It has been a horror start to 2005 in Victorian workplaces, with nine workers killed as of March 30.
Workers' Memorial Day commenced in Canada in 1986, as a way of remembering those killed or injured as a result of their work. It was adopted internationally in 1996. The day is marked by ceremonies on or around 28 April each year in countries all around the world.
This year Victorian unions have adopted the canary as our symbol for the day. The canary symbol was first used by Canadian unions in the 1980s, as it is a distinctly work related animal - having been used in mines to show if the air was turning bad. The canary died first - hopefully giving enough time for workers to escape the workplace, before also dying.
Themes in previous years have included 'Employer Accountability', 'Young Workers' and 'Killer Chemicals'.
In Australia, the latest figures published by the Commonwealth government show that the Commonwealth, as an employer, is performing worse than any other state workers compensation scheme.
In Victoria, we look forward to the introduction later this year of our new OHS Act.
Victorian Unions are marking the day by:
Mourning the dead:
A memorial service - to be held at the Memorial Rock, in conjunction with IDSA (Industrial Death Support & Advocacy), followed by a light lunch at Horti Hall,
Time: Memorial Service 10:30am - 11:15.
Afterwards in Horti Hall from 11:15.
Address: Victorian Trade Hall Council, cnr Lygon St & Victoria Pde, Carlton South
RSVP: Margot Hoyte, mhoyte@vthc.org.au, 9662 3511
Fight for the living:
Unions will launch the 'Elect an OHS Rep' Campaign on this day. 10,000 new OHS Reps is the target of the campaign.
The presence of a unionised, trained OHS Representative is the single biggest factor affecting the health and safety performance of a workplace.
The new Victorian OHS Act encourages the election of OHS Representatives (including Deputies and Roving Representatives) and many more workers want representation.
OHS Rep recruitment posters, stickers & leaflets will be available at the launch for distribution in all Victorian workplaces.
Other materials:
Download flyers on how Australia compares with other countries, the history of Workers Memorial Day and why an OHS Rep can make a difference.
What can you do on Workers' Memorial Day?
- participate in the Workers' Memorial Day event
- observe one minutes silence at 11 am in your workplace
- elect health and safety representatives for your workplace if you don't have them,
- get the materials for electing more OHS Reps, under the new laws that come into effect 1 July, 2005.
- Have a meeting of OHS Reps and union delegates
- discuss health and safety issues at your workplace
- ask your employer to fix health safety problems at your workplace - employers have a legal duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace
- if your employer will not fix health and safety problems, contact your union