Several thousand people attended the rally in Derry's Guildhall Square yesterday. Staff from building societies, banks, shops, offices, restaurants and bars joined teachers and postal workers during the lunch-time rally which was also attended by the city's mayor, DUP Alderwoman Mildred Garfield, and by political representatives on Derry City Council.
Mr Norry Watson of the Communication Workers Union said no person in a civilised society should have to go to work feeling his or her life was under threat. "The memory of Daniel McColgan deserves no less," he said.
Mr Brendan Harron , a member of the Northern committee of the INTO, said those responsible for sectarian violence in the North should allow workers to get on with their jobs.
"Sitting in the classrooms of Northern Ireland today are the future postal workers, teachers, fire fighters, hospital workers, politicians, church leaders, policemen and policewomen. There is no such thing as a legitimate target," he said.
Mr Jim Arbuckle of the NASUWT described those responsible for terrorising workers as fascists. "There is no justification for violence in any workplace. We all have aspirations for ourselves, for our children, for our children's children."
Derry Trades Union Council member Mr Éamon McCann said that by attending the rally, people were helping to marginalise those who purported to act on behalf of communities.