Contact summer 2013 by Future Plus

The magazine for GMB members

Contact www.gmb.org.uk

Summer 2013

You’re booked! GMB give s Amazon an Asbo

Making Waves

Plymouth welcomes GMB Congress 2013! WIN a Toyota Aygo See p15 worth £9,000

Don’t miss your chance to be part of GMB decision making!

ongress 2013 has just finished, but you can still make a difference to GMB policy by coming to Congress next year! GMB Congress decides what polices the union will follow – but this is built on the hard work of GMB branches over the rest of the year. So if you’re meetings not already involved in your branch, now’s the time to start. Branch e. differenc a make to chance your are take place regularly and

HAVE YOUR SAy

FOLK HERO GMB Congress 2014 will take place in Nottingham, home of Robin Hoo d.

GMB Congress 2014 takes place in Nottingham from 8 to 12 June. To attend GMB Congress: • You must be nominated by your branch a paid-up • You must have been week s GMB member for 53 ns must reach the regional • Your branch’s motio2014 office by 31 January

FIND YOUR GMB BRANCH

Find your GMB branch on your membership card or ask your GMB workplace organiser. Alternatively, check your profile at

www.gmb.org.uk

Watch THE video 02 www.gmb.org.uk

Catch up with the highlights from GMB Congress 2013. For videos of everything from GMB banners to key political addresses, go to: www.gmb.public-i.tv

In this issue...

Andy Worth etary GMB regional secr

Grimsby’s brand new banner Page 25

Get GMB in your pocket with the new mobile app Page 14

Regional

National

4 Time out

9 Congress

5 Amazon anger

11 Paul Kenny says

6 SOS – save our school!

12 Political candidates

8 Congress

14 GMB in your pocket

25 Grimsby the great!

15 Win a car!

26 Attacks on the injured

16 Striking a light

27 Love to learn

17 Take a break

28 Make a difference

19 Free our pubs

30 Credit to the nation

22 Selling services

31 Contact GMB

24 Members’ statement

Workers fight for their holiday entitlement

We present the tax-dodgers with an ASBO

The race to rescue Dunswell Primary School

Our region’s perspective

A hive of activity at the city’s branch

Outrageous changes to legal aid explained

Cathy Mason on the joy of education

Becoming a GMB community campaigner

GMB’s credit union eases money worries

Names and numbers you can call

GMB regional editor Karen Stockley: 0115 960 7171 Editorial director Stephen Pierce Editor Matt Robinson Art editor Johnny Goddard Contributors Emma Johnston, Jayne Nelson Advertising manager Steve Hulbert Account managers David Parker, Lisa Dunham Production and procurement manager Matt Eglinton Production co-ordinator Tracy Nugent Art directors Stuart Hobbs, Dermot Rushe Director, Future Plus UK Jayne Caple Printed at St Ives Direct

All the news from GMB Congress in Plymouth

A word from your general secretary

Meet GMB’s Labour candidates

GMB’s mobile app can keep you in the loop

Your chance to win a Toyota Aygo

Commemorating the matchwomen’s strike

Help for women who need a holiday

How sky-high rents are shutting our pubs

Why public services must remain public

GMB’s annual statement and audit

Produced by Future Plus, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW

Our Congress delegates did the region proud Dear colleagues, Welcome to the latest edition of your regional GMB magazine. In it you will find articles and information which I hope you find both interesting and useful. We have just returned from annual GMB Congress and the region’s delegates once again did themselves and the region proud. We had many first time speakers and this has been the case for a number of years now. This gives hope for the future of our movement. Meanwhile, the Con-Dem government continues its attack on ordinary people with a vengeance, and its cuts are starting to bite hard. From July fees will have to be paid for tribunals, yet a criminal will still get legal aid! That’s what the Tories mean by “all in it together.” Bankers and tax avoiding companies get away scot free whilst we all pay the price. If you’re a millionaire you receive a tax cut, but if you are working on low wages, making a living, you get a bedroom tax, will shortly have to pay more NI and yet get a reduction in your tax credits! There has never been a time since the war when working people have needed GMB as much as they do now! Stay GMB. Stay proud. Proud to be GMB. If your friends and family are in work and not in GMB the best thing you can do is tell them to join GMB.

We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from well managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. Future Publishing and its paper suppliers have been independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Would you like to advertise in GMB Contact magazine? Please contact Steve Hulbert on 01225 442 244 (ex 5205) Accepting of advertising and inserts and does not imply GMB endorsement of the product or services. Remember that GMB recommends all services and offers should always be used to test the cost against other commercial companies. Members are advised to secure at least two quotes on all commercial transactions.

DOING US PROUD First-time delegate Kerry Humphreys speaks at Congress. www.gmb.org.uk 03

l a n o i eg r

E T A D P U

BECOME A GM HealthB safety & rep www.gmb .org.uk

GMB m o r f s w e n All the

g n i n Bur issue! Burners at Hanson Brick strike over much-needed holiday deal

arlier this year, the workers who operate the kilns at Hanson Brick in Whittlesey walked out to begin six weeks of continuous strike action. Their grievance? The company promised them a holiday deal and then didn’t follow it through. As Rachelle Wilkins, GMB regional organiser, explains: “This dispute is not about money, it’s about holidays. Hanson has reneged on a deal to retain 33 days’ holiday for the burners as part of the site-wide harmonisation process.” The burners work 24/7 around the clock on the site covering bank holidays, Christmas, New Year and Easter. They were

04 www.gmb.org.uk

awarded 33 days’ holiday as recognition of their work, with GMB and other trade unions striking a deal with management in trust and confidence that it would be adhered to, and that the burners’ holidays would be protected. But that hasn’t happened – and to add insult to injury, it has also come to light that management retained 35 days’ holiday as part of the harmonisation, with no reductions made. The burners are very solid in their action and GMB will speak to management if they wish to resume talks.

PICKET LINE Workers protest their loss of holiday.

regional

UPP,

FAIR PAY Regional organisers David Shamma and Rachelle Wilkins with branch secretary Paul Durham.

An ASBO for Amazon! GMB protests against Amazon’s anti-social tax-avoidance schemes In February GMB served Amazon with an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) and held a protest outside its Peterborough depot. This was part of a national protest aimed at highlighting tax avoidance by big companies. In a disgusting display of corporate vandalism and irresponsibility, Amazon has paid no corporation tax in the UK for the last three years on sales of £7bn. This kind of corporate tax avoidance costs the UK a massive £25bn a year, which

is two-thirds of the country’s deficit. Meanwhile GMB members in cash-strapped public services face massive cuts to jobs and their terms and conditions. The Amazon manager on the site saw no irony between the company paying no tax to fund public services while asking the police to remove us from site! GMB’s message to Amazon is clear: pay your taxes like a responsible company, and help to fund proper public services.

UPP and away! UPP Residential Services embrace a living wage GMB campaigners have secured a living wage for everyone working at UPP Residential Services. Following negotiations with GMB, the company said it would embrace the living wage. Nikki Rowan, HR manager at UPP, said: “UPP Residential Services Limited Board of Directors has recently reviewed the hourly rates of pay of UPP staff and have agreed to increase the pay of those paid less than £7.20 per hour to that rate. The aim of this is to move staff towards the living wage.” The living wage does not have any legal force, but is part of a campaign by the Living Wage Foundation and Citizens UK. GMB organisation officer Sean Redgate added: “While most companies are looking at reducing the terms and conditions of their employees, it is refreshing to see that UPP are recognising and rewarding staff for their hard work and dedication.”

No! to the

bedroom tax GMB protests in city centre

GMB activists turned out in force in Hull on 16 March for a demonstration against the government’s new bedroom tax scheme, which will reduce the amount of benefit you can claim if your accommodation has any ‘spare’ bedrooms. MPs Karl Turner and Diana Johnson spoke alongside GMB organiser Shaune Clarkson and other trade union activists on the devastating effect this would have on the low-paid, sick, disabled and the unemployed. This decision is coming into effect at a time when the government is also giving millions of pounds in tax cuts to the rich. Mr Cameron says: “We are all in this together,” but GMB members disagree!

SAYING “NO” Protestors rally against the bedroom tax.

www.gmb.org.uk 05

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Save Our school!

