Usdaw marks Workers' Memorial Day

To mark Workers’ Memorial Day, 1500 delegates and visitors of Shopworkers’ union, Usdaw, held a two minute silence at its annual conference today, in remembrance of victims of accidents at work and occupational disease.

Usdaw General Secretary, John Hannett, said the issue was particularly pertinent in the current economic climate:

“In the credit crunch, employers may be looking for ways to cut back on costs. We need to make sure that this doesn’t impact on the safety of their staff. Cutting back on labour can mean that fewer staff are working harder to get the job done, which can lead to stress and more likelihood of making mistakes. It also means that there is less time for health and safety checks. Cutting back on training also means there is a greater likelihood of accidents.

“No worker should have to work in an unsafe place. People have the right to go to work secure in the knowledge that their employer has done everything possible to ensure their safety.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 372,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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Last Modified: Thursday, 14-May-2009 21:18:47 EST
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