International Workers' Memorial Day 28 April 2020

Our Ref: HSR/4/14
Head Office Circular: NP/45/20
4th March 2020
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY: 28th APRIL 2020- FIGHTING FOR HEARTS AND MINDS

The global union confederation, ITUC, has announced the theme for 28th April 2020: ‘tackling psychosocial hazards at work – taking the stress out of the job’.

The theme in the UK is Fighting for hearts and minds.

This year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day activities will highlight the harm caused by occupational stress and related conditions, including depression, anxiety, burnout, work-related alcohol and drug misuse and work-related suicides. The world’s largest health and safety event will draw together campaign targets including the harm resulting from low pay, high workloads an unacceptable working hours and work patterns. It will also highlight the real-life pressures that lead to work stress, including inadequate staffing, job insecurity, downsizing and precarious work. Bad management practices that contribute to the explosion in work-related psychosocial problems will also be highlighted, including punitive sickness absence policies and disciplinary procedures, oppressive performance management, targets and appraisal systems and a lack of control at work.

Please find attached a flier for this year’s event in Manchester, St. Anne’s Square M2 7LF between 12.00 and 13.00, followed by wreath laying and refreshments at the People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER.

Tell everyone about it – our day to remember the dead – how and why they died- and to fight for the living – demand the action that will stop preventable work deaths!

Please make the contents of this Circular available to all appropriate members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary