UNISON activists in Peterborough launched what they hope will be an annual commemoration of International Workers Memorial Day in the city on Monday.
Trade unionists, politicians and locals gathered outside Peterborough Town Hall for the event, with Peterborough City Council turning street lights purple for the occasion, matching the colour of ribbons worn to mark the day.
Council leader Dennis Jones spoke, recalling an industrial injury he received as a young brickie and how much conditions had improved after the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.
He promised to look council register of public buildings with asbestos in them, something for which the TUC has been calling.
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes also spoke, lighting a candle to remember a personal experience of a work-related death.
He said on Facebook: “Everyone should be able to go to work safely. Trade unions play a key role in keeping people safe at work. From Covid to traditional industry we know that safety matters.”
UNISON North West Anglia Hospitals branch secretary Sam Hemraj highlighted the lingering effects of the covid pandemic on health workers, as well as paying tribute to the 15 aid workers recently killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Attendees lit candles and joined a minute’s silence before resolving to return in 2026 to keep the flame alive.
Many other events were held across the region to remember the dead and fight for the living.
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