Fusion Winter 2013

The magazine for GMB members

Fusion www.gmb.org.uk

Winter 2013

Fair Traders

Disabled workers at Green Fayre

SAVE THE NHS GMB members march to stop the Tory sell-off

“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.

In this issue…

Paul McCarthy etary GMB regional secr

GMB members get involved at Pride events Page 28

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

Regional

National

4 Save the NHS

9 Employer hostility

Thousands of GMB members gather in Manchester to protest at Tory conference

7 Kick out payday loans

Bolton members protest football club’s deal with controversial loans company

8 Hitting the airwaves

GMB spreads the word on Liverpool radio

25 Need a lifeline?

GMB can help you with money worries

26 Legal leverage

GMB provides the legal backing you need

27 Hour of need

Anti-union hostility should be against the law

12 A Living Wage

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!

Bullied at work? Here’s how GMB can help!

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

28 Taking pride

18 Eyes on the NHS

GMB celebrates equality for LGBT workers at Pride events across the region

30 Time to learn

The workplace organisers’ course

31 Contact GMB

Names and numbers you can call

GMB regional editor Terry Mellor: 01928 572 726 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

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

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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).

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Our NHS is our most prized asset Welcome to the latest edition of Fusion. Our NHS team has been very busy during the past few months highlighting the GMB campaign to save the NHS. In the very year it celebrates its 65th birthday, the NHS faces the greatest threat it has seen during its proud history from a government that wants to hive off the most potentially profitable bits to their private sector cronies.

And people might be forgiven a momentary lapse into thinking that, well, maybe privatisation might improve things!

Whenever we have such thoughts we are brought quickly back down to earth as we recall the likes of railway privatisation, water and the energy companies hiking their prices up just before winter and massive profits and big payouts to their investors.

And just how many of us think for one moment that any of these services actually got better?

The sale of the vastly undervalued Royal Mail will be the next big privatisation scandal. It’s no surprise that the shares initially leapt in value, meaning that small investors will be tempted to sell and take their small windfall allowing the big guns to move in and clean up. I predict that in five years’ time we will have a much more expensive and totally inferior postal service with multi-million pound salaries for the senior executives.

Over 55,000 people marched to protest at the Tory conference in September against a government hell bent on creating an image of a failing health service that needs to be ‘rescued’ by the private sector. We can’t let that happen. Our NHS is our most prized asset providing free health care to those who need it, when they need it and for free at the point of need. GMB will do all we can to protect it.

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BECOME A GMB WORKP ORGANILACE SER www.gmb .org.uk

GMB m o r f s w e n All the

f o s d n Thousa mbers e m B M G o t h c r ma

e v a s the nhs

ior GMB public services sen organiser Graham McDermott tells us why

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MB members marched in Manchester at the Tory Party conference to protest the changes being made to the NHS by the coalition government. Members are outraged at the damage being done to the NHS. The coalition is conveniently painting a picture of a deeply troubled health service in need of private sector intervention. But this takeover is not only threatening the jobs and terms and conditions of GMB members, it also threatens the very existence of the ‘free to all at the point of need’ NHS that has endured since its inception in 1948.

Despite almost universal opposition, the government has forced through a costly and unnecessary re-organisation of the NHS. Following calls on the health service to make 04 www.gmb.org.uk

huge savings (£20 billion over four years), thousands of jobs have been axed, accident and emergency waiting times are growing and private sector companies are cherry picking the most profitable parts to run.

Last year the government forced through the Health and Social Care Act, putting in place a legal framework for increasing competition between private health companies and other providers under the NHS umbrella. The cost of all this has been estimated at over £3 billion.

time for change?

GMB has never been afraid to engage with NHS employers about change. We accept that sometimes modernisation is warranted and

we have often supported re-organisation when that benefits the service and improves patient care. But the Health and Social Care Act and the competition and privatisation that will follow will put pressure on our members’ jobs and terms and conditions. The overall quality of care will come under threat also.

