By ZOOM video call : https://zoom.us/j/95248079558
“Remember the Dead – Fight for the Living”
Opened by the Lord Mayor Cllr. Tony Downing
Presided over by Sheffield TUC President Bob Jeffery
STEVE TURNER Assistant General Secretary, UNITE the Union
Louise Haigh MP and Olivia Blake MP On behalf of the Sheffield Labour MPs
Cllr. Julie Dore Leader, Sheffield City Council
Neil Derrick Regional Secretary, GMB
Joanne Thomas Regional Secretary, USDAW
Jawad Qaswari, Hazards Campaign Trade Union Health and Safety magazine
Neil Carbutt FBU (invited) *
Front-line health worker (invited)
There will be a minute’s silence at 1pm when photos of fallen NHS and Care workers will be displayed on the screen
short closing address by:
Martin Mayer, Secretary STUC
Union branches and their members are encouraged to join this Zoom video call event. Simply click on this link: https://zoom.us/j/95248079558
| TUC’s theme for 2020: Coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic affects every worker regardless of sector or locality. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide have died. More have fallen ill or continue to go to work risking their lives. Many workers are still attending work ill-equipped and without necessary safety measures in place. We could not have a starker reminder of the important role of trade union health and safety reps in saving and protecting workers’ lives, than the current crisis we are living through. While we may not be able to attend the memorial events which usually take place on IWMD, as public gatherings around the world are not advised or allowed; there are many ways trade union members can take part in our collective day of remembrance and solidarity. We remember those we have lost. We organise in their memory.
For more information see: https://www.tuc.org.uk/international-workers-memorial-day-iwmd
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Don’t worry if you haven’t done this before. If you have a pc or laptop, or a smartphone and an internet connection, you can do this! Firstly, you will need to download Zoom using this link https://us04web.zoom.us/ If you haven’t done it before then we recommend you do it well in advance of the meeting and then click onto the link to join the meeting:
International Workers Memorial Day is an internationally recognised event with similar activities taking place in towns and cities all around the globe.
“The lack of PPE and safe working practices, including being forced to work where social distancing is not provided for, creates unacceptable risk for workers and all who they then come into contact with. It doesn’t have to be this way” said Martin Mayer, Sheffield TUC Secretary. “Trade unions have really proved their value during this crisis, speaking up about the dangers of CV-19 and putting pressure on the Government and employers. There has never been a more important time to join a trade union – if you are in a union you are much more likely to have a safer workplace during the coronavirus pandemic.”
(We shall start the day with a Minutes Silence at 11am to honour all workers who have died from coronavirus. This will be a stage managed event outside Sheffield Town Hall with volunteers standing with face masks at least 2 metres apart. Please see separate notice)
A separate press statement from SARAG is attached. The South Yorkshire Asbestos Support group have played a vital role in supporting asbestos victims and their families across our region, campaigning for effective asbestos removal and winning compensation for sufferers and their dependents.
Martin Mayer is Secretary of Sheffield Trade Union Council, the body which represents trade unions in Sheffield. He can be contacted on 0776 1078482
Sheffield Trade Union Council (Front Door Letterbox)
Trades and Labour Club, 200 Duke Street, Sheffield S2 5QQ