This morning UnionsWA Secretary Owen Whittle consulted with the President, Senior Vice President and Vice Presidents of UnionsWA regarding May Day 2021. He also received several calls from other affiliates.

Based on those discussions, UnionsWA has concluded that they must cancel the May Day event scheduled this Sunday and Workers Memorial Day scheduled for tomorrow.

With May Day there is significant uncertainty around what restrictions will look like going forward, and it is highly likely that the conditions under our COVID-19 permit and plan will be ramped up on Friday. Given this, they are in an impossible situation where they cannot organise an event when they do not even know what the requirements will be.

Additionally, the event falls within the two-week incubation period for several local COVID cases. This means that the event carries substantial risk for the safety of staff, members, and the community, as well as the credibility of UnionsWA and the broader union movement.  It is important at all times that the union movement set the standard for safety.

An email will be circulated to those who RSVP’ed via the ticketing system.

I understand that several unions and family members of deceased workers are keen to still lay wreaths at the memorial wall at solidarity park tomorrow. I encourage those of you who attend to ensure that you observe social distancing, a 20-person capacity limit and give family members space to reflect.

In Unity,

Joshua Dekuyer

WA PTA Branch Secretary