GMBmembers rally to stop closure of Dunswell Primary School

MB has joined forces with the local Labour Party and concerned parents in a battle to keep East Riding’s Dunswell Primary School open. Over budget and over-subscribed, the school is at serious risk – but if it does close, so will its local playground and church hall. A petition with more than 3,000 signatures was submitted to the council, following a

well-attended protest march, but it has now been decided to consider the closure of the school in 2014. East Riding of Yorkshire Council says that 75 per cent of the school’s pupils come from outside the catchment area, and claim that many of the children are from Hull but attend an East Riding school. GMB has been working hard to save jobs across the whole of the East Riding. Some

schools, such as Driffield and Howden, have managed to achieve the budget savings through voluntary redundancies, but other schools are looking at worse case scenarios and even closure. During these times of austerity, GMB will continue to fight for all-important jobs – and the campaign will carry on to save Dunswell Primary School.

Hull City Council slip-up

Teaching assistant compensated after suffering back injury in slip GMB’s legal team has won compensation for a teaching assistant left with ongoing back problems after suffering a fall at work. The 38-year-old member needed to take several weeks off work after slipping on a wet polished floor while working at a primary school in Hull. Children as young as four were allowed to carry their own trays of food and drinks to their tables, and a cup of liquid had been spilled on the floor and not been cleaned up. Following the accident the member contacted GMB for advice. GMB then instructed its lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors, to investigate a claim for compensation. Thompsons argued that the children should have been closely monitored to ensure any spills were cleaned up quickly, and that there should have been a safer system for the children to get food to their tables.

06 www.gmb.org.uk

GMB regional secretary Andy Worth said: “A simple risk assessment would have highlighted the foreseeable risk of small children carrying trays of liquids across the hall.” Jacqueline Derbyshire from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Hull City Council was determined to fight this case in court, but the judge agreed with our case that more thought should have been put into finding the safest possible way of transporting liquids to avoid spillages. These types of accidents can easily be avoided with good health and safety practice.” The government is making it more difficult to get the compensation you deserve – see our article on page 26.

INjured at work?nt at work? Have you had an accide GMB. m Go online to get help fro .uk rg b.o gm w. ww

regional

Count us in!

equalities

update

BECOME A GMB WORKP ORGANILACE SER

Tyehimba Nosakhere, GMB lead equality officer, reports from the National Equality Conference

www.gmb .org.uk

The National Equality Conference took place on 4–5 March in Leeds, and once again our delegation had a tremendous impact. The motion regarding domestic violence was moved and seconded with such expertise and passion that it invoked a standing ovation and genuine tears from some of the other delegates. I must pay tribute to both Kerry Humphreys and in particular Mary-Louise Harrison, whose personal testimony gave rise to overwhelming support from the conference. The motion on funding for children in socially and economically deprived areas was also well-presented and received. Therefore, yet again, our region has been instrumental in making a huge difference. Many thanks to Rosie Cox and Dawn Lovatt

for their contribution in moving and seconding the motion. They were supported by our other two delegates, Tracey Ashton and Colin Gunter, who ensured that the team maintained a strong and consistent presence throughout. A huge thanks to Helen Ashton, who was an absolute star in providing support for all the delegates. In our meeting of January this year, the forum agreed to prioritise the following for its 2013/14 plan: producing through consultation a draft domestic violence and abuse policy focused on identifying issues and potential support for Romany, gypsy and traveller communities in work and education; and producing an equalities update and information document that can be circulated to activists and members.

GMB supports the LGBT Annual Partnership Conference The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community held their annual partnership conference on 13 April at the New Art Exchange. The conference – hosted by Nottingham City Council and Nottingham University Hospital – had a theme of “Count Me In, Count Me Out”, with an emphasis on managers who “out” their employees without realising what they’re doing. The event was opened by the Lord Mayor Councillor Leon Unczur, and the event boasted many speakers. Catherine Scrivens from Thompsons Solicitors talked about legal rights around LGBT cases; Dawn Lovatt discussed LGBT within the psychiatric sector and Sarah Savage from the Channel Four series My Transsexual Summer talked about her life prior to the show and how it has changed.

New banner

unveiled!

Flag flies for Hull and District Trades Council BANNER MEN The new banner is unveiled!

A new banner was proudly unveiled at a recent Hull and District Trades Council meeting. GMB member Albert Rollinson was present to commemorate the unveiling. The banner also didn’t have to wait long to fly – it got its first airing the following weekend at the Bedroom Tax Campaign in Hull town centre. www.gmb.org.uk 07

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Ship shape

in Plymouth All the news from the Midland & East Coast region at GMB Congress

n has been from the Midland & East Coast regio s the sun shone on the Plymouth . honoured in this category t Pavilions, the Midland & East Coas including Congress welcomed guest speakers for d regional delegation assemble Jones n Owe t mnis colu er spap new author and the 83rd annual GMB Congress. t the abou e and Andy Burnham MP, who spok secretary from e The delegation was led by regional cam ent mom NHS. The most sombre kley, ugh Family Andy Worth, assisted by Karen Stoc Margaret Aspinall from The Hillsboro and 24-year secretary to the regional secretary, her t abou e spok who p, Grou Support or the other Sandra Seath, senior secretary to seni and struggle to get justice for her son in 1989. ster organiser Les Dobbs. disa ugh 95 victims of the Hillsboro active The regional delegates all played an e. hous the in eye There wasn’t a dry workers, the North role, speaking on supporting disabled The regional dinner held jointly with osed prop the and was the as statutory recognition ballots ded, West & Irish region was well atten t to our region ident. pres culling of badgers. It is a testamen GMB er, Turn y reception hosted by Mar all motions. l gift loca the that it was the only one to vote on ive rece to en chos The region was ys, Notts y Turner to First time delegate, Kerry Humphre Mar by d ente pres was this 00; of £2,0 and gave tham Food Police Staff branch, moved a motion Colin Gunter on behalf of the Gran s cost lling spira the on ch was also an impassioned spee ction colle Bank. A regional bucket raised for of childcare facilities. was 0 £60 of t shor arranged and just ch was gress Tracy Francis of Nottingham City bran Con ety. Soci tage Heri ce ulan the Amb r badge’ the recipient of the Daniel Dennis ‘Silve d. agreed to match the total raise ities in Award for her health and safety activ proud, All of our delegates did the region le unab her workplace. Although Tracy was ented their pres all who rs time especially the firstmanner. to collect the award in person, it was nal essio prof a in and rly clea ions mot ’s accepted by Helen Wright from her year next We look forward to branch on her behalf. This is the held be will h Congress, whic second time in two years that a in Nottingham. regional health and safety rep

STARS OF CONGRESS Kerry Humphreys, Tracy Francis, Mark Precious 08 www.gmb.org.uk

congress 2013

national

l na O I T NA

UPDATE

Bring YOUR mag to life!

E T A D P U

from GMB All the news

Discover a world of extras when you point your smartphone at the pages of this GMB magazine. To get started, download the Layar app from get.layar.com

om GMB r f s w e n e h t l Al

1 Download the Layar app for iPhone and Android devices.

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2 Point your smartphone at a WHOLE page of the mag where you see this logo.

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3 Watch as it comes to life on your screen.

From blacklisting to badgers, George Fraser reports on a successful GMB Congress

he sun shone on Plymouth in June, making it the perfect setting for GMB Congress. But the weather wasn’t the only thing dazzling delegates as a roster of speakers inspired members with their stories. Emma LewellBuck addressed Congress – and what a breath of fresh air she is! The first woman MP in South Shields and a GMB member, Emma is a tribute to GMB’s policy of getting real people into the House of Commons, a tribute to our new political team and a tribute to our activists in the Northern region. Congress also received a video message from Ed Miliband, and Andy Burnham, shadow secretary of state for health, came to speak and answer questions about the NHS. Another high-profile speaker was author and newspaper columnist Owen Jones. His

address made real sense and coincided with our own GMB values.

blacklist battle The evil of blacklisting was brought home to us by Dave Smith, who told his heartbreaking story. He was denied work for years because he complained about health and safety, and the details held about him by the Consulting Association would do credit to the KGB. But I was struck by his resilience. He will not give in and it is for Dave and the other 3,212 on the blacklist that we must win the blacklisting campaign. GMB has lodged a High Court action for defamation on behalf of 90 GMB members affected against the companies that funded the blacklist.

GEORGE FRASER ss. re Reports from Cong

Many delegates when looking at the list of blacklisted workers from their particular area, especially in Scotland, recognised a good number of names and Phil Read, GMB’s blacklisting liaison officer, will be contacting each of them to see if we need to add them to the court case.