We accept that moving some health provision into the community is worth exploring. The government solution to some of this is just to provide a telephone service.

This would be provided by the private sector without the necessary investment. Inevitably, people will be re-directed back to our struggling A&E departments.

During the last election the Tories promised they would not privatise the NHS and they still maintain this will not be the case. But all they

regional

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VOICES HEARD 55,000 people marched at Tory conference.

stand up for

sick pay

Ray Carrick on how GMB is helping ambulance staff fight ‘Annex E’

GMB PRESENCE Regional secretary Paul McCarthy at the march, have done is change their definition of privatisation. They say the NHS will still be ‘free at the point of need’, but in many cases the service will be provided by the private sector.Due to increasing financial pressures the level of service will be diminished.

There are some in the government who would like some services to be charged for.

They mention things like A&E users under the influence of alcohol paying their own costs and accident victims’ insurance picking up the bill for their care. They’ve also mooted an option to pay a premium to jump the queue.

Where would this lead?

GMB’s march and demo at the Tory party conference was about letting them know that we at GMB will not sit back and let our NHS fall into the hands of their private sector cronies.

Ambulance staff in England are covered by ‘agenda for change’ terms and conditions. A specific part of this – ‘Annex E’ – relates to ambulance staff only. Back in February, employers tried to change sick pay arrangements by excluding unsocial hours payments when an employee was off sick.

GMB emphatically opposed this but was outvoted by staff organisations who chose to accept the change.

The employer claims that these changes apply to ambulance staff. But there was no mention throughout the discussions in February, and previous meetings, about this

meaning a change to Annex E. GMB in the North West has held a consultative ballot of its ambulance membership. 92 per cent have voted to reject the changes to Annex E and support industrial action if these changes are imposed. All ambulance members are urged to send a protest letter to headquarters at Ladybridge Hall to voice their concerns. To contact GMB and ensure we have their details, ambulance staff should email: ray.carrick@gmb.org.uk

Fighting folk!

GMB political officer Neil Smith on GMB initiatives to save the NHS WOW! What a couple of months it’s been for GMB North West and Irish region! Andy Burnham (shadow secretary of state for health) gave a presentation at GMB regional office about Labour’s plans to repeal everything the Tories have done to damage the NHS. GMB members also marched outside the Tory conference in Manchester (see main article). We made sure the Tories heard just how much we cherish the NHS! If there was anything negative about the

FLYING THE FLAG Our NHS team were delighted to see so many supporting the NHS.

march it was the lack of coverage by the BBC. I find it quite extraordinary that a march attended by over 55,000 people from all corners of the country doesn’t make the headlines! Well, GMB will continue to strive to get the message out there to members and the wider community. GMB is a campaigning union and we are ready to fight to save the NHS. As the founder of the NHS Aneurin Bevan said: “It will last as long as there are folk left to fight for it.” We are those folk!

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UPDATE

from GMB All the news

f f o s Hand the GMB tells private companies to keep out of the NHS

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s part of GMB’s ongoing campaign to protect and promote the NHS, our team of dedicated NHS officers has been taking to the streets of towns and cities across the North West with a petition calling on the government to keep the private sector out of the NHS. This petition, one of many initiatives our team are involved with, has proved hugely popular, receiving widespread support from the public.

It’s worth remembering that the NHS was set up after the Second World War to provide free healthcare for the public, regardless of financial circumstances, so that everyone 06 www.gmb.org.uk

from the very wealthy to the very poorest will never be denied access to a doctor.

The NHS has faced many challenges as a result of austerity cuts which were imposed to compensate for the global banking crisis. Staff numbers have been cut, a pay freeze has been imposed and there is now a greater reliance on agency staff to fulfil shortfalls.

