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

L3

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