-online-event-tickets-103319730094
Scotland: Unionised workers have more safety and security | STUC
Results from a survey of over 1,500 workers in Scotland have revealed the advantages enjoyed by unionised workers over un-unionised workers during the pandemic.
In terms of security, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) study reveals that unionised workers are half as likely to feel their job is at risk than those who are not in unions, and that almost two-thirds of un-unionised workers are worried about paying bills compared to a third of unionised workers.
Unionised workers also feel safer, have some degree of better access to PPE, and are working in places with clearer policies on dealing with the virus.
STUC general secretary designate, Rozanne Foyer, said “the results of this survey are clear. During exceptional times and periods of crisis, when the music stops, those who are in unions find they have the support, security and safety that many other workers can only dream about.
“It is a hard time for all workers, but life is made a little easier when you know that you are part of a collective. The statistics speak for themselves. Now it’s time for people in unions to speak with friends and family about why it matters to get yourself in a union before you go back to work.”
Among the statistics are:
- Those who aren’t members of a trade union are twice as likely to say their job is at risk than those in a trade union (37% of non-trade union members compared to 19% of trade union members)
- 59% of non-trade union members are worried about paying the bills compared to only 33% of trade union members.
- 57% of non-trade union members who are still working do not feel safe at work, compared to 48% of trade union members.
- 44% of non-trade union members reported not having access to PPE compared to 39% of trade union members.
- 40% of non-trade union members reported that their employer was not good at keeping them informed as the situation changes, compared to 22% of trade union members.
- 29% of non-trade union members reported that their employer did not have a clear policy on Covid-19 compared to 18% of trade union members.
- Only 35% of non-trade union members have been told they will be paid in full if they are off-sick with covid-19, compared to 62% of trade union members.
Full STUC news release and survey findings.
Scotland: International Workers’ Memorial Day 2019 – remember the dead, fight for the living
Staff at UNISON Scotland gathered on Monday 29 April to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day 2019.
Each year on International Workers’ Memorial Day (April 28) we remember the dead and fight for the living. This year’s theme is ‘dangerous substances – get them out of the workplace’.
Around the world one worker dies every 15 seconds. Up to 50,000 people die each year in the UK. Although few UNISON members die in workplace incidents many suffer injuries and work related ill health, from stress or back pain to RSI, bullying, harassment, and workplace violence. These affect them and their families.
Health and safety in our workplaces protects those at work. It also protects those in the wider community. Whether it is a hospital, school or care home, our elderly and vulnerable relatives, our children and our communities are also protected by measures intended to keep everyone safe from harm.
UNISON knows that the key to providing a good and safe service is well-trained employees who have the time and protective equipment to do their job properly.
Today we remember all those killed through work and at the same time continue to work to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated. We will do that by building trade union organisation, and campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health and safety laws. It is a day to remember those who have died or been injured at work.
Scotland: 28 April map and events listing from Scottish Hazards
Scottish Hazards has developed a map of memorials established across Scotland to commemorate International Workers Memorial Day as well as recording other memorials commemorating workers who have lost their lives in workplace tragedies and individuals who have left for work never to return to their families.
Pictures of memorials and individual cases will be added to in the coming weeks and months and if you know of any family who would like their story told please contact Scottish Hazards.
Likewise if you know of a memorial in your community that marks an incident where workers have been killed at work please send details to info@scottishhazards.org
| Aberdeen | Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don | Sunday 28th April | 12.30pm for 1.00pm |
| Alexandria | Memorial Tree, Christie Park | Saturday 27th April, | 1.00pm |
| Alloa | Workers Memorial adjacent to Clackmannanshire Council Headquarters | Friday 26th April | 10.30am |
| Bathgate | Workers Memorial, Bathgate Sports Centre, Torpichen Road | Sunday 28th April | 12.30pm |
| Bonnyrigg | Michael McGahey Memorial, George V Park, Bonnyrig | Sunday, 28 April | 12.30pm |
| Clydebank | Truth and Justice Square, Dumbarton Road | Saturday 27 April | 11.00am |
| Coatbridge | Summerlee Industrial Museum, Heritage Way, Coatbridge | Sunday 28th April | 12 noon |
| Dundee | Memorial Tree, adjacent to Discovery Point, Riverside Drive | Sunday 28th April | 12 noon |
| Edinburgh | Memorial and Tree, West Princes Street Gardens | Sunday 28th April | 1.00pm |
| Falkirk | Municipal Buildings, West Bridge Street, Falkirk | Sunday 28th April | 12 noon |
| Fife | Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park | Saturday 27th April | 11.00am |
| Greenock | Grand Hall, Inverclyde Council HQ followed by wreath laying in Clyde Square | Friday 27th April | 11.45am |
| Glasgow | Workers Memorial, People’s Palace/ Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green | Sunday, 28th April | 12 noon |
| Hamilton | Townhouse, Beckford Street | Sunday, 28th April, | 11.45am |
| Inverness | Workers Memorial Friar’s Shott/Huntly Street, Inverness | Saturday 27th April | 12.45pm for 1.00pm |
| Irvine | Memorial Garden, Kilwinning Road | Thursday 25th April | 6.30pm |
| Kilmarnock | Memorial Tree, Dean Country Park | Saturday 27th April | 10.45am for 11.00am |
| Paisley | Workers Memorial , Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street | Sunday 28th April | 1.00pm |
| Renfrew | Workers Memorial Cairn, Robertson Park, Paisley Road | Sunday 28th April | 11.00am |
| Stirling | International Workers Memorial Tree, Viewforth, Pitt Terrace | Thursday 25 April | 1.20pm at the tree |
Scotland gets geared up for Workers’ Memorial Day
Scottish union body STUC and safety campaign group Scottish Hazards have produced an online listing of International Workers’ Memorial Day events. With a month to go before the annual 28 April event, six events are already planned, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Alexandria, Kilmarnock and Bonnyrigg.
Scottish Hazards/STUC listing of International Worker’s Memorial Day events in Scotland. TUC 28 April 2018 webpages. Email details of UK events to the TUC health and safety office to be included in the TUC listing. ITUC/Hazards 28 April 2018 international events and campaign website and theme announcement in English, Spanish and French. Hazards Campaign 28 April 2018 resources.
When tweeting details of your 28 April plans and resources, use the hashtag #iwmd18 Risks 840. 10 March 2018
UK: TUC list of events for Workers’ Memorial Day 2015
UK national trade union federation TUC has published a regularly updated listing of Workers’ Memorial Day events across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Over 20,000 people die in the UK every year because of their work. Most of these because of exposure to dangerous substances. This year the theme for the day is “removing exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace“ Hazardous substances are found in almost every workplace in the UK and many workers have no protection against the possible effects, despite the fact that tens of thousands of workers have their health destroyed by asthma, dermatitis, lung disorders and cancers because of exposures. They range from cleaning fluids in almost every workplace, silica dust in construction, tobacco smoke in prisons right through to blood and faeces in health and social care.
In addition to hazardous substances many unions and trades councils will be campaigning on the general theme of demanding better regulation, greater inspections and an end to the anti-health and safety rhetoric from the government and their allies in the press.
https://www.tuc.org.uk/WMD2015