Vision by Future Plus

The magazine for GMB members

Vision

www.gmb.org.uk | Winter 2012

Visit our new website: gmb-southern.org.uk

Gold STAR! Mary Tu

rner honoured by TUC

WIN

an Apple iPhone! See page 10

Our region tackles the

next issue!

Use your smartphone to bring this issue to life! See p9

Get elected to

l a n o i G e r council GMB Southern regional council is an elected body that oversees the regional committee and meets twice a year to make decisions on the things that matter to members in the region. If you have been a GMB member for more than one year, you are entitled to stand for election to the council and influence the decisions that affect your fellow GMB members in the region. You can seek nomination by contacting your GMB branch (shown on your membership card). Nominations close on 28 February 2013. The newly elected regional council will take office on 15 April. For more information, contact your GMB regional office.

Advice in line with GMB rules 17F, 18.3, 19, and 20.

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Inthisissue...

Paul Maloney GMB Southern regional secretary

The struggle for St Helier Page 27

Regional

National

4 Next to nothing

9 Get elected with GMB

6 Grim reading

12 TUC cracker!

Taking on the high street giant over low pay GMB Carillion campaign hits the headlines

8 Never forget

We’ll help you stand for office – and win!

Award for national president Mary Turner

13 Paul Kenny

Help mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2013

A word from your general secretary

25 Retired, relaunched

14 The heat is on

26 ConDemmed!

15 Pensions for all!

27 Save St Helier

16 Paul Routledge

You’re as young as you feel with the RMA! How the coalition is attacking the disabled GMB members fight hospital cuts

28 Southern pride

Sign the petition for fairer energy policies How automatic enrolment will affect you

The Mirror man on the future of gas

18 Better off with GMB

GMB backs Pride events across the region

Our annual report on GMB membership

29 Sacked for sickness

20 The best you can be

GMB wins compensation for member

30 A stronger Southern

GMB’s John Kane on living with Parkinson’s

22 Watch your wages!

How the region has been reorganised

Beware the dangers of regional pay

31 Contact GMB

24 The Full Monti

Names and numbers you can call on

Front cover: Andrew Wiard x 2/ Rex Features

Mary Turner gets a TUC gold badge Page 12

GMB regional editor Michelle Gordon: 020 8397 8881 Editorial director Stephen Pierce Editor Simon Hugo Art editor Johnny Goddard Contributors Jake Day-Williams, Victoria Ford, Jayne Nelson, Matthew Robinson Advertising manager Debbie Blackman Account managers David Parker, Lisa Dunham Production and procurement manager Matt Eglinton Production co-ordinator Katty Skardon Creative director Matthew Williams Design director Dylan Channon Director, Future Plus UK Jayne Caple Printed at St Ives Direct

GMB defeats EU threat to workers rights

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

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 Vision magazine? Please contact Debbie Blackman on 01225 442 244 (ex 2243)

The carillion dispute in Swindon is ongoing Welcome to the latest edition of Vision. As advised last issue, the counties of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset have now become part of the new Wales and South West region, taking our new regional boundaries to include Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire and all counties east to the south of the River Thames. I welcome our newly appointed officers, Sheila Carlson, Patrick Thompson, Kieron Merrett, Gary Palmer and Carole Vallelly all of whom started on 1 September. The Carillion dispute at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital, where our members have taken strike action over bribery and shakedowns (having to pay the manager for their holidays, jobs etc) is ongoing. The ironic twist is that the company has accused our members of giving bribes to managers and put them on disciplinary action! Needless to say, GMB successfully defended all our members against such ridiculous claims (and the manager in question has now resigned). It now transpires Carillion has also been engaged in the blacklisting of construction workers who raised health and safety issues and other matters on building sites, using a blacklisting agency that has now been busted for this illegal activity. GMB members and other affected staff are now launching court proceedings. Branches are currently being asked to nominate delegates to regional council, which is the supreme governing body of the Southern region. The new Regional Council will take their seats in May and will elect a regional committee for the next four years. See opposite for more details. Nominations for delegates to Congress 2013 will be sent to branches in December. Please take part in the democracy of GMB – the union for strong communities, fair society and justice in the workplace.

www.gmb.org.uk 03

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B M G m o r f s All the new

g n i h t o n to Fashion giant pays pittance despite huge profits

STORE WARS Shopping centre security tried to stop photographers! 04 www.gmb.org.uk

Andrew Wiard

MB held the first in a series of demonstrations against high street giant Next on 11 September, rallying outside the company’s Brighton store to call for better pay. A second protest took place in Merton on 26 September. At both demos, part of a rolling campaign of protests across the country, members urged the fashion retailer to ditch its current minimum wage policy in favour of paying its staff a living wage of £7.20 per hour. Next currently pays most shopfloor staff the statutory minimum of £6.08 per hour, with young workers earning even less. At the same time, the company has announced a 10 per cent rise in pre-tax profits, and is expecting annual profits of between £575 million and £620m.

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TALKING SHOP Regional secretary Pau l Maloney gets the word out in Bri ghton. “A living wage would allow Next staff to enjoy a decent quality of life, while helping to reflate the economy,” said Paul. “Directors at Next have clearly forgotten the Henry Ford maxim that workers should be paid enough to buy the goods they handle.” Next was the official clothing supplier of the London 2012 Olympics and has nearly 50,000 employees at more than 500 stores, call centres and warehouses in the UK and Ireland. For more about Next and the living wage, go to www.gmb-southern.org.uk/ gmb-campaigns/campaigns/next/ All figures accurate to 30 September 2012.

NEXT MESSAGE Shoppers couldn’t miss the GMB protest in Merton. “That Next pays minimum wages while forecasting huge profits is a national scandal,” said GMB regional secretary Paul Maloney. “There is simply no excuse for this absolute greed.” The Brighton protest coincided with the publication of a new GMB analysis of profits and wages in the retail sector, showing that Next makes 17.5p profit on every pound spent in its shops, while average wages at the company fall well below £10,000 a year. “Our figures show that Next is among the worst offenders in the retail sector when it comes to the link between low pay and high profits,” said Paul. “They can easily afford to pay workers a living wage of £7.20 per hour.”

“There is simply no excuse for this absolute greed” Last month, Next advertised for warehouse jobs paying as little as £4.42 per hour – which can only be paid to 16- and 17-year-olds. They have advertised jobs in their Epsom store at £4.98 per hour and offered apprenticeships paying just £2.60.

IN THE MIRROR Kevin Maguire from the Daily Mirror gets the lowdown from Paul Maloney. www.gmb.org.uk 05

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

grim

reading !

GMB hits the headlines as Private Eye reports on its NHS campaigns

MB campaigns don’t just make it onto the pages of Vision; our organisers work hard to let everyone know about the issues faced by GMB members. Private Eye is famous for exposing corruption and injustice – often embarrassing the wrongdoers at the same time – and the paper has recently reported on two GMB campaigns that raise awareness of serious workplace issues. First it covered GMB’s strike action at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, where members employed by Carillion have been fighting racism and bribery. It also reported on NHS trust director Ian Miller, who’s raking in a massive salary, despite austerity for everyone else.

have occurred,’” it said, adding that, “Bafflingly, Carillion now plans to discipline the cleaners,” rather than the managers who demanded bribes in the first place. In light of Carillion’s reluctance to treat its workers fairly, GMB is planning further strikes.

