A POIGNANT service was held in Bradford today to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Members of Bradford branches of trade unions including Unite, the GMB union and the Public and Commercial Services Union, gathered for the service, organised by Bradford Trades Union Council.

The union representatives left a red rose each at a memorial stone in Norfolk Gardens, where the service was held, under the motto: “Remember the dead: fight for the living”.

Workers’ Memorial Day is held on April 28, every year, when workers and their representatives hold events, demonstrations, vigils and other activities to mark the day. This year’s theme was good health and safety for all workers.

Carol Duerden, hazards convenor for Bradford Trades Union Council, said 144 people in the UK were killed at work during 2016.

During her speech she read out family members' accounts of losing a relative at work.

She said: “Bradford was one of the first cites in the UK to represent for this event.

“We have been marking this day since 1991.

“If we are to fight for the living, we must also remember work-related suicide and workplace bullying.

“We will continue to work to never again have a loved one be seen off by their family in their work van and die at work.

“We know that a union workplace is a far safer workplace for people.”

Terry Britton, 73, of Tong Street, Bradford, is a former textile worker and represented Unite at the service.

He said: “It is important that health and safety is the forefront of everything for workers now."

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) said: “It is vitally important to mark this day.

“It is important we remember those who have been killed at work due to a lack of health and safety, support or management.”

Meanwhile, Keighley Trades Union Council held ceremonies.

Student representatives from Holy Family School were among those gathering in Cliffe Castle Park.

A service was held in Keighley Town Hall Square, where there is a garden dedicated to Keighley man Steven Allen and others killed in the workplace.

Mr Allen was 23 when he died at work, on March 9, 2007, when his head was crushed by a grab machine on a Bradford building site.

At a subsequent court hearing in 2012 his employers were fined more than £100,000 for causing his death.