On the Blacklist?

Contact Phil Read, GMB blacklisting liaison officer, on 07840 897 997 or blacklisted@gmb.org.uk

plymouth, 2–6 june www.gmb.org.uk 09

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

BADGER OF HONOUR GMB members spoke out against the badger cull.

inspiration

SAVE OUR SERVICES Andy Burnham backs GMB’s fight for the NHS.

The most inspirational speech of the week was That is a debt GMB will by Margaret Aspinall of the Hillsborough never be able to repay. Family Support Group. She spoke with feeling, He listed the expectations of GMB on a new without notes and I am certain there was not Labour Government, telling the Labour Party, a dry eye in the house by the time she finished “be bold, be radical, be truthful.” He urged her story. Let down by government after them to build council housing with the money government and suffering the indignity of lost currently being paid to private landlords for loved ones having to undergo CRB checks, she shoddy housing, put a stop to the tax dodging carried on until the of multinational battle was won. She companies that profit showed incredible from UK workers, and k wee a determination in the make all companies 5p a on ded deci ss GMB Congre from face of South pay a living wage, increase in GMB subscription rates ime rate removing the burden Yorkshire police 1 October 2013. Therefore the full-t month) bridging the gap force’s resolve to will become £2.75 a week (£11.92 a £1.60 a me beco will rate e -tim part the and lie, falsify and deny between people’s king week (£6.94 a month). Members wor any complicity in wages and their daily k wor as school support staff and who the deaths of those needs from the k wee per 0 £1.6 pay will 28 hours or less 96 people. benefits system. (£6.94 per month). Jan Jepson of GMB He also pushed for Northern region and employment rights from the Julie Hunt of GMB London region eloquently first day at a new job and for agency workers moved and seconded composite 17. That to enjoy exactly the same employment rights motion was about Orgreave during the miners’ as permanent staff. Delegates also heard how strike in 1984 and 1985. It is asking for a public GMB’s Living Wage Campaign has progressed inquiry into the atrocities of that same to more than 100 councils, which now pay scumbag police force on the picket line at their staff a living wage. Orgreave. If there is any justice in this world, Other issues covered by Congress the police officers on the picket line will be included domestic violence, badger sent to Wakefield prison, the same prison culling and the scourge of pay day where so many of our innocent miner brothers loan companies. GMB also were incarcerated. revealed the cost of dying (see GMB general secretary Paul Kenny page 20) the impact of rising addressed the crowd on Tuesday and drew fuel prices and the scandal of a standing ovation. The financial report on housing benefit enriching Wednesday showed how secure GMB is in his private landlords at the hands. We should not forget, colleagues, that cost of families he has sacrificed a well-deserved retirement to without a decent steer GMB through a potentially difficult time. place to live.

Rates increase

10 www.gmb.org.uk

The contributions of the 500 delegates were better than any Congress I can remember and I am amazed at the number of first time delegates. All of them performed magnificently.

Dynamic delegates Caroline Campbell of GMB Scotland spoke in support of the Mental Health motion. It was not only her first time as a delegate it was her first ever day in Congress. Other first-time speakers also got great responses. But seriously, you were all great and it’s not only your performances which made this Congress memorable. You were all elected or appointed, under rule, to attend what is the parliament of GMB and you have carried out that duty with honour. You were so good you turned over the CEC three times. Colleagues, that is democracy alive and well and living in GMB. On behalf of the Mary Turner, GMB national president, Malcolm Sage, GMB national vice president, Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary and all of the Central Executive Council (CEC), I salute you.

EMOTIONAL TALE Margaret Aspinall (left) with GMB President Mary Turner.

Paul kenn y

says

cretary e s l a r e n e g your GMB m o r f d r o w A

have just spent a wonderful week in Plymouth in the company of nearly 1,000 GMB delegates, visitors and guests at GMB’s annual Congress. The contributions from members gave all who were present or who watched on GMB Congress TV an insight into the varied problems facing people in the world of work and beyond. The media and certain politicians like to portray trade unions as unrepresentative of their members or even sometimes attack what we do as undemocratic. GMB Congress is our Parliament, but unlike the phoney democracy of Westminster, ours actually is run by our members to guide and direct GMB in its work.

HOUSING FOR ALL Over the last 10 years our Congress has warned successive governments about corporate tax avoidance, bankers’ bonuses, private equity buy outs and the loss of corporation tax and so many other matters that at the time politicians ignored, but who now wring their hands and say how terrible these abuses are. The truth is that it was politicians that created the loopholes for corporations like Google, Starbucks, Amazon and hundreds of others to use. While the Daily Mail and George Osborne attack the millions of working people who have to rely on benefits to make ends meet, the billions of untaxed

profits made by these companies continue to flow out of the UK and into the slimy hands of corporate greed. And now GMB has exposed the scandal of billions of pounds of housing benefit being paid to private landlords, many of whom are companies based overseas to avoid tax in this country. £23bn a year is paid in housing benefit because we have failed to build affordable homes. Find out more, at www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom The right-to-buy scheme put up in the early 1980s was a political vote catcher for the Tory government at the time, but in reality it was the privatisation of our social and council housing stock. And like all privatisation of our country’s assets, the corporations make a killing and the public get a worse service and bigger bills. Those in housing being squeezed by higher and higher rents whilst at the same time having a cap put on what support they can get shows the government doesn’t care about the have nots or those working poor who can’t afford a deposit for a house let alone find a mortgage.

TIME FOR COURAGE If only we had the courage to cap the rents and build homes for people, not only would we eventually cut the housing benefit scam payments to landlords, but we would get people back to work and the economy would benefit.

If only we had the courage to introduce a living wage for all instead of millions of workers having to apply for benefits to supplement their low wages. Companies would have to show their books and profits, a sort of corporate means testing. If working people have to be subsidised by the state then we should be sure these companies, which include tax avoiders making vast profits, pay their workers a living wage. Companies where the chief executive is paid 500 times the minimum wage, yet their workers require state support – that needs addressing.

REMPLOY SCANDAL As many people at Congress said, while Starbucks dodges its commitments to the country and makes huge profits, Remploy workers in their thousands have been thrown on the scrapheap. Politicians were responsible for both of those situations and the quicker we get more GMB members into the House of Commons to challenge this corrupt system the better. One last word, treat yourself to a visit to the York Disabled Workers Co-operative website at www.yorkdwc.co.uk This is a group of ex-Remploy workers fighting back and trying to build decent jobs. This government will come and go, our job is to make sure we never stop fighting for the decent life everyone in GMB and indeed our country has a right to expect. www.gmb.org.uk 11

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news CATH SPEIGHT GMB national politcal officer.

“We have introduced political education for new workplace representatives on the GMB@WORK courses to help members learn more about the way we are governed and how to get involved in the Labour Party. “We are in good shape to make sure that in the forthcoming elections for Europe and Westminster we can support our candidates who share GMB aspirations and understand the problems our GMB members face.”

nancy platts, birghton kemptown Nancy Platts has been selected as the Labour candidate in Brighton Kemptown, where Labour needs just a small swing to beat the Tories in 2015. Nancy was supported by trade unions across the region and it's easy to see why – she spent the morning of her selection marching with Brighton's striking City Clean workers. Nancy has spent her life campaigning for social justice because she saw first-hand how unfair the system was – she started work at the London Fire Brigade at the age of 18 because her family couldn't afford for her to go to university. She studied at night school to get her qualifications. She's worked for a trade union, for the Child Poverty Action Group and health campaigns. “GMB was a huge, practical support during my selection campaign. Now I'm selected I want to work across the entire Labour movement – because that's where my roots are – to make sure we get the policies and representation we need for working people. The hard work starts now to get rid of the Tory MP here. I hope GMB members will join me on the doorstep soon!”

Look at our

s e c c u s

All these GMB members are making inroads to Parliament Emma Lewell-Buck Mp, South Shields

email me at Nancy@nancyplatts.org.uk 12 www.gmb.org.uk

mma is North East born and bred and is a long-standing GMB member. She has a long history in the region – her dad worked on Tyneside shipyards and she is the direct descendent of a town hero who famously (in South Shields!) invented the lifeboat. Before the by-election last month, she was working as a social worker locally and representing her area on the local council.