MILLER’s TALE

The second GMB story in Private Eye dealt with NHS executive pay, a subject on which GMB has been campaigning for many years. While GMB members in the NHS face pay freezes, life for managers just seems to get better and better. Cases such as Ian Miller’s underline DAYLIGHT BRIBERY exactly why GMB campaigns for On dispute in Swindon, the Eye highlighted equality in the NHS. In 2010 Miller the appalling way GMB members have made the headlines for earning been treated by Carillion managers. £310,000 in nine months as finance Its story examined the progress of 150 director at the south east coast members, who were forced to take strike strategic health authority. Now he’s action over allegations of bullying, bribery working for NHS Surrey as something and racism from bosses. called ‘interim director of turnaround’. After filing a collective grievance and “Having had his earnings exposed going on strike, the workers received support once, Miller is determined not to be from GMB members across the country. embarrassed again,” the Eye reported. Carillion has now admitted to some It went on to adds that sources claim wrongdoing, as the Eye reported. “Carillion a whopping £750,000 has been set aside accepts that ‘it seems likely such practices for the position! Whatever he is being paid, Miller is side-stepping PAYE tax, as he provides his services through his own companies – one of which had £1.7 million in the bank in July last year. NHS Surrey claims it has a contract with Miller’s company Maxentius & Co – though the Eye reports this name is not registered at Companies House. As our NHS members TAKING SCYTHES face harsh austerity cuts, GMB Southern region recently Miller’s tale exposes the lie took the Grim Reaper on the road to that we’re all in it together.

highlight Carillion wrongdoing.

06 www.gmb.org.uk

DEADLY SERIOUS the Grim Reaper to GMB took E EYE TWO IN TH y dConference Part ’s year this ere 1,320urcov issueLabo Private Eye . wro ’s llion Cari to highlight gust. ngdoing the GMB campaigns in Au

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Never forget Help mark Holocaust Memorial Day

“This important day takes place on 27 January.”

persecuted in the Holocaust or subsequent genocides, or were involved in liberation campaigns. Others said they had visited Auschwitz or the sites of more recent atrocities. If you have a similar story to tell, about yourself or someone close to you, we want you to share it with Vision magazine. On 27 January 2013, thousands of people across the UK will come together to reflect on the past and to strive for a safer future. By telling your Holocaust Memorial Day story, you can play your part in that future and make sure such horrors are never repeated. To share your story, call 0208 397 8881 or email michelle.gordon A NEW HOLOCAUST @gmb.org.uk n

Countless families have bee affected by genocide in Rwanda.

build a bridge This year’s event is all about communities joining together.

08 www.gmb.org.uk

SAVE THE DATE 27 January 1945 saw the liberation of Auschwitz.

What is HMDT?

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is a charity that works to raise awareness of Holocaust Memorial Day by providing free resources and workshops, and by organising the annual UK event on 27 January. This year, HMDT is encouraging communities to join together to remember the past to make their neighbourhoods safer and stronger, under the banner Communities Together: Build a Bridge. To learn more about HMDT and Holocaust Memorial Day, go to: www.hmd.org.uk

Wiener Library

olocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember the millions who were murdered during the Nazi holocaust, and those whose lives were irreparably changed by it. It is also a chance to commemorate the victims of more recent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur, as well as the atrocities in Armenia. This important day of remembrance takes place on 27 January each year – the date on which the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945. The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2013 is ‘Communities Together: Build a Bridge’, and GMB Southern region wants its members to get involved. At this year’s GMB Congress in Brighton, many of our members met with staff from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) and discussed family or friends who were

l na O I NAT

E T A UPD

B M G m o r f s All the new

g n i o d b o j a t n a w u o If y

. . . y l r e prop GMB is helping its members get elected to public office – and you could be one of them!

don’t agree with that! Why didn’t Labour sort this out when they were than in power? I could do a better job this lot! ething How many times have you said som felt let bers mem like that recently? Many GMB now and ent, rnm gove down by the Labour we’re stuck with a cutters’ coalition literally no one voted for. There is still a lot of work to do to make sure the Labour party has real policies that help ordinary people and families. That’s why GMB members made a decision at Congress this year. If we want a Labour party that to we can really get behind, we need it. t abou g do somethin

pean Whether its local councils, the Euro hern Nort and s Wale on, Lond Parliament, the nts in iame parl the or ies, mbl Asse nd Irela to get Westminster and Scotland, we need into ce rien expe life people who have reale. renc diffe a e mak can they re positions whe councillors, as bers mem GMB e mor ns mea That MPs, assembly members and MSPs. t it You might not think you’ve got wha we but , me” like le peop for “not takes, that it’s , working nary ordi of s dred hun have dy alrea e. class GMB members in elected offic them gave and skills GMB developed their ing winn a run to ce iden conf and the insight difference a ing mak ’re they Now n. paig cam and for every day for their own communities ’s help GMB With UK. the ss GMB members acro ? next be you ldn’t shou why and support, e! mor out find to e pag the Turn

Rex Features x 2

Bring YOUR mag to life!

YOUR FACE HERE! election With GMB behind your ere wh ws kno o wh , campaign you might end up?

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

1 Download the Layar app for iPhone and Android devices.

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

3 Watch as it comes to life on your screen.

www.gmb.org.uk 09

national

from GMB All the news

GMB members are already MPs, SMPs, MEPs or AMs

ORD le MUM’S THE W sa has the peop Li um m ng ki Wor r! he nd gh behi of Peterborou

Name :

Lisa Forbes e parliamentary Labour’s prospectiv orough candidate for Peterb gh for has lived in Peterborou I’m a mum of four who ss cla ng an ordinary worki over 25 years. I’m from my d an rer s a manual labou background: my dad wa jobs, of ts sor NHS. I’ve done all mum was a carer in the t! en being a travel ag from potato picking to last Labour party after the the I got involved with my to ed en ember what happ election, because I rem le op Pe r. we Tories were in po family the last time the

here can’t afford for that to happen again. I know my family can’t – we’re already starting to feel the pinch. Thanks to the support of the trade unions – especially GMB – I was recently selected to be the prospective parliamentary candidate for Peterborough. GMB is serious about helping people like me get into parliament. They’re serious about supporting people with a genuine connection to the everyday lives of working people, and the support they gave me really showed that. If Labour is going to deliver policies that relate to the real lives of the people we seek to represent (and win elections at the same time), we need more GMB members to come forward to become party members, activists, councillors, MPs and elected representatives at all levels. It might seem daunting, but whether it’s going along to your first branch meeting or asking for advice on standing for council there is always someone on the end of the phone to ask for advice. When I moved to Peterborough 25 years ago, I never dreamed I would be standing to be the city’s MP. Now I am determined to beat the Tories and make sure that people have someone in Westminster who understands the impact of government policy on their everyday lives.

Get 50% off Labour party membership! Go to

www.gmb.org.uk

WIN an iphone 4s! Register online to enter

very elected official needs to stay in touch! That’s why, when you tell us that you want to stand for the Labour party, we’ll automatically enter you into a free prize draw to win an Apple iPhone 4S! The iPhone 4S is a super-fast phone, camera and music player, with email, internet and access to thousands of apps and games – all available to download. It also comes loaded with maps, HD video

recording capability and futuristic Siri voice-recognition software. To find out more about standing for election, and to be entered into the free prize draw, call GMB national political officer Hilary Perrin on 020 7391 6749, or email hilary.perrin@gmb.org.uk before Friday 14 December. When emailing, remember to include your name, address and your GMB membership number.

TERMS & CONDITIONS The winning entry will be drawn at random. Draw includes members who enter themselves into the draw by phone or email before close of business on Friday 14 December. The winner will be notified by GMB. Prize is subject to availability. No purchase necessary. This prize draw is only open to GMB members. Entries from employees of GMB will not be accepted. The winner must be prepared to participate in publicity arising from the competition. Winners’ names and photos may be published in future issues.

