For what now must be the tenth year running, last week staff, students and guests commemorated Worker's Memorial Day - The purpose behind Workers' Memorial Day has always been to "remember the dead: fight for the living" and unions are asked to focus on both areas, by considering events or memorial to remember all those killed through work but at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. That can best be done by building trade union organisation and campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health & safety laws.
The service was a touching and poignant service in our Conference Centre and also marked 30 years on since the 'Piper Alpha' disaster. The service featured a song 'Piper Alpha' written by Mark Lee (IAG Manager HCFE) together with a video of original news footage of the 'Piper Alpha' disaster. The service was led by our Principal, Darren Hankey with guest speakers; Andy Noble - Vice President of the Fire Brigade Union (North East) and Rev'd Andrew Craig from Stranton Church with the addition of poem; 'I Chose To Look The Other Way' by Don Merrell read by four of our Student Ambassadors and the laying of a wreath at our 'Tree of Remembrance' Our Principal was also presented with a book of photos by Ellie Cain (Photography Student at CCAD) featuring photos from services held last year at the College and Church Square presented by Edwin Jeffries from Hartlepool Trades Union Council.
It was certainly one of our busiest #WMD services to date, with every seat taken, so we thank our students, staff, guests for attending and being part of this important event in the College calendar.
#HCFERespect #WMD2018