DOZENS of residents gathered to pay their respects outside Barnsley Town Hall to commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day.
Speakers from local trade unions spoke of the sadness that still so many workers die each year at work.
They emphasised that building strong unions to provide better and safer working conditions is key to stopping this annual loss.
Barnsley Trades Union Council helped set up the event, and said it was good to see so many people turn up in support.
George Arthur, the secretary, said: “As always it was a pleasure to have the Mayor of Barnsley Coun Mick Stowe open the event, talking about his own past experiences as a coal miner.
“A speaker from SARAG – Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support – pointed out the dangers of asbestos in workplaces and explained how those schools and other public buildings that were affected by the RAAC unsafe construction often had asbestos in their structures as well.
“An international perspective was provided by a speaker from Global Justice, reminding those participating that we are part of a worldwide working class and that climate chaos is an important issue when looking at workplace safety.”
