Contact Winter 2013

The magazine for GMB members

Contact www.gmb.org.uk

Winter 2013

Pension Boost GMB pushes

for retirement rights

e v a h e W lift off!

GMB members strike at RAF Cranwell!

“I won a car with GMB! Could you be next?” See p17

How you can make a difference and have your say!

GMB’s Purpose

“We work to improve the quality of life and provide new opportunities for all our members and their families.

We aim to improve the lives of GMB members and make sure that their achievements lead the way for working people in Britain and across the world. . .

We will aim to end exploitation, discrimination and injustice.”

Taken from the GMB Rule Book

art of this? p e b o t t n a w u o y do

sionate about, tell us about • If you have an issue you feel pas what you want to change. ut the workplace, it can be about • Your issue doesn’t have to be abo es that affect you and your family. the wider political and social issu

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

You can help GMB shape a better future and make a real difference ed?

How do I get involv

r chance to be part of • What you have to say could be you or GMB campaigns influencing GMB decision making them about your ideas • Contact your GMB branch and tell into a motion for debate at • Your issue could even be turned GMB Congress in June 2014 ch Regional Office by • Your branch’s motions must rea 31 January 2014 For more information please go to www.gmb.org.uk/congress GMB Congress 2014 takes place from Sunday 8 June to Thursday 12 June 2014 in Nottingham.

To attend you must be nominated by your branch, and be a paid-up member for 53 weeks.

02 www.gmb.org.uk

In this issue...

Andy Worth etary GMB regional secr

Fighting austerity in Nottingham Page 6

Get GMB in your pocket with the new mobile app Page 16

Regional

National

4 Decent pay

9 Employer hostility

5 Industrial action

12 A Living Wage

GMB campaigns for a Living Wage

RAF workers hit the picket line to secure the pay and conditions they deserve

6 No to austerity!

GMB members get on board the Austerity Bus in Nottingham to protest cuts

8 Stars of the future

We hear from future stars of GMB at the future candidates’ training weekend

25 The bottom line

Young Members should know their rights

26 Pension protection GMB members speak out for a fair deal

28 There for you

GMB helps injured members

28 The winner is...

GMB’s Cathy Mason wins learning award

31 Contact GMB

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 Victoria Ford, Ed Holden 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

Anti-union hostility should be against the law

GMB demands an extra £1 an hour

13 Paul Kenny says

The latest from your general secretary

14 Wealth of the nation GMB reveals the UK’s economic performance by region

16 Get online with GMB! Get the GMB app for your smartphone!

17 Win a car!

Switch to Direct Debit for your chance to win a Toyota Aygo worth £9,000

18 Eyes on the NHS

GMB is fighting for workers’ rights in the NHS

20 Put Labour in power Why you should vote Labour in 2015

23 Worldwide solidarity

How GMB’s International Solidarity Fund is winning justice in Latin America

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 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.

The Tories are attacking trade union activity Dear colleagues, Welcome to the latest edition of your regional magazine.

Within these pages you will find articles and information which I am sure you will find both interesting and useful in the world of work.

The Con-Dem coalition government continues its callous attacks on working people by targeting the most vulnerable people in the country with a vengeance.

And their cuts are starting to bite hard.

From July, fees have to be paid for employment tribunals while a criminal still gets free legal aid! That’s what the Tories mean by ‘in it together’.

The government are attacking trade union facility time, our ability to lobby on issues that affect our members and allowing energy prices to spiral out of control. Their continued attempts to clamp down on trade union activity shows that they simply do not care about the ordinary working person.

Wealthy bankers and tax-avoiding companies get away scot free while the rest of us pay the price. If you’re a millionaire you receive a tax cut in this country. However, as most of our members know, if you are working on low wages, making a living, you get a bedroom tax, will shortly have to pay more National Insurance and yet get a reduction in your tax credits! It doesn’t amount to a fair deal by any stretch of the imagination.

Since the Second World War, there has never been a time when working people have been more in need of the protection, security and support provided by membership of GMB and the wider trade union movement. GMB is there for you.

Clearly, the Tories aren’t.

Stay GMB – stay proud – proud to be a GMB member.

If your friends and family are in work and not in a trade union the best thing you can do is tell them to join GMB.

www.gmb.org.uk 03

al n o i reg

E T A D P U

Move tto Direc Debit k .org.u www.gmb

GMB m o r f s w e n All the

“It’s a damned

” e c a r g s di NEWS National Minimum Wage

£6.31

(over 21) The minimum employers are allowed to pay per hour.

Living Wage

£7.45

The amount experts believe is needed for a “minimum acceptable standard of living”.

04 www.gmb.org.uk

r o f l i c n u o c s GMB slam shirking Living Wage

W

hen East Riding of Yorkshire Council announced it would not be paying the Living Wage, GMB members working at the authority mounted a campaign to change its mind. All over the country, councils such as Birmingham, Oxford and Preston are paying this wage, but still East Riding of Yorkshire council refuses!

The living wage is £7.45 an hour, the amount experts believe is needed for a “minimum acceptable standard of living” in today’s society. Almost 100 organisations in both the public and private sectors have already agreed to be Living Wage employers.

Pay freezes are rife throughout the economy but GMB believes the council should be setting an example to other organisations in the area

by becoming a Living Wage employer instead of a minimum wage employer.

David Smith, Head of HR at East Riding of Yorkshire Council says that there are no plans to implement the Living Wage. However, the impact of introducing the Living Wage across the country would lift two million people out of poverty.

GMB organisation officer Ester Marriott said: “To not pay the Living Wage and lift their employees out of poverty is a damned disgrace – the council should be setting an example not refusing to pay.” She went on to say: “We are holding regular events, mostly in Beverley and jointly with the Labour Party, to collect signatures for our petition. We are not going to accept this from East Riding of Yorkshire Council.”

SIGN up for the GMB eNEWSletter AT www.gmb.org.uk

regional

Just the picket!

GMB’s RAF picket line wins war on wages GMB members working at RAF College Cranwell will forever remember 20 June 2013. This was the day that, after months of mistreatment, they held the first ever picket line outside the site.

Strike action took place at RAF Cranwell and RAF Scampton in the GMB Midlands Region as well as other sites across the country. The action was brought after contractor ISS refused to speak to GMB about better pay for members. Following a meeting in January, ISS repeatedly turned down requests to get back around the table; and when GMB’s ballot came back in favour of industrial action, the employer told members to do their worst!

On the day there was a fantastic turnout and the pickets covered gates all along Cranwell Avenue, through the heart of the station. Val Upton, GMB branch secretary, commented: "It really is a sad day and none of us wanted to have to do this but we really were left with no choice.”

Local press covered the story and questions were asked in the Houses of Parliament and in the European Parliament about the behaviour of ISS.

Sian McClarence, GMB regional organiser, was delighted that the strike had its desired effect. "I am pleased to say that there is a happy ending to this. ISS finally got back around the table with us and we have managed to get a much improved offer that members have accepted.

“Let’s hope that our relationship with ISS improves going forward and that members don't find themselves having to make these tough decisions again to get a fair pay award."

“ISS finally got back around the table with us.”

What’s in store?

GMB prepares to visit Asda stores across the region As part of the ongoing phased access into all Asda Stores, GMB is very pleased to announce that, starting in Quarter 1 of 2014, it will have access to visit all Asda stores in the Midlands and East Coast region.

