Workers’ Memorial Day: Remembering Lives Lost at Work

Monday 28 April 2025 is Workers’ Memorial Day. It’s the day we remember all those killed, injured, or made ill because of their jobs. We’re asking everyone to wear something red that day. A red ribbon. A red t-shirt. Even a red badge. Whatever works. It’s a small gesture, but it makes a clear point: no one should die just for going to work.

The truth behind the headlines

Workplace deaths aren’t “tragic accidents.” They’re the result of bad decisions. Unsafe buildings. Poor training. Overwork. Stress. Some employers cut corners. Some push people too hard. And some just don’t care. And while they save money, people get hurt. Or worse.

Hundreds of workers in the UK died at work last year. Thousands more became ill or injured. The real number is probably even higher. Stress, anxiety, and depression are now major health risks. Some workers have taken their own lives because of what’s happening at work. This isn’t just sad. It’s a scandal.

Safe work is a basic right

Health and safety isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about staying alive. It’s about making sure people don’t fall off scaffolding. Don’t collapse from heat and pressure. Don’t break their backs lifting things. Don’t end up burned out or traumatised. And yet we keep hearing the same things: “We haven’t had time to do the checks.” “It’s only a small risk.” “It’ll be fine.” That’s what they always say — until someone ends up in hospital. Or in a body bag.

What we’re calling for

We want action. Not talk. Not sympathy. Real change. That means: The right to say “no” to unsafe work — without losing your job. Better protection for people who speak out. Bosses held to account when workers get hurt. Mental health treated as seriously as physical injuries.Stronger inspections and real penalties for unsafe practices.None of this happens by itself. Workers make it happen. Union reps make it happen. Standing together makes it happen.

Remember and resist

On 28 April, we remember those who didn’t make it home.

We remember the cleaner with no PPE. The delivery driver forced to keep going in a storm. The care worker left alone on a night shift. And we don’t just remember them — we organise. We speak up. We refuse to accept it. So this Workers’ Memorial Day, wear red. Talk to your mates. Raise the issue at work. If it’s not safe, say so. Because the best way to honour the dead — is to protect the living.

By Maria Camara

Understanding Night Work’s Impact on Health

510 words, 3 minutes read time.

Night work remains a cornerstone of the economy, but the toll it takes on workers is often underestimated. Recent TUC research led by Dr. Sian Moore and Dr. Ruth Ballardie brings to light the comprehensive impacts of night shifts on physical health, mental wellbeing, family dynamics, and social lives. For those in Solidarity Union and beyond, understanding these effects is crucial to advocating for fairer treatment and support for our members engaged in night work.

1. Health Risks Linked to Night Shifts

Physical Health: Night work disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to risks of cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and metabolic issues like diabetes. The disruption impacts sleep, contributing to chronic fatigue and raising health risks.
Mental Health: There’s a strong link between night work and depression, particularly for female workers. Sleep deprivation and social isolation from family and friends exacerbate mental health struggles, creating cycles that impair overall wellbeing.

2. Psychosocial and Work-Life Impacts

Work Intensification: Staff shortages and high demand during night shifts increase work pressures, often leaving night workers feeling isolated, overworked, and unsupported by management. The study shows that limited managerial support, especially during night hours, compounds stress.
Family and Social Disruption: Night work often means missing family time, school events, and social gatherings. The research highlights how night shifts lead to fragmented family lives and are linked to increased risks of divorce and strained relationships, especially in households with young children.

3. Financial and Job Security Drivers

Many workers take on night shifts primarily for the financial premium it provides. However, some are forced into night work due to limited availability of day positions or labour market conditions, which offer few alternatives. Despite the health trade-offs, financial pressures mean many have little choice but to continue.

