Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

Workplace fatalities Commemorative Service at Trades Hall

Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary – 27/4/07
Friday, 27 April 10.30am

On International Workers Memorial Day the Victorian Trades Hall Council noted with deep concern the big increase in the number of people killed at work in Victoria over the past twelve months. 29 people lost their lives at work in this state since the last Workers Memorial Day, a jump from 19 the year before.
The VTHC and (IDSA) held a commemoration service at the Workers’ Memorial at Trades Hall at the corner of Victoria and Lygon Streets in Carlton.
The theme for the 2007 event was Demand Safe and Healthy Standards and Enforcement.
The MC was Lisa Darmanin Assistant Secretary ASU (Local Government) and speakers included:  Jack May, President IDSA, Brian Boyd, Secretary, VTHC, Leighton Ross, son of Peter Ross, MUA member, who died at work 19 January 2007 and Bob Patchett MUA, who spoke on the unions campaign for a nationally legislated stevedoring industry safety code of practice.

The Victorian Trade Union Choir also sang.

The gathering heard that in Western Australia there had been 12 workplace fatalities recorded so far this year – more than double the 5 fatalities recorded in the same period of time last year. 

Workplace fatalities have increased under John Howard’s harsh new IR laws, was the strong message that came out of the ceremony.

It was also pointed out 30% of all AWAs that have been examined reveal that workers will get no rest breaks during their scheduled hours of work. This can lead to unsafe situations.  It breaks the OHS law of this State.  Unions oppose AWAs.  If we needed anymore proof of this we have with the safety breaks

AMWU  member Leighton Ross spoke to the gathering of losing his father Peter (MUA member) in his job on the docks

that many of these AWAs have taken away.

And the federal government is also making it easier for employers to leave our State OHS system for the inferior Federal Comcare system.  John Howard’s government has recently made changes to OHS and compensation laws that take away OHS and compensation rights.  Howard has also changed the rules so that, for the first time, private companies can move into this inferior, national system. Most workers, be they building workers or bank tellers, will be worse off.  Less represented, less involved in their own health and safety and less compensated when they are injured.

We should remember that unions and the community commemorated today to fight for the living and to renew our resolution that we will get rid of these laws.  We will get rid of John Howard.  Vote for your heath and safety rights at work!


More Archive

Powered By three squares