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On Wednesday the TUC Congress unanimously supported an emergency motion moved by construction union UCATT, which called on the Government to overturn the Law Lords ban on compensation for pleural plaques victims.
The motion demonstrates just how strong the feeling is throughout the labour movement, that the ban imposed on plaques sufferers is entirely unfounded and will put further pressure on the Government to reverse the decision.
Moving the motion John Thompson, President of UCATT, said: "Recently a Government official told us that this was not an issue that the man in the street was concerned about. Well he needs to walk the same streets as our members. It may not be an issue on Hampstead High Street. But in Barrow, South Shields, Plymouth, and in other asbestos blighted towns it is a crucial test of the morality of this Government."
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Following his speech to TUC on Tuesday Gordon Brown the Prime Minister, held a question and answer session and was asked by a UCATT delegate if he would commit the Government to return compensation for pleural plaques victims.
Mr Brown, said the Government would “look what we can do on pleural plaques” and announced that there would be a statement on pleural plaques and other asbestos issues after Parliament returns from the summer recess.
In order to further build support for the campaign, unions involved in the issue have engaged the services of a leading new media company.
The company has produced a DVD and online video which features pleural plaques sufferers and their families describing what effect the condition has had on their quality of life.
Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "It is essential that we use all forms of communication and campaigning techniques to illustrate the devastating effect pleural plaques can have on the quality of victims lives. The Government must understand that if they want to be seen as the champions of social justice then they must restore full compensation and identify which insurers and which companies were liable for their injuries."
(CD/BMcC)