Rachelle Wilkins, GMB lead organiser for Asda stores, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for 2014 that really gives us the impetus to start to put down solid roots in these stores; to introduce our GMB@Work ethos; and to introduce new members to the benefits of joining GMB. We will be aiming to cover all shifts on visits and Asda employees will be allowed 20 minutes off their shift to come and speak with us about joining GMB.” “We will also be looking to recruit workplace organisers and health and safety reps in all of our Asda stores in the region.”

Want to be ? a GMB rep becoming a GMB

rachelle wilkins GMB organiser for Asda.

If you are interested in health and safety rep, workplace organiser or ilkins@gmb.org.uk please email rachelle.w

Want us to visit ore? you in st visit your Asda store, To arrange for GMB to ilkins@gmb.org.uk please email rachelle.w rg.uk b.o or elaine.barratt@gm

www.gmb.org.uk 05

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

All

ONE DIRECTION The Austerity Bus tackles unfair government cuts.

aboard! ity GMB members support the Auster Bus as it visits Nottingham

G

MB was pleased to support the TUC’s Austerity Bus as it visited Nottingham over a few days this Summer. Keen to support the initiative, GMB organiser Chris Needham attended the Ilkeston site, where the bus stayed for several hours before moving into the Nottingham area.

The bus is designed to move around the UK, visiting areas in which the TUC feels support is most needed. All Summer the bus hosted workshops that included video and radio interviews revealing the hardships faced by GMB members.

As it travelled the country, the Austerity Bus raised awareness of this government’s policy of targeting the most vulnerable people in the country as it continues to make its severe cuts.

06 www.gmb.org.uk

BECOME ORKPLA CE ORGAN www.gmb ISER

A GMat SIGN UP FOR THE GMB eNewsletter B www.gmb.org.uk W .org.uk

A grand

effort

gmb shows pride Members get colourful for Nottingham Pride festival

Food for thought GMB’s David Shamma and Colin Gunter with food bank project co-ordinator Brian Hanbury.

GMB raises £1,000 for food bank With more people on the breadline every day, food banks in the UK are on the rise. It is a sad fact that, with a gloomy economy and a government intent on punishing the vulnerable, more and more people rely on food banks to eat.

Enabling families to eat is an expensive business and these banks rely on charitable donations to continue their work. Spotting a good cause, Colin Gunter, GMB branch secretary, set about raising money for his local food bank in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Thanks to Colin’s hard work and truly extensive efforts, a donation of £1,000 was secured from GMB to contribute towards the running of the food bank.

regional

Grantham food bank is staffed by unpaid volunteers and survives solely on donations.

It is there to provide crisis support for people in the most desperate circumstances. All clients are referred via external agencies and food is distributed on a voucher system, just three times to any one client. This is how stretched resources are.

GMB regional organiser David Shamma commented: “It is a terrible indictment on a government policy of cuts and austerity that we are seeing the rise of food banks right across the country. However, if it wasn’t for the sterling work carried out by the food bank volunteers here in Grantham then there would be hundreds of people going hungry.”

Rainbow Castle

GMB activists were out in force on 27 July when they flocked to Nottingham Arboretum to support Gay Pride.

After three successful years on the Nottingham Forest Recreation Ground, Pride’s return to the Arboretum gave this year’s event a lift. Gary Chambers, GMB Nottingham City branch secretary, commented that it was a friendlier place to be, adding that the weather helped too as the sun shone all day.

GMB had a huge presence on the site with GMB EMAS in attendance with their antique ambulances. This was also supported by GMB Community Branch, which is based in Nottingham.

GMB organiser Chris Needham commented that thanks to everyone’s hard work, GMB had the highest profile of any of the trade unions at Pride. GMB had three stalls giving information to visitors on the day.

Equality is important to GMB and Chris further emphasised the importance of gay pride, pointing out that it is not just about gay and lesbian people but the entire community working in harmony.

Nottingham celebrates IDAHO Day

Every year, 17 May is IDAHO day (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia), when awareness is raised of victims of homophobia and transphobia internationally.

This year, Nottingham City Council’s LGBT Employee Support Network lit up Nottingham Castle in rainbow colours to celebrate the day – something that has never been done before. The LGBT Employee Support Network also encouraged staff to support the day by

wearing rainbow colours and City Council employees were given the opportunity to wear an IDAHO sticker.

The chair of Nottingham City Council’s Employee Support Network and GMB equality officer for Nottingham City Branch, Rosey Cox, said: “This was a momentous occasion for a momentous cause.”

For more information on GMB’s new LGBT campaign – Putting the T back in LGBT – turn to page 24.

Flying the flag GMB members supported Nottingham Pride event.

www.gmb.org.uk 07

regional

Update your GMB Profile www.g mb.or

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

g.uk

e h t r o f g n i Build

FUTURE

B

ack in August, GMB Midlands and East Coast region held its first future candidates training weekend at Northern College in Barnsley. 40 GMB members from across the region attended an intensive two-day course in which they were given the opportunity to develop a variety of skills including how to deal with the broadcast media and how to win elections.

Karen Coffey from the Leicestershire 2000 branch said: “The weekend was fantastic. I learnt so much, made some great friends and left inspired to get more involved with the Labour Party. With this, along with the support of GMB, I really feel I can make a difference in my community. I would strongly recommend it to any interested GMB member.”

Download the Layar app to your smartphone or tablet to watch Kerry’s story about getting involved in the Labour Party.

08 www.gmb.org.uk

make a difference! urse will The future candidates co 14.

20 rly ea in ain be running ag st, ere int ur yo To register please email sarah.worth@ gmb.org.uk

l na O I T NA

E T A D P U

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

Bring YOUR mag to life!

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.

’ s r e k r o w h it w g in r Interfe union rights should be a B M G s y a s , e c n e ff criminal o

Rex Features/iStock

T

he TUC Congress has backed a GMB call for laws to make it a criminal offence for hostile employers to interfere with the civil rights of workers who seek the support of a trade union when they have problems at work.

Martin Smith, GMB national organiser, said: “So hostile are employers like Amazon, Next and Sports Direct that union organisation is driven underground and union members are forced to adopt the tactics of the French Resistance or a human rights campaign under a totalitarian regime. The blacklisting of 3,214 construction workers across the country shows that

GET ON THE CASE! We need a Leveson-style inquiry into blacklisting.

corporations are unafraid to take this kind of action.”

Martin’s comments come at a time when unions are unhappy that companies who have blacklisted workers have still not been held accountable. GMB wants a Levesonstyle inquiry into the practice.

Martin added: “Oppressive activity at work that denies our members their basic human rights should be against the law. GMB calls on the next Labour government to make it a criminal offence for an employer to deny workers their basic right to organise themselves and seek the support of a trade union when they have problems at work.”

SEE YOU IN COURT! GMB activists protest outside Swansea Crown Court.

are you On the Blacklist?

Contact Phil Read, GMB r blacklisting Liaison Office or 7 99 on 07840 897 k blacklisted@gmb.org.u

TURN OVER FOR MORE ON EMPLOYER HOSTILITY www.gmb.org.uk 09

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

s i h t s s o b r u o is y

E

Daily Mirror columnist Paul Routledge on how GMB is fighting employer hostility

very employee is free to join a trade union – and not get the sack just for doing so.

That’s the theory. The reality on the shopfloor can be very different. As too many workers are finding, employer hostility is spreading throughout industry.

Two hundred years after the Tolpuddle Martyrs were transported to Australia for daring to organise themselves against starving wages, history is repeating itself.