10 www.gmb.org.uk

Case study 1

100+

UPDATE

NATional

Join the GMB what to do councillors’ Want to become a Labour network candidate? Here’s what you need to do… 1

Join the Labour party at the discounted rate for GMB members at www.gmb.org.uk/ LabourPartyApplicationForm

Call GMB national political officer Hilary Perrin on 020 7391 6749, or email her at hilary.perrin@gmb.org.uk and tell her which seat you want to stand for.

Sign up for GMB’s I Want To Be Elected programme for all the help you need to be selected. Sign up at www.gmb.org.uk/ GMBLabourcandidatesnews

Case study 2

285

Get elected, then get online for full support from GMB

MB won’t desert you once you get elected! We’ve set up an exclusive network to offer you help and support in your role on the local council. GMB’s councillors’ network is a new online forum where GMB councillors can share experiences and best practice, ask for and offer advice, and set up realworld meetings with fellow members who have plenty of experience of council business. So, maybe you want advice on implementing the living wage for council workers? Log-on to the forum and ask Gary Doolan, GMB national political officer and councillor for the London borough of Islington, where the living wage is now official policy. This is the sort of difference that GMB can make, and with info and ideas flowing, we can make those differences nationwide! GMB has more than a quarter of a million members working in local government, with many more directly affected by the decisions their local councils make. So who better to turn to for help and advice? The network is completely confidential and exclusively for GMB members. To sign up, go to www.gmbcouncillorsnetwork.org.uk and enter your GMB membership number to get started.

GMB members are already Labour councillors

Name:

Clive Lewis Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Norwich South I’ve lived in Norwich for more than 12 years and work locally at the BBC. I’m not from a professional political background, so running for Labour was daunting. It was certainly a bit different from the Afghan desert, where I served as an army reserve! From the coalition’s plans to close two-thirds of Remploy factories, to their nakedly political attack on the pensions of public sector workers, it’s obvious that the first priority is to get rid of this government. But I don’t think that’s enough in itself. Undoubtedly, the Labour party did many good things during our time in government, but we also got some very important things wrong and didn’t do enough in other areas. I’m not in politics for the career – I want to see real and lasting change for the many not the few. For me, getting a Labour government is just the first step.

ON THE FRONTLINE other GMB Army man Clive joined mploy demo. Re members on a recent GMB supported me throughout my selection and continues to support me now. I will be working closely with GMB to secure the change we need for people, families, communities and for soci ety as whole. If you live in Norwich and want to get invo lved, get in touch at clive@clivelewislabour.org.uk

www.gmb.org.uk 11

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Over seas

AID

GMB and Maggie Hughes win change in EU law

golden girl Mary Turner honoured at TUC Congress

ongratulations to GMB national president Mary Turner, who was awarded the TUC Women’s Gold Badge at this year’s TUC Congress. Mary was presented with the award by TUC general secretary Brendan Barber and dedicated it to trade union members around the world. TUC Congress is the annual policymaking get-together of the Trades Union Congress, made up of GMB and other unions. This year’s event took place at the Brighton Centre from 9 to 12 September and was chaired by GMB general secretary Paul Kenny in his role as TUC president. Also flying the flag for GMB was CEC (central executive council) member Barbara Benham, who took the shadow chancellor Ed Balls to task during his address to delegates. 12 www.gmb.org.uk

GET HELP SAYING HELP!

“The last Labour government failed Want to know how to ask for help to regulate so many areas to protect abroad? Go to www.missingabroad.org for the interests of the British people,” a list of essential foreign phrases, plus she said. “Labour deregulated and lots more vital info for travellers. removed controls over pricing in areas Originally set up to help families like energy markets, failed to build of miss ing people, the GMB-backed char social housing, embraced PFI, and lost ity now offers practical support for anyo touch with millions of people by taking ne who has been affected by an acci their votes for granted.” dent or serious crime away from home. She went on to ask Mr Balls what he If you or your loved ones get into would do differently if he could turn trou ble abroad, call the Missing Abro back the clock. He replied immigration ad 24/7 helpline, which is part-funded and regulation of the banks. by GMB donations, on 020 7047 50 TUC Congress also paid tribute to 60 (or 44 20 7047 50 60 from overseas). outgoing GMB national secretary and TUC general purposes committee (GPC) member, Phil Davies, warmly congratulating him for all his hard COSTA LIVING work on behalf of Remploy and Don’t go away without wishing him well in his retirement. Missing Abroad’s details. Sharon Holder will now replace Phil on the GPC for Congress 2013.

Rex Features

TURNER PRIZE Mary Turner is the GMB national president.

GMB member Maggie Hughes has won a change in EU law with help from GMB. Victims of violent crime across Europe will now get better access to medical care and legal help, thanks to her campaign. Maggie’s own son Robbie was beaten and left for dead while he was on holiday in Crete in 2008. She did everything she could to support him in his hour of need, but didn’t speak the language and found there was nowhere she could turn for help and advice. With support from GMB Brussels officer, Kathleen Walker Shaw, Maggie has spent the last four years campaigning to make sure other victims and their families get better treatment than her and her son. The new laws will make sure all EU countries offer the same levels of advice and access to medical and judicial services. “I hope that no other family will now have to go through the agony, frustration and pain that we did to get support and justice for our son Robbie,” Maggie said. “I am delighted by the progress we have made on victims’ rights in the EU.” “However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and once these measures have been adopted, all member states need to work hard to implement them in their countries. This will turn the progress we have made into a practical reality on the ground. “I have been on a major journey with GMB, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported our campaign so far.”

Paul kenny

speaks

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

Protection from a mansion tax and £40k pay rises for the super-rich show whose side Osborne is on

ny suggestion that George Osborne doesn’t know how tough things are right now for his friends have been robustly put to flight by his decisive interventions to protect millionaires from the mansion tax and, of course, his £40,000 a year handout to the super-rich from next April. At a time when decent, hardworking families are facing pay freezes and cuts to working families tax credits threaten to finally shove hundreds of thousands into poverty, this Conservative government reverts to type and – with utter contempt – merely goes about lining the pockets of the rich and greedy.

IT’S NOT WORKING Pay freezes; cuts to our NHS, schools and services; and unemployment – particularly among the young – are the price the country is paying for Osborne’s obsession with an economic plan which even his own side are having to admit just isn’t working. In fact, the deficit is growing not shrinking – a direct result of more people out of work courtesy of Cameron and co, and the

subsequent downturn in spending created by year upon year of squeezed household budgets. Is it any surprise that the Olympic crowds, who cheered their hearts out at every event and for every competitor, ended up roundly booing George Osborne at a medal ceremony? Why, the pundits asked, did 80,000 people boo George Osborne? Answer: that’s all the stadium could hold!

TIME FOR CHANGE As the TUC march for the alternative showed, hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England are prepared to march and campaign for a change in economic strategy. Social and economic justice will not come about by doing nothing. Everyone knows that building more social housing will cut waiting lists, reduce emergency housing costs and help cut the £20 billion a year housing benefit bill, most of which ends up in the tax-free offshore back pockets of private landlords and property companies which feed off the council housing shortage.

Everyone knows that leaving a million young people without jobs or access to higher education is storing up a huge social problem for us all – as well as the pure waste of talent that mass youth unemployment brings.

