Workers Memorial Day Service at Bristol Cathedral

Dave Smith

Dave Smith

Dave Smith

Michelle Stanistreet

Michelle Stanistreet

Julie Verne

Cannon Tim Higgins

Nigel Cotley

Sally Challoner

Farzana Saker

Workers Memorial Day

Workers Memorial Day

Yesterday 28th April was Workers Memorial Day, where people who have either died or been injured in work related accidents or circumstances are remembered. The South West commemorated the day by holding a service at Bristol Cathedral followed by the laying of wreaths at the Workers Memorial. This was quite an important service as it was the first time that the service/meeting has been held inside a Cathedral and Bristol were rightly proud to allow this to happen. There were also some important speakers at the service. Amongst those who spoke were Michelle Stanistreet the General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists and Dave Smith the head of the Blacklist Support Group, both very important and high profile figures. Dave Smith is heading up the fight against the illegal practice of Blacklisting. And if you are not sure what is going on there, then I suggest it is worth checking it out. It is something that could affect us all and is very quickly becoming a major major issue. Other speakers included Cannon Tim Higgins, Nigel Cotley of South West TUC, Julia Verne of the Public Service Health Observatory, Farzana Saker from Bristol Multi Faith Forum, Sam Maher from Labour behind the Label and Sally Challoner from BBC Points West.
So in my language it was all about being able to go to work in a safe environment and not one where you go to work in the morning and end the day in a body bag or in hospital. Isnt that a worthy cause???

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Swindon Hospital Carillion Workers meeting in the House of Commons

Kamaljeet Jantu addresses te audience

Dave Smith addresses the audience

Katy Clark MP addresses the audience

Wilf Sullivan TUC addresses the audience

Workers and MP’s stand together

Workers and MP’s stand together

Some of the hospital workers.

On the evening of Tuesday 20th November a meeting was held in The House of Commons in London for the Swindon Hospital Carillion workers and a number of MP’s, GMB Union officials and other important speakers who were offering their support to the hospital workers. Amongst the speakers and audience were Michael Meacher MP, Lord Whitty, Katy Clark MP, Pragna Patel from Southall Black Sisters, Wilf Sullivan from the TUC, Dave Smith ex Carillion and blacklisted worker, Kamaljeet Jantu, Lawyer Shah Qureshi and many GMB officials.
The MP’s were visibly shocked when the Lawyer was reading out just a few of the allegations against the Carillion management.
All at the meeting considered it to be a success and a lot of support was offered in helping and moving the dispute forward.

For me as somebody there purely to take images of the events I found it fascinating not least because it was the first time in my life I had ever been inside the House of Commons and Houses of Parliament. If you have the chance go take a visit.