What is the Con-Dem government’s solution? To break the NHS up into attractive

KEEP THE NHS SAFE GMB organiser Maria Almond and political officer Neil Smith welcome Andy Burnham to regional office.

bundles and sell them off to private companies. GMB’s regional NHS team of organisers: Maria Almond, Ray Carrick and Lisa Ryan, along with political officer Neil Smith, have taken a petition onto the streets of Liverpool and Manchester and plan to visit more towns and cities in the near future.

The call of the petition is simple: Keep private companies out of the NHS! Public reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive of our aim to prevent further privatisation of the NHS.

“We can expect further cuts to NHS staffing.”

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Worryingly, the team were told by several people that the government would never privatise the NHS. This view is held by many, despite the fact that privatisation is already well underway in several areas.

What a carve up Richard Branson's Virgin Medical Care is operating in Dorset, bus company Arriva have the contract for non emergency patient transfer (ambulance service) in the North West and a £7 billion contract for healthcare in Peterborough is being put out to tender.

These are just some examples of how the NHS is being fragmented and sold off.

Further evidence can be found in the sale of 80 per cent of Plasma UK (the blood service) to Bain Capital, a private equity firm.

Private companies have shareholders to appease so profit will certainly come before patient care. When Bain Capital took the decision to bid for 80 per cent of the UK blood service, it wasn't because they wanted to improve the service, it was because they saw a very attractive business opportunity.

We can expect further cuts to NHS staffing that will increase pressure on existing staff. It has already been suggested that there should be a limit to the amount of times a patient can see their GP in a year. We could see ourselves needing to follow the American model of taking out private medical insurance as the more expensive treatments won't be offered by private companies.

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Fighting talk GMB organiser Lisa Ryan said: “GMB will campaign tirelessly to keep private companies out of OUR NHS. Nye Bevan famously said that ‘it will last for as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it’.

Our message to the Con-Dems is that we are those folk and the fight is on. These are the messages we need to send. Otherwise we won't have an NHS left to fight for.”

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham recently addressed a meeting of NHS Reps in GMB regional office where he attacked the coalition government’s actions in allowing billions to be siphoned out of the NHS to pay for unnecessary reorganisations that David Cameron pledged wouldn’t happen.

GMB organiser Maria Almond welcomed Andy Burnham’s commitment on behalf of Labour to fight for the NHS, saying: “At a time when the NHS needs every penny it can get, when staff morale is at an all-time low and when patient confidence is starting to wane, we need to raise public awareness of the creeping privatisation that is underway and help people to make their voice heard. GMB will continue to fight to protect the NHS, its hard working staff and most of all the interests of the patients that are at its heart.”

Kick them out!

Bolton Wanderers shirt deal caused angst and grief Bolton made the headlines for the wrong reasons earlier this year when its local football club the Wanderers signed a £500K sponsorship deal with a pay day loan company.

QuickQuid, which charges annual interest rates of 1,734 per cent for shortterm loans, made the same offer to another club which refused, declaring it was not appropriate for its image.

GMB workplace organiser Sean Warren and other members joined with colleagues in Unison and Unite along with Bolton Trades Council, local Labour councillor

Kate Lewis and several hundred Bolton fans to oppose the deal in a town centre demonstration covered by national and local media, signing a petition calling on Bolton Wanderers to refuse sponsorship from the payday loans company.

The government's failure to regulate loan companies is leading to the exploitation of vulnerable, cash-strapped people. In Bolton, Hoot Credit Union can offer people a fairer alternative in low-cost loans and help.

For more on Hoot call 01204 365 024 or visit www.wisewithmoney.org.uk

play on!

Updat your GMe Prof B www.gmb ile .or g.uk

GMB supports traditional brass band GMB North West and Irish region is sponsoring Stalybridge Old Band. The brass band was in attendance at the unveiling of a plaque at Stalybridge Labour Club (yes, there are still some labour clubs open) to commemorate the club’s opening 40 years ago by Harold Wilson.