ATTACKING RIGHTS Everyone knows that attacking the basic protection rights of working people leads to abuse, fear, bullying, stress and unfairness in the world of work. What’s more this spills over into family life. Everyone who relies on the NHS knows it is in danger of being sold off to profitmaking spivs in the name of progress. Just like the disasters of rail and water privatisations before, our NHS is in real danger of becoming a cash machine for private companies first, and a service to the public second. It seems that everybody knows these things except George Osborne and his millionaire mates. Well, when you have just been handed a £40,000 wage increase, life under Osborne and the Conservatives must seem a little more rosy than for the rest of us ‘plebs’. www.gmb.org.uk 13

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

ON THE UP Help stop rising prices with GMB.

he UK is facing an energy bill crisis. One in every four households can’t afford to heat their homes, and this is expected to rise to one in three by 2016. Cold homes damage the health of our most vulnerable citizens, including children, older people, those on low incomes and people with disabilities. The main reasons for the crisis are that gas, oil and coal prices are high, and the UK’s homes are some of the most energy inefficient in Europe – badly insulated and with old-fashioned boilers. This means they cost much more than they should to heat and power, and they contribute to climate change, too.

But there is a fair and permanent solution. We can have warm homes, reduce our fuel bills, and help the environment at the same time! The government currently taxes big companies on their carbon emissions, which are harmful to the environment. If the government used the money it gets from those taxes to fund an energy efficency drive across the UK, it would keep people warm while cutting their fuel bills, cut harmful carbon emissions and create jobs! Over the next 15 years, the government will raise an average of £4 billion every year in carbon taxes. The companies eventually pass these taxes on to consumers in the form of higher bills, so it

“GMB is calling for super-energy efficient homes.”

join the 14 www.gmb.org.uk

is only fair that the government recycles the revenue back into households by paying towards better insulation, modern boilers and renewable energy. GMB is part of the Energy Bill Revolution, a campaign calling on the government to do just this, making our homes super-energy efficient and driving down our energy bills forever. Hundreds of charities, consumer groups, businesses and politicians are already behind the campaign, but there is still more to do. By taking two minutes to go online and sign the petition, you can add your voice to this vital cause. You can also help by writing to your MP, and by sending the link to your family and friends. Together we can end the energy bill crisis forever. Join the revolution by signing the petition at www.energybillrevolution.org

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PENSIONS FOR ALL! New rules guarantee a workplace pension for millions of workers

s your boss ready for automatic enrolment? October saw the start of a new pension system which requires employers to include their workers in workplace pension schemes by 2017 at the latest – but many bosses still claim to be unaware of the changes. Known as automatic enrolment, the new system is the first time employers have been obliged to put their staff into pensions, and to make contributions towards them. It has been introduced to tackle a pensions crisis caused by very low state pensions combined with a lack of individual saving. Workers will be auto-enrolled if they are aged between 22 and the state pension age, and earn at least £8,105 a year. You also have the right to be enrolled if you are outside this age group but earn more than £5,564 a year. Workers have the right to opt out of the system, but they must not be pressured or encouraged to do so by their employer.

If this happens to you or anyone you know, tell your GMB workplace organiser and your local GMB office (see p31). The government has already written to employers explaining the new system, so bosses have no excuse for not knowing what to do. Many large employers have already started enrolling employees, and even the very smallest must do so by April 2017. Though GMB welcomes automatic

enrolment as a step in the right direction, the union is disappointed that the standard of pension scheme required by the new system is not very good. Currently, the minimum employer and employee contributions stand at just one per cent of pay, which is nowhere near enough to secure a decent income in retirement. However, it is a start, and GMB will continue to argue for higher employer contributions.

“Workers must not be pressured to opt out.”

dukes of hazard

iStock

GMB health and safety representative Dave Carter reports from the National Hazards Conference This year’s National Hazards Conference took place at the University of Keele, bringing together health and safety activists from around the UK. High on the agenda was the problem of asbestos, which remains a deadly danger after all these years. I was amazed to discover that the British Commonwealth is a major part of the problem, as Canada continues to mine and produce the fatal fibres with seemingly no regard to the dreadful implications. Meanwhile, in UK schools, government policy is not even to remove asbestos – simply to seal it off and make it ‘safe’. Yet that same government has approved £1.2 billion to remove all traces of asbestos from the Houses of Parliament! How much clearer could they be that they only care about themselves? Another major issue to emerge from the weekend was workplace stress. This has huge

financial implications for many companies, but more important is the cost to the health and wellbeing of affected workers. Stress levels are rising as budgets are falling, yet government responses have been atrocious at best.

executive stress Health and Safety Executive (HSE) budgets have been slashed by 35 per cent; many industries have been reclassified as low-risk; and vital inspections are no longer being carried out. So not only are workplaces suffering from HSE cuts – the flagship body of health and safety itself is becoming a hotbed of stressed and overworked employees! One of the highlights of the conference was a wonderful speech from Louise Adamson, a young woman whose brother was tragically killed while working as an electrician.

Louise has turned her bereavement into positive action, becoming involved with a group called FACK, or Families Against Corporate Killers, and her evocative speech lambasted big business for trying to shirk its responsibilities when it comes to deaths caused as a result of work, and she went on to receive a standing ovation. If the conference taught me anything, it’s that – no matter who you are or where you work – health and safety must be the paramount concern for all of us, all the time. This government simply doesn’t care, so we – as workers, managers, companies and GMB members – must look out for our colleagues, our loved ones and, of course, ourselves. Work safe. Go home safe. Dave Carter is a GMB health and safety rep at Harsco Metals in Scunthorpe. www.gmb.org.uk 15

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from GMB All the news

cooking with

ow many of you remember the catchy jingle “Cook, Cook, Cookability – That’s the Beauty of Gas!” that went out on TV as long ago as 1978? Written by award-winning Roger Greenaway – author of “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” and other hits - it was timed to coincide with the flow of North Sea gas into people’s homes. The ad ran for years, and even featured a very young Noel Edmonds bopping with teenagers in a kitchen. The industry was still publicly-owned in those days. How things have changed since! But the reality behind the slogan is as true now as it was then. Gas is still the cook’s friend, and a versatile fuel that remains the nation’s favourite for central heating. It doesn’t make sense to burn this vital primary energy source in power station

IT’S A GAS Noel was always warm in the 1970s.

16 www.gmb.org.uk

furnaces to produce electricity. But that’s precisely what the Coalition government threatens to do - up to and beyond 2030, probably in contravention of Labour’s 2008 Climate Change Act and certainly with greater risk of global warming. Gas is needed in the home and in industry to supply clean, efficient power, not the ovens of privatised power stations looking for a quick buck. However, ministers in what David Cameron once called “the greenest government ever” are trying to rat on their pledge to de-carbonise the electricity generation market. In particular, Chancellor George Osborne, under intense ideological pressure from anti-wind farm Right-wing Tory MPs, wants to get round policy commitments put into law by the Labour government. In private, he sneers at legal curbs on toxic emissions and panders to the gas lobby. As the union for energy workers, with 40,000 members working in the industry (and more than half a million members with gas in their homes), GMB takes a close interest in developments in this field. And recently, top scientists on the government’s Climate Change Committee intervened to undermine GMB’s case. They want to see gas phased out and be replaced by electricity for home heating and cooking. This reckless and extremist policy could lead to a four-fold increase in your energy bills if households are forced to use electricity to cook and heat their homes. Thousands more would have to be spent on new appliances. They wrote to Energy Secretary Ed Davey

FRIED ED The heat is on for energy secretary Ed Davey.

