CWU's Greater Merseyside Amal Branch Area Safety Rep, Jamie McGovern gives an update on the plawqque dedicated to Tony Mulhearn, as reported by Unionsafety last year. Covid has up to know stopped the installation of the plaque and a memorial ceremony to be conducted on it unvieling:
For this year’s event we are still aiming to unveil or display a new plaque for eventual permanent location on Georges dock building on the East side as detailed below on the planning photographs below.
This is of course dependent on rules allowing for very small gatherings, which may take place at the West Side of the building to unveil the plaque, (not as a permanent fixture and to be removed after the ceremony) The plaque will be permanently fitted to the East Side pf George’s dock building once the strand works are completed around June 2021 (as per photo image representation below)
This new plaque will reference all those who have been killed because of work or through failure of responsibility. The new plaque will be mounted onto the wall to the side of the current Merseyside Tunnel workers memorial
This new plaque will include the poignant words said at last Year’s IWMD event by the late Tony Mulhearn who was an active supporter of International Workers Memorial Day.
The costs of the plaque and installation will be £942.40. As of Friday March 19th, 2021, we currently have donations/pledges covering £700 of the above costs- the IWMD Organising Committee have sent Sincere & Heartfelt Thanks to the Merseyside Trade Union Branches who have made kind donations.
The plaque below will be changed slightly to reflect the IWMD date of 2021:
Design & Access Statement ‘Listed Building Consent for New Memorial Plaque’
Design & Access Statement ‘Listed Building Consent for New Memorial Plaque’
Address Georges Dock Ventilation and Control Station, St Georges Gate, The Strand, Liverpool L3 1DD. Proposal To install a new memorial plaque to the East facing façade of the above building.
Location -The Memorial Plaque will be installed on the East facing elevation of the control station. The East Elevation is the prominent elevation facing ‘The Strand’ which is the main thoroughfare along the docks. The plaque can be viewed from the car park or adjacent public walkway in-front of the car park. Appearance, the East Elevation has three symmetrical architectural niches. In the central niche there are 5 x existing memorial plaques which will remain untouched by our proposal.
We will eventually install the new memorial plaque (post June 2021) on the external wall between the left two niches as discussed with heritage planning officer. The proposed memorial Plaque is to be similar in appearance, finish, colour and texture to the existing adjacent memorial plaques in the central niche. The new plaque will be constructed in Indian Black Granite with polished edges and rounded corners. The lettering will be 196 sandblasted letters all finished in gold leaf to match existing. Size
The plaque will measure 940mm x 300mm and will be 30mm deep.
The reports on previous IWMD Merseyside events can be viewed at:
https://unionsafety.eu/docs/InternationalWorkersMemorialDayArchive.html
What is IWMD?
Every year on April 28th, all around the world the trade union movement unites to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day (#IWMD21). We remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases. We renew our efforts to organise collectively to prevent more deaths, injuries and disease as a result of work. Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government. We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory.
IWMD Theme for 2021:
Health and Safety is a fundamental workers' right.
On 28 April 2021, Trade unions can send a message that health and safety protection at work must be recognised as a right for all. Whether that be Coronavirus risks occupational cancers, workplace injuries or industrial diseases, every worker should have a right to a voice and a right to protection. No-one should have to die to make a living. Resources and updates will be posted on the dedicated 28 April webpages
‘’THOSE WHO PUT PROFIT ABOVE WORKER SAFETY SHOULD NEVER GO UNCHALLENGED’’
This Year IWMD 21 will give us the chance to remember all the workers who have died because of Covid 19
If you need more detail or information on IWMD Merseyside present & future events please email:
Jamiemc@cwumerseyamal.org.uk - Johnflannagan1@hotmail.co.uk - Johnw@liverpool-unison.co.uk
The PDF version of Jamie's report can be downloaded here
