One step closer to justice

By Byron Taylor

I’m writing this from TUC Congress in Liverpool, where, on Wednesday, an emergency motion was debated on Pleural Plaques, and the whole movement united behind our campaign for justice.

Pleural Plaques are scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Until a few years ago, sufferers of the disease were able to claim compensation. Crucially, this meant that companies were liable if they exposed their workers to asbestos.

But in October 2007, the Law Lords outrageously scrapped this precedent – meaning that thousands of people with Pleural Plaques would not be entitled to a single penny.

Our campaign is calling on the Government to do the right thing for victims of Pleural Plaques and restore compensation. The Scottish Parliament and the devolved administration in Northern Ireland have already done this – and we want to get Whitehall to stop dragging their feet and get this sorted in England and Wales too. You can sign the petition here.

This motion being passed by the TUC is a really important moment in our campaign – it just goes to show what we can achieve when we work together like this.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been working on a video, which was played to Congress. The video features sufferers of Pleural Plaques – including a man called Alan Clark. Alan sadly died of Mesothelioma shortly after recording his interview – but he wanted his story to be used to help win justice for Pleural Plaques.

It’s a deeply touching film and – I hope – a fitting tribute.

But it’s not only Alan’s story that touched me. It’s the people who have to deal with this condition day in, day out. It’s their stories that call for justice better than I ever could. Because the truth is that Pleural Plaques causes real and genuine concern for victims – and their families. It’s a real life ticking timebomb – and the cause of untold worry and concern.

Now, our march for justice continues. We will not back down from this fight. We stand up for victims of Pleural Plaques wherever we can. This is a call for justice that each of us must answer.

Please join our campaign and sign the petition here.