- Conference
- 2006 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 28 February 2006
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes that on 11 November, and on the closest Sunday after that date each year within the United Kingdom, civic and religious ceremonies are held to mark the death and injuries caused as a result of war.
It is with sadness that Conference also observes that although the International Trade Unions Movement has designated 28 April as Worker Memorial Day (WMD), this is not universally acknowledged nor is it officially supported by the political and civic leadership of our nation.
WMD takes place all over the world on 28 April each year. On that day workers wear a forget-me-not purple ribbon and take action to remember all those who have been killed, maimed, or had their health destroyed by their jobs; and campaign for better standards for those still at work so that they are not silently left to the same fate.
Within the British workforce, it is recognised officially that more than 250 workers are killed and thousands seriously injured each year. In the last year alone there were 235 deaths, 3,100 seriously injured and 130,000 workers off sick due to injury for three or more days.
Conference therefore calls upon the National Executive Council of UNISON to mount a campaign to have 28 April, formally recognised as a national day of remembrance for those who are killed and injured whilst carrying out their work.