Lord Tom Pendry did the unveiling along with GMB Officer Neil Smith and Kevin Welsh, GMB local councillor for Tameside and band organiser Audrey Greenwood. It was a well attended event and the band has become a regular appearance at GMB events. They gave a fantastic performance at GMB’s Save the NHS rally in Manchester.

TOP B RASS GMB is proud to sponsor Stalybridge OId Band. www.gmb.org.uk 07

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UPDATE

from GMB All the news

, n o n r Tu tune in,

sign up!

GMB members take to the airwaves in Liverpool

G

MB North West and Irish region was able to get a couple of slots on Liverpool Community Radio to discuss all things good about GMB and being a member. Representatives also discussed current affairs such as the NHS, Carillion and zero hours contracts.

Liverpool Community Radio station were granted a temporary licence for two weeks during which time they transmitted on 87.7fm to the local community. In this two week period they were able to give local people the opportunity to take to the airwaves and discuss topics that were relevant to their

RADIO STARS Neil Smith and Lisa Ryan took to the airwaves.

community, providing them with a platform that would not otherwise have been available.

Lisa Ryan, George Patterson and regional political officer Neil Smith told listeners why GMB membership is more important now than it has ever been.

Lisa provided an in-depth broadcast on the systematic break up of the NHS and how privatisation is sneaking in through the back door. She revealed how GMB members are

actively safeguarding the NHS going into the future and urged listeners to get involved.

George spoke about how GMB is a campaigning union that supports its members right across the board from disputes with employers to accidents at work or in the home. He explained the benefits received by GMB members such as the credit union, access to a solicitor and, most importantly, professional advice on

“Lisa provided an in-depth broadcast.”

issues in the workplace.

k c a r t n o k c a b get pay GMB railway staff reach agreement following railway strike GMB railway staff employed by Translink on Northern Ireland Railways took part in a 24-hour strike on Monday 24 June in a dispute over pay and terms and conditions. Translink is the provider of bus and rail services in Northern Ireland and is publicly funded by the Department of Regional Development through the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company.

GMB members work on the railway as conductors and station staff. They are 08 www.gmb.org.uk

responsible for areas including revenue protection and passenger safety.

Michael Mulholland, GMB regional organiser, said: “GMB members in Translink on Northern Ireland Railways voted to take part in actions up to and including strike.

Notice was served on the company and our members took part in a 24-hour stoppage.

The action was taken due to pay and terms and conditions, as well as a history of poor industrial relations.”

All other groups had accepted a three-year deal which included ‘efficiencies’ such as changes to sick pay and increased flexibility.

Michael said: “GMB members, who are mainly from the conductor and station staff grades, believed they were being asked to give away too much to fund increases for other groups whose conditions had not changed."

Following the strike action, further discussions took place with the company and agreement was reached on new proposals.

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’ 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

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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

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from GMB All the news

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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

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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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from GMB All the news

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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

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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.

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

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Paul kenn y

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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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

d e e n u o y Do ? p l he GMB r can offeto e a lifelin ers memb g to in strugglfloat stay a

G

MB North West and Irish legion is working with the Liverpool Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to train up workplace organisers and activists to deliver advice on benefits to our members.

From April, many social housing tenants on low incomes have been affected by the ‘bedroom tax’ and have seen their payable rent increase by between £10 and £25 a week In October, tax credits, housing benefit and nearly all other working age benefits started to be replaced by Universal Credit – one single, monthly payment claimed and managed online and adjusted in ‘real time’ using employers’ monthly returns to HMRC. The impact this is having on GMB members in work, causes great concern for GMB North West and Irish Region, which has prompted us to work with the CAB in setting up a programme of training to establish workplace advice assessors to deliver advice and support to union members.

This programme will enable GMB workplace representatives to: • Identify when a member has an issue requiring rights-based advice.

• Assess the urgency of the situation and deal with emergencies.

• Provide relevant, up-to-date self-help information appropriate to the member and the problem.

• Signpost or refer members needing further assistance to a local CAB or other appropriate service.

