RMTU

Media Statement For Immediate Release,

Tuesday 27 April 2004

"Rail & Maritime Transport workers mourn workplace dead"

"The Rail & Maritime Transport Union and it's members will join with other Unions to remember and mourn those who have perished in the workplace, on International Workers Memorial Day" say's the Union's General Secretary Wayne Butson.

"RMTU members throughout NZ will bind themselves to Honour The Dead - Fight For The Living" said Wayne Butson. He went on to say that "the days message is a simple one, but its one that needs repeating: workers have the right to go to work and come home unharmed".

This reflects the twin objectives of highlighting the appalling human cost of workplace accidents/incidents and secondly the need for strong legislative protection and more effective enforcement by a well resourced OSH".

Wayne Butson was commenting on International Workers Memorial Day which falls on 28 April each year. "Rail & Maritime Transport Union members feel very strongly about this day as our Union has suffered a huge loss of life particularly within the rail industry." said Mr Butson.

"The Union will hold ceremonies at noon in Dunedin, Christchurch and Lower Hutt's Rail workshops with all trains stopping for one minute at midday on the 28th, with suitable public announcements being made on passenger trains to explain the stopping of the train".

"Transport workers globally will particularly remember those who are killed or wounded in accidents, acts of vandalism or terrorist attacks that take place whilst they were working to provide a public service. Arising from the remembrance will be a determination to ensure that lessons are learned and mechanisms put in place to prevent a recurrence" said Mr Butson

ENDS

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