Employers are targetting workers who seek to bring the benefits of trade unionism to their place of work. They might not be clapped in leg-irons and shipped off to Botany Bay, but they do face discrimination and even dismissal.

It takes a brave man or women to stand up for our rights supposedly guaranteed by law.

Thankfully, there are brave men and women in every workplace willing to take up the challenge. But they shouldn’t be left to fight alone. They need legal protection from employers like Next, Amazon and Sports Direct who actively prevent employees turning to unions when they have problems in the workplace.

Working people have a theoretical right under international law to free association and combination with whoever they choose.

But hostile employers deny this right by intimidating or victimising anyone who turns to a union for help. It’s time such intimidation was outlawed by making it a criminal offence interfere with workers exercising their civil

right to organise and seek the support of a trade union when they have problems.

The 2013 TUC Congress has endorsed this strategy after GMB national organiser Martin Smith urged that the next Labour government must do more than repeal old anti-union laws. They must deliver protection from bully bosses who strike fear into workers who join a union.

GMB in Amazon This corporate bullying is widespread. Take Amazon, the hugely successful online shopping firm. It takes billions of pounds in sales every year – on which they pay as little tax as possible.

GMB is committed to organising and representing workpeople at Amazon. Two thirds of the company’s 15,000 workers in this country are agency workers.

And the agency isn’t even a UK operation. It’s a Dutch agency, so they’re not protected by even the inadequate regulations applying to agencies here. They need a union, but they live in fear of what might happen if they dare let Amazon know they have joined and are organising support to resist a bullying management. Being a trade unionist at Amazon is like being in an underground movement, like the French wartime resistance.

It’s as bad as that. I can’t even tell you where these brave GMB members work

“Left to their own devices employers spy and they lie.”

10 www.gmb.org.uk

iStock x 3

Bring these pages to life! because they might be identified and their jobs put in jeopardy.

Or take Next, another shopping chain that makes handsome profits. Earlier this year, GMB members employed in their stores fought and won a campaign to stop the company from imposing a cut in hours worked for all workers to less than twelve and a half hours a week. The aim of this management trick was to avoid the company paying the employer’s share of National Insurance contributions, saving money and diminishing workers’ rights.

What we NEed That battle was won, but at a cost. There is a constant anxiety that Next will exact revenge and find pretexts to force them out of work because they forced the employer to back down – and that some of them have no protection from unfair dismissal.

Since April this year, if you want to challenge your employer for unfairly sacking you, you have to have worked for the company for two years – double the time under Labour. You have no rights if you’ve been there a year and 364 days. How many workers in retail are given jobs that last as long as that?

What’s more, if you go to an industrial tribunal, you’ll be required to pay as much as £1,200 – 200 hours working at the national minimum wage up front before they will hear your case. That’s the price of justice under the ConDem government.

It must be nervewracking to try to organise under such conditions.

But it shouldn’t be like that. The shadow of fear must be lifted from the exercise of this basic freedom to turn to a union for support when you have a problem at work.

With the demise of

INTIMIDATED AT WORK? GMB is tackling bosses who victimise union members.

NATional

traditional industries like coal and steel, employment has shifted to retail, distribution, information technology, call centres and similar workplaces.

They almost always lack representation, because business bosses are hostile and resistant to unions.

They don’t want workers to exercise their legal rights, meagre as they are. They hate the very idea of collective bargaining. They want to hire and fire without restraint. But NEXT UP Next workers vote for that’s where trade unionism the right to have a union. is most needed, and where it must go, to help those who into workplaces to deal need it most. with problems they face at work – if need be The demand is there. When GMB asked with sanctions against recalcitrant companies Asda distribution depot workers across the who refuse to toe the line.

UK what they want in recognition ballots an It can be done. A Labour government in overwhelming majority per cent voted in Wales has taken action to halt the scourge of favour. Even workers who didn’t want to join blacklisting by threatening to withhold themselves voted for the right for everyone contracts from firms proven to be engaged in to have representation. this obscene practise. Nothing persuades the This basic civil right should be enshrined in private sector faster than a possible ban on a new legal framework, within which bidding for lucrative public contracts. workpeople can feel confident of getting The blacklisting scandal shows that left to together for the common good without their own devices employers spy and they lie. looking over their shoulder for the boss What the companies say and what the bearing down on them with a P45. companies do are two different things.

For any worker to be represented by a trade t Labour Suppor union in their workplace is a civil right that must be protected to the highest level, with new That’s why GMB took the issue of employer legislation backed by imprisonment and hostility and the coalition attack on trade unlimited fines for anyone who interferes with it. union rights to the Labour conference.

For the Labour Party, these should be bread Delegates backed a call for the party and butter manifesto commitments right now. leadership to convene “as a matter of And if it can be done, it should be done. As urgency” a commission on employment Maria Ludkin, GMB’s legal officer, told the 2013 rights. The purpose of this body will not just Labour Conference : “We live in a country be to redress new anti-trade union policies with one of the most flexible Labour markets brought in by this government, but to give an in Europe. But at the same time some of the active right for workers to be able to turn to weakest employment rights in the western unions when they have problems at work. world. But this government is not content This is vital to winning the war for job with that. They have mounted a sustained security. As of now, firms like Amazon can just attack on the rights of working people, with a slam the door in the face of anyone seeking to systematic casualisation of labour, and organise a union presence. They can – and do comprehensive destruction of legal aid.

– put a Chinese wall around the workplace, “This is about millions of working people sealing off their employees from help. having the protection from a Labour A Labour government must change that, government that they will never get from the legislating to give employees total freedom to Tories or the Liberal Democrats. No more turn to unions when they need help. Nobody prevarication – but protection for the workers. is forced to join a union. The closed shop was “After all, how much more protection do ended years ago. Instead, we have closed employers need from working people?” minds – on the other side.

Hear, hear! Ed Miliband has shown he Ed Miliband has shown a willingness to take is willing to take on the might of the energy on the big battalions in the energy industry. barons with a gas and electricity price He’s ready to force firms to employ freeze. Now, he should listen to the voices apprentices. He should bring the same of ordinary workers who demand the right courage to the issue of employment and to join and organise without fear of trade union membership rights, compelling employer intimidation. employers to enable workers to bring unions www.gmb.org.uk 11

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Move Directo t D e b i t www.gmb .o

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

rg.uk

G

MB is seeking a minimum pay increase of £1 an hour for local council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to raise their pay level to a Living Wage hourly rate. GMB believe the same £1 an hour increase should also apply to all pay points above the bottom rate as well. Local council workers in Scotland are currently considering an offer for a Living Wage of £7.58 an hour from April 2014.

200,000 GMB members are covered by these agreements.

It is a scandal that 500,000 local government workers are paid below the current Living Wage of £7.45 (£8.55 in London) an hour. This rate will increase in November.

Politicians from all parties have recently called for action to deal with low pay and are encouraging individual local authorities to pay a Living Wage.

85 councils in England and Wales are now paying or are committed to paying a Living Wage.

All 32 councils in Scotland are currently paying the Living Wage or will be within a year.

Brian Strutton, GMB national secretary for public services, said: “One and a half million council workers have seen their living standards cut by 18 per cent and 400,000 of their colleagues have lost their jobs. I don’t believe any section of the economy has taken such an austerity hit as local authority staff.

Street cleaners, school dinner staff, social workers, gravediggers, classroom assistants and all the other unsung heroes serving their local communities deserve a decent pay rise.

