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Workers Memorial Day 2011
Remember The Dead, Fight
For The Living
28 April
Remember the dead,
fight for the living - this is our slogan
every April 28th. A construction worker was killed at DP
World London Gateway site in Thurrock last Saturday.
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Bogus
self-employment in construction is still rampant
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Agency workers are still used and abused, with money wrongly
deducted from wages
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430
construction workers locked out and sacked in Hull
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National agreements
are under attack
Construction site
deaths and serious accidents have already increased by about 15% this
year. This is something which was predicted, as there will be a
massive cut of over 35% to the HSE budget, its inspectorate and all
its departments. Some areas of industry will no longer receive a visit
from a HSE inspector; some firms will be able to carry out their own
H&S inspections and bar HSE inspectors from their site.
These cuts are
supposed to free industry from unnecessary red tape. They are a recipe
for disaster, and an incentive for employers to ignore safety in
favour of profits.
Deaths from exposure
to asbestos continue to climb; not just for construction workers, but
teachers and pupils exposed in schools and tenants in their homes.
Those responsible by their negligence continue to avoid the
consequences of their actions.
As Des Warren told the
court after being convicted of conspiracy in 1973:
�Politically motivated
interference by governments acting on behalf of and under political
pressure from employers now means that no trade unionist can enter
freely into negotiations with employers. They cannot withdraw their
labour - the only thing they possess as a bargaining lever - without
being accused of setting out to wreck the economy, of challenging the
law. � The working class movement cannot allow this verdict to go
unchallenged.�
2011 is the centenary
of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. There have been some
improvements in the last 100 years, but the similarities remain all
too familiar on too may sites.
Rank & File Construction Workers Public Meeting
5th May 6.30pm Lucas Arms
245a
Gray's Inn Road WC1X 8QY
Speakers invited from Blacklisted Workers Support Group, Construction
Safety Campaign, Justice for Shrewsbury Pickets Campaign, National
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