4. Union Actions and Employer Responsibilities

Shift Premiums: While shift premiums offer some financial compensation, the inconsistency in rates across industries fails to fully account for the physical and mental toll. Union-negotiated improvements in shift flexibility, recovery periods, and health benefits are essential.
Worker Control Over Shifts: Allowing workers control over their shifts has proven to reduce negative impacts on family and social life. However, many employers are inflexible, exacerbating strain on night workers.
Workplace Safety: With risks of violence and safety hazards higher at night, it is critical that employers establish robust safety measures, particularly for lone workers. The report highlights cases where inadequate support leaves workers vulnerable.

5. Recommendations for Union Advocacy

This research underscores the need for Solidarity to push for stronger protections for night workers, including limits on shift lengths, increased recovery time, and access to occupational health services. Union reps should continue to negotiate for fair treatment, safer conditions, and flexibility that respects the unique needs of night workers.

By raising awareness and advocating for policies that address these findings, we can help to mitigate the adverse effects of night work and ensure better support for those who keep society running through the night. This research provides a foundation for action—let’s use it to drive meaningful change for our members.

Download the full report here

By Maria Camara

Union News 31st of July 2024

535 words, 3 minutes read time.

Welcome to Union News, your guide to what’s happening in the UK and trade union movement. Reporting is by Pat Harrington and music is from Tim Bragg. In this weeks edition: Call for Stronger Health and Safety Laws, G4S Job Centre Guards Launch New Strike, Workers Rally to Save Grangemouth Refinery and finally, Mixed Reactions to Junior Doctors’ Pay Deal.

Call for Stronger Health and Safety Laws

Union leaders are pressing the new Labour government to enhance the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and secure funding for enforcement to cut workplace fatalities. Marking the HSWA’s 50th anniversary, the TUC emphasized the need for continued progress and investment in workplace safety. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak highlighted the Act’s success in saving thousands of lives but warned that recent Tory cuts have put workers at risk. With Britain averaging over 100 work-related deaths annually, Nowak called for fresh funding and collaborative efforts to boost safety measures. Hazards Campaign Chair Janet Newsham echoed the need for more investment, stressing the Act’s importance and advocating for a robust health and safety system .

G4S Job Centre Guards Launch New Strike

Hundreds of G4S security guards at job centres are set for a 10-day strike demanding better pay.

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members employed by the private security company as job centre security guards started a week-long strike this Monday.

The union said its members will now walk out alongside colleagues in the GMB union on weeks beginning August 12 and 26.

PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote criticized G4S for underpaying workers despite their significant profits. G4S claimed PCS lacked a recognition agreement for negotiations, but the GMB union countered, accusing G4S of offering a misleading pay deal that amounts to a real-terms cut. The dispute has seen GMB membership double, with G4S facing investigation for using agency staff to undermine the strike .

Workers Rally to Save Grangemouth Refinery

Scottish workers will gather in Grangemouth this Saturday to fight for the future of the Petroineos oil refinery and its 2,000-strong workforce. The refinery, crucial to Scotland’s economy, faces closure in 2025. Unite’s Keep Grangemouth Working Campaign is pushing for a green transition plan to save jobs. Recent discussions with the government have led to potential funding for low-carbon projects at the site. Unite’s General Secretary Sharon Graham and Scottish Secretary Derek Thomson have noted a positive shift in government attitude, emphasizing the importance of getting the transition right for workers and the community.

and finally, Mixed Reactions to Junior Doctors’ Pay Deal

Rachel Reeves described the proposed pay deal for junior doctors as a minimal cost compared to the losses from NHS strikes. The new offer, which includes a 22.3% pay package, aims to discuss the wage gap but has received mixed reactions. BMA’s junior doctors committee recommends the deal, noting it changes the current trajectory but falls short of full pay restoration. Junior doctors, who have held 44 days of strikes, will vote on the offer, with some expressing dissatisfaction and calling for continued action. The deal includes a backdated pay rise and future increases, but many argue it doesn’t adequately discuss long-term pay issues.

Picture credit
Grangemouth: By User:John, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2459867