“I’m a working class lass from the North East and a long-standing GMB member. My dad worked in the shipyards and I was the first in my family to go to university. After university I trained as a social worker and have been on the front line ever since. Now I’m on the front line of politics, fighting against this government’s damaging policies, as South Shields’ first female MP and a GMB MP as well.”

NATional email me at Sarah@sarahowen.org.uk

Sarah Owen, Hastings and Rye Sarah Owen is a former GMB rep who was born and raised in her constituency. At the moment she is working for the Labour Party on living wage campaigns and opening up the policy process, but she has plenty of real life experience too, having worked countless shifts caring for patients at the Conquest Hospital, planning for large scale emergencies in the fire service

and getting to know how local councils in East Sussex work. “As a former GMB rep and someone who has worked on the front line of public service, the support of my union has been a huge boost. Hastings and Rye is a marginal seat we have to win if we want a Labour government. I’m looking forward to working with members to make that happen.”

Clive Lewis, Norwich South

Operation Black Vote and their Clive was born into a working programme to shadow MPs. class family with a Grenadian “It’s incredibly important father and English mother. He that Labour looks and sounds was the first person in his like the country if we’re to family to go to university, rebuild trust and convince which is where he first people to vote for us again. got involved in I’m proud to be supported politics. He served in by GMB. My message to Helmand with the members is if you don’t like Territorial Army and what’s happening has worked as a BBC to our country, journalist. He has get involved also been and help us an active email me at change it.” part of ourclivelewis.org

Clive@lab

email me at Vicky@vickyfoxcroft.com

Vicky Foxcroft, Lewisham Deptford Vicky grew up in the North West in a single parent family. When she was younger her family was made homeless and spent much of her childhood moving from place to place and school to school. Thanks to a second chance in education and the support of her teachers, she was the first person in her family to go to university. She currently works for Unite, the union, representing low-paid workers

in the financial sector, and is a councillor in the area where she was selected. “I’m proud to be a working class candidate selected to fight the seat where I live for Labour. It’s important to make sure people in parliament actually understand people’s lives – we need more common sense in the policy process! That’s why I stood. I’m looking forward to working with GMB in the run-up to 2015.”

Lisa Forbes, Peterborough Lisa Forbes is a GMB member and mum of four who has lived in Peterborough for 25 years. Over the years she’s done jobs from potato picking to working in a DIY shop to being a travel agent at Thomas Cook. When the Tories were elected, she decided she couldn’t sit by and see what happened in the 1980s happen to her community and her family. She stood for council, winning a previously safe Tory ward for Labour, and is now Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Peterborough. “GMB is my union and was behind me during my selection. I’m a working class woman, and

mum, who remembers what a Tory government meant for people like me last time around. People are struggling again and I couldn’t stand by and watch history repeat itself. Now GMB is helping me to take the fight to the Tories in Peterborough – I’ve never been more email me at proud to be Lisa@lisaforbes.com a member.” www.gmb.org.uk 13

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

membership

made easy

Get more from GMB with the new-look website and brand new mobile app

MB members who want to get more from their membership should register online. Just go to www.gmb.org.uk and select ‘GMB Member Login’ to access a world of GMB extras. Signing up is easy, you just need your GMB membership number and a password.

Visit www. gmb.org.uk • Update your GMB profile • Switch to Direct Debit • Access the latest news • Download exclusive extras • Get support for your workplace

gmb in your pocket! Get the latest from GMB wherever you are with the new free GMB app. Download it to your smartphone to get instant access to GMB on the move. It is available from www.gmb.org.uk/app or from iTunes and Google Play for Android.

Download it now to: • Update your GMB profile • Get the latest news from GMB • Switch to Direct Debit • Find your nearest GMB office • Find your nearest GMB post holder • Become a workplace organiser

exclusive extras

ART ATTACK Download posters yo won’t find anywhe u re else.

14 www.gmb.org.uk

GMB’s website is also home to lots of exciting extras, exclusive to GMB members. Get the full story of GMB’s history by leafing through a digital version of The History of GMB. This book is filled with pictures and information, and it’s free to read at www.gmb.org.uk/about/history/about Members can also download a series of exclusive posters detailing the history and achievements of GMB. These beautifullydesigned posters were displayed at GMB Congress in Plymouth and were so popular that GMB has decided to make them available for all members to download at wwww.gmb.org.uk

YOUR HISTORY Read about how GMB came into existence.

regional NATional exclus ive to

gmb

member s prize dra w

WIN!

a toyota aygo worth £9,000

Exclusive GMB prize draw to win a Toyota Aygo, simply by switching your GMB subscription payment to Direct Debit

e in with a chance to win this gorgeous car and Apple gear, regardless of whether you already pay by Direct Debit or are switching now. There is a second prize of an iPad, and third prize is the latest iPhone. The draw closes at midnight on Monday 16 September 2013. Reasons to switch to Direct Debit • As some employers frown on trade unions, paying your GMB subscription by Direct Debit means that your membership is a matter for you alone and no one, including your employer, will know unless you tell them yourself. • You won’t lose your GMB membership as

the result of an administrative slip-up in your payroll office. • Your membership will follow you if you change jobs with your current employer. • Your membership will follow you if you change jobs and get a new employer. Reasons to switch away from check-off • Check-off is the system where your GMB subscription comes out of your wages. GMB pays an administration fee on this which costs thousands of pounds a year. • Help GMB make that saving by switching away from check-off to Direct Debit and you will automatically be entered into this exclusive prize draw.

TERMS & CONDITIONS The winning entry will be drawn at random from GMB members only who pay their GMB subscription by Direct Debit. It will be drawn after midnight on the closing date of Monday 16 September. The winner will be notified by GMB. No purchase necessary. The winner’s name and photo may be published in future issues. The GMB prize draw is open to GMB members who are fully financial at midnight on Monday 16 September 2013. This prize draw is not open to any GMB employees or members of their families. The result of the draw is final. All entrants agree to publicity in GMB material. Only one entry per eligible GMB member.

how to enter Go to www.gmb.org.uk/competition and click the link to switch to Direct Debit. You can also use the Move To Direct Debit button on the GMB app, which you can download from www.gmb.org.uk/app Don’t forget to tell your employer to cease your check-off payment. You can still enter the prize draw if you already pay by Direct Debit. Simply go to www.gmb.org.uk/competition and press the button to enter the competition – good luck!

Last issue’s Glasto tickets winner GMB member Erika Radu of GMB Northern Region won a pair of Glastonbury tickets in the prize draw in the last issue of the magazine.

www.gmb.org.uk 15

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Striking a light! celebrate the matchwomen Author Louise Raw celebrates the founders of working women’s rights

n 6 July the first annual Matchwomen’s Festival was held in London. The festival celebrated the start of the modern movement for workers’ rights: a strike by young women and girls, who took on their employer – and by extension the entire Victorian establishment – in the summer of 1888. Matchstick makers, Bryant and May were powerful and prosperous Victorian gentlemen, with friends in very high places. The matchwomen, by contrast, were labelled a “rough set of girls”. Wages were so low the women were malnourished. They had no contracts or job security and working with toxic white phosphorus caused what the women called “phossy jaw”. This grisly disease decayed the jawbone, slowly and agonisingly, and could prove fatal.

fighting back But the matchwomen refused to be victims. Without a union to support them, they surprised – and outraged – the country when they took matters into their own hands. When one girl was sacked (supposedly for being a troublemaker, but in reality to punish the women for speaking to a journalist about

conditions), 1,400 workmates downed tools and streamed out of the gates of the matchstick factory in Bow. Their two-week strike changed everything. The scandalous truth about Bryant and May was revealed and the women marched to parliament and impressed MPs with their eloquence and intelligence. They went on to win a huge victory for themselves, for women workers, and for working class people everywhere. They formed the biggest union of women and girls in the country, and inspired a wave of strikes that kicked off the trade union movement we know today. In the ’20s that union evolved into GMB, which is therefore essentially still the matchwomen’s union.

the legacy The vital role of working class women has been ignored for too long! This year many GMB members attended the Matchwomen’s Festival on

Louise Raw is the author of Striking a Light: the Bryant & May Matchwomen and Their Place in History and the organiser of the Matchwomen’s Festival. For details of next Matchwomen’s Festival contact: louise.raw@virgin.net 16 www.gmb.org.uk

6 July. It was organised by the Bishopsgate Institute and held near Liverpool Street in London. The grandchildren of the original matchwomen were VIP guests at the festival and everyone enjoyed a packed roster of high-profile speakers and excellent entertainment. Members also enjoyed a jig or two as the traditional Irish band brought the atmosphere to life. There was music, stand-up comedy, poetry, special children’s events, stalls and food and drink. Michael Rosen read for children, John Hegley made us laugh with his poetry, and in the evening Attila the Stockbroker, Izzy Thomas, the Ruby Kid helped get the party started. This was a great festival to commemorate an important part of GMB’s history. To help the festival in coming years, please donate, become a sponsor, or volunteer your time via the website below.

