Workers Memorial Day

On April 28th 2006, at the Peace Garden behind Manchester Town Hall the Centre for Church & Industry in Association with the GMB Lancashire Region, North West TUC and the Manchester Hazards Centre will be holding a Memorial Service at 11.45 am.

The Centre has developed the Service for eight years starting in Trafford Park with a Union Rally and Service. In 2005 a rededication of the Workers Memorial day stone in the Manchester Peace Garden took place. The event in 2006 is now the central event for all Unions in Manchester on the day, other events are taking place across the Region.

Members of the Greater Manchester Industrial Mission Team will conduct the short Service at which representatives will lay wreaths and flowers on the workers Memorial Stone in the Peace Garden.

A Conference on health and safety with family representatives of those who have died at their work will be held at the Mechanics Institute commencing 10 a.m followed by the Service.

Each year 1500 people are killed in the UK doing their job, a further 10 to 20,000 die from a work related disease, 5,000 from asbestos related conditions. Worldwide there are 2 Million people are killed by work accidents, this is more than Aids or acts of terrorism.

The Manchester event will be part of an international network of activities in 2005 there were 10,000 union events in 100 countries involving 6 million workers. (Associated reading: Union Workplaces: Safer Workplaces)

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Kevin Flanagan Director of the Diocesan Centre for Church and Industry stated:

"We are pleased to be invited to organise such an important event again. The loss of any loved one is painful. However we have seen first hand how a tragic accident, especially one that may have been preventable is even more painful for families and work colleagues.

Workers Memorial Day falling so close to the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker when we celebrate all that is good about human work is a fitting way to remember those who have died at their work and to campaign for good health and safety practice at all levels. It is also an important sign for families of those who have died that they are not forgotten and we remember them. "

Further Enquiries to St. Antony's Centre for Church & Industry
worldofwork@Salforddiocese.org.uk

Tel: 0161 848 9173

Sunday Trading Laws

The Department for Trade & Industry (DTI) are holding a consultation to consider the possible relaxation of Sunday Trading Regulations.

This could lead to Sunday being treated as any other trading day.

The Committee are preparing a submission to the DTI and your views are welcomed.

Note: Objections etc., need to forwarded to the DTI by
Friday 14th April

Full details

The committee meets quarterly to plan and direct areas of work related to employment and economic issues.

The Director of the Centre for Church and Industry
Kevin Flanagan, serves the diocesan committee and also the Catholic Bishops Conference, Committee for World of Work

If you share a common interest in our work, or wish to participate, please contact us.

Committee Meeting Dates 2006

• Thur., 4th May
• Thur., 6th July
• Thur., 14th September
• Thur., 23rd November

The following work related articles have appeared in the 'Catholic Universe' and are included here with permission.