expressing “great concern” that the government plans to favour imported gas over nuclear generation and renewable forms of electricity generation. The Thatcher government’s “dash for gas” of the 1980’s is in danger of becoming a permanent feature of energy policy under Cameron’s Tory-led Coalition. But there are huge financial penalties in store for consumers, warns GMB’s national officer for energy and utilities, Gary Smith. “Our union has never been a supporter of burning gas to produce electricity,” he explained. “Even with the development of shale gas GMB do not think it is the best use of what is a finite resource. “We recognise that while gas-fired stations are easy to turn on to meet peak demand, the UK needs investment in low-carbon ways of producing electricity including nuclear. “The view that gas should not be burned to meet base load electricity is right.” GMB agrees with the scientists that

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Plans to phase out gas for home use will inflate your bills says Daily Mirror political correspondent Paul Routledge

of energy. A unit of electricity is about FOUR TIMES as expensive as the equivalent unit of gas. “Given the fact that around 80 per cent of British homes use gas for heating and cooking there is no way they will easily or cheaply move from gas to electricity. “Nobody in their right mind would suggest that people will have to fork out thousands of pounds to replace their gas boilers and gas cookers with electric units – and then have to endure a fourfold increase in fuel bills. “The experts need to face the fact that the suggestion of forced conversion to electricity is bonkers and will not be accepted by households.” Energy Secretary Davey – one of the Lib Dems in the Torydominated Cabinet – defends his policy with a weasel-worded statement, offering only “significant” de-carbonisation of the industry. No dates, no promises. One fifth of the nation’s power stations are due to close over the next decade, he HOB-NOB Chancellor George Osborne says, adding : “We have always said that this will isn’t out of the frying pan. include gas-fired plant which is quick to build and flexible. After 2030 we expect that gas will be increasingly used as back up…. but gas has an important role to play.” government ministers In plain English, the Coalition are sending out “mixed intends to keep as much gas-fired messages” about energy policy that will capacity for as long as possible, damage investment in low-carbon and certainly beyond the date technologies. There is already evidence of a when it should be phased out. That’s bad “very poor” investment climate in the industry. news for climate change and very possibly These new electricity generating methods for consumers. are needed to tackle long-term climate change. And Davey isn’t the But there is an even worst of them. more pressing Cameron’s demand to bring appointment of home to politicians hard-liner Owen the impact on Patterson to be families of switching Environment Secretary from gas to in his autumn Cabinet electricity for reshuffle is seen as a cooking and snub to the greenhome heating says tinged Lib Dems. A Gary Smith. dedicated opponent of “There is a need wind turbines, with the for a reality check by OLD FLAME ear of the Prime some of these experts Even tellies ran on Minister and the about the economics gas in those days.

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NO DEAL Even Noel couldn’t foresee the problems of modern energy policy. Chancellor, he’ll be hostile to GMB policy. But Gary Smith is clear that the union will continue to campaign for a rapid transition to nuclear and renewable power supply, to stave off the imposition of totally electricity-dependent cooking and heating. All this is a far cry from yesteryear’s “The Beauty of Gas” commercial. Adverts today stress the ease of switching from one supplier to another, rather than “cookability” or the versatility of gas. The industry is mired in an ideologicallydriven, profit-based dispute about the best way forward for consumers and energy generators alike. GMB stands four-square with households and the champions of climate change through conversion to low-carbon technology.

“This reckless policy will mean a four-fold rise in energy bills.” There is a role for gas in electricity production, Gary Smith agrees. But it has to be back-up, rather than supplying the base load. “We also have to think about carbon capture and storage for coal-fired generating stations, but the reality is that in the long term, electricity has to come from renewable sources, which in practice means nuclear.” Gary also criticised ministers and the energy companies for failing to spend the £1.3 billion already taken from customers to help insulate their homes and bring down bills for poorer people. “This is a scandal,” he added. “This is an obligation from government. We are all paying for this but the energy companies can’t find the people whose homes need insulating.” That’s the beauty of consistent energy policy. www.gmb.org.uk 17

national

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from GMB All the news

! l a i c i f of

you’re better off with GMB W orking people who are trade union members earn an average of 18.1 per cent more than those who aren’t. That’s a big increase on last year’s figure of 16.7 per cent, so it’s more worthwhile to join GMB now than ever before. It’s not just GMB saying this, either, but official figures from the annual labour force survey, published by the Office of National Statistics.

We’ll fight for your rights Collective agreements – how unions make a difference to your workplace

collective agreement is an understanding between employers, which regulates terms and conditions for all employees. These collective agreements affect your pay, working hours and duties and even have a bearing on the duties of your employer. They usually follow long bargaining sessions between unions and employers and this is a fundamental way in which

18 www.gmb.org.uk

GMB improves conditions in workplaces all over the UK. The trade union membership report 2011 shows just how important collective bargaining is. A whopping 73.2 per cent of members are covered by a collective agreement. Almost a third (31.2 per cent) of employees said their conditions were affected by collective agreement. In the private sector, collective agreements cover just 16.9 per cent of

The report shows that the hourly earnings of UK union members average £14.18, an impressive 18.1 per cent above the hourly rate for nonunion members, which comes in at just £12.01 an hour.

you’re in good

company Between Septe mber 2011 and Septem ber 2012, GMB mem bership grew by 1.6 per ce nt, making GMB on e of the fastest growing unions .

employees, while in the public sector they account for a much healthier 67.8 per cent of employees. The highest sector for collective agreements is public administration and defence, with 71.1 per cent, while the lowest rate is in accommodation and foodservice, which has just 4.6 per cent.

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Bring these pages to life!

gmb nation

We’ve got your number! Stats from the trade union membership report 2011 give us a detailed view of the UK’s union members. This information is helpful to GMB members, workplace organisers and officers for planning recruitment, supporting existing members, and recognising areas that need improvement.

+18.1%

£14.18

average hourly wage for union members

£12.01

average hourly wa ge for non-union members

amount that union members earn above nonunion members

of GMB members are women

2.5m 6.4m

48%

union members in the private sector

21.6%

of asian and british asian workers are union members

people in work who are union members

+£3.23

56.5%

hourly extra earned by women in unions over non-members

of public sector workers are trade union members

34.5% of people aged 50+ are union members

87.1%

of public sector workers have a union in their workplace

n. ireland

wales

scotland

England

33.6% 34.9% 29.8% 24.8% percentage of workers who are union members (by country) www.gmb.org.uk 19

national

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from GMB All the news

FLIGHT CREW John (far left) with his winning darts team.

the best you

can be! My life with Parkinson’s, by GMB Sellafield branch president, John Kane

champion, Phil ‘The Pow

20 www.gmb.org.uk

testing times I saw my GP, who arranged an appointment with a neurologist. I was also a keen runner, and my trainer could not explain why my right arm and leg suddenly lacked the speed and rotation I still had on my left side, so I was really starting to worry. But when the specialist put me through tests including nerve conduction, a lumbar puncture and an MRI scan, they all showed up nothing, so I carried on with my life. When I started dragging my right leg in 2007, I thought I might have suffered a stroke, with the worst of it masked by my youth and my general fitness (I was only just in my 50s). I went to see the doctor at Sellafield, where I worked, and he put me in touch with a Professor Bates in Newcastle. Within 20 seconds of meeting me, and after seeing me walk along the corridor, the professor told me he was 99 per cent certain I had Parkinson’s. He said the only way to be sure was with a DAT scan, which shows up a lack of dopamine

Rex Features x 2

first knew I had a problem in 2005. My social life had always revolved around darts and for 25 years I had played at the highest levels – captaining the Cumbria county team, winning national and international titles, even winning the old ITV game show Bullseye! But now, at a national team competition final in Blackpool, I found I was not the darts player my teammates had come to rely on. Together, we won the competition, but amid the celebrations that followed, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong. There had been something up with my handeye coordination that I had never experienced before. Little did I know that in two WE’VE GOT THE POWER years I would never be able John with 15-times darts world to play darts again. er’ Taylor.