Support l the Festiva n’s Festival go to: Matchwome For more details on the tival.com fes www.matchwomens 888@gmail.com or email matchwomen1 atchwomen www.facebook.com/M @matchwomen1888

exclusive

to gmb WOMEN members

regional NATional

Take a

Break

If you’ve not had a holiday in years, the Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust can help

he Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust provides holidays for women who are in need of a break. When life gets tough, it’s here to help you enjoy a rest. The Trust helps women book a holiday because of:

an amendment to the Munitions Act, which required that women should receive the same rate of pay as men for doing the same job.

iStock x 4

What does the Trust do? At the time of Mary’s death, working • Age women had no paid • Poverty holidays and there • Infirmity was no such thing • Disablement as the NHS. In her • Social or economic memory, an appeal circumstances was launched and a Trust formed to ? Whatever the reason, the fund places in ro er lp Po Fancy a brea k in Trust aims to offer some convalescent or respite from life’s traumas. holiday homes for women in need. Who was Mary Macarthur? Its success enabled them to buy a home and Part of GMB history, Mary Macarthur was name it The Mary Macarthur Holiday Home. a trade unionist who fought tirelessly for More homes were opened and for more than working women who had no paid holidays. 60 years, women Born in Ayr in 1880, she died in 1921 and benefited from time although her life was short, it was very full. at Mary Macarthur At 23 she became general secretary of the Holiday Homes. Women’s Trade Union League, and was the As times changed, president of the National Federation of the homes were closed Women Workers from 1906 to 1908. One of and the Trust now her main achievements was that she secured awards grants towards the cost of any holiday – still preserving the Trust’s original ideals. The range, number and complexity of ...or a peacef ul cases which continue to be referred to the Trust for assistance show that its work is just as relevant and vital in today’s world as it ever was.

...or Woolacombe Sands?

Do I qualify for a holiday? Holiday grants are just for women and you must be 18 or over to qualify. Also, you must not have had a holiday in recent years, and must not have received a grant from the Trust

PROUD LEGACY Mary Macarthur fought for equal rights and pay for women. for at least three years. You also need a letter from a sponsoring body or person explaining why you deserve a holiday grant. The Trust will help you pay for a holiday, but it is up to you to choose where you go and to make enquiries with a local travel agent – so you can go anywhere! The Trust encourages women to go away on their own but you can bring someone with you if you prefer. However, the Trust cannot give you more money to pay for a friend. The grant is normally paid directly to the holiday provider. If you think you would benefit from a Mary Macarthur Holiday, or you know a woman who would, please contact Cheryl Andrews, Mary Macarthur Holiday Trust, 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9SD. Telephone 02920 359 091, Fax 02920 666 447 or email: cheryl.andrews@mmht.org.uk How you can help the Trust... The Trust never wants to turn someone down due to a lack of funding. It is likely that disadvantaged women among GMB’s membership have received help from the Trust and benefited from a holiday that might otherwise have seemed out of reach. If you would like to help the Trust continue providing this valuable service, please make a donation via the can al trip? website listed below.

Do you need a holiday? For more details on the Trust or to fill in an application form, go to www.mmht.org.uk

www.gmb.org.uk 17

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

How to make GMB work for you

GMB workplace organisers are there to offer support and advice, so whether you are having a problem that you need help with, or if you just want to know what your rights are, feel free to call them. One day at work…

Well, I’m having a few problems with management. They’re giving me impossible workloads.

Hi sara, it’s Joe.

Do you want GMB to approach them?

Hi Joe, what can I do for you?

Not at the moment, but I’ll tell them I want GMB involved if they won’t deal with the matter.

Later that week...

any time Joe.

THAT’S USUALLY THE WAY WHEN GMB MEMBERS STICK TOGETHER.

Thanks a lot for your support, sara.

Hi sara, I got my problem sorted out with the management.

The End

18 www.gmb.org.uk

Joby Seesions

The threat of involving GMB did the trick.

NATional

Freoeur

PUBS

Keep your glass filled at your local – ask your MP to help landlords fight sky-high rents

imes are hard for pub landlords, and the many GMB members who work in the UK pub trade. This is thanks largely to a scourge that’s pubs to close. many forcing Property companies known as ‘pubcos’ own more than half of Britain’s pubs, charging sky-high rents to their tied tenants. The money is used to pay interest on financially engineered debts – debts that are held mainly by bondholders in offshore tax havens. Interest payments have to be paid each week before the tenant pours a pint, regardless of whether they can make ends meet. To pay these inflated rents, a pint of lager is, on average, 80p per pint higher and ale is 65p per pint higher than justified by inflation and like-for-like changes in taxes since 1987. This is pricing pubs out of the market, resulting in them closing in droves.

Infernal machine The common view that shareholders in the pubcos own a pub business is wrong. In fact, the shareholders don’t own a pub business; they own a holding company which invests in and manages rental incomes from pubs. These are called pub securitisations. These securitisations are the infernal machine that is closing pubs unable to pay their rents. It’s also

the same infernal machine that drove the Southern Cross care homes to the wall. In 2009 an Office for Fair Trading report concluded that the average pub tied-lessee is being overcharged by pubcos by around £12,000 a year, or £230 per pub per week, after higher “wet rents” and lower “dry rents” are factored into the equation. GMB has campaigned for parliament to legislate to free pubs from this infernal machine before it destroys them all. In April 2013 the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills published a draft statutory code for tied pubs for consultation which closed in June. GMB welcomed their conclusion that pubcos will overcharge tied tenants for rents unless they are prevented

tenants the ability to buy beer, lager and other products from the open market, as well as pay a fair market rent for the building. You can help to make this happen: ask your local pub’s tenants to lobby their MPs to go for Option 3. GMB thinks that the other two options will allow pubcos to put up rents by the backdoor by over-charging for products tenants are tied to buy from them. Please ask your MP to support Option 3 when the matter comes before parliament later this year. You can also support the Fair Deal For Your Local campaign, which calls Option 3 a ‘Market Rent Only’ option. GMB members whose livelihoods are tied up in our pubs need you to make their voice heard.

“Pubcos are pricing pubs out of the market”

from doing so.

YOU CAN HELP We will likely only get this one chance to save our local pubs. Later this year a draft statutory code covering tied pub rents will come before parliament. GMB wants MPs to support ‘Option 3’, which will give tied pub

re n mo Lear information about For more ct GMB how you can help, conta on mp Ke ve Ste r political office 07730 898 102 or email k g.u steve.kemp@gmb.or

www.gmb.org.uk 19

national

UPDATE

The cost

from GMB All the news

of dying GMB survey reveals that the cost of dying is more than £7,000

Manchester

£2,012

Stokeon-Trent

Lambeth

£2,132

Croydon

Wandsworth

£2,265 £2,350

Cityof London

£3,464

£2,045

Top six councils for cremation charges in the uk Cremation, interment of ashes and Exclusive Burial Rights

20 www.gmb.org.uk

charges £5,329, the City of London £5,185, and at the bottom of the top 20 chargers, Exeter cashes in £2,650 for every burial. These figures were revealed at GMB Congress and come from a GMB study for all councils in the UK. These charges are major items in The Sun Life Direct Cost Of Dying Survey. The 2012 edition states that the average funeral costs are £3,284. If all the services are included, for example funeral director’s costs, doctors’ fees for certification, flowers, limousines and catering for the wake/reception then the total average is £7,114. Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, said: “At a time when the cost of living occupies most people’s concerns it will be a real shock to many living in that the cost of dying is so high. While GMB realises that the public are not queuing up to test the services

it remains a fact that few have any idea of how much even a simple burial or cremation actually costs. “When council charges are included the average funeral costs are £3,284 and the total costs average over £7,000 according to some surveys. “Someone is making a lot of money out of peoples bereavement.”

