International Workers Memorial Day
In Liverpool Saturday 28th April 2012
At 12 Noon

On the South Piazza of Georges Dock Building
 (Corner of Mann Island and the Strand)
Pierhead Liverpool L3 1DD
To Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living

Speakers to include: Len McCluskey- General Secretary Unite, Billy Hayes- General Secretary CWU, Maria Eagle-MP, Diana Fos- Thompsons Solicitors, Dawn Adam- Families Against Corporate Killing, Paula Brown- PCS Vice President,Arthur Moss- Lay Member GMB,John Flannigan- Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support, Kenny Rowe- Lay Member Unite.

After the speeches there will be a Wreath laying ceremony accompanied by a lone Piper.

“This will be followed by a Minutes Silence” to commerate all workers who have died or suffering from disease caused by work.

The Socialist Singers will sing a number of songs throughout the Ceremony.

* 171 workers reported to HSE & Local Authorities under RIDDOR -  of those 26 were in the North West

* Members of the public killed by work activity = 68

* Workers killed  in construction = 50  of which 5 occurred in the North West

* Workers killed at sea (31) and in the air (est 20) = 51

* About 778 in work-related road traffic incidents lorry drivers + some of those on their way to work + others killed in those road traffic incidents

* About 100-250 suicides due to the pressures of work (suicides up 10% last year)

* Up to 50,000 dying due to work-related illness.

Yet, this Government has announced plans to remove Health & Safety legislation and cut the HSE budget by 35%. This will mean poorer enforcement and more workplace illnesses, injuries and deaths.

Unite is pleased to report that we were successful with our appeal to the Supreme Court on the mesothelioma case.

The Court concluded that insurance policies should not be read as to the meanings of particular words but as to their intention at the time. The intention of the policies in question was to insure those who had suffered injury / disease in their workplace. The Court further concluded that the nature of mesothelioma meant that the disease was best described as contracted at the moment of causation(which in the case of mesothelioma is inhalation).
It is estimated some 6000 cases were waiting for the outcome of this case.

It is estimated that 2500 workers die from mesothelioma each year. This case has ensured that the families of all of those victims will be compensated. It is a fantastic victory for working people and one that was only possible through the support and backing of Unite.

Mick Whitley, Unite Deputy regional secretary for the North West said:

“Cuts in health and safety are deadly for workers everywhere. People should be able to leave the house for work safe in the knowledge that they will return to their loved ones at the end of the day. But we know that throughout our region, two families a month are left devastated by what is all too often a preventable workplace tragedy.

With this in mind, we cannot stay silent while the government unpicks vital protections for workers because it is desperate to pander to a tabloid agenda. Cutting health and safety is something no worker can afford, and no responsible government should back.

On WMD we also remember those who have lost their lives through work. It is in standing together in their memory that we send a strong message to the government that safety cuts will lead to unnecessary deaths of workers, and they must think again."

Unite are pleased to have worked with ASLEF, CWU,GMB, FBU, PCS, UNISON and the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support on this years Workers Memorial Day.

For More Information contact John Sheridan 07814 197734, Sharon Hutchinson 07977 329317, Karen Viquerat Unite 0151 559 2003.

Source: Unite