Join us at International Workers' Memorial Day and "remember the dead, fight for the living"

Representatives from the affiliated Trade Union branches of Aberdeen Trades Union Council, Action on Asbestos, Thompsons Solicitors and Aberdeen City Council will commemorate International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) on Friday 28th April at the locations listed below.

The International Workers’ Memorial Day theme is to " remember the dead, fight for the living."

Graeme Farquhar, Aberdeen TUC President said, "On International Workers Memorial Day we pay our respects and remember all those who have lost their lives through a workplace accident or an industrial related disease.“

"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."

IWMD Events

International Workers' Memorial Day - workers' health and safety rights must come before profit

Graeme Farquhar and Donna Clark

International Workers' Memorial Day was a moving event as the small, socially distanced crowd remembered all those who have died, been injured or made ill at their work, so many from Covid 19 but also those who suffered work related accidents and deaths.

The event was organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council along with Aberdeen City Council. Vice-president, Donna Clark laid a wreath on behalf of the ATUC

Speaking at the event, ATUC President, Graeme Farquhartold those gathered that this year’s theme for International Workers Memorial Day is health and safety is a fundamental workers’ right and this year it is even more important with Covid 19 being with us. 

"This pandemic has exposed an occupational crisis in workplaces not only here but worldwide.  Workers have been denied basic health and safety protection in the  workplace," said Graeme.

He highlighted that in the UK there have been 130 000 breaches of Covid guidelines in the workplace but with the Health and Safety Executive already cut to the bare minimum with the Conservative government’s austerity measures in recent years and now being so poorly resourced, there have been no prosecutions to date and this has resulted in many Covid outbreaks in workplaces. 

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY 2021 - REMEMBER THE DEAD, FIGHT FOR THE LIVING

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) will commemorate the annual International Workers’Memorial Day on Wednesday 28 April at 11:50 for a small, socially distanced service in Persley Walled Gardens, Bridge of Don.

A small number of representatives from affiliated unions will gather at the workers’ memorial to remember all those who have lost their lives, been injured or made ill at their work. The theme, as always, will be to ‘remember the dead, fight for the living.’

Graeme Farquhar, ATUC President said, “This will be a particularly poignant event this year
after fourteen months of the Covid pandemic where so many have lost their lives, many of them
through their work.

“Countless others have been made ill, with many suffering the effects of Long Covid which
leaves them unable to return to work for a long time. We know that our black and minority ethnic colleagues have been hit particularly hard, as have our disabled colleagues.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council Executive Committee Statement on International Workers’ Memorial Day 28th April 2020

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) extends its solidarity to working people past and present this International Workers’ Memorial Day, as we remember the dead and fight for the living. We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives at work, or to Covid-19 during these difficult times.

The focus for Workers’ Memorial Day this year is on a collective day of remembrance and solidarity for all workers who have lost their lives as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic affects every worker regardless of sector or locality. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide have died. More have fallen ill or continue to go to work risking their lives. Many workers are still attending work ill-equipped and without necessary safety measures in place.

ATUC is supporting the call made by the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives and UNISON - who collectively represent more than a million NHS and public service staff - to undertake a minute’s silence at 11am as a public display of commemoration and solidarity.

During the crisis created by Covid-19, International Workers’ Memorial Day has never been more important. Key workers, who until recently the government and establishment were calling ‘unskilled’ have been keeping the country running, as they always have.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council would like to extend its gratitude to all workers during this crisis; to all of our health and social care workers in NHS Grampian, the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils, the Community and Voluntary sector, community General Practices and Pharmacies; and also all other workers (paid and voluntary) who are helping to keep society functioning during the crisis - our transport workers, teachers, emergency services, shop workers, postal workers, delivery drivers, NGOs and community volunteers, and others too numerous to mention.

Off to work - a moving poem by Graeme Farquhar for Workers' Memorial Day

Graeme reads his poem to a hushed crowd

A moving poem written by Graeme Farquhar, Unite and read by him at the International Workers' Memorial Day service on 28th April 2019, it highlights the causes and impact on their families of those who are killed doing their job.