GMB’s claim for £1 an hour is not a king’s ransom but it will go some way towards restoring the real pay cuts that council staff have endured. Politicians have been right to call for action on low pay to end the hardship facing those on poverty wages and boost demand in the economy. Low pay and poverty pay are endemic in local government with too many members now reliant on tax credits and pay day loans.”

We d deman

An extra

r u o An h 12 www.gmb.org.uk

Which councils pay a Living Wage?

• Ashfield • Barking and Dagenham • Barnsley • Bassetlaw • Blackpool • Birmingham • Braintree • Brent • Brighton and Hove • Bristol • Bromsgrove • Burnley, • Caerphilly • Calderdale • Camden • Cambridge • Cardiff • Carlisle • Cherwell • Chorley • City of London • Coventry • Crawley • Croydon • Dartford • Deal • Ealing • Enfield • Exeter • Gedling • Gloucester • Greenwich • Haringey • Harlow • Harrow • Hastings • Hessle Town • Hounslow • Hyndburn • Ipswich • Islington • North Kesteven • Lambeth • Lancaster • Leicester • Lewisham • Malvern Hills • Mansfield • Manchester • Melton Mowbray • Merton • Newark and Sherwood • Newham • Newcastle under Lyme • Newcastle upon Tyne • Newport • Norwich • Nottingham • Oldham • Oxford • Plymouth • Preston • Redcar and Cleveland • Rossendale • Salford • Sandwell • Scarborough • Sheffield • Slough • South Gloucestershire • South Hams • Southwark • Stroud • Surrey • Swindon • Swansea • Tamworth • Thurrock • Tower Hamlets • South Tyneside • Walsall • Winchester • Wirral • Worcester • Wolverhampton • Wyre Forest • York • All 32 councils in Scotland now pay or are soon to begin paying a Living Wage.

iStock

£1 an hour pay rise to achieve Living Wage for local government workers

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Paul kenn y

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says

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

The determination to fight blacklisting is among our finest achievements

T

he recent startling revelations that the police and other state controlled bodies have been found to have provided information to the anti trade union blacklisting company “The Consulting Association” may have come as a shock to MPs, journalists and some others in the world. But for many of us this was just confirmation of what we always knew but could never prove.

This company, now defunct, was funded and controlled by a large number of private sector companies whose intent was to discriminate and thereby victimise trade union members whose only crime was to ask about health and safety or attend meetings.

Many victims of this evil intrusion into the most basic of our civil rights were denied employment and suffered huge damage to their personal lives and that of their families.

The truth Will out GMB has been fighting to uncover the truth for years and now, working with the Blacklist Support Group and others, we are beginning to see the layers of lies and corruption peeled back to expose the rotten core of how employers and state

conspired to interfere with and destroy the right of working people to organise.

What has also shocked many is the extent of the blacklisting: lawyers, journalists, peace campaigners, environmentalists and the latest victim to be uncovered – the comedian and campaigner for freedom Mark Thomas.

The whole story of this disgraceful episode would take more column inches than I am allowed but thousands of ordinary men and women were blacklisted and 2,768 still don’t know they are on the list because the government department responsible for dealing with this has failed to contact them!

This in itself raises huge questions about the role government has played in seeking to cover this up.

The so-called Information commission seems to be anything but when it comes to giving people information relating to behaviour from employers and the state.

In recent days, eight of the largest companies involved in organising, funding and controlling this blacklisting operation have admitted their involvement and offered an apology and a compensation scheme for affected victims.

GMB’s position has been that tough measures must be taken with these companies, though these may be far from

enough to stop this all happening again.

New tough laws to protect the rights of workers trying to organise a union in their workplace or in their community must have protection from discrimination and victimisation. The work done in exposing this evil conspiracy will all count for nothing if the law continues to fail ordinary people exercising their civil rights.

Deleting the list In the coming months, GMB will continue to campaign for a public inquiry into the collusion between the state and certain employers which not only allowed this blacklisting to exist but actually encouraged and supported it.

GMB has done many things of which we can be proud during our history but I believe the determination shown to fight and expose blacklisting will rank among our finest achievements.

The right of people to exercise their civil freedoms to organise, demonstrate or just question those who govern us at work or in society is such a basic right that it cannot be given away by apathy.

On page 9 of this magazine you will find details of GMB’s campaign and how to find out if you or anyone you know is on the list and may be liable for compensation. www.gmb.org.uk 13

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

e h t n o w u o Have y

l a n o i Reg lottery?

GMB map reveals economic activity across the UK and Ireland

Northern Ireland 86%

Border, Midland and Western 85%

A

key map (opposite) sums up how much economic activity there is per resident in all the 39 sub regions of the UK and Ireland where GMB members live. The result for each area is shown as a percentage of the average across all 27 countries in the European Union (EU).

It will come as no surprise that inner London has the highest level of economic output per resident at nearly three times that of the European average.

It will be a surprise that for the South East of England, far from all of it being an 14 www.gmb.org.uk

economic success story, there are areas below the average. The latest figures are for 2010 but there has been little or no recovery since then. Few will realise that the economies of the North East of Scotland, Southern and Eastern Ireland and Cheshire or those areas off the M4 corridor are stronger than Essex or Kent.

In fact in 26 of the 39 sub regions in the UK and Ireland, regional gross domestic product per resident is below the average per resident in the EU.

Southern and Eastern 145%

Gross domestic product (GDP) in an area is made up of all economic activity including farming and fishing, mining, oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, construction, utilities, transport and commercial and public services.

GDP is a key measure of an area’s economic development and is often used as an indicator of living standards.

Rex Features x 2

POWER HOUSES London’s financial districts host the wealth of the nation.

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NATional Upda your GtMe Prof B www.gmb ile .or g.uk

Highlands and Islands 87%

Eastern Scotland 109%

North Eastern Scotland 162%

“This GMB map should sound a clarion call for investment.”

INDUSTRIAL HEART Fossil fuel extraction props up regional economies.

The map confirms that Mrs Thatcher’s legacy to the old industrial heartlands in the UK is that they have fallen far behind 88% the EU average in terms of output and living standards.

Tess Valley In West Wales and the Valleys gross and Durham domestic product per resident is the 77% Cumbria lowest of the 39 areas in these islands 94% West Yorkshire at 70 per cent of the EU average.

North The next ten lowest are: Cornwall Lancashire Yorkshire and Isles of Scilly (72 per cent), East Yorkshire and 93% Tees Valley and Durham (77 Northern Lincolnshire Greater Manchester per cent), Lincolnshire (78 per 83% 81% cent), Merseyside, East South Yorkshire 95% Merseyside Yorkshire and Northern 96% Lincolnshire, South Leicestershire, Rutland 81% 81% Yorkshire and Shropshire and Northamptonshire Lincolnshire and Staffordshire (all on 81 78% Cheshire Derbyshire Bedfordshire and per cent), Lancashire (83 118% and Notts Hertfordshire per cent), Border, Midland 92% and Western in Ireland (85 Shropshire and Staffordshire per cent) and Northern Ireland 81% West Midlands (86 per cent).

East Anglia 95% 104% Herefordshire, This GMB map should sound a 100% Worcestershire clarion call for investment that and Warwickshire 94% will bring jobs and prosperity to East West Wales Wales the old industrial heartlands and the and The 100% 113% rural areas that desperately need it.

Berkshire, Valleys Essex Politicians must heed that call with 70% Bucks and 89% regional policies. The devolution of Oxfordshire economic powers to local and regional 115% Gloucestershire, 143% level is essential. GMB will lead the calls Wiltshire and for action.

