Aberdeen remembers - Workers' Memorial day 2016

Aberdeen remembered all those who have lost their lives, been injured or made ill at their work at a moving and well attended Workers’ Memorial Day service on 28th April.

Opening the ceremony at the Persley Walled Garden in Aberdeen, Kate Ramsden, Branch Chair, and President of Aberdeen Trades Union Council, extended a particular welcome and deepest condolences to the family and work colleagues of Ian Walker, the worker who lost his life in the construction of the third Don Crossing.

Kate said, “This will be a very poignant service as we mourn the deaths of three workers, including Ian, killed at their work in a three week period in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire earlier this year.

“In coming together today we mourn all those, like Ian, who have lost their lives doing their job.

 “But we also make a pledge to continue our fight for robust health and safety procedures, inspection and legislation to make sure no more workers are killed at their work and no other families have to grieve the loss of their loved ones.”

Kate also thanked Aberdeenshire Council for their messages of support.

Kate said, "Although the elected members are unable to attend, the Provost opened their Full Council today with a statement about Workers' Memorial Day and a period of reflection."
Click here to read a full account of the ceremony on the ATUC blog.

Workers' Memorial Day Thursday 28 April 2016 - Remember the dead, fight for the living

This year's International Workers Memorial Day Service, will be held at 1pm (gather from 12.30pm) at Persley Walled Garden, Persley, Aberdeen. All are welcome to attend.

For more information go to the ATUC blog.

International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.
The purpose of IWMD is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

The campaign slogan is "Remember the dead, fight for the living."

The number of people killed at work in Scotland has been rising in recent years, according to official figures. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said 20 workers lost their lives north of the border in 2014-15. Recently three workers have lost their lives in work related accidents in the local area so this will be a particularly poignant service.

In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

The Service will last for approx 30mins.

Workers' Memorial Day - We owe it to the memories of those who have died to fight for the rights of working people

Branch Chair, Kate Ramsden and our two Health and Safety Officers, Richard Lawrence and Tricia Morrison attended the Workers' Memorial Day Service at Persley Gardens, Aberdeen on 28th April where they joined other Trade Unionists, politicians and citizens in a poignant ceremony.

Kate, in her role as Vice President of the Aberdeen Trades union Council, led the ceremony and also spoke on behalf of the ATUC.

Click here for a full report of the service.

Come along to the Workers' Memorial Day Tuesday 28 April 2015 1pm

This year's Workers Memorial Day Service, will be held at 1pm (gather from 12.30pm) at Persley Gardens, Persley, Aberdeen. All are welcome to attend.

What is Workers Memorial Day?
International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.

The purpose of IWMD is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

The campaign slogan is "Remember the dead, fight for the living."

The number of people killed at work in Scotland has been rising in recent years, according to official figures. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said 20 workers lost their lives north of the border in 2014-15. Although this has been fairly consistent over the past few years it remains 20 too many.
In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

The Service will last for approx 30mins.

Workers' Memorial Day Monday 28 April 2014 "Remember the dead, fight for the living"

This year's Workers Memorial Day Service, will be held at 11am (gather from 10.30am) at Persley Gardens, Persley, Aberdeen. All are welcome to attend.

International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.

 

The purpose of IWMD is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

The campaign calls on us all to "Remember the dead, fight for the living."

The number of people killed at work in Scotland has been rising in recent years, according to official figures. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said 20 workers lost their lives north of the border in 2012 - a rise of six on the previous year.

In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

The Service will last for approx 30mins.

Branch will work in partnership with council Health and Safety team to address stress at work

Susan Kennedy

Aberdeenshire UNISON's stress survey shows that many members are struggling with increased workloads, deadlines and time pressures and worry about job security.

Assistant Secretary, Susan Kennedy met with Aberdeenshire Council's Health and Safety team on 6th November to discuss these findings and to agree a way forward.

See the full report on the website

Branch stress survey to report soon as UNISON nationally finds that 87% of local government workers surveyed are struggling with stress

The Branch has been asking members and non-members to complete a stress survey to find out how staff locally are coping in the workplace.

Stewards have been handing out stress survey forms during workplace visits and a survey form was sent out with the Summer issue of UNISON Matters which is delivered to all Branch members.

The Branch has had a great many forms returned and is currently compiling and analysing the responses, to take to the council.

Richard Lawrence

More work and fewer staff
Richard Lawrence, Branch Health and Safety Officer said, "Many of our members told us that as the cuts began to bite, they became more stressed, as there are fewer and fewer staff doing the same amount of work. They tell us that workloads have increased and many members are experiencing their management as less supportive.

"We decided to do this survey to find out how widespread these problems are and we have had responses from across services."