Unions mark work deaths

Tony Smith, secretary of the Joint Trades’ Unions and the former local Unison chairman, reads the workers’ memorial plaque

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UNION representatives came together for a moving ceremony to remember all those who have been killed during the course of their work.

Representatives from GMB, T&G Unite, NASUWT and Unison were joined by councillors Jim McMahon and Jean Stretton to remember all those who have died either in an accident at work or as a result of an illness which was contracted at work.

The group gathered around the workers’ memorial in the memorial gardens in George Street and heard a poem penned by health and safety campaigner Wendy Lawrence, who wrote about the effects of death on those left behind after reading about another avoidable death at work.

The representatives also observed a minute’s silence, which also took place in the civic centre and at other locations across the borough.

The workers’ memorial day is marked nationwide and unions in Oldham are hoping that the event will grow each year.

Wendy Bradbury, chair of the local Unison branch, said: “We were really pleased that passers-by and workers stood shoulder to shoulder with us to mark this important event, because it’s crucial that we never forget the people who have died during the course of their work.

“We all have to go out to work and endure some element of risk, so health and safety is really important and something that we as unions will continue to support.”