Aberdeen Trades Union Council hosted a moving International Workers Memorial Day service in the beautiful setting of the Persley Walled Gardens in Aberdeen on 28 April. It was one of several in Aberdeen, including the Action on Asbestos charity’s International Workers Memorial Day service in Johnston Gardens, where a plaque was unveiled dedicated to the memory of our late ATUC President, Graeme Farquhar.
Aberdeen City Council also held an IWMD service in Duthie Park when the flag there was lowered to half mast. (Photos of both these events are below.)
Chaired by ATUC President, Tommy Campbell, our ATUC event began with a minute’s silence to mourn all those who have lost their lives through their work, in this country and around the world.
We pledged to continue our fight to ensure that no one else is killed, injured or made ill at their work. In this country that means fighting for better Health and Safety legislation and enforcement. Across the world it means demanding that international law is observed in areas of conflict and countries flouting that held accountable by the international community. It also means ensuring that workers rights to safe and healthy workplaces are enforced internationally.
This year's theme focussed on mental health at work and suicide prevention.
Speakers included Aberdeen City Council’s Depute Lord Provost Councillor Steve Delaney, who laid a wreath on behalf of the council. Kate Ramsden, Joint secretary laid the wreath on behalf of Aberdeen Trades Union Council. There were also flowers and wreaths from Grampian NHS, several union branches and from the WASPI Women.
Tommy Campbell said: "At these International Workers’ Memorial Day events we gather to pay our respects and remember all those who have lost their lives through a workplace accident or an industrial related disease."
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| Tommy Campbell |
He continued: “Whilst we will always remember the dead, we reiterate our fundamental right to fight for the living by ensuring that all workplaces are safe and healthier to work in."
Kate Ramsden spoke on behalf of ATUC, recognising that workplace stress is rising and is behind many suicides. "We know that workplace stress is exacerbated by the increasing pressures faced by workers – higher workloads, longer hours – often unpaid - fewer resources, and pay which is increasingly insufficient to make ends meet even for those of us in work.
"We continue to fight for the living in our unions and communities."
Kate also brought a focus on international solidarity and all those in war torn countries, such as journalists, medical staff and aid workers, targeted in direct contravention of international law, all murdered doing their jobs.
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| Kate Ramsden |
"We are often criticised as a trade union movement for our focus on international solidarity when our workers at home are under such pressure. But compassion does not stop at borders. Workers rights do not stop at borders. Solidarity is international and we are the people who recognise that a fight for one is a fight for all.
"So on this IWMD we mourn the loss of all workers who never came home from their work, here and across the world."
Linda Carmichael spoke on behalf of the WASPI Women and the absolute disgrace that they have still received no compensation for the loss of pensions without any warning. She mourned the loss of one in twelve women deprived of their lawful pension entitlement who have since died and will never receive it, but pledged to continue the struggle in their name for those who are still left.
Vic Fraser spoke on behalf of Unite, mourning those who have lost their lives at their work and pledging that Unite alongside the union movement will continue to fight to ensure health and safety for all in the workplace.
Credit to Norman Adams, ACC photographer for these excellent photos.
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All those laying wreaths at Persley Walled Garden
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