"Off to work he kisses his wife’s cheek

Goodbye Linda see you at the end of the week

Working on a building site 200 miles from home

Blacklisted by employers George will always moan

A good trade union member he has always been

Always ready to report a bad health and safety scene

No greedy profit on site with safety reps being there

The poor employers their pockets would be bare

So don’t give George a job on site

And employers’ profits will always be right

On Friday morning he is thinking of not being alone

Another seven hours and he will be heading home

George’s mobile sparks to life

A phone call from Linda his darling  wife

Congratulations George you have just become a granda

Remember on the way home to pick up that toy panda

Poem read by Tommy Campbell at the International Workers' Memorial Day Service

Tommy Campbell reading thei poem

I chose to look the other way

by Don Merrell

I could have saved a life that day,

But I chose to look the other way.

It wasn’t that I didn’t care,

I had the time, and I was there.

But I didn’t want to seem a fool,

Or argue over a safety rule.

I knew he’d done the job before,

If I called it wrong, he might get sore.

The chances didn’t seem that bad,

I’ve done the same, he knew I had.

So I shook my head and walked on by,

He knew the risks as well as I.

He took the chance, I closed an eye,

And with that act, I let him die.

I could have save a life that day,

But I chose to look the other way.

Now every time I see his wife,

I’ll know I should have saved his life.

Sun shines on a moving Workers' Memorial Day Ceremony that pledges to "Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living"

The sun shone on a moving ceremony in the beautiful Persley Memorial Garden in Aberdeen on Sunday 28^th April, to commemorate International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Trade unionists and politicians joined together to remember the dead, fight for the living, as wreaths were laid by the provost of Aberdeen City, Councillor Barney Crockett, and the provost of Aberdeenshire, Councillor Bill Howatson, as well as by Donna Clark for Aberdeen Trades Union Council.  (see photo)

This was just one such event held all over the world to press for proper Health and Safety laws to be implemented to prevent deaths, injuries and ill-health in the future.

ATUC President, Sasha Brydon welcomed those present and reminded us that Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland are no strangers to workplace tragedy. 

“This year we commemorate the 31st anniversary of Piper Alpha, when 167 workers were killed as a result of health and safety failures.

Join us to commemorate Workers' Memorial Day and remember the dead - fight for the living

You are invited to attend the annual Workers' Memorial Service on Sunday 28th April in the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

Please gather at 12.30pm for a service at 1pm.

Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, the International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) Service in Aberdeen will be one of many taking place all over the world on 28th April.

Its purpose 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 this tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

Please join us if you can.

ATUC remembers Piper Alpha

As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, the thoughts of Aberdeen Trades Union Council are with the families and friends of the 167 people who lost their lives and with those who survived that most terrible and avoidable tragedy.

We echo the words of Unite's Pat Rafferty and his concerns that 30 years on we still have an industry that is driven increasingly by cost reductions, with corners and jobs being cut to save money.

 “We must never forget the lessons of Piper Alpha.

“But 30 years on, we should have learned something and it doesn’t look like offshore employers have.

“The Workers’ Memorial Day has a strapline: remember the dead, fight for the living. We do remember; we will never forget.

“But we must also continue the fight to make sure the industry is as safe as it can possibly be to ensure workers can return home at the end of their shift.”

We pledge, as we do every year at our Workers' Memorial Day service, to continue the fight for proper health and safety regulation and oversight, to make sure that no worker dies or is made ill at their work.

Click here to read Pat Rafferty's full piece in the P&J

Moving Workers' Memorial Day Service pledges to remember the dead, fight for the living.

A moving International Workers’ Memorial Day Service was held on Saturday 28th April  in the beautiful Persley Memorial Garden, Aberdeen.

Organised by ATUC and chaired by Donna Clark, Vice-President, the service was addressed by politicians, activists and trade union speakers in this the 30th anniversary year of the Piper Alpha disaster and ofcourse our own 150th anniversary year.

Wreaths were laind by Aberdeen City Council and by the ATUC. Welcoming those attending Donna said that no one should leave for their work never to return, but it happens all too often. The theme of this years  remembrance events is that unionised workplaces are safer workplaces.

Participants observed a two minute silence to remember all those who had died, been made ill or injured at their work.