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SIGN up for the GMB eNEWSletter AT www.gmb.org.uk Bring these pages to life! – the chemical in the body that helps to control movement. My earlier doctors had not considered such a test because they simply aren’t looking out for Parkinson’s in anyone my age.

keeping active After the scan confirmed the professor’s diagnosis, I decided to give up the job I loved and do all the things I had planned to do when I eventually retired naturally. Parkinson’s isn’t fatal, but it is progressive, and worsening symptoms relating to lack of movement control and balance often lead people to become housebound – or the victims of tragic accidents. My wife and I always wanted to travel the world. Now I wanted us to do it together while we still could. I also decided to stay as active as I could in the wider community. I had many years experience with GMB, first as a shop steward and then as convenor, so I knew I could deal calmly and confidently with other people’s problems and concerns. In the same year I was diagnosed, I was elected as Labour councillor for Copeland. At first, I didn’t tell anyone about my Parkinson’s, but when I did, nobody treated me any differently, or expressed any doubts about my ability to do the job. I also got involved with the charity Parkinson’s UK, working hard to raise the profile of the condition, which most people know so very little about, and organising days out and other activities for people with Parkinson’s and their families.

compulsive behaviour – and for a while I became obsessed with gambling, keeping it secret from my family while my debts and my shame grew. I am on a different drug now, that suits me much better, but the experience has only spurred me on to spread the word. I’m lucky to have such a loving and understanding family (and a daughter who’s a nurse!), but many people with Parkinson’s risk becoming isolated and some even become suicidal. That’s where my work with Parkinson’s UK comes in. I go into care homes around the North West running awareness courses for staff who might not spot the signs of Parkinson’s, or might simply mistake them as the signs of old age. I talk about diagnosis, about the drugs, about the way the condition affects every individual differently. I share my own experiences, using humour and all the invaluable skills that I learned standing up and talking in front of people during 30 years representing members in GMB.

“The tests showed up nothing, so I carried on with my life”

side effects My work for Parkinson’s UK is what really motivates me now. I’ve had some very hard times since I was diagnosed – not just with the symptoms, but with the drugs I have been prescribed to control them. Among the many things people don’t know about Parkinson’s are the extreme sideeffects that the drugs can cause, including

you can help I have always believed in fighting for what’s right, whether as GMB steward, a Labour councillor or as a campaigner for Parkinson’s UK. In every job I have done, I have also believed in being the best you can be, and I get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that I make a real difference. Last year I was elected chair of the West Cumbria branch of Parkinson’s UK and I am still GMB branch president at Sellafield. I’m 57 now, with two wonderful grown-up children, and my wife and I have just returned from trips to Borneo and Kuala Lumpur. So it’s not all doom and gloom! I have made it my ambition to raise the profile of this condition, because Parkinson’s is often forgotten when it comes to charity donations. Without money for research, a cure will never be found. If you want to help, go to www.parkinsons.org.uk and please give whatever you can.

The life and times of John Kane

1970s

• Started work at Sellafield and joined GMB on his first day.

• Became a shop steward while

working for BNFL in the Magnox reprocessing plant.

1980s

• Voted onto the Sellafield shop stewards committee.

• Elected GMB convenor at Sellafield. • Married Dot, now his wife of 30 years.

• Together they have two children, Laureen and Jenna.

1990s

• Lead the national campaign for

the licensing of THORP (Thermal oxide reprocessing plant). • Negotiated new company contract raising basic and pensionable pay by 40 per cent. • Stepped down as convenor after seeing members through the MOX data falsification scandal.

2000s • Elected Labour councillor for Copeland.

• Awarded honorary life membership of GMB while still at Sellafield.

• Elected chair of the West Cumbria branch of Parkinson’s UK.

• Remains president of the GMB Sellafield branch.

PARKINSON’S FACTS • P arkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition • T here is currently no cure and doctors don’t know

what causes it • O ne person in every 500 has Parkinson’s • Most people with Parkinson’s are aged 50 or over but younger people get it, too • B oth Mohamed Ali and Michael J Fox were diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their 30s

PLANT LIFE John dedicated his working life to GMB members at Sellafield. www.gmb.org.uk 21

national

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from GMB All the news

watch

your

Government proposals for regional pay spell disaster

wag s

LOOK OUT! The government wants to slash your pay. 22 www.gmb.org.uk

regional NATional

% of workers employed in the pu

blic sector

££££££££££££££££££ ££££££££ 30 ££ ££££££££££££££££££ ££££ 28 ££ .8£ North East ££££££££££££££££££ ££28 ££ Scotland ££ ££££££££££££££££ 27££ .1 North West ££££££££££££25 ££.3£ Yorkshire & The Humber ££££££££££ 24 ££ .5£ Unit d South West Ki n g d e ££££££££ 23££ .4 o m as a whole West Midlands ££££££ ££.2£ 23 24 % East Midlands ££££££ 22££ .9 East ££££ ££ 22 .3£ South East ££££22 ££ Wales

Area by % rank

Northern Ireland

London

££ 21££ .3 20

% of people

iStock x 2

he pay of millions of public sector workers would be cut if the ConDem government goes ahead with its plans to scrap national agreements and introduce regional pay. These agreements are negotiated with GMB and other unions to ensure a fair rate of pay for workers, and scrapping them could lead to harsh salary cuts. Public sector workers make up 24 per cent of the total UK workforce – and as much as 30 per cent in some regions. A pay cut for them would mean less money going into their local economies. The areas that would be hit

hardest are in Wales, Northern Ireland, the North East and Scotland. Eilean Siar in the Western Isles, has the highest percentage of public sector workers with 42.7 per cent facing a pay cut. Many other areas would be badly affected too. See the full list at www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom GMB general secretary, Paul Kenny said “GMB negotiators have built up the pay of public service workers over many years and now the government wants to cut the pay of millions of public services workers by getting rid of the national agreement that is so successful. “If they succeed it would be a further devastating blow for local economies, where previous Tory governments have devastated the mining and manufacturing industry. “The Tories have a problem with workers in the regions. They just don’t like to see them doing well.”

DEEP CUTS Nearly a quarter of UK workers would be affected.

The general secretary warned that pay cuts would be a harsh blow to British workers, and affect all local businesses. He continued: “To reduce their pay further would not only be iniquitous, it would also reduce consumer spending and choke-off business confidence. The result would be local economies suffering a further drop in demand and private sector jobs being lost in their thousands.” GMB membership is the best defence in the face of the government’s reckless plans to cut wages across the country in the public sector. Paul Kenny concluded: “GMB is proud of its record in raising pay in the regions and cutting it back is in no one’s interest. As well as a regional policy to promote good, wellpaid jobs we need to see the levelling up of the poor pay in the shops and other commercial services, not a levelling down of public sector pay.”