Find out more

in To find the cost of dying the t ou eck ch , ion reg your information online at: www.gmb.org/ newsroom iStock

t will be a real shock to many living in the UK that bereaved families are forced to pay thousands of pounds for cremation and burial services. GMB has discovered that the average cost of dying in the UK is more than £7,000. A GMB survey into the cost of cremation and funeral services found that someone is making a lot of money from people’s bereavement. To ensure that like was compared with like, GMB looked at charges for cremations, interment of ashes and exclusive burial rights. The City of London has the highest charge of £3,464, but this is not a one off as other councils also charge thousands of pounds for the service. Wandsworth charges £2,350, and Manchester charges £2,012.25. And it’s not just cremation that costs bereaved families; the cost of burial also runs into thousands of pounds. Lambeth Council

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Selling our

services One way or another the Tories want to sell off public services, but this is a recipe for disaster, warns Paul Routledge

he Tories had one so-called big idea at the last general election: the Big Society. Nobody knew what it meant, least of all David Cameron and his merry band of job-robbers. But we know now. It’s about culling jobs in the public sector, and replacing them with charities, staff buy-outs and “social enterprises.” “They’re trying to privatise by the back door,” says GMB’s Kathleen Walker Shaw. “They’re now tackling social services and health care services. They know public opinion won’t take kindly to it, so this is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” The potential for out-sourcing of public services across a wide range of activity, from housing to looking after children, is enormous. There is big money at stake. The government spends £23Obn every year on public sector procurement of goods and services, and the privateers want more of it.

councils, the NHS and government departments to commission services from organisations that create “social value” in communities. This is defined as doing something for the community and is supposed to “put people before profit.” But does it? Services being spun out to social enterprises or staff mutuals – workers buying out their business – will inevitably mean more job losses, on top of the hundreds of thousands already lost since Cameron came to power. In the end, this reform is all about cutting the cost of providing public services with the added bonus – in Tory eyes – that it will diminish trade union membership and activity.

Their Social Value Act was the brainchild of a Conservative politician, public relations consultant Chris White, MP for Leamington and Warwick. Speaking in the Westminster debate, he said government should tell procurement commissioners: “You can still save money on that youth service or care home, but by letting a community organisation run it you could involve the people who have actually got a stake in that venture.” Translated into everyday speech, he’s saying “Take your services out of the hands of directly-employed workers and put the business into private-sector hands.”

social value The springboard for this latest radical change is the Social Value Act 2012, which came into operation earlier this year. On the face of it, this legislation looks like a good idea. It calls on public bodies such as

utuals “Charities, staff m rises and social enterp fail” are being set up to CRITICAL SITUATION The Tories are trying to kill off our health service. 22 www.gmb.org.uk

NATional

Bring these pages to life! buy-out. “In some cases, this is the difference between trying to set up a social enterprise – or you are redundant,” a source in the Local Government Association told me. “Faced with that choice, it sharpens thinking.” Ed Mayo, general secretary of Cooperatives UK, fears that staff are being pressed into something they don’t want. “This is not really a new model, but rather good old fashioned privatisation,” he says. Do workers really want this change? Not on the evidence of real votes by real employees. In the vast majority of cases where staff in the NHS have been balloted, it’s been shown that most have chosen to stay with the health service.

CHILDCARE THREAT Would you trust a big business to look after your baby? What’s more, experts warn that charities, staff mutuals and social enterprises are being set up to fail, opening the way for the big boys in the private sector to come in and take these lucrative contracts. There is an added danger that pressure from government to drive down costs will mean employees being given a stark choice between the sack and tendering as a worker

Look at the figures of Primary Care Trust staff voting against transfer: • Cornwall 81% • Plymouth 74% • Shropshire 85% • Greenwich 86% • Mid-Essex 97% • Sandwell 67%

GMB is strongly opposing this dilution, telling MEPs that the development of mutuals in the UK is part of a different political agenda to their operation elsewhere in Europe. “The UK model is a route to privatisation of public services,” union general secretary Paul Kenny argued in a letter to parliamentarians in Strasbourg. He’s right. But this is a complex subject, and I hope I’ve carried you with me through the jungle of government double-speak. It’s clear from the mouth of the man who gave us the Social Value Act. The Big Society revolution, he told Parliament, “won’t happen by itself.” No, it won’t. It will only happen where employers see a financial benefit from spin-out. And the workforce will foot the bill.

Help GMB S e NH Saveyoth ur services and

Spin-out is not safe, either. Public service contract commissioners can withdraw funding from these “mutuals” as quickly as they grant it, leaving the workforce vulnerable to redundancy or takeover by a private contractor.

Stick up for the NHS join GMB’s rally to Save ce ren at the Tory Party Confe ay in Manchester on Sund re mo 29 September. For information on how you can get involved, go to www.gmb.org.uk

GMB Member offer

Andrew Wiard

iStock x 3

Wedding photography From getting ready to the ceremony itself and until way past the first dance…

emember your big day forever with beautiful professional wedding photography from GMB’s official photographer, Andrew Wiard. Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, says:

“Andrew has photographed the work and campaigns of GMB members and the Labour Movement for over 30 years. You can have all his experience to capture your most treasured moments. As a trade union member and activist, you can rely on him.”

To find out more or take advantage of his services, phone Andrew Wiard on 07973 219 201 or email andrew@ reportphotos.com See his work at: www.reportagestyle.co.uk

www.gmb.org.uk 23

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

GMB’s annual statement and audit Audit Report

The following is reprinted from the Annual Return (AR21): Report of the Auditors to the Members of GMB Statement of Central Executive Council’s (CEC’s) responsibilities The legislation relating to trade unions requires the CEC to submit a return for each calendar year to the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers’ Associations. This return contains financial statements which must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Union at the year end and of its transactions for the year then ended. The financial statements set out on the preceding pages have been prepared on the same basis and are used to complete the return to the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers’ Associations. In relation to the Union these requirements are the responsibility of the CEC. It is responsible for preparing the financial statements of the Union and in so doing is required to: • Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently • Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent • State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed • Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to do so. The CEC is responsible for keeping proper accounting records and establishing and maintaining a satisfactory system of control over its records and transactions in order to comply with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. It is responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Union and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The CEC is also responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Union’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Report of the General Members Auditors We have examined the financial statements in accordance with Rule. I. Burkett General Member Auditors S. Dery Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of GMB We have audited the financial statements of GMB for the year ended 31 December 2012 which comprise the Income and Expenditure Account, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). This report is made solely to the Union’s members, as a body, in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Union’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Union and the Union’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Respective Responsibilities of GMB’s Central Executive Council and Auditor As explained more fully in the Statement of Central Executive Council’s (CEC) Responsibilities, the CEC is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. Scope of the Audit of the Financial Statements An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Union’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the CEC; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the General Secretary’s Introduction to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report. Opinion on Financial Statements In our opinion the financial statements: • give a true and fair view of the state of the Union’s affairs as at 31 December 2012 and of its deficit for the year then ended; • have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and • have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Matters on Which we are Required to Report by Exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: • adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or • the Union has not maintained a satisfactory system of control over its transactions in accordance with the requirements of Section 28 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992; or • the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or • certain disclosures within the form AR21 of Officers’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or • we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Chantrey Vellacott DFK LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor London Financial Affairs of the Union A member who is concerned that some irregularity may be occurring, or has occurred, in the conduct of the financial affairs of the Union may take steps with a view to investigating further, obtaining clarification and, if necessary, securing regularisation of that conduct. The member may raise any such concern with such one or more of the following as it seems appropriate to raise it with: the officials of the Union, the trustees of the property of the Union, the auditor or auditors of the Union, the Certification Officer (who is an independent officer appointed by the Secretary of State) and the police. Where a member believes that the financial affairs of the Union have been or are being conducted in breach of the law or in breach of rules of the Union and contemplates bringing civil proceedings against the Union or responsible officials or trustees, he should consider obtaining independent legal advice.

