CTU Media Release
19 November 2012
We remember and honour the Pike River Miners
Helen Kelly, Council of Trade Unions President says “today marks two years from the Pike River tragedy where 29 men lost
their lives at work. Today we remember and honour the men, the terrifying ordeal that they went through, and stand
alongside their families, workmates and community.”
“We need urgent priority in implementing the findings of the review. All aspects of the report and implementation of the
recommendations must be done immediately and unions must be involved in the development of these regulations and in the
implementation.”
“The Review into this disaster has shown that is that this awful accident was preventable and should never have
happened. It shows the inherent danger of a profit driven company, weak health and safety regulation and a government
which hasn’t listened to calls to strengthen the law. We need to make sure this kind of disaster doesn’t happen again,”
said Helen Kelly.
“We also need to support these families, and do everything we can to facilitate bringing the bodies of these men home if
the experts can develop a plan.”
Helen Kelly says “these families have been through hell and unions will continue to stick by these families and continue
the fight for safer workplaces.”
ENDS