Bristol/Bath Kent 109% New jobs and investment has to be Dorset and 90% 114% the top priority for national and Cornwall and Somerset Isles of Scilly local governments and the EU. The Devon 92% 87% public and private sectors must Inner London co-operate to achieve this growth 328% 72% and development as neither can Hampshire and Surrey, East and Outer London do it on their own.

Isle of Wight West Sussex 95% South Western Scotland 109%

Northumberland and Tyne and Wear

www.gmb.org.uk 15

national

UPDATE get online with GMB from GMB All the news

www.gmb.org.uk GMB’s website lets you manage your membership and keep up to date

I

f you’re not registered online, it’s easy to sign up. Go to www.gmb.org.uk and click GMB ‘member login’. You’ll just need your GMB membership number.

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

Get the GMB App Get the latest from GMB wherever you are with the new GMB app. Since the app was launched a few months ago, thousands of members have downloaded it to their smartphones. It’s available to download now 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

case study Gavin Palmer “I’m really glad I have it. It’s so convenient and easy to use – it puts all your membership information at your fingertips. I talk to a lot of members and I always recommend the GMB app.” Gavin Palmer is a GMB workplace organiser at Barking and Daggenham Local Authority. Representing members across the borough, he doens’t always have access to a computer, so getting the GMB app on his smartphone has proved invaluable.

Site Update!

Fresh tools online!

Are you looking to up-skill or organise your workplace? We’re updating the GMB@Work resources online so GMB post holders will be able to download everything they need. From training information to health and safety regulations, you’re just a couple of clicks away from making your workplace stronger and safer.

Go to www.gmb.org.uk/gmb-at-work 16 www.gmb.org.uk

SIGN up for the GMB eNEWSletter AT www.gmb.org.uk Bring these pages to life!

regional NATional exclus ive to

gmb

membe rs prize dra w

“I won a car with GMB – now it’s

your turn!”

D

iStock/ Car winner Kevin Nixon

irect Debit members will be in with a chance to win this gorgeous Toyota Aygo worth £9,000. You can be a winner regardless of whether you already pay by Direct Debit or are switching now – all you have to do is enter our prize draw. The draw closes at midnight on 31 December 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. Your membership is not made known to your employer.

• 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.

• There’s no need to go through any boring admin to keep your GMB membership up to date. It’s all handled for you!

Last issue’s Toyota Aygo winner Annette Kay said: “I went to the GMB website to update my details and pressed the button to enter the competition. Now I’m a winner.” Use the Layar app to see the full interview on your sma rtphone.

Runners up: Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region’s Mrs K Hibbet won an iPad . Birmingham and West Midlands Region’s Mrs R Wils on won an iPhone.

Switch to Direct Debit to enter this exclusive GMB prize draw to win a Toyota Aygo worth £9,000

Reasons to switch away from check-off • GMB pays an administration fee on this.

• Help GMB make that saving by switching away from check-off to Direct Debit.

design a new banner for gmb

how to enter Simply 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 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. You can also enter by post.

Just write to Freepost RSTL-ULCH-JBET GMB, 22 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD, and request to switch your payment to Direct Debit – good luck!

TERMS & CONDITIONS The winning entry will be drawn at random from GMB members who pay their GMB subscription by Direct Debit. It will be drawn after midnight on the closing date of 31 December 2013. 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 signed up to Direct Debit at midnight on 31 December 2013. This prize draw is not open to any GMB employees or family members. The result of the draw is final. All entrants agree to publicity in GMB material. Only one entry per eligible GMB member.

FLY YOUR FLAG You could create ou r new GMB banner.

This is your chance to be part of GMB history and win £1,000 by designin g new GMB banners. Designs should cele brate what it means to be a GMB member today. Entries will be judged by Mar y Turner, GMB President, who is look ing forward to seeing your ideas!

Enter now at www.gmb.org.uk/ gmb-banner-competition but be quick!

The draw closes at midnight on 31 December 2013. www.gmb.org.uk 17

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

are

NHS staff told to join GMB before it’s too late

T

housands of NHS employees are facing a grim future as the Tory-led coalition opens the health service to private companies. GMB has concerns that, as well as inviting profiteers to take over our NHS, the government is allowing the all-important TUPE regulations to be eroded. GMB is telling those who want to protect their pay, holidays and rights at work to join now before it’s too late!

The TUPE (Transfer of undertakings and protection of employment) regulations were set up to ensure that employees’ rights are not infringed upon when their employment is passed from one employer to another. As the coalition continues to allow private profiteers to take over sections of the NHS, thousands of GMB members are relying on TUPE to ensure their interests are protected.

Employment relations minister Jo Swinson said: “TUPE rules are essential to making sure that when a business is transferred from one

ON THE LOOKOUT NHS staff should be wary of new employers.

company to another, it happens in a fair and efficient way. There have been some areas of uncertainty and confusion for businesses trying to comply.”

GMB members have been victims of the employment practices of private companies who are buying up sections of the NHS. Maria Ludkin, GMB legal and corporate affairs officer, said: “It is the major companies that profit NHS UNDER THREAT from work paid by public funds who GMB members have made clear . are the primary movers behind their objection to NHS privatisation these attacks on the protective concerned about their pay and TUPE legislation. These employers are also employment conditions is to join GMB. Your major donors to the local GMB branch and representative will be Tory Party. Therefore it able to offer vital assistance if any difficulty is no surprise to GMB with your new employer arises or if you are members who have involved in an incident at work. If you have been victims of the any colleagues who are yet to become GMB employment practices members, make sure they join up. of these companies The more members we gather in that they successfully threatened workplaces, the better equipped pushed through these we will be to fight any injustices. changes to the rules Tell your colleagues to join GMB now at and regulations.” www.gmb.org.uk/join The best first step for NHS staff who are

18 www.gmb.org.uk

iStock x 2

“These private companies are also major donors to the Tory party.”

national

E BECOMB A GM CE LA O W RKP SER ANI ORG .org.uk

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

www.gmb

meet

the new

gas et’s put L man labour

GMB stalwart Aubrey Thompson takes over as industrial side chair Aubrey Thompson joined GMB on his first day at British Gas back in 1975. Having established himself as a reliable and dedicated GMB rep and member, Aubrey is proudly stepping up to the role of GMB industrial side chair.

Aubrey became a rep before the age of 25 when he was asked to represent his service and repair colleagues at the Macclesfield British Gas depot. Shortly afterwards the distribution engineers in the same area asked him to be their rep. Within a few months he was looking after more than 60 colleagues.

In 1999 he was asked by his GMB colleagues to become their regional steward and within a month was elected to be the area joint secretary, starting work immediately on the 2000 Agreement.

We congratulate Aubrey and wish him even more success in his new position.

20 www.gmb.org.uk

in power

Labour’s new policies could bring about a Labour government in 2015

T

he new Labour manifesto demonstrates that a Labour government will be on the side of ordinary families. There is a real difference between a Labour government and the incumbent Tory/Lib Dem coalition.

The last Labour government set up the National Minimum Wage (NMW), increased pensions and child benefit, introduced the right to paid holidays and brought in the pension protection fund, which protects pensions when firms go bust.

There was an outcry from the energy companies about the freezing of energy bills proposed by Ed Miliband. They say

this would result in power cuts and the lights going out. But this is just scaremongering born of their concerns over their profit margins. The same tactics were used when the Labour government announced the introduction of the National Minimum Wage. The Tories said it would cost a million jobs. In fact it raised two million people out of poverty.

We must stop the attacks that this government is inflicting on society. To do that we need Labour Party policies we can campaign on.

