Events

28 April is International Workers' Memorial Day 2011

Blackball, West Coast

The EPMU is involved with organising a Workers' Memorial Day event this year at Blackball on the West Coast on 28 April.

There will be a strong focus on last year's tragedy at the Pike River mine and honouring the lives of the 29 workers who were killed.

There will be a 45 minute commemorative service held at the Blackball Working Class Museum starting at 1.45pm. If wet, it will be held in the Blackball Working Men's Club.

Speakers will include representatives from the EPMU, other unions, local dignitaries and community members.

Workers' Memorial Day started in Canada in the mid-1980s and is now recognised as an international day of remembrance for workers killed in incidents at work, or by diseases caused by work.

On 28th April, Workers' Memorial Day events are held throughout the world. Some examples include: - active campaigning, workplace awareness events, public events including: - speeches, multi faith religious services, laying wreaths, planting trees, unveiling monuments, balloon releases, raising public awareness of issues and laying out empty shoes to symbolise those who have died at work.