April Scotland in UNISON now online

Ten ways to strengthen Scotland’s services: Manifesto for the Scottish election

‘We want to see a Parliament using the powers at its disposal in order to enhance our public services to create a fairer and sustainable Scotland,’ Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary and Lilian Macer, Scottish Convener;
– Full rundown on UNISON Scotland’s manifesto,
– Defend the principles that underlie public services,
– UNISON wins landmark pay deal for low paid NHS workers
– Scotland must recognise the poor state of social work
– Events around Scotland for Workers’ Memorial Day
– MayDay: Marches, rallies and a Glasgow festival
– Framework sets out vision for fair work in Scotland
– Showing racism the red card
– Getting UNISON’s message across in the media
– Did you know there’s a Disabled Members Committee in Scotland?
– Highland action against Anti-Union Bill
– Be Aware mental health campaign
and much more - click here to see on website - click here for a pdf

Marking International Workers' Memorial Day (#IWMD) 28 April

 

UNISON members will be marking International Workers' Memorial Day (IWMD) on and around Sunday 28 April 2013.

Details of events around Scotland are on the STUC website.

 

UNISON has more than 7,000 safety activists across the UK who are committed to making our workplaces safer. We know things would be far worse without them. Workplaces with union safety reps are twice as safe.

Each year on 28 April, IWMD is marked around the world to Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living. We remember those killed, made ill, or injured by their own or someone else’s work. Their pain and suffering and that of their families deserves should not to be forgotten. We also renew our commitment to, and demand once more, safe and healthy work for all.

Using the UK government’s own figures, every year at least 20,000 die from injuries and illness related to their job, however UNISON believes that this is an under-estimate, and that the truer figure is closer to 50,000.

However, the government continues to attack the protection we all receive from good health and safety practice. So called “low-risk” workplaces will no longer receive unannounced health and safety inspections. However the government’s own figures suggest that of those killed whilst at work, over half are in so called ‘low-risk’ workplaces".

This doesn’t include the thousands more who die from diseases caused or made worse by work, or those who suffer years of pain and disability caused by stress, violence, and other work related injuries and illnesses.

With health and safety inspectors deliberately undermined by government cuts and unable to stop bad employers breaking the law, the work that union safety reps do is all the more important.

That’s why we are asking UNISON branch safety officers and safety reps to make sure they do something to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day this year.

Details of events taking place in around Scotland are on the STUC website and resources/materials can be found on the UNISON UK website health and safety pages

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Workers Memorial Day – Saturday 28 April 2012 - Cuts Cost Lives

This year, International Workers Memorial Day falls on Saturday 28 April so UNISON is supporting the TUC campaign to make 28 April a day of action to defend health and safety from the government's attacks, and to encourage branches and members to take part in or organise regional and community based events.

Details of events taking place in around Scotland are below and on the STUC website and materials can be found on the UNISON UK website health and safety pages.

Aberdeen 

Friday 27 April.   10:00 - 11:30 Conference room 4th Floor Marischal.  (Aberdeen City Council) Betty Lyon UNISON local organiser will do a short presentation. H&S manager, Environmental Services manager and GMB will also give presentations.

Bathgate

(West Lothian TUC)

Ceremony at Workers Memorial, Bathgate Sports Centre, Balbardie Park Torphichen Road, Bathgate, West Lothian EH48 4LA, Saturday 28th April at 12.30pm

Bonnyrigg

(Midlothian TUC)

IWMD Memorial, George V Park Bonnyrigg, Saturday 28th April, 12.30pm

Coatbridge

(North Lanarkshire TUC)

Commemoration at Summerlee Industrial Museum, Heritage Way, Coatbridge, ML5 1QD; Saturday 28th April, 12 noon. Speakers include UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson.

Download flyer

Dundee

Commemoration at Memorial Tree adjacent to Discovery Point Riverside Drive Dundee, 12 noon, Saturday 8th April;

Dundee City Council Annual Lecture

27th April to be given by Asbestos Action Tayside, Friday 27 April 2012 12.30 - 2pm Dundee Congregational Church 6-8 Constitution Road, Dundee DD1 1LY

Download pdf flyer

Edinburgh

Ceremony at the IWMD Tree and Memorial, West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh; 12 noon, Saturday 28th April.

Falkirk

Ceremony in Falkirk Council HQ, Municipal Buildings, West Bridge Street, Falkirk, FK1 5RS; 12 noon Saturday 28th April

Fife

Ceremony at the Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy; 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 26th April

Glasgow

Commemoration George Square at 12 Noon on Saturday 28th April. Wreaths will be laid at the proposed site of the new memorial do be unveiled in 2013.

Greenock

Saturday 28th April 11.00am Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony Clyde Sq, Greenock

Hamilton

(South Lanarkshire TUC)

Commemoration at the memorial, Council Offices, Beckford Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA; Saturday 28 April, 12 noon.

Irvine

(North Ayrshire and Irvine TUC)

Commemoration at Memorial Gardens, at Burn Street, Irvine Memorial Gardens, North Ayrshire, 26th April at 6.30 -7pm

Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock & Loudoun Trades Union Council would like to invite all interested parties to our annual Workers Memorial Day ceremony on Saturday April 28th, 2012 at the Dean Country Park, Kilmarnock .

Assemble at 9.45am at Dower House, Dean Country Park, Kilmarnock

Programme

10.00am - Opening remarks

10.05am - Speakers including Alan McVey from USDAW

10.15am - Laying of wreaths

10.25am - Close

The ceremony will be followed by a short event to mark the production of an impressive piece of public art work which has involved pupils at St Josephs Academy . This work is themed around International Workers Memorial Day.

All welcome - please pass the word round. It would be helpful in our planning for the day if those organisations or individuals planning to lay a wreath could let us know beforehand. Phone Arthur West, Secretary, Kilmarnock & Loudoun Trades Unison Council, on 07826127759

Paisley

Paisley & District Trades Union Council will mark IWMD on Saturday 28th April at noon at the memorial stone in front of Renfewshire House, Cotton St, Paisley. Guest speaker Janice Godrich, President, PCS.

Stirling

Saturday 28 April 2012.  There will be a tree planting ceremony in the grounds of the Council Offices at Viewforth at 10.30 a.m.

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International Workers Memorial Day 28 April - Scotland events

International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year. The purpose of IWMD is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work. The campaign slogan is Remember the dead, Fight for the living.

UNISON calls for action to end work-related deaths and injuries

Tue 27 April 2010


Further action must be taken to combat "unacceptable levels" of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses. That’s the message from UNISON on International Workers Memorial Day.

In a move welcomed by UNISON, International Workers Memorial Day, held annually on 28 April, is being officially recognised by the UK Government for the first time.

UNISON Scottish Secretary, Matt Smith will attend the main Workers Memorial Day ceremony in Glasgow's George Square, where he will lay a wreath on behalf of UNISON Scotland's 170,000 members in memory of all workers who have died as a result of their work.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony he said;

"70% of workplace accidents are due to poor management on health and safety. This means deaths at work are avoidable. But the alarming cuts in public spending which all the main parties have been proposing can only result in more danger for people at work.

"We welcome the official recognition of International Workers Memorial Day by the UK Government. Formal recognition reinforces the significance of the Day and raises awareness of the number of people who are killed, disabled, injured or made unwell through their work.

"We know, however, that recognition of International Workers Memorial Day will only be of value if it results in greater awareness of the unacceptable levels of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses - and in practical action to combat these."

Scott Donohoe, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health & Safety Committee said:

“At a time when business and other vested interests are campaigning for proper health and safety laws to be replaced by deregulation, with companies being allowed to carry out their own health & safety audits, trade unions need to ensure that these hard-fought for rights are not eroded when employers campaign against red tape. Health & safety rules and regulations are an essential protection from employers who would put profit above the safety of their staff and the public.”

UNISON branches across Scotland will take part in ceremonies organised by local Trade Union Councils, and some will participate in activity organised jointly with local authorities.

UNISON Staff and members will hold a minute's silence at UNISON offices across Scotland.

Notes for editors
Full details of these events can be found at www.stuc.org.uk, the website of the Scottish TUC which is co-ordinating International Workers Memorial Day in Scotland.


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