• Provide GMB representatives with a more in-depth introduction to welfare benefits thus better advice, which in this current economic BECOME climate is vital for members.

The tax man cometh

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

GMB steps in to stop unfair tax demands on Asda members

iStock

G

MB has been actively recruiting new members in Asda stores across the region. And good thing too!

Members in Asda benefited from GMB help recently when HMRC sent unexpected tax bills to Asda employees. They were being told they had underpaid their tax – despite being paid through PAYE – even though some did not even earn enough to pay tax! The reason given by HMRC was “you have had 14 pay periods in 2012–2013” but if this was correct, why did only half the workforce receive notices?

GMB North West and Irish region, immediately drafted advice and supplied model letters for affected members to use to challenge HMRC. At the time of press HMRC has agreed it will not seek to recover any underpayment until 2014–15, by which time it should have provided proof that the amounts quoted are accurate.

It’s a pity that HMRC doesn’t chase Amazon, Starbucks and Nokia with the same zeal!

If you work at Asda and have any concerns about your tax, visit www.gmb.org.uk or call 0161 622 4997 for advice.

TAX LOSS GMB helps members in Asda tax confusion.

www.gmb.org.uk 25

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injured ? ork at w .uk .gmb.org

from GMB All the news

r e b m e m y il m fa a r o u o y e Hav

www

been involved in an accident?

Your GMB membership gives you and your family access to FREE* legal services

your gmb membership

=

If you or a member of your family has been involved in any type of accident or has contracted an industrial illness/ disease, your GMB membership entitles you and family members to receive 100 per cent compensation if your claim is successful. All accidents, trips, slips and falls. whether at work, at home or on the road are potentially eligible for compensation.

GMB will ensure that through our chosen and trusted solicitors at GMB’s legal service, you will always receive 100 per cent of the compensation that you are awarded.

Due to new rules that came into force in April 2013, many solicitors will charge you up to 25 per cent of your compensation as payment towards their fees.

GMB’s legal Service Working to get you 100 per cent of the compensation you deserve *Subject to rule

26 www.gmb.org.uk

100% compensation Do not be misled by firms offering to maximise your compensation.

Maximising your compensation is NOT the same as getting 100 per cent of your compensation. GMB’s legal service will always fight for the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to and will not take any of this away in fees.

You will therefore ALWAYS receive 100 per cent of your compensation.

GMB wants to ensure that its members and their families do not lose out on the full amount of compensation that they are entitled to – our legal service exists to make sure that this happens. Therefore, if you or your family members have been in an accident or suffered from an industrial illness/disease and want to recover 100 per cent compensation, ensure that you bring the legal claim through GMB.

get help now

To register a claim, telephone GM legal service on 0800 043 411 B’s 3.

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Don’t suffer in

silence GMB comes to the aid of a member defending her rights at work

G

MB takes pride in protecting our members against all forms of wrongdoing in the workplace.

Thanks to the legal aid that comes with your GMB membership, you’re protected against any abuse of your rights. And we’re not just talking about physical incidents, GMB is here to protect members against the distress that can be caused by bullying and ill treatment at the hands of any employer.

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Mary’s story Mary* had come to the UK as a political asylum seeker, leaving her children at home.

Her hope was to find a secure job and build a new life with her children over here. She hadn’t bargained on the injustices that awaited her in the world of work.

She worked for two cleaning companies, one of which was kind and made her feel like part of the family. The other included staff members who were taking advantage of an outdated signing in system and a lax management structure. When Mary started covering more and more of the work, she informed the supervisor what was happening.

He was not interested and in fact began to abuse his position with Mary. She reported

him to the HR department but all they told her was to write things down. Nothing was ever done with this information.

At this point, there was some bad news back home and Mary’s children needed her.

She requested leave in the normal way, which was approved. She set about arranging her trip back home to see to her children.

While she was out of the country, her employer wrote to her requesting she attend a meeting. The letter, which was sent while the employer knew she was out of the country, wrongly stated that she could not take her leave as she had not followed procedure.

She emailed and faxed explaining her plight and why she would be late returning to her post.

But this communication fell on deaf ears and the company sent more letters stating that they had not heard from her and that she was deemed to be absent without leave.

Mary contacted GMB for help on her return. She had been sacked despite her attempts to extend her leave for the family

emergency. GMB appealed immediately.

Mary spoke through streams of tears as she recounted the horrific story in the appeal that they eventually agreed to hold. We were moved by the sheer strength she had shown during her harrowing ordeal. We set about finding an outcome that would benefit her.

Mary’s case was passed on to GMB’s legal team, who were a huge help throughout.

They were able to get Mary reinstated at the cleaning company and secured compensation for her at the hearing.

Karen Lewis, who represented Mary throughout her ordeal, said: “After 15 years of being an organiser I can count on my fingers how many times I have been actually moved to tears during a case. This was one of them. It included almost everything that can go wrong: unfair treatment, inequality, bullying and intimidation. Mary needed support and that is what being a part of GMB is all about.” *‘Mary’ is an a pseudonym used for the purposes of this article.

“We were moved by the strength she had shown.”

www.gmb.org.uk 27

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LIFE OF THE PARTY! GMB’s David Hope joins in the fun.

Loud &Proud orkers at GMB was out to support LGBT wanchester Pride events in Liverpool and M

N

ow in its fourth year, Liverpool Pride is the biggest free Pride festival outside London. The sun came out and so did thousands brate LGBT of people to join in the fun and cele and xual Bise Gay, , pride (Lesbian now a Transgender). The popular event is ing brat fixture in the city’s calendar, cele LGBT for ort supp and equality, acceptance and in join to hand on was people. GMB provide advice for LGBT workers.

Around 6,000 people joined this year’s march, which snaked from St George’s

FRIENDLY ADVICE GMB was on hand to help LGBT workers.

28 www.gmb.org.uk

colour, Plateau to the Pier Head in a tide of SUNNY CELEBRATION a political es mak e music and celebration. Prid Thousands stepped out to a good statement but is also about having celebrate Pride in the sunshine. rheroes time. This year the theme was supe outfits! t included and revellers went to town with their Other performers at this year’s even over high d Fever Deva n, Ryla The rainbow flag was raise es, Babi Sam Sparro, Sugar was d.

War ne Liverpool town hall and the march Shay own ter’s and Manches gay is the attended by Gary Millar, the city’s first The culmination of the Big Weekend h whic in or. vigil May Lord George House Trust candlelit up of of sea a into As in previous years, a fantastic lineed turn is Sackville Gardens Lace and to musical talent was on show. Black flickering candles as we take time d, Pier Hea HIV virus the to Amelia Lily took to the stage at the lost e we’v e thos er emb rem sed up as dres stic fanta ing e look dwid lia worl Ame with and join together to fight the up in the t of the hear tual spiri Supergirl! There was also a stage set the is epidemic. The Vigil ical acts year y ever and gay quarter with DJs and further mus val festi e Prid Manchester night. keeping the party going late into the there is a truly magical and moving at d gardens.

There was an equally buoyant moo atmosphere of quiet reflection in the h basked in a ming Manchester’s Pride weekend, whic beco fast Pride events are once again sunshine (for the most part). GMB anent fixture for us to grow GMB perm arena with had a stall in the revamped indoor hip. The regional equality forum bers mem festival. the ss acro le visib er the bann ut’ ‘sho our received a fantastic response from ce and ng and raisi fund our d Members were on hand to give advi orte branches who supp workplace. to the go ks than y man information on LGBT issues in the So ly. rous donated gene a into ed sform tran was e C51, spac P42, , the Later on, following: P42, X24, 14, 94, D41, W79 ty of DJs varie a with a aren e danc rgy -ene 413. high M97, O130, 376, 115, 44 and night. keeping the party going late into the

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regional

I’ll drink The slime of our lives raises £770 for to that GMB charity – and makes a HUGE MESS!

