Local Trade Unionists gathered last Friday evening April 28 at the Workers’ Memorial in Brook Park, Enniskillen to mark Workers’ Memorial Day.

The gathering which had representatives from Unite the Union, Unison, NIPSA, The Communication Workers’ Union, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation and NASUWT also observed a minute’s silence in memory of all those killed, injured or made ill by their work.

In his speech to the gathering, Jim Quinn, Secretary to the Fermanagh Council of Trades Unions said: “Can I first of all welcome you to this annual event where we rededicate ourselves as workers and trade unionists to the protection of people in the workplace against hazards and accidents.

“Workers’ Memorial Day has of course a long history being established in North America in 1986 and in Britain by the shop workers union in 1995.

“Fermanagh Council of Trade Unions (FCTU) lay claim to being the first to mark the event in Ireland 21 years ago in 2002 after the tragic death of refuse worker, Seamus Miller not very far from here.”

Mr. Quinn went on to speak about another workplace related death, that of Neil Graham.

“Sad to say the local papers recently reported on the sad death of a young apprentice mechanic, Neil Graham from Garrison who died as a result of negligence by two employers. His unnecessary death highlighted the need for a strengthening of the laws around monitoring farm machinery and I plan to submit a motion to my own union asking that his parents campaign in this regard be supported by the trade union movement.”

The gathering was also addressed by the Chairperson of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry Mc Elduff and Jill Weir, Branch Secretary of Unison who called on union representatives to re-dedicate themselves to improving Health and Safety in the Workplace.