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International Workers Memorial Day Event In The North East

Construction union UCATT are holding a series of events in the North East to mark International Workers Memorial Day on Monday 28 April.

The union will be holding a wreath laying ceremony at the Junction of the A1 western bypass and the A69. The spot contains a memorial plaque to Joe Willis a UCATT member who was killed by a reversing lorry while building the road in the late 1980’s

JOE WILLIS PLAQUE

JUNCTION OF THE A1 WESTERN BYPASS AND A69

8.30am

The workforce at Vesuvius based at the Corus Steel Plant in Redcar will hold a two minute silence at 1pm on Monday 28^th April. On Saturday 12 April Kristian Norris a 29 year old bricklayer and UCATT member employed by Vesuvius was killed in an accident at the site.

UCATT have got agreement the workforce at the following site will hold a 2 minutes silence at 11am:

AMEC, Laing O’Rourke , Carrillion, McAlpine and Stobbart - (BNFL site Cumbria).

Tolent, Nuttals - ICI Wilton

Coast & Country, -Redcar

McAlpines, Newcastle Housing, – Hexham

Taylor Wimpey, Chalres Church, Persimmon, Bellway, Kendal Cross (various sites throughout the region).

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.

John Scott the regional secretary for UCATT’s Northern Region will be available for interview

John Scott, said: “International Workers Memorial Day is the opportunity to remember the dead but also fight for the living. In all cases of death in the workplace, individual directors should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted if negligent.”

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