The ConDem politicians continue to blame the last Labour government for the 2008 economic meltdown. In fact the

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NATional

GMB

tacts political con

Get in touch with your regional political officer GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Region Stephanie Peacock 0121 550 4888 stephanie.peacock@gmb.org.uk

GMB London Region Gary Doolan 020 7391 6748 gary.doolan@gmb.org.uk

GMB Midland & East Coast Region

Richard Oliver 0115 960 7171 richard.oliver@gmb.org.uk

GMB Northern Region Chris Jukes 0191 233 3930 chris.Jukes@gmb.org.uk

GMB North West & Irish Region Neil Smith 0151 727 0077 neil.smith@gmb.org.uk

GMB Scotland

Richard Leonard 0141 332 8641 richard.leonard@gmb.org.uk

GMB Southern Region Michelle Gordon 020 8397 8881 michelle.gordon@gmb.org.uk

GMB Wales & South West Region

Rex Features x 5/iStock

Labour’s new policies global economic crisis started in America and spread throughout the developed world.

It was the action taken by Gordon Brown and the Labour Government, ploughing money into the economy, that ensured that the UK’s ATMs remained full. Otherwise our economy would have crashed. It was this action that actually saved the UK economy and, yes, it’s created a deficit that needs paying back. The best and quickest way to pay it back is to stimulate growth and create jobs.

Freezing energy bills for 20 month s to sort out the m arket and the energy compani es and introduce a tougher new regu lator.

An increase from 15 to 25 hours of free child care fo r three and fouryear-olds to help working parents make it worthwh ile going out to work to provide for their families.

A commitment to abolishing the ‘bedroom tax’ th at is making life so difficult for disabl ed people.

A pledge that 20 0,000 new hom es will be built, pena lising developers that hoard land an d freeing council s from planning re gulations.

Mike Payne 029 2049 1260 mike.payne@gmb.org.uk

GMB Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Region Steve Jennings 0845 337 7777 steve.jennings@gmb.org.uk

GMB Euston Political Team Cath Speight, national political officer 020 7391 6746 Heidi Benzing 020 7391 6749 Gary Doolan 020 7391 6748 Hilary Perrin 020 7391 6753

e! get onrtylin what you

Tell the Labour Pa esto at want in the Labour Manif k g.u .or ain rit rb www.you y ne mo ing giv Find out who’s at s rie To to the searchthemoney.com

www.gmb.org.uk 21

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

GMB SUPPORT GMB members have raised the profile of the ARC.

0 0 0 , 3 €2 is just a start

raised

Grainne Griffin on how GMB members are helping the Irish Abortion Rights Campaign

T

he Abortion Rights Campaign This is a terrible injustice to the women and (ARC) is a movement for choice families who have suffered the indignity of and change in Ireland and Northern travel to access an abortion. The bill is also Ireland. It campaigns for free, safe problematic for women facing emergency and legal abortion. The ARC has joined forces medical situations like those faced by Savita with the Workers Beer Company (WBC) and Halannapavar, who died when she was denied GMB’s members to an abortion. raise money to fight The Irish ARC’s for Irish women to relationship with the have the same rights WBC started earlier as women in Britain. this year when it was The results have been approved to be a amazing! The volunteer group. relationship has led to Asking for volunteers an influx of volunteers to work at bars and a huge fundraising proved a hit with ARC UNION BONDS boost, helping the ARC The Workers Beer Company supporters, attracting take its message to an a large base of young joined forces with the ARC. even wider audience. people only too The legislation recently introduced in happy to work at some of the biggest music Ireland, ‘The Protection of Life in Pregnancy events in Ireland this summer.

Bill’ does not establish safe and accessible Working with GMB members from the abortion. The bill means that a person can North West and Irish region and WBC brought have a termination if they are dying, and their some unexpected bonuses. Our request for life can only be saved by having an abortion. volunteers brought hundreds of people into However the fact remains that a clear contact with ARC’s campaign for choice. We majority of people in Ireland support wider received nearly 500 applications in just three access to termination. hours after posting the request on Facebook!

22 www.gmb.org.uk

We now have hundreds of new recipients for our email bulletin too. The bonds built behind bars this summer will help build an active campaign. Indeed, many WBC volunteers helped steward this year’s March for Choice!

172 volunteers, five concerts and three festivals later, WBC volunteers raised €23,000 for ARC. Even more significantly, strong relationships have been built. Strong union support will be essential to bringing in constitutional change in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Our work with WBC and GMB was a great step on the road to full union support of a pro-choice agenda. The Abortion Rights Campaign look forward to working with all unions across Ireland and Northern Ireland to develop their policies on abortion rights.

get involved

to the To volunteer or sign up it: vis ter let ws ARC’s ne www.abortionrights campaign.ie

NATional

Bring these pages to life!

Worldwide

Solidarity

BECOME A GM HealthB safety & rep w ww.gmb .org.uk

GMB members have donated £33,000 to the International Solidarity Fund

T

he International Solidarity Fund was officially launched at GMB Congress in June, 2011. Since then GMB members from 42 branches have shown their support for union members across the globe and donated more than £33,000 towards trade unions in Latin America’s agricultural sector.

GMB works with the Latin American Coordinating Body of Latin American Banana and Agro-industrial Unions, known as COLSIBA, part of the International Union of Food Workers (IUF). Despite the global reach of international trade union bodies, GMB members’ help is vital in their fight for bargaining rights and in giving their union organisers the power to get decent work for the men and women who produce the pineapples and bananas sold in UK supermarkets.

FAIRER FRUIT GMB is helping Latin American farmers get a better deal.

War on want/Jim Peterson

Who we’ve helped

GMB members’ donations to the International Solidarity Fund have already helped: • Nicaraguan union, FETRABACH, to get a 30 per cent pay rise for its members in one of Central America’s poorest countries • New Peruvian union SITAG, representing over 5,000 workers in the production and export of bananas, to train workers about women’s leadership, health and safety, HIV/AIDS prevention and collective bargaining • SITAG to get jobs back for 33 sacked workers and recruit hundreds of new fee paying members that strengthen the organisation and make it financially independent.

SHOW OF HANDS Who’s been helped by GMB’s International Solidarity Fund?

Workers on tropical fruit plantations endure harsh conditions. Union-busting firms operate in most producer countries and some activists are in fear for their lives.

Giant supermarket chains in Britain make upwards of a £1million a week surplus from the sale of bananas. Their suppliers can get as little as one per cent of the retail price but supermarket executives and shareholders benefit from profits measured in the billions.

Latin American workers sometimes don’t earn enough to feed themselves and their families. They and their unions are on the front line of the struggle for a social and economic justice. Their fight is our fight and GMB members can continue our support.

find out more

it For more information, vis t/ ou /ab .uk rg b.o www.gm out and gmb-international/ab officer, al on ati ern int contact GMB g ur nb we ou sch bert. @gmb.org.uk

www.gmb.org.uk 23

national

UPDATE

Putting the T

from GMB All the news

back in lgbt GMB Shout! launches project to stamp out transphobia

figures are growing,” said Sarah Hurley, GMB London region Shout! organiser at the GMB National Equality Conference. “From 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011 there have been approximately 816 reported killings of transgender people across 55 different countries.”

Shockingly, recent reports indicate that more than three quarters of gay, bisexual and lesbian hate crime victims did not report these incidents to the police, so the real number of attacks could be much higher than the number logged.