“Regional pay will choke-off business confidence.”

www.gmb.org.uk 23

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from GMB All the news

The Full Monti

EU drops plans opposed by GMB that would have restricted workers’ rights

s the European Union a social project, designed to improve people’s lives, or a purely economic one, designed simply to make money? That was the question at stake back in September, as GMB and other unions fought against proposals that would have undermined the fundamental rights of workers, including the right to go on strike. The proposed Monti II regulations, which have now been abandoned in the face of overwhelming opposition, were meant to safeguard the right to collective action (including strike action) in the face

of pressure from regulations allowing the free movement of goods across EU borders. “From the day these proposals were launched, trade unions across Europe told the European Commission that they were not going to solve the problems they set out to resolve,” says GMB European officer Kathleen Walker Shaw. “In fact, they actually posed further threats to trade union rights. “GMB welcomed the decision to withdraw these very damaging proposals, but the Commission still needs to find a workable solution to make sure fundamental trade union rights and freedoms are not restricted or undermined by economic freedoms.” The need for clarity comes from two judgments in the European Court of Justice in 2007. While the freedom to take collective action is a fundamental workers’ right,

WELCOME NEWS Kathleen Walker Shaw led GMB’s opposition to the dropped plans.

protected by the European Union charter, the court judgments raised questions about what happens when that right comes into conflict with regulations on the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital. “There are huge legal uncertainties left by the EU Court of Justice rulings regarding the rights of workers,” says Labour MEP Stephen Hughes. “The problem is not going away and the European Commission has the responsibility to act.” European social policy includes commitments to improved living and working conditions, proper social protection, and dialogue between management and labour. GMB believes the European Union should put those commitments first and foremost.

EUROPE MUST ACT Labour MEP Stephen Hughes says workers’ rights must be clearer.

“Fundamental trade union rights and freedoms must not be undermined.” 24 www.gmb.org.uk

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from GMB All the news

, d e r i t re unched!

relaun Region’s retired members get a new lease of life!

he Southern region’s Retired Mem bers Association (RMA) was relaunche d earlier this year, and is already playing an active part in the life of the union. Retired members held their first regional RMA conference, chaired by Derrick Bake r, and sent two delegates to the national RMA conference in October. The region was well repr esented at the South West TUC pensioners’ conferen ce at Westonsuper-Mare in May, and had motions carried on regional pay and fuel poverty. RMA members were also very muc h in evidence at demonstrations against private equity in the care sector outside Harrods and at Windsor Castle, and at the TUC rally against cuts to public section pensions on 20 October. All our branches have retired mem bers and there are plenty of opportunities to get more involved in GMB when you retire. If you’re a retired member and want to find out more, contact your local branch today.

LLIES RIGHT ROYAL RA d protests ne joi rs be RMA mem or Castle. ds in at Harrods and W

www.gmb.org.uk 25

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How the government is attacking our most vulnerable citizens

Allowance (DLA) n April next year, the ConDem government is set to axe Disability Living ts (PIP). Paymen dence Indepen l Persona called and replace it with an unworkable system across people disabled of ds thousan for harder life make Not only will these changes system, as a result the UK, they will also cost the taxpayer millions more than the current to know about need you ng of increased unemployment and needless red tape. Here’s everythi society. this latest attack on the most vulnerable in our Disability Living Allowance (DLA) helps disabled people live more fulfilling lives by helping with transport costs and mobility aids. Two thirds of people who currently receive DLA will not be eligible for the new PIP. Most disabled people say their DLA payment is essential. In the words of Paralympic athlete David Clarke: "If a minister found himself in the middle of a city with no one to help get a taxi, he would probably appreciate his DLA." DLA fraud is extremely rare at just 0.5 per cent, according to the government’s own estimates. Mobility allowance (currently part of the DLA) will be taken away from every person who lives in residential care preventing them leaving their home independently. The new PIP tests will be carried out by controversial private company Atos, and will cost taxpayers £400 million. 26 www.gmb.org.uk

Thierry Breton, chief executive of Atos, has received a 22 per cent pay rise this year, despite widespread criticism of Atos. PIP tests are not fair. According to the charity Disability Rights UK, a disabled person who turns up for their test in an electronic wheelchair will be considered able to move unaided. They will not be eligible for PIP and, as a result, will then lose the wheelchair! In fact, as many as 90,000 wheelchairs and other mobility aids will be repossessed as a direct result of these changes, because disabled people will not be able to afford the repayments on them without DLA. Without DLA, 25,000 people will have to give up work. These people currently receive a total of £90m in DLA payments, but pay much more into the economy, in the form of £147m in taxes (based on average pay). Out of work, they will claim £128m in benefits, and be able to pay nothing back.

How GMB can help GMB has plenty of experience fighting for its disabled members. Here’s a letter we recently received from a retired member called Frances:

I spent my whole working life as a nurse, until degenerative wear and tear on my spine forced me to retire. I am now unable to work and rely on benefits to supplement my modest NHS pension . Recentl y, the job centre started to harangu e me, saying me that my benefit would be taken off of me if I did not return to work. This was a horrendous experien ce for me, as I already struggle with quite severe illness. I contacted GMB and they gave me great advice. With help from them and my GP, I was able to convinc e the job centre that I couldn’t work and was entitled to continue receiving benefits . The matter has now been resolved , but there must be many other people in similar situatio ns who do not have the benefit of GMB membership. I’m so pleased I decided to join all those years ago and have kept my membership up. I want everyon e to know the support you get is invaluable.

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save

st helier!

GMB members fight for hospital hit by coalition cuts

MB members and other campaigners turned out in force in September to protest against the removal of services at St Helier Hospital in South West London. The coalition government is proposing to close the maternity unit and end accident and emergency services at the hospital, as part of drastic budget cuts in the area. In 2010, the Labour government pledged

£219 million to rebuild St Helier hospital, but that money is likely to vanish as the coalition seeks to slash £370m from local health services. “My children were born at this hospital and A&E took care of me when I was seriously ill,” said GMB member Kathy Abu-Bakir. “It is on my doorstep. Why would I want to travel to other hospitals when St Helier does a fantastic job serving the local community?”

“St Helier does a fantastic job, right on my doorstep.”

Protestors took the fight to the doorstep of local Liberal Democrat MP and former health minister Paul Burstow, who has refused to discuss the proposals with worried residents. “We are here today to demand the former minister engages with the community and fights for the maternity and A&E services for his constituents,” said Nick Day, GMB organising officer for the area. “Before the election, David Cameron said he’d cut the deficit and protect the NHS. In power, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats have shown themselves to be a wrecking ball where the NHS is concerned. Borrowing is up and the NHS is in tatters.”

EVERY LITTLE HELPS! Last issue, we asked for contributions to the Carillion strike fund, in support of GMB members who have suffered bullying and harassment at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. We know that times are tight and would never ask our members to send more than they can afford. So it was genuinely touching to receive a postal order from one member who told us she really wanted to help – but could only spare £1. She told us she was worried that it would not be a significant contribution, but imagine if every member in the Southern region

donated £1 to the cause – we would have more than £70,000! Thanks to everyone who has chippedin so far. Our members at Carillion really do appreciate every penny. To contribute any amount, please send postal orders or cheques made payable to GMB to: Paul Maloney, GMB Southern Region, Cooper

House, 205 Hook Road, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1EA. Please remember to mark your donation ‘Carillion strike fund’.

