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Safety Net Journal Issue 13 |
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Workers Memorial Day – National Monument
There is still time to respond to the Government consultation on proposals to officially recognise International Workers Memorial Day. The deadline for responses is 19 October.
To take part in the consultation, go to;
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/workers-memorial-day-consultation.pdf
At the same time the TUC has been considering the idea of setting up a permanent national memorial somewhere in the country.
A small working party was set up to consider views from unions and campaign organisations such as the Hazards Campaign and Families Against Corporate Killing. They looked at the pros and cons of a national monument and have made the following recommendations.
Pros:
- National focus for the day
- Better chance of high profile speakers
Cons:
- May become non union event
- May defelect attention from local memorials and events
- What is national, England-UK-GB?
Following discussions it was recommended that;
- The focus of the day should be local or workplace events
- Not only remembering the dead but remembering the living
- Focus on union action and organisation
- Encourage a minutes silence at noon on the day
- Fly flags at half mast on public buildings
- Encourage more local memorials and plaques in or near workplaces remembering;
o Particular deaths
o Specific industries
o Specific diseases like asbestos
- TUC should look at setting up website of memorials in UK
- STUC and WTUC should decide best way forward in their countries
- In England no further work on national memorial but review in 5 years time.
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