Project Description

Delegates from Walsall Trades Union Council came together at St Matthew's to mark Worker's Memorial Day 2026, remembering those who have lost their lives, been injured, or made ill through their work.

Observed each year on 28 April, the day is a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a colleague, a friend, a loved one and that workplace safety must always be a priority.

The gathering created a quiet and respectful space for reflection, remembrance and solidarity. Wreaths were laid and attendees paused together to honour those affected. One of the most moving moments was the reading of the names of those who had lost their lives due to work-related incidents.

“Reading the names of those who have lost their lives through work-related accidents is always deeply moving. Each name is a person someone who should have come home to their family. It reminds us why the work we do matters, and why we must keep pushing for safer workplaces for everyone.” 

The event also reaffirmed the vital role trade unions continue to play in standing up for workers raising awareness, challenging unsafe practices, and campaigning for stronger protections.

Workers’ Memorial Day is not only about remembering those we have lost, but also about renewing our commitment to the living to make sure that every worker, in every workplace, returns home safe.

The President of Walsall Trades Union Council shared: Today, we come together not just as colleagues, comrades, and visitors, but as a community bound by a shared commitment—to dignity, to safety, and to justice at work. "We remember the dead and fight for the living".

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our trade union representatives, whose tireless work continues to protect workers’ rights, to challenge unsafe practices, and to give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. Your advocacy saves lives, and your commitment strengthens us all.

To our visitors and guests—thank you for standing with us today. Your presence matters. It shows that the responsibility for safer workplaces does not sit with a few, but with all of us collectively. I would also like to thank our Walsall Trades Union Council Secretary, Shahin Akhtar, for her help and support in organising this event in Walsall. In Solidarity. Wendy Duffus.