24 www.gmb.org.uk

Annual statement to the members of GMB Required under Section 32A Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

Year ended 31 December 2012

£’000

Total Income 64,679 of which, Income in respect of membership 60,468 Total Expenditure 57,529 Movement in actuarial valuation of pension scheme (9,637) Political Fund Income 3,194 Expenditure 2,701

Analysis of Officials’ Salaries and Benefits Office Held Gross Super Salary Annuation

Benefit Car

Executive

£’000 £’000

12 1

0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 15 8 18 2 0 0 6 0 9 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 14 0 3 127 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 2

£’000 £’000

B. Adams S. Bearcroft MBE 4 S. Berwick E. Blackman D. Bruno K. Buchanan R. Clarke D. Clements K. Daniels 14 J. Dolan G. Doolan R. Dunnett 15 G. Emmerson 8 G. Evans 18 B. Farr 2 G. Ferguson J. Foster B. Fraser 6 G. Fraser G. Gibbs 9 M. Gregg J. Hall 1 S. Harding A. Harry MBE D. Hope 1 B. Hulley 1 M. Hutchinson M. Jackson J. Jones 14 W. Juss P. Kane 3 P. Kenny (General Secretary) 94 A. Leader 2 M. Lock E. Marnell E. Martin J. McDonnell A. McGivern A. McLaren J. Minnery B. Modlock 9 C. Murphy D. Noble L. Parker G. Richardson 1 L. Ryan M. Sage 4 L. Sharp N. Sharpe K. Slater V. Smart J. Stribley M. Turner MBE 39 R. Waugh P. Wheatley 2

Benefit Total Employers’ Mortgage NI

1 1 2

regional from GMB All the news

GRAND UNVEILING A new banner made by the York Disabled Workers’ Co-operative.

Grimsby on the go!

The coastal town is a hive of GMB activity

The Grimsby general branch has been keeping busy, with some noteworthy events over the last few months. Just before Christmas, branch president Shona Ortega and branch secretary Carole Parker presented a cheque for £100 to Ken and Cath Homewood of Grimsby Food Kitchen. Ken and Cath provide food for the homeless people of Grimsby, and the branch has financially supported them for the past three years. A few months earlier the branch also unveiled its brand new banner, made by the York Disabled Workers’ Co-operative. The branch had decided to purchase a banner after marching against the Con-Dem cuts, and realising that they needed to let the people of Grimsby and surrounding areas know who they were and what they do. Along with the banner they also purchased attack alarms, pens and shopping trolley coins to assist with recruitment in the area.

CHARITY DONATION GMB Grimsby general branch raised £100 for Ken and Cath Homewood’s homeless charity.

Upda your GtMe ProfileB www.gmb .or g.uk

LIVELY DEBATE GMB members tackled political hot potatoes.

Great debate News from the Northern Forum

he recent Northern joint branch forum featured lively debates on subjects such as NHS cuts, the bedroom tax, Tory attacks on the employment rights of working people and cuts in the public sector. David Castledine gave an in-depth talk on the benefits of saving through the Thorne Credit Union money savings scheme (details

can be found by calling any of the GMB offices in the region). New regional political officer Richard Oliver also talked about campaigns he is driving on the political plane and at community level. The campaign looks to re-address the disparity in the Labour party in terms of achieving a better spread of representatives from all kinds of industrial work backgrounds. www.gmb.org.uk 25

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Move to Direct Debit k .u mb.org www.g

injured at w

rk?

y u’re in the firing line!

Changes to Legal Aid make it more difficult to claim takes out to cover the cost of things like medical reports and court fees should they lose. Lawyers are now allowed to deduct up to 25 per cent from their clients’ compensation to cover some of their costs, because they will no longer be able to claim them from the losing side. Getting 100 per cent compensation may be a thing of the past for some injured people. Although many lawyers may promise no deductions from compensation, they are likely to refuse to take on risky cases. Alternatively, they may only agree to take on a complicated claim if the injured person is able to pay up front. An injured person also doesn’t have to accept being referred to a law firm provided by

an insurance company just because they may have legal expenses insurance added onto their household or motor policies. They have a right to genuinely independent legal advice. That is why GMB has been working closely with Thompsons since LASPO became law, to work out ways in which claims can still be supported. As a result of these negotiations, GMB members and their families are still guaranteed 100 per cent of their compensation, and the ability to directly instruct an independent lawyer if that’s what they choose. To benefit from this service, members and their families with personal injury claims should contact GMB’s legal service* on 0800 587 7533 for more details.

“GMB members will still get 100% of their compensation”

*Subject to rule

26 www.gmb.org.uk

iStock x 2

he government’s devastating attack on access to justice for injured people means that since 1 April 2013, if you’re injured in an accident (at work or otherwise) or develop a work-related disease, only GMB members and their families will continue to benefit from a free, independent and specialist legal service*. The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act became law last year, in spite of massive opposition from GMB, victim support groups and civil rights organisations. The Act ripped up the arrangements that enabled genuinely injured people to get legal representation without the risk of having to pay from their own pocket if their claim was unsuccessful. This is because the guilty party, usually the employer or their insurance company, will no longer have to pay the insurance premium that the injured person

regional

o t e ir s e d e h t e v a h u o y “If learn, you will succeed” at her Cathy Mason never imagined th the GMB work would lead her down path of further education...

f anybody had told me a few years ago when I first became a GMB representative that today I would be going to university, I would have probably laughed, as it was something I associated with much younger and cleverer people. I started my education the same way all GMB workplace organisers do, with the basic induction course. Not having been involved with the education system for a good few years, the trepidation I felt before that first induction course can only be imagined. In truth there was no need for any of my concerns, as the course was run in a friendly no-pressure atmosphere, with helpful, understanding tutors. Over the last three years I’ve taken all the TUC education stage one and two courses available. This in itself was not always the easiest of tasks, as limited facility time required the use of days off and holidays to do this. I also have to thank GMB full-time officers and education department for all their assistance during this time, not forgetting all the tutors at South Nottingham College. I would like to thank Craig Stuart, regional education and health and safety officer, who pointed me in the direction of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU), which runs weekend courses up and down the country, useful for those who work in the week. In 2012 an opportunity arose to apply to Keele University. It was a part-time undergraduate course called the Certificate of Industrial Relations. I am now looking at continuing on after this to a Postgraduate Masters in Industrial Relations and Employment Law. This constant learning may not be for everyone, but it is there if you want it badly enough. You may have to give up some of your own time to complete the longer courses, but these are usually available online as well as in the classroom. Learning is not just for the young, nor is it about being clever. If you have the desire Cathy has been nominated for to learn you will succeed, and there’s always Central College Nottingham ‘Student someone who’ll assist you if you find the going of the Year’ by Colin Nolan, TUC difficult. The more knowledge we have as GMB course co-ordinator. He says: “Cathy workplace organisers the better we will serve our first came to Trade Union Education a members. Seriously, if I can do it, anybody can! shy, quiet new rep. As her tutor on the GMB induction training in January

Cathy’s School report 2010, I had to practically force her to speak! Soon, she took on the case of a member suffering from depression who had been unfairly dismissed. Cathy eventually won the member her job back. That was the start of something special.”

www.gmb.org.uk 27

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from GMB All the news

e c n e r e ff i d a Make GMB campaigns th wi ed lv vo in t ge ly ick qu n ca u Yo on by signing up gi re t as Co st Ea d an nd la id M e th in mpaigner. to become a GMB community ca ail update which Each month you will receive an em u to take that will will suggest a quick action for yo rs. make a difference to our membe ation with your It might be to share some inform P about one friends, watch a video, tell your M . of our campaigns or fill in a survey it will make a l, na tio op be ill w it , ay m t ha w Come an 10 minutes. th er ng lo ke ta â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on w it d an e nc differe

Snap the QR code or register today at: www.gmbmidandec.org.uk 28 www.gmb.org.uk

regional

, e m o H 80k sweet

Home

Affordable housing could be built for half of what is spent on benefits

Rex Features/iStock

GMB has discovered that just half of the amount spent on housing benefit in the region could pay for 6,288 new affordable homes every year – or 80,000 throughout the UK. In Derbyshire alone, 799 new homes could have been built each year if only half the £190m spent on housing benefit went into the construction of new council houses. See the map (right) for details on how investment in housing rather than subsidies to private landlords would affect areas around the region. Andy Worth, GMB regional secretary, said: “Housing benefits to meet costs for rented accommodation for those on low incomes is a Thatcher Tory policy, and costs have ballooned to £23bn each year. Over the past 30 years, a huge slice of the £411bn of taxpayers’ funds spent on this policy has been funnelled to private landlords. “Labour’s traditional and more cost effective policy of building good quality houses to let at affordable rent for those on low incomes was ditched. Much of the stock of social housing that was sold off is now in the hands of buy to rent private landlords. In Wandsworth, London, for example there are 977 private landlords

east riding

who own more than one of the 6,180 excouncil leasehold homes sold under the right to buy scheme. Many of their tenants are in receipt of housing benefit. “Public funds should be switched to investment in social housing and away from this failed, expensive Tory policy of corporate welfare and private greed. “GMB wants a Labour Party election manifesto insisting that councils build new homes to let at affordable rents. Ending corporate welfare will save taxpayers’ money and kickstart the local economy. It will provide families with better quality houses with more security of tenure.”

