April 16
Four Victorian workers have died at work in April, bringing this year's fatalities to eight.
On 4 April Brian Boyd, Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council said, “Together with the entire Victorian union movement I extend my condolences to the families, friends and workmates of those who have died in Victorian workplaces this week. We mourn these deaths and we resolve today to continue fighting for the rights of all workers to a safe and healthy work environment.”
He added, “International Workers Memorial Day, 28 April, is the day the union movement internationally comes together to mourn the dead and fight for the living. Later this month we will be gathering at the Memorial Rock, at the Victorian Trades Hall, for a formal ceremony on this day.”
First started by the Canadian union movement in the early ‘80s, and adopted globally by the union movement in the mid 1990’s, many governments now also make 28 April the focus of some occupational health and safety activities.
Each year the international union movement adopts a theme for the day. This year the priority focus is
good occupational health for all workers. This includes a strong focus on occupational exposure to carcinogens, particularly asbestos. Download the leaflet at the bottom of this page.
Read more about the international campaign
Events in Victoria
At Trades HallA commemoration ceremony is being organised by the VTHC jointly with the ACTU and IDSA. Speakers will include Sharan Burrows, ACTU President; Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary; Peter Gordon, Slater & Gordon; Deanne May and Tony Evans, both from IDSA.
At the ceremony the VTHC and ACTU will be jointly launching the Australian
‘Zero Occupational Cancer Campaign’.
Where: The Memorial Rock, Trades Hall (cnr Lygon st and Victoria Pde)
When: 10:20am, with the ceremony starting at 10:30, and concluding with a one minute silence and wreath laying at 11:00am.Morning Tea will be provided afterwards by IDSA (Industrial Deaths Support and Advocacy). Contact: Margot Hoyte 9662 3511, 0413 482 973
Gippsland
The Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Inc. (GARDS) will hold its Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony on International Workers’ Memorial Day in memory of workers who die, are injured or fall ill as a result of their work. An ecumenical service will be conducted by Father Peter Mizera from local Sacred Heart Church. Newborough Primary School choir and the GARDS Scottish bag pipers will be participating. Speakers include Tony Medina, CFMEU organiser, whose life/health has been affected by his past working conditions; Steve Dodd, Assistant Secretary Gippsland Trades & Labour Council; and Vicki Hamilton Secretary of GARDS. For more information contact Vicki Hamilton on 0407274173.
Where: Centenary Rose Garden, Commercial Road, Morwell
When: 11.00am Monday April 28th. After the ceremony there will be a free BBQ lunch with the compliments of the Gippsland Trades & Labour Council
Health and Safety Reps are encouraged to consider organising an event, even if small, at their workplaces. Materials are being developed to assist with this and will soon be available to download from the website.