Life at work is not easy for transgender people either. Many face discrimination and, as an example, a survey conducted in 2000

rk Make it wo

of tively raising awareness GMB Shout! has been ac T the g ttin tly launched Pu trans equality. The recen B GM ll ensure that all Back in LGBT project wi to equipped with the tools are workplace organisers at mb co d ns members an fight for the rights of tra lace. rkp transphobia in their wo

Trans facts

lete lace organisers to comp GMB Shout! asked workp e Th e. lac rkp ness in their wo surveys on trans aware en be ve ha ys tastic as 704 surve response has been fan press. returned at the time of

kit GMB reps’ tool from these

The information surveys has been used to produce a toolkit for GMB reps. The toolkit will be launched on 20 November, International Trans HQ Memorial Day, at GMB il with vig it lel nd followed by a ca and ers mb me trans community s. ive political representat

9000

24 www.gmb.org.uk

EQUALITY FOR ALL Discrimination of trans people is still a problem. found just one in four transgender people were allowed to use the toilet of the sex they had transitioned to. This is why GMB workplace organisers will be given the tools they need to protect transgender members.

transgender agenda At the National Equality Conference , GMB Shout! raised motions on trans equality, includin g: • I ncreasing the knowledge and awareness with all stewards and equality officers so that they are aware of trans rights in the workplace and can challenge employers to implement policy and bes • F ully supporting all trans members in thet practice. workplace and looking to ensure those who wish to take part in their region’s equality networks can do so in the gender they identify as.

• T o support campaigns that seek to change the views of countries that consider transgender people mentally ill.

• T o support campaigns that are pushing for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to brin g forward the date of the reclassification of transgende r people as not mental ill from 2015.

olvedon get inv r more information

Fo BT email Putting the T Back in LG .uk .co ail otm @h gmbshout B GM the for rch or sea k.

Shout! page on Faceboo

iStock x 2

D

iscrimination is wrong.

Violence is wrong. That is why GMB stands up to those who would oppress us, whether at work, in our homes or on our streets.

GMB Shout! – the self-organised network of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) GMB members – has launched a campaign calling for an end to attacks on transgender people and offering GMB workplace organisers support in addressing the needs of transgender members.

“In the world there are reported to be at least 18.6m transgender people, while here in the UK there are approximately 65,000 people who are transgender and these

regional

regional

UPDATE from GMB All the news

Know your rights!

ains With hundreds of young members starting work, GMB rem committed to making sure that everyone knows their rights

40 5.6 hours Th

e maximum weekl working hours for y 16-17-year-olds.

health & safety Your employer:

WEEKS

The amount of are annual leave you ea ar u yo if entitled to r. ke or w e full-tim

Must make sure you are not injured or made ill at work.

Must work safely and co-operate with health and safety guidelines.

Must train you in relevant health and safety issues.

Must refuse to do something you think is dangerous.

equality

inated You have the right not to be discrimce, marital against because of your sex, age, ra ality, gender status, pregnancy, disability, sexu reassignment, religion or belief.

A study by Hays Recruitment Services asked young people what the top factor is in job satisfaction.

50% Feeling valued

42% Varied work

40%

Financial reward

£

national minimum wage £6.31 per hour for workers 21+

£5.03

for workers 18–20

£3.72

for workers 16–17

£2.68 29%

26%

Sense of Learning achievement opportunities

23%

Being part of a team

19%

Helping others

25%

Solving problems

11%

Feeling empowered

deductions

for apprentices working within their first year

Source Hay’s Report: Gen Y and the World of Work

What makes you happy at work?

You:

ht not to You have the rig ken from ta ns io ct have dedu agreed to. ss le un es ag your w

contracts

a written You should get two months contract within b. of starting a jo

studying

to time off You have a right 16 or 17. e ar u yo for study if

trade unions

ht to join a You have the rig as GMB trade union such ence rfer without any inte er. oy pl em ur yo from

ers mb e m g n u o y g in l l ca u feel is ideal What kind of boss do yo u?

Is your boss draining yo What would make you feel motivated u? yo lop ve de here the to drive and ney matters mentioned and satisfied? Are the mo you? Please contact us to let us to same issues that matter are sarah.worth@gmb.org.uk hts ug tho ur yo at wh know

www.gmb.org.uk 25

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

RETIRE FROM WORK NOT GM B www.g mb.o rg.uk

watch your

pension

Elizabeth Blackman of The Retired Members’ Association pushes for fairness in pension reform

B

ack in April 2011, the government published a green paper entitled A state pension for the 21st Century.

GMB Retired Members’ Association the National Pensioners’ and (RMA) Convention have serious concerns about the government’s plans and think they could lead to wage freezes and job cuts.

From April 2016 the state second pension is being abolished and merged with the basic state pension.

This means employees in final salary pension schemes in the public and private sector will no longer be able to contract-out of paying full National Insurance. They will be expected to pay an additional 1.4 per cent and their employers 3.4 per cent in National Insurance.

Private sector employers will be able to adjust by either reducing future pension rates or increasing employee contributions. In the public sector, however, the employer will not be able to pass on the cost of their additional 3.4 per cent contributions through reductions in future pension rates or increased employee

contributions. But it will still be expected by the treasury to fund the extra costs through wage freezes or reductions in staffing.

Retirement age is another issue. The equalisation of the state pension will not be finalised until 2018 and the single-tier pension will not be introduced until 2016. This means that 350,000 women born between April 1952 and July 1953 will retire on the old system just before the new proposals come into force, whereas a man born on the same day will retire slightly later and get a pension under the new arrangements.

“The state second pension surely d.” should be retaine

26 www.gmb.org.uk

Pension solutions Such haste only adds to the unfairness and complexity that already exists. Future pensioners will be asked to pay five years’ extra National Insurance contributions and will get a state pension that is less than they could earn under the current system.

The bill also proposes a link between the state pension age and life expectancy. But the Figures sourced from the National Pensioners’ Convention.

Pension power GMB Midlands and East Coast Retired Members’ Association.

fact that people are living longer does not mean they will be able to work longer.

The RMA propses a range of solutions that will keep pensions fair for the future: 1. Increase basic pension: Increasing the basic state pension to the official poverty level (estimated as £178 a week in 2012) is the most effective way of meeting the day-to-day needs of older people.

2. Keep the state second pension: The state second pension should be retained.

3. Annual updates: The basic and second state pensions should be updated annually.

4. Fix pension age: The state pension age for men and women should remain at 65 from 2020 without any automatic linking of pensions to life expectancy.

e RAMA ththe Join RM ng active in Becomi ancial can only improve your fin ct in pe res d an security, dignity retirement. To join, call Elizabeth Blackman on 0116 241 9472 or email e.blackman@sky.com

SIGN up for the GMB eNEWSletter AT www.gmb.org.uk

who gets it?

Leicester Nottingham North East Lincolnshire Derby

Number of beneficiaries

% of all people receiving state pension

Pension credit average weekly payment £

20,380

51.9

77.38

15,820

40.0

58.98

10,480

32.2

50.67

12,400

29.0

55.25

9,440

26.7

48.59

41,770

24.2

49.89

38,310

22.8

48.89

28,100

21.9

53.09

36,720

21.9

49.86

18,310

21.7

46.86

25,710

18.8

50.17

1,170

12.9

46.59

North Lincolnshire Lincolnshire Derbyshire Northamptonshire Nottinghamshire East Riding of Yorkshire Leicestershire

regional

Rutland

The table shows the number of pensioners across the region in receipt of pension credits in addition to the maximum basic state pension of £110.15 per week and additional £66 per week for a couple.