290 lincs

740

derbs

799

notts

leics

756

556 northants

750

Number of new homes built if half the Housing Benefit expenditure was used to build new homes

the voice of youth GMB Nottingham rolls out the Engaging Young Members Conference

CHAMPION CHAT Boxer Carl Froch will be a guest spreaker.

Young members are vitally important in taking GMB’s message forward for a new generation. This is why GMB is hosting an Engaging Young Members Conference at the regional office in Nottingham, taking place on 6 September 2013. Guest speakers will include four-time world champion boxer, Carl Froch, and GMB Nottingham Panthers and Team GB ice hockey player, David Clarke, with an agenda covering apprenticeships and traineeships, community aspects and political involvement, the recruitment and engagement

of young workers and a report from the TUC Young Workers Conference. Please contact Sarah Worth at sarah.worth@gmb.org.uk if you are interested in attending the conference.

prize draw We’re updating our database of young members’ email addresses. The first 100 young members to make contact will be entered into a prize draw to win a Blasting Brick amp for your mobile phone or digital media device. Email Sarah Worth at sarah.worth@gmb.org.uk and quote your GMB membership number and home address for your chance to win*.

*To enter, members must be 27 years or under and make contact by 31 October 2013.

www.gmb.org.uk 29

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from GMB All the news

Join GMB’s

credit union Help is at hand if you have money worries…

hese are troubled times financially, with the coalition government’s austerity campaign now hitting lower and middle income groups. The UK has also been swamped with payday loan companies keen to exploit struggling UK households. But Thorne Credit Union (TCU) is different. It was established in 1999 as GMB’s credit union, owned by GMB members, who have an opportunity to shape their own financial institution. It’s regulated by the Financial Services Authority, which fully protects individual member savings up to £85,000. TCU has a mandate to assist GMB members with their household budgeting and offers a

range of member financial services, including savings, loans and a prepaid ALTO credit card. TCU loans cover short and longerterm member borrowing from £100 to £10,000. TCU loans are fast, fair and flexible with competitive rates and no hidden charges. If you’d like to hear more, contact David Castledine, Director & Treasurer, Sinclair House, 11 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 5AF or call 0161 486 1777.

info@thornecreditunion.com www.thornecreditunion.com

calling all retired Keep active after work You may not be aware but GMB’s Midlands and East Coast region has a very active Retired Members’ Association (RMA). The key objectives of our RMA are…

• To provide practical assistance in the

STAY ACTIVE Join the Retired Members’ Association when you leave work.

30 www.gmb.org.uk

recruitment, retention and organisational objectives of GMB wherever possible • To campaign on behalf of retired GMB members and thus bring about dignity in retirement • To work in partnership with like-minded pensioner groups whenever it is appropriate to do so • At all times comply with GMB’s equal opportunity policies These aims and objectives are about furthering the interests and aspirations of retired members and their partners, building and maintaining the goals of our 65,000

.uk

retired members nationally, and developing links with the working GMB membership. Regional retired members are currently campaigning on the changes to pensions and taxation, plus social care for those in retirement. Liz Blackman, who is the secretary to the RMA, explained: “With regard to social care provision, we need to create an integrated system funded through general taxation rather than put all the responsibility on pensioners and their families. The retired members will continue to fight to achieve a care system for the elderly that is just and fair.” If you are an existing financial member with five years’ membership, you are eligible to become a retired lifetime GMB member for a one-off payment of £25. To do so call Jaime Foster on 0115 960 7171. If you are about to retire and would like to stay active and involved in GMB activities, please contact Liz on 0116 241 9472 or email e.blackman@sky.com for more details.

iStock x 2

members

RETIRE FROM WORK NOT G www.gmb MB .org

THANKS KEV Lol Burns left, Kev Brinklow right.

GMB Changing of

The Guard

GMB says goodbye to Kev Brinklow and welcomes a new senior rep Earlier this year Nottingham City GMB branch said goodbye to union learning representative Kev Brinklow as he retired because of ill health. Kev has been a stalwart of the ULR reps for the branch and for the region, and we wish him all the

best in the forthcoming years and hope that he enjoys his retirement! He has been replaced by Lol Burns, who is himself a very experienced officer and will add greatly to the Nottingham City branch team.

GEOFFREY WALLACE COOPER Retired branch secretary, Geoffrey Wallace Cooper died on 21 November 2012, aged 85. Geoff worked as a water treatment plant opperator at Cottam Power Station from 1967 and was branch secretary for many years until his retirement in 1990. Geoff became affectionately known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the hanging judgeâ&#x20AC;? at Cottam; this was a reference to his very active public service as a local magistrate. Our condolences go to all his family, friends and GMB colleagues.

Alan Wilkinson Alan joined GMB in December 1970 and worked for British Gas over more than 40 years of membership. Alan became a shop steward in 1995 and worked tirelessly for the members he represented. In 2000 he became branch secretary of the Lincoln Energy Branch. Latterly, Alan suffered through ill health, but remained branch secretary until his death. He was a great ambassador for GMB and will be remembered by many for his work over the years.

Contact GMB

Please feel free to contact your regional or local GMB office with any questions that you may have.

GMB Regional Office

542 Woodborough Road, Nottingham NG3 5FJ T: 0115 960 7171 F: 0115 960 1100 Email: martin.allen@gmb.org.uk

GMB buxton Office 2 Fairfield Road, Buxton SK17 7DW T: 01298 241 90 F: 01298 246 35

GMB hull Office

62 Russell Street, Hull HU2 9AD T: 01482 218 018 F: 01482 216 285 Email: les.dobbs@gmb.org.uk

GMB leicester Office

5 Oak Spinney Park, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester LE3 3AW T: 0116 232 4515 F: 0116 232 4511 Email: richard.taylor@gmb.org.uk

GMB lincoln Office

2 Monson Street, Lincoln LN5 7RZ T: 01522 525 579 F: 01522 567 523

GMB Peterborough Office 5 Swan Court, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX T: 01733 344 418 F: 01733 891 374

GMB Regional website www.gmbmidandec.org.uk

www.gmb.org.uk 31

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l il b s a g h is it r b r OFF you

B Steward Monica Griffiths, GM etering section at British Gas’s Smart M : “We all need endorses the deal, saying ese difficult help with fuel costs in th e of this offer times so take advantag d. If you’re not that GMB has negotiate GMB you don’t get it.”

British Gas enginee rs Andy Glenn, GMB senior steward, North of England; John Daly, GM B senior steward, North West; and Phil Be eston, GMB senior steward, Wales & West sa y: “Sign up for your exclusive GMB deal with British Gas and we will deliver it.”

credit. GMB members who are already British Gas customers can claim £35* y tariff Choose either British Gas’ Clear & Simple or Price Promise July 2014 energ **! before 31 July and you’ll receive a further £65* credit: a saving of £100

Don’t miss out! Sign up now. Go to:

www.britishgasgmbmemberoffer.co.uk GMB credit offer *Not available in conjunction with the BG employee discount scheme or for existing customers on an Online variable tariff **Only available with Clear & Simple or Price Promise July 2014 tariffs Energy offers end on 31 July. The amounts include VAT at 5%. Only one offer per household customer. Subject to status. Excludes Pay As You Go Energy™ customers. Limited availability. £100 offer: For eligible, new customers taking gas through a credit meter. You must take both your gas and electricity with British Gas and remain a customer for both fuels on our Clear & Simple or Price Promise July 2014 tariff at point of credit. The £100 offer will be shown as two £50 credits on your gas bill, the first within 3 months of your Supply Start Date and the second on your first bill issued after 12 months. The £100 credit offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. £35 offer: You must remain a British Gas customer for gas or electricity at point of credit. The £35 credit will show on your gas or electricity bill issued 3 months after you sign up to the offer. The £35 credit offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

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