ATUC 150th Anniversary Year Diary - See what we did in our 150th year

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT OUR 150th ANNIVERSARY YEAR DIARY

• January 24 - Film "Belonging" at Belmont Cinema
• January 28 - Sunday - Holocaust Memorial Day, Castlegate
• March 3 - Protest Conservative Conference, AECC 0800 hours - 1730 hours
• March 7 - STUC Event - Aberdeen City Council's Civic Reception to launch our 150th anniversary celebrations
• March 8 - International Women's Day rally at the Castlegate at 1830
• March 22 - Public talk on Palestinian Child Prisoners 
• April 16-18 - STUC Congress in Aviemore
• April 17 - Lewis Macdonald leads a debate in Holyrood on the ATUC 150th anniversary
• April 28 - International Workers Memorial Day (memorial held at Persley Gardens) 
• May 5 - Mayday March and Rally
• May 9 -  An introduction to economics for trade union and community activists
• May 19 - Spring Clean of ATUC Offices and Cataloguing of Books and Artefacts
• May 26 - Grampian Pride 
• June 2 - ATUC stall and the Feein Market, Stonehaven
• June 14 - Vigil to remember Grenfell one year on
• July 10 - Rearranged Trade Union History talk by Jurgen Thomanek 
• July 14 - Trump's a Chump Protest 
• July 25 - A just transition for Aberdeen event
• 8th September - Doors Open Day at 22a Adelphi
• 28th September - Evening of celebration for the XV International Brigade Aberdeen
• November 9 - Aberdeenshire Council's Civic Reception
• November 24 - St Andrews Day March
• December 3 - Commemoration of John Maclean's release from Peterhead Jail
• December 13 - A history of political protest in Aberdeen - a talk by Andrew McGregor

Thanks to everyone who has worked to make our 150th anniversary such a special year and to all those who joined us to celebrate it.

Moving Workers' Memorial Day ceremony pledges to remember the dead, fight for the living

Kevin Hutchens

The weather was kind as a crowd gathered to commemorate International Workers' Memorial Day, to mourn those who have lost their lives, and to pledge to fight to ensure no other worker is killed, injured or made ill at their work.

Wreaths were laid by Aberdeen City Council, trade unions from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, the Aberdeen Trades Union Council who organised the event and from Unite the union.

ATUC joint-President, Kevin Hutchens welcomed everyone and asked for a two minute silence for everyone to remember and mourn those who did not return from their work.

Andrew Lawtie

Andrew Lawtie, Lord Lieutenant, on behalf of the Provost of Aberdeen reminded those gathered that today, around the world, bereaved families, workers, trade unionists and campaigners come together to remember those who have died, been injured or made ill by their work.

"Aberdeen City Council support this event so that we firstly ensure that those workers are remembered and that such tragic loss is not repeated and their suffering is used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

"Fighting for the living is equally important," added Andrew, pledging to work with trade unions to make all work a safer and healthier activity for all workers.

"Remember the dead, fight for the living" Come along to this year's Workers' Memorial Day service on 28th April.

This year's Workers' Memorial Day Service, organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, will be held on Friday 28th April at the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Meet at 12.30pm for the ceremony at 1.00pm.

All delegates, affiliates and friends are invited to come along and join us to "remember the dead, fight for the living."

What is Workers Memorial Day?
International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.

The campaign slogan is "Remember the dead, fight for the living."

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 this tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

The Service will last for approx 30mins.

Aberdeen remembers - Workers' Memorial day 2016

Aberdeen remembered all those who have lost their lives, been injured or made ill at their work at a moving and well attended Workers’ Memorial Day service on 28th April.

Opening the ceremony at the Persley Walled Garden in Aberdeen, Kate Ramsden, President of Aberdeen Trades Union Council, extended a particular welcome and deepest condolences to the family and work colleagues of Ian Walker, the worker who lost his life in the construction of the third Don Crossing.

Kate said, “This will be a very poignant service as we mourn the deaths of three workers, including Ian, killed at their work in a three week period in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire earlier this year.

“In coming together today we mourn all those, like Ian, who have lost their lives doing their job.

 “But we also make a pledge to continue our fight for robust health and safety procedures, inspection and legislation to make sure no more workers are killed at their work and no other families have to grieve the loss of their loved ones.”

