Friday 28 April 2017

Today is Workers Memorial Day



Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. Workers’ Memorial Day (WMD) commemorates those workers.

Eastbourne TUC's new
Workers Memorial Day banner
Workers' Memorial Day is held on 28 April every year, all over the world workers and their representatives conduct events, demonstrations, vigils and a whole host of other activities to mark the day.

The day is also intended to serve as a rallying cry to “remember the dead, but fight for the living”.

In 2017 International Workers’ Memorial Day will have the theme Good health and safety for all workers whoever they are and will focus on inequalities in occupational health and the role unions play in narrowing the inequalities gap. The TUC will particularly want to focus on the hidden and new GIG economies, the risks faced by migrant workers and the issues of gender and class.


Workers’ Memorial Day is not just symbolic- it is a time to remember real working people in our local area who have died as a result of accidents or illnesses caused at work.
On 28th April- we urge you to remember:-
ROY TRUNDELL (Eastbourne Buses employee-  killed in a workplace accident in  2008)
CLIVE BECK  (former  Ratton School teacher- died of Mesothelioma. The shelves in his school cupboard were made of asbestos.)
BOB TOLLY (Eastbourne gas fitter- died 2006, also of Mesotheleoma. Exposed to asbestos during his working life. )  
SIMON JONES  (Student killed by a Crane at Shoreham Port, on his first day.)
GEOFF WICKER and BRIAN WEMBRIDGE (East Sussex firefighters killed in action fighting a blaze at a firework factory- Lewes)
AND ALL THE OTHER LOCAL PEOPLE KILLED AT WORK.  REMEMBER THE DEAD… FIGHT FOR THE LIVING !
Eastbourne will have our Workers’ Memorial Day banner and information at the May Day March.




Monday 24 April 2017

Join Us on May Day

May 1st 2017 sees us return to an old local Trades Council traditon- a march and rally with our banners to celebrate International Workers’ Day. All local trade unionists are encouraged to join us- and bring your Union banners and flags to celebrate the work of trade unions in Eastbourne and worldwide.

We will assemble at Hyde Gardens at 11.00am on Monday May 1st (Bank Holiday) and then parade through town centre to the Wish Tower Slopes.

There will be a short rally at the slopes, where we will hear from local union campaigns, including the anti-cuts and NHS campaigns. Please then stay and enjoy a picnic with trade union brothers and sisters from across the town- we will provide some supplies!