www.gmb.org.uk 27

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swindon

bournemouth

dorchester

e d i r p n r southe n io g e r e th s s o r c a t u o d ab GMB gets out an

london

28 www.gmb.org.uk

very year, GMB supports Pride events across the Southern region, and 2012 was full of opportunities to celebrate the contribution that der (LGBT) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen GMB. in with and ety, soci to e mak people , outh In London, Brighton, Bournem our , ding Rea and Swindon, Dorchester ng part members had a great summer taki ing talk and s stall ing runn des, in para plays to the public about the role the GMB ts. righ T LGB and in fighting for equality in live to d prou you e mak ts “These even e brat cele can ple peo re whe ntry a cou ,” said their sexuality in such an open way on. Gord elle Mich GMB equality officer still are e ther that w kno we “However, re ensu to ce kpla wor the in won be to fights ” ally. equ ted our LGBT colleagues are trea hern To get involved in the new GMB Sout on e mor for and ork netw region Shout! , go to bers mem LGBT its orts supp GMB how ur-gmb/ www.gmb-southern.org.uk/yo political/lgbti-2/

brighton

sacked OR F

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sickness

GMB wins £7,000 for member sacked by mushroom farm

MB’s legal team has won £7,000 compensation for a member who was unfairly sacked by Thakeham Mushrooms in December 2011. Mariusz Zawislak told his supervisors he was ill before going home sick. The next thing he knew, he was being sacked. Mr Zawislak thought he had been unfairly dismissed, so went to GMB for help. GMB’s solicitors agreed and pursued an employment tribunal, where Thakeham was ordered to pay £7,000. “This has been a costly exercise for Thakeham mushrooms,” said GMB

senior organiser Charles Harrity. “Thakeham Mushrooms should have dealt with GMB directly and recognised the union. Maybe then this issue would not have gone so far. Along with pursuing recognition, we have also have approached the company about signing up to a learning agreement. Our project workers have also signed up members for online training.” He concluded: “It’s time for management at Thakeham to realise GMB is here for its members and is not going away. They must now properly engage with GMB and its members”

“This has been a costly exercise for Thakeham.”

WINNING TEAM Mr Zawislak with GMB project worker Liliya Brabbs and workplace organiser Rita Mieziene.

School’s fair!

Rex Features

GMB gets a fair deal for Slough support staff

GMB members at schools in Slough are to get much needed pay rises thanks to the tireless efforts of their GMB branch. Slough Borough Council branch secretary Carolyn Cotterill and organiser Frank Minal used equalities legislation to start an equal pay audit after the council dragged its heels on job evaluation programmes for school support staff. GMB supported its members to push the council to evaluate their pay and close any wage gap between men and women doing similar jobs. Between February and May this year, Carolyn and Frank helped 200 mostly female GMB members lodge such requests, calling on the council to end discrimination and match their pay as school support staff with that of other council workers in comparable roles. The pay audit was led by the council and GMB, and will see members benefiting from the changes early next year. It is the latest success for the branch in Slough, after GMB campaigning led to Slough Borough Council

being among the first to implement the £250 pay rise to public sector workers earning less than £21,000. The increase, announced in March 2011, affects many GMB members working in school support. “I am delighted that Slough schools have finally seen sense with the eradication of pay discrimination,” said Frank. “Equalities legislation is just one tool that working people can use to achieve fairness. Our next aim in the branch is to address health and safety within local schools.”

HELPING HANDS Most members working as school support staff are women.

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regional

UPDATE

A stronger southern!

from GMB All the news

Region reorganised to serve you better

MB Southern region has begun its plans to grow the region and strengthen the services it offers to our members under new regional secretary, Paul Maloney. To achieve this, the Southern region is now made up of the following three areas: Central South East London and Kent The South Coast and South West London Each area will have its own dedicated team of workplace organisers, full-time organisers, branch officials, regional council members and committee members, to deliver the best possible service to every one of our members.

• • •

STILL GROWING Paul Maloney has big plans for the region!

They will be supported by a dedicated central office team, who will be responsible for shared services such as membership, finance, equalities, education, campaigns, political and legal. “This reorganisation will ensure that the region is fully fit to support our members and stand up to unscrupulous employers,” said regional secretary Paul Maloney. “As the country’s financial crisis continues, it has never been more important to be a member of GMB, or for us to stand up for the rights of our members.” If you are unsure which area you live and work in, speak to your GMB branch office or workplace organiser.

check out OUR

new website!

GMB Southern has a brand new, easy-to-use website! Check it out to do all this and more: • Get the latest on GMB campaigns • Submit your photos of GMB events • Update your contact details • Get Vision magazine by email • Submit news stories for Vision and the website • Have your say in surveys • Download campaign materials Visit us today at: www.gmb-southern.org.uk

ON MIKE Mike has been with GMB for 30 years.

goff duty

Long-serving GMB member retires Here’s Mike Goff receiving his certificate of merit by GMB officer Adrian Baker. Mike, from B40 Bournemouth branch, has recently retired after 30 years of dedicated service to GMB, during which time he has been a shop steward, a health and safety rep and an accompanying rep, as well as B40 branch president. “I may have retired, but I’ll still be working for GMB members at branch meetings, local trades council meetings and on the regional panel for the Co-op trust,” says Mike. As well as the merit award, Mike was honoured with gifts and a buffet – though only after sitting through yet another branch meeting!

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spruce banner

Dorset branch flies the flag for GMB! Here’s GMB general secretary Paul Kenny admiring the beautiful new banner of Dorset B30 branch on a recent trip to the region. It has been on show at all kinds of events during 2012, and looks set to cut a dash at many more in 2013!

GMB

SOUTHERN REGION roll out the BANNER Paul Kenny with Dorset B30 branch secretary, Gary Pattison.

Ian Northam MBE Ian Northam, part of GMB Southern region’s union learning fund (ULF) project team, died on 4 September, after a long battle with cancer. He was 60. Born in Helensburgh, Scotland, Ian was a lifelong socialist and a longstanding member of the Labour Party. He had a very successful career in sales and marketing before he made the transition to GMB’s lifelong learning department, where he used his professional expertise to help hundreds of working people access education and increase their skills. His determination and commitment were unstinting, and he was awarded the MBE for services to lifelong learning by Her Majesty the Queen on 30 November 2011. Ian enjoyed football and was involved in organising and managing youth and adult teams in the Plymouth area for over 30 years. He also loved music and spent many years entertaining audiences as the singer and guitarist in local bands. He will be greatly missed by his three sons, Matt, Jimmy and Jack, as well as his mother, Jean, and her partner, Brian, and his younger sister, Sue. He inspired everyone he met and will never be forgotten.

Bill Wood GMB member William Wood, known as Bill, died on 5 August. He was a senior shop steward at Marconi for many years and a member of Portsmouth General X21 branch. Bill was a dedicated union man who once turned down a promotion rather than compromise his role as steward. He is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 55 years, two daughters, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Contact GMB

If you have a problem at work and need advice, in the first instance speak to your GMB workplace organiser. Alternatively, contact your local GMB office.

GMB southern region

Cooper House, 205 Hook Rd, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1EA. T: 020 8397 8881 F: 020 8397 1588 E: infoso@gmb.org.uk

GMB basingstoke Office

Thorne House, Queen Mary Ave, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 5PL. T: 01256 308080 F: 01256 843879 E: infobasingstoke@gmb.org.uk

GMB HOVE Office

49 Church Rd, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2BE. T: 01273 777027 E: infohove@gmb.org.uk

GMB south coast Office

6 Gloster Ct, Whittle Ave, Segensworth, Fareham, Hants PO1 5SH. T: 01489 578665 F: 01489 578889 E: infosouthcoast@gmb.org.uk

GMB swindon Office

Swindon Suite 22, Cherry Orchard North, Kembrey Park, Swindon SN2 8UH. T: 01793 818005 F: 01793 617027 E: infoswindon@gmb.org.uk

GMB thanet Office

Innovation Centre, Thanet Reach Business Pk, Millennium Way, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 2QQ. T: 01843 609306 F: 01843 609309 E: infothanet@gmb.org.uk

GMB welling Office

3 Park View Rd, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY. T: 020 8303 3407 F: 020 8303 1781 E: infowelling@gmb.org.uk GMB regional website www.gmb-southern.co.uk