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GMB rep Paul Morley reports from an international meeting for ABInbev, the global drinks brand Earlier this year I attended a consultation event organised to enable ABInbev union representatives from around the world to discuss common issues.

The trip included presentations about the drinks manufacturer’s culture and instances of nonadherence to policies. This referred to the company’s principles of complying with collective agreements and fostering good relations with unions.

We also discussed the many issues that face GMB members. It was interesting to discover that these were the same all over the world. Problems were generally linked to the company cutting costs.

Also common was the company’s reluctance to record accidents.

It became clear that each union needed to communicate their issues more effectively. Since the trip, three UK sites have written to the UK board showing solidarity with striking union members in St John’s brewery in Canada.

It’s great to know that a degree of solidarity is in place around the globe! I would like to thank GMB for sending me.

GMB North West and Irish region recently held a fundraising day to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Regional secretary Paul McCarthy allowed staff to dress down for the day, resulting in some very strange onesies appearing in the Liverpool office! Aside from the unusual garments, the day included a range of games, from the classic ‘guess the number of sweets in the jar’ to the less subtle ‘let’s throw buckets of gunge on people’!

Colin Webster, Ross Farrington and Michael Evans took part in a ‘Man vs Food’ challenge, with foot-long meatball subs, kindly donated by Subway. Michael lost (he wants it noted he was

recovering from a bug) resulting in him having his legs waxed by secretary Jill Keogh, who took great pleasure in making him squeal!

The girls had their own fun with Jenny Cleary, Rebecca McGovern and Katie Gannon taking part in a sack race.

splat attack The highlight of the day was the ‘gunge chart’.

This was built up over a few weeks leading up to the event, with brave volunteers offering to be gunged for charity. The rest of the region then YOU MISSED A BIT! donated and voted on Paul Evans takes a who they most wanted to gunging for charity. be gunged. It was a close call between our branch secretary Paul Evans and RETIRE senior organiser Graham FROM McDermott. Paul ‘won’ in W ORK the end with £359 raised for NOT GM his slimy green gunging.

B www.gmb .org.uk Well done to Paul for being a great sport!

GMB bake off!

GMB staff bake against breast cancer

Ready steady bake! There was lots of fun in the regional office in September, when previous winners of our bake off, Michael, Rebecca and Katy, went head to head to win the coveted title of the region’s Ultimate Bake Off Champion.

Staff and activists raised £80 on the day, which went towards our breast cancer care fundraising. Congratulations to Katie who was crowned our champion,

and thanks to everyone who supported our fundraising. Special thanks to branches 2, 14, 44, 79, 80, 85, 94, 139, 376, 413, X07, D13, X24, P42, C51, D58 and U88 for helping to raise near £2,000 for Breast Cancer care in 2013. www.gmb.org.uk 29

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Move tto Direc Debit k

Reason to smile!

GMB rep frightens members with new set of gnashers!

.org.u www.gmb

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ASDA EXPERTS GMB reps from Asda stores get round the table.

MB rep Shawn Hore has a new reason to smile. Thanks to GMB support, the rep for Skelsmerdale has had his teeth replaced with new implants.

Shawn was able to surprise fellow members at a regional GMB reps meeting when he revealed his glistening new set of pearly whites.

GMB reps from Asda GLISTENING depots in Skelmersdale, Shawn’s new teeth!

Wigan and Warrington were meeting to discuss issues surrounding Asda’s treatment of GMB staff prior to a meeting with senior Asda management.

Skelmersdale rep Shawn was there to defend the rights of GMB Asda employees but also to show off his glistening new teeth, which caused quite a shock to fellow reps!

fair’s fayre GMB members raise £800 for disabled staff at Green Fayre event On 20 and 21 July, West Lancashire Borough Council held its annual Green Fayre. GMB branch R01 took the opportunity – along with local volunteers – to raise more than £800 in support of York Disabled Workers Cooperative.

