International Workers Memorial Day Event In London

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

The event which will be held at UCATT’s Statue to the Unknown Construction Worker and will be addressed by Harry Cohen MP, Jerry Swain, regional Secretary for UCATT’s London and South East Region, and Liliana Alexa whose son Michael was killed in the Battersea Crane Disaster in September 2006.

A minute’s silence in memory of the construction workers killed at work will be held at 10am, followed by a wreath laying ceremony.

UCATT CONSTRUCTION WORKER STATUE

(opposite Tower Hill Tube

by Tower of London)

London

9.30am – 10.15am

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.

Harry Cohen MP, Jerry Swain and Liliana Alexa will be available for interview.

As a mark of respect for the workers killed last year, UCATT will be releasing 69 black balloons during the ceremony. One for every construction worker killed in 2007/8. On average at least 10 construction workers are killed in London each year.

Jerry Swain, said: “Workers are being killed on construction sites week in and week out. Most of these deaths were preventable. It is time that rogue construction bosses who don’t care about health and safety were brought to justice.”

Harry Cohen MP, said: “It is not acceptable to adopt the throw away attitude of ‘accidents happen’. A huge number of deaths and injuries in this country, and worldwide, are completely avoidable. The philosophy of light touch regulation or no regulation contributes to these deaths and injuries. Strong laws need to be put in place, and enforced, to ensure employers take their responsibility to safeguard the life of their employees seriously”.

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