A big day out in Durham

Ian Selby Photography

gmb lincolnshire forum at the Durham miners gala GMB members from the Lincolnshire branch forum recently attended the 129th Durham Miners Gala. The day itself was to show support for the Durham Miners Association, which still provides a wide range of services for its members. It was also to celebrate one of the most famous days in the Labour movement calendar as thousands of trade union supporters gathered to show their solidarity with our movement’s ideals and ongoing struggles.

Jim Clarke, GMB Mid Lincs branch secretary, who did much to help organise the trip said: “As GMB activists we fight and campaign every day to try to achieve gains for our members in our own workplaces. However, it is events like this that demonstrate we are part of a much Standing proud wider movement and we should never be afraid to say flying that we are proud to be union members and we are proud GMB members olnshire County Linc the of our own history.” flag in Durham.

Jim also thanked the region for providing financial support to allow the trip to happen.

www.gmb.org.uk 27

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

health & safety

update

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

GMB wins for members who are injured at work

G

MB is dedicated to protecting members at work.

Whenever members are hurt or injured because their employer neglects their health and safety responsibilities, GMB is on hand to ensure they get the compensation they deserve. These two recent cases show that when employers let their standards slip, GMB is there to help its members.

£10,000 compensation for shower slip member

28 www.gmb.org.uk

DANGER SIGNS Employers are obliged to create safe environments. he is now unable to carry heavy goods.

The member contacted GMB, and our legal service took the case and secured a satisfactory settlement.

The member said: “My consultant explained that I could never do any heavy lifting or strenuous work again, which at my age is very disappointing.”

Andy Worth, GMB regional secretary, said: “Employees have the right to go into work safe in the knowledge that there are systems in place to ensure they can leave unharmed at the end of the day. Where vehicles are in operation there are very clear rules and employers are expected to make sure employees abide by them.”

Injured at work?

at If you have been injured B. GM ct work, conta www.gmb.org.uk

iStock

GMB has secured £10,000 in damages for a 64-year-old member who was left with broken ribs and a punctured lung after his employer failed to make the onsite showers safe.

Terrence Featherstone was working as a production operative for Stanton Bonna Concrete Ltd when he used the onsite showers after his shift. As he was walking to culture’ but clearly one small slip can cause the changing area he slipped on the smooth, serious damage, as Terrence knows only wet concrete and fell onto nearby concrete too well.” steps, leaving him with cracked ribs and a punctured lung.

Despite being an obvious source of Asda crash potential accidents, the surface of the steps compensation had not been covered with slip-resistant materials. Terrence said: “It seems like some GMB has won compensation for a member non-slip mats are such a small thing to have who injured his back in a vehicle collision at taken care of; but my employers completely Asda. The 52-year-old member was getting overlooked them and I paid the price with a out of a picker truck when a colleague behind punctured lung and the wheel of a reach truck turned a cracked ribs.” corner without looking and Claire White, the collided into the side of solicitor instructed his vehicle.

by GMB to The impact represent Mr shunted the picker Featherstone, truck into the said: “Health and member’s lower safety at work is back. He was left not a trivial matter. with a swollen There is a tendency spine and sometimes to make needed three light of slips and months of DRIVE SAFELY trips and say physiotherapy to help There are clear rules they’re to blame for repair the injury. Following the about vehicle safety. a supposed ‘compensation accident his role has changed as

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

making

the grade

Cathy Mason wins Advanced Learner of the Year Award

Y

ou may remember Cathy Mason from the last issue of Contact, in which she told us how GMB membership has led her into education. Cathy’s passion for learning has paid off in spades, as she is not only more qualified, but has also been presented with the Advanced Learner of the Year Award at Central College Nottingham’s annual student awards ceremony.

At the lavish awards evening, Cathy triumphed over two other students to scoop the prestigious prize. Colin Nolan, course coordinator for trade union studies at Central College Nottingham said: “I can

honestly say it has been a real pleasure to see Cathy grow in confidence. We all knew the ability was clearly always there, but over the last few years she has progressed from the GMB Workplace Organisers’ Induction course right through to the TUC Diploma in Employment Law. Following that she went on to complete the Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, and then on to Keele University! She works us tutors hard and keeps us on our toes but we are very proud of her!”

Good as

THE WINNER IS...

Cathy collects her prestigious award.

GMB regional education & health and safety officer Craig Stuart said: “Everyone at GMB Midlands and East Coast will, I’m sure, join us in congratulating Cathy. She is a real battler who has always kept the interests of her GMB members at the heart of everything she does.”

Gold

GMB member John Walker celebrates mayoral victory

GOLD STANDARD John looks forward to a fourth term as mayor.

30 www.gmb.org.uk

GMB member John Walker has been elected Mayor of Alfreton for a fourth time. A well-known face in town, John has years of council experience and has already held the top office in 1992–3, 1996–7and 2003–4.

As well as serving the town as a councillor, John is a passionate GMB member who has spent years supporting his colleagues at Amber Valley, where he worked as a refuse collector. John joined GMB in 1967 and in 1993 became the Amber Valley GMB branch secretary – a position he retained even after his retirement in 1998.

Dedicated to his town, John is a keen supporter of both Alfreton Town Football Club and Alfreton Cricket Club. His son Scott is a member of the town council and his youngest son, Matthew, is also a GMB member.

Councillor Walker told members that he was grateful for the opportunity and is keen to make sure that Alfreton continues to be well supported by the town council.

John’s Charity for his municipal year is the local branch of Diabetes UK and he will be involved in a range of fundraising projects for that good cause.

SIGN up for the GMB eNEWSletter AT www.gmb.org.uk injured ? orgk at w .uk .gmb.or www

Top fellows David Shamma presents Ken Fellows with a Certificate of Merit.

Good luck Ken! GMB stalwart Ken Fellows stands down after nearly 25 years After nearly 25 years as branch secretary for GMB Peterborough Food and Allied branch, Ken Fellows has decided to allow someone else to take the reins.

Ken said: “I have always been honoured to represent my members but after nearly a quarter of a century, I think it is time to let someone else have a go.”

The branch elected Jimmy Golding to replace Ken, who has promised Jimmy his full support in the transition.

GMB regional organiser David Shamma presented Ken with a Certificate of Merit.

He said: “I would like to put on record my own personal thanks to Ken for all his hard work and support over the years.”

GMB 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

STEVE FEATHERSTONE Steve Featherstone, the former full-time GMB organiser, passed away in May 2013 aged 59. Steve came from the gas industry to work as a full-time GMB officer, representing members in the Hull area of the region until he left GMB in April 2005.

Steve worked tirelessly on behalf of his members, the region and the wider trade union movement. Our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences go to his family, friends and GMB colleagues.

KEN MOODY Ken Moody, retired branch secretary of GMB Scunthorpe Tec branch, passed away peacefully on 7 July 2013, aged 90. Ken joined the Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths and Structural Workers in 1945 and was a staunch activist for many years. At GMB Congress in June 2009, Ken was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his devotion to trade unionism for more than 60 years. Our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences go to Ken’s family, friends and GMB colleagues.

KEVIN BRINKLOW Kevin Brinklow, age 52 (Nottingham City branch) passed away peacefully in June following an illness. Kevin was a stalwart union learning representative for Nottingham City Homes and took his role very seriously. He was extremely passionate about learning for every working man and woman. He led many initiatives on behalf of his members and was a great example to everyone. Kevin will be sorely missed by all that knew him.

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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