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International Workers Memorial Day Event in Liverpool

Construction union UCATT are holding an event to mark International Workers Memorial Day on Monday 28 April.

The event which will be held at UCATT’s Memorial for construction workers in Hunter Street Liverpool, will be addressed by Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT and Linda Whelan of Families Against Corporate Killing (FACK).

UCATT MEMORIAL

HUNTER STREET

LIVERPOOL

11.45am

Last year 69 construction workers were killed at work, the year before the death toll was 77. Construction is the most dangerous industry in Britain. Despite this high death toll only around 30 per cent of companies involved in killing a construction worker are ever convicted of an offence. Despite the recent introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Act it remains virtually impossible for a company director whose negligence caused the death of a worker to be jailed.

Both Alan Ritchie and Linda Whelan, whose son Craig was killed at work in May 2002, will be available for interview.

Alan Ritchie, said: “International Workers Memorial Day is the opportunity to remember the dead but also fight for the living. Far too many workers are needlessly killed every year. Both construction bosses and the authorities need to do far more to reduce this death toll.”

Linda Whelan, said: “We can’t bring back those we love, but proper punishment would act as a deterrent to other criminal or careless employers and prevent more unnecessary deaths at work. In all cases of death in the workplace, individual directors should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted if negligent.”

UCATT are asking as many people as possible to attend the event. For construction workers unable to attend they are asking that they observe a one minute silence at their place of work.

UCATT are campaigning for the Government and the Health and Safety Executive to provide a far higher level of resources to ensure that construction sites are regularly inspected and that there should be a zero tolerance approach to health and safety breaches. UCATT also support the introduction of statutory director’s duties which would force companies to appoint a director to take direct responsibility for health and safety issues.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

UCATT Celebrates Liverpool's Capital Of Culture Year 2008

As Liverpool celebrates being European Capital of Culture in 2008, we are commemorating Robert Tressell’s (Noonan) famous book “The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists”.

Robert Noonan died, in Liverpool, on 3^rd February, 1911 – on his way to emigrating to Canada. He was buried in a paupers’ grave at Walton Park Cemetery.

The book is a classic of the Labour Movement, selling millions and – as tradition has it – millions more have read it as it is passed from hand to hand.

Robert Noonan signed the book Robert Tressell for fear of reprisals but, sadly, the book was not published until three years after his death.

The book is an accurate historical account of the lives of working people, bosses and ‘Idlers’. It condemns the horrors of capitalism and gives a comprehensive explanation of how the system works and the need for a Socialist alternative.

Written in the early part of the 19^th Century – Robert Tressell speaks through the hero Owen – a building worker – describing incidents and characters that any worker could relate to today. The Philanthropists are the workers willing to work for the “good cause” of giving their unpaid labour to the “Masters” – the bosses’ profits.

UCATT, PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union), the North West TUC and Liverpool Trades Union Council – with the assistance of Local Councillors, Rice Lane Community Association, Big House Arts and Tom McLennan – Performance Director – have put together a number of events to commemorate Robert Noonan’s great work.

We also fully support all other events taking place throughout the year in the name of Robert (Tressell) Noonan and/or “The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists”.

Performances Programme 2008

6^thand 7^th May

The Casa Club, Hope Street, Liverpool

8^th May

CUC, Bird Theatre,

off Parliament Street, Liverpool

9^th May

Prison Officers’ Club,

Hornby Road, Walton, Liverpool

Limited tickets available from UCATT North West Regional Office, 56 Derwent Road East, Liverpool L13 6QR, telephone 0151 228 8455.

UCATT To Lead Workers Memorial Day Commemorations in Liverpool

UCATT’s will be leading commemorations for Workers Memorial Day in Liverpool.

The event commences at 11:45am on 28^th April 2008 at the UCATT Memorial on Hunter Street, Liverpool.

UCATT General Secretary Alan Ritchie will be speaking at the event to commemorate workers who have lost their lives at work.

Other speakers will include Linda Whelan from Families Against Corporate Killers.

For further information contact UCATT North West Region, 56 Derwent Road East, Liverpool, L13 6QR, telephone 0151 228 8455. A leaflet for the event is available for download by clicking here.

UCATT Warns North Wales Tenants On Dangers Of Stock Transfer

Construction union UCATT are warning council tenants in two North Wales councils to think very carefully before voting for stock transfer.

Both Flintshire and Gwynedd councils look set to recommend that their council stock be transferred, later this year. However neither scheme will go ahead unless a majority of tenants vote for transfer

There are 8,000 council tenants in Flintshire and 4,000 in Gwynedd.

UCATT have a great deal of experience of stock transfers throughout Britain. While councils spend a great deal of money on trying to persuade tenants to vote yes, they are far more reticent providing information on potential pitfalls.

UCATT have experienced many problems following previous stock transfers, including: steep rises in rents, huge rises in salaries to existing managers who are transferred to the new housing organisation, promises of new kitchens and bathrooms never materialising and swingeing cuts in the housing workforce which effects the repairs and maintenance service.

Ren Davies, UCATT regional officer for the North West and North Wales said: “Councils produce glossy brochures which suggest that stock transfer is some kind of utopia. UCATT have dealt with far too many cases where the truth is far uglier.”

UCATT have been at the forefront of calls for the Government to introduce the “fourth option” for council housing. This would allow councils to directly borrow money themselves in order to pay for vitally need repairs and improvements to council housing.