Trade Unions join Minister for the Economy to remember all those killed, injured or made sick at or because of work.
The Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee ICTU Jacquie White joined the Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, to participate in a wreath laying ceremony in Stormont estate to mark Workers Memorial Day and remember all those who have lost their lives at or because of work.
Ms White said
Workers Memorial Day is marked around the world in/around 28th April as a way of remembering workers who have died, been injured or made sick at or because of work. For decades, trade unions have championed workplace safety, campaigning for robust health and safety laws to protect workers from harm. We planted a tree in 2011 along with the GMB trade union and dedicated it to the memory of David Leyland, a young man who’s life was tragically cut short by a horrific incident while he was at work in a BIFFA landfill site. In gathering annually at this tree we remember David and his family and all of those workers and families whose lives have been ended or blighted by poor safety practice at work.
Ms White was joined by the Minister for the Economy and invited guests including trade union officials, MLAs, representatives from HSENI and trade union safety representatives to lay a wreath at a tree which was planted in memory of David Leyland, a GMB member, who was killed at work in 2008.
Ms White said:
The trade unions welcome the progress being made by Dr Archibald and her officials with the drafting of the Good Jobs Bill, and further welcome the Economy department’s defence of the legislative proposals outlined so far. We are aware of concerns raised in recent weeks by business lobby groups and are looking forward to a respectful and inclusive discussion which will inform MLAs as they consider each stage of the Good Jobs Bill.
Today, as we remember those who have been injured or worse at their workplace, we are calling for a commitment for safer workplaces from employers in sectors with extra levels of risk for workers, such as agriculture, construction and manufacturing.
We stand with retailers and shop workers who are calling for greater security against theft and assault, and we stand with emergency service staff and educators who receive threats and abuse while serving all of the public.
We have a duty toward trade union members to highlight the aspects of the Good Jobs Bill which will makes workplace less dangerous, in particular trade union access. TUC research has clearly demonstrated that the presence of fully trained union Health and Safety (H&S) reps prevents thousands of major injuries at work every year. Union reps help to lower accident rates at work by ensuring safe working practices and reducing stress-related ill health caused by, for example, working long hours, being bullied or working in poor quality environments. The more trade union training the reps get, the more marked the 'union safety effect'.
As well as added safety, trade union access for safety reps save companies money from lost time due to the reduction of occupational injuries and work-related illnesses. Dialogue between unions and employers is essential, at local level and with the Department for the Economy and its agencies, especially the Health & Safety Executive NI.
We must commit ourselves to looking to the future to work together with employers, government and enforcement agencies to make deaths at work a thing of the past. Zero deaths at work is the only acceptable statistic. We also pay tribute to the thousands of trade union safety representatives who work with employers and members to keep workplaces safer and healthier.