Following a minutes silence, Ian’s daughter Kirsty and his two sons, Andrew and David laid the wreath on behalf of the ATUC. Councillor Angela Taylor laid the wreath for Aberdeen City Council on behalf of the Lord Provost of the City.

Workers’ Memorial Day Service

Marischal College Lit for IWMD

Aberdeen Trades Union Council will commemorate Worker’s Memorial Day on 28th April at a service in Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, gather at 12.30 for 1pm.

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, “The service will be particularly poignant this year as we remember a number of workers who have lost their lives at their work in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, including Ian Walker from Dundee, who lost his life in the construction of the third Don Crossing.”

Ian’s family will be attending and his son, Andrew will lay the wreath. We will also be joined by Ian’s work colleagues.

The purpose of Workers’ Memorial Day is to “Remember the dead, fight for the living.”

Kate added, “As we mourn all those who have tragically lost their lives doing their job, we will all, as trade unionists, politicians and employers, renew our commitment to fight for robust health and safety at work and a proper system of regulation to make sure that no other families have to grieve the loss of a loved one.”

Remember the dead, fight for the living - Aberdeen Workers' Memorial Service on Thursday 28th April 2016

We would like to invite ATUC delegates and friends to the annual Workers' Memorial Service which will be held on Thursday 28th April in the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Please gather at 12.30pm for a service at 1pm.
 
International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.
Its purpose 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 this 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."

In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

This will be a particularly poignant service as we mourn the deaths of three workers in the local area who lost their lives in work related accidents in the past few months.

The service will last for approx 30mins.

Click here for a poster for the event.

Please come along to the next meeting of Aberdeen Trades union Council on 6th April 2016

The next meeting of Aberdeen Trades union Council will be held on Wednesday 6th April 2016 from 7.30pm in John Londragan House, 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen,

May Day March 2015

The meeting will be chaired by Vice President, Alan Robertson and has the usual packed agenda. This will include planning for both the Wokers' Memorial Day Service on 28th April and the May Day March and Rally to celebrate International Workers' Day which will be held on Saturday 30th April.

The meeting will also get an update on the publication of the 2015 Annual Report and the planning for the 150th Anniversary of the ATUC which will take place in 2018.

Please get along if you possibly can.

We owe it to the memories of those who have died to fight for the rights of working people

Once again this year, local trade unionists and citizens joined councillors from both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, in a poignant service to commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day on 28^th April, in the beautiful setting of the Persley Workers’ Memorial Garden.

Welcoming people to the service, ATUC Vice President, Kate Ramsden asked those present to join her in a minutes silence to remember all those who had lost their lives at their work. Councillor Barney Crockett, on behalf of the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, then laid a wreath in their memory.

Barney paid tribute to the work of the trade unions in fighting for robust health and safety in the workplace, over the years and still in the present day.

He said, “This is a day to honour the working people throughout the world who have lost their lives while going about their daily employment.

“It serves as a reminder to us all to continue to stand up for working people’s rights and to ensure workplace practices are exemplary.”

Remember the dead, fight for the living - Aberdeen Workers' Memorial Day Service Tuesday 28 April 2015

This year's Workers' Memorial Day Service, organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, will be held on Tuesday 28th April at the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Meet at 12.30pm for the ceremony at 1.00pm. Come along and join us to "remember the dead, fight for the living."

Click here for a poster

What is Workers Memorial Day?
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 this 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."


In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

The Service will last for approx 30mins.

Next ATUC Delegates Meeting 1st April, 7.30pm at 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen

All delegates and associates are invited to attend the next ATUC Delegates meeting on Wednesday 1st April 2015 at 7.30pm, in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.
 
There will be a full agenda as always, including a presentation to a CWU Member by his Branch of Honorary Life Membership in recognition of long membership and long services to members. 

 

There will also be a talk by Naomi Brown from the Campaign to Save the Scottish Independent Living Fund.

Alan Robertson, President of the ATUC said, "We are still looking for delegates to fill the posts of treasurer and Secretary. These are key posts and they will need to be filled if the ATUC is to carry on doing its important work.

"The meeting will also finalise plans for the Workers' Memorial Day service and the May Day March and Rally."