Their stall at the Fayre also highlighted the work of the cooperative, which employs disabled workers previously employed by Remploy. Through the cooperative, the workers can continue in full time employment and can work transforming recycled wooden products into garden furniture.

By the end of 2013, Remploy factories will be history. GMB branch R01 wants to continue raising funds and hopes to establish a new nationwide charity that will help disabled people find work.

GMB branch R01 will continue working with GMB North West and Irish region to fight the corner of disabled workers and show the government why funds must be made available for social enterprises that employ disabled workers.

30 www.gmb.org.uk

MASTER CRAFTERS Former Remploy workers show off their wares.

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Obituary

GMB NORTH west & IRISH REGION

Contact

“He was a man of the utmost integrity” GMB regional secretary Paul McCarthy remembers Hughie Bruce It is with great sadness we report the death of Hughie Bruce of the 16 Blackburn Branch. Hughie was well known to Congress delegates along with his good friend Gordon Toole. The pair performed the onerous role of stewards on an annual basis.

Hughie left his native Scotland to answer East Lancashire’s call for workers to fill a labour shortage. This is where Hughie began his love affair with Shire horses, starting work as a drayman with Thwaites Brewery. He left the brewery for pastures new but not his love of horses, stabling them until his death. His beloved dray horses carried his coffin on his final journey.

Injustice was a thing that he could not tolerate and soon became a GMB shop steward at Philips television manufacturer, then full time work as a convener for over 3,000 employees.

Hughie spoke his mind but never fostered a grudge. He was highly respected by the workforce and management alike. For many years he presided over the 16 Blackburn Branch, that at that time had over 6,000

members. Through his leadership, the branch submitted many first class resolutions to Congress and he, of course, helped to shape the union through progressive policies crafted at the branch committees.

Hughie was devoted socially and a lifelong campaigning Labour Party member serving on the local management committee. He was also on the board of governors of a number of schools, being the chair of most of them.

Hughie and his wife Liz did lots for children’s charities, for many years taking in a child from Chernobyl on a yearly basis to give them a chance of fresh air, decent food and respite from the reality of their daily lives.

His wisdom, foresight and guidance, that wry smile and that wonderful dry sense of humour will fortify us for many years to come. He was a man of the utmost integrity and compassion and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

He leaves his wife Liz and daughter Emma and her husband.

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 Regional Office

Columbus Quay, Riverside Drive, Liverpool L3 4GB T: 0151 727 0077 F: 0151 728 2929 Regional Secretary: Paul McCarthy, E: paul.mccarthy@gmb.org.uk

GMB Holywood Office

Victoria House, 1a Victoria Road, Holywood BT18 9BA T: 02890 393 340 F: 02890 393 349

GMB Blackburn Office

9 Wellington Street, St John’s, Blackburn BB1 8AF T: 01254 683 454 F: 01254 433 362

GMB Bolton Office

Jack Brown House, 80 St Georges Rd, Bolton BL1 2DD T: 01204 523 011 F: 01204 529 040

GMB Manchester City Council Office

GMB Trade Union, c/o Abraham Moss Centre, Crescent Rd, Crumpsall M8 5UF T: 0161 908 8316 F: 0161 908 1907

GMB Oldham Office

108 Union Street, Oldham OL1 1DU T: 0161 627 3062 F: 0161 222 1039

GMB Preston Office

The Textile House, 6 Sedgwick Street, Preston PR1 1TP T: 01772 555 879 F: 01772 253 415

GMB Runcorn Office

Tudor Hall, York Pl, York Street, Runcorn WA7 5BB T: 01928 572726 F: 01928 59 0317

GMB St Helens Office

72 Claughton Street, St Helens WA10 1SN T: 01744 25474/738330 F: 01744 451118

GMB Warrington Office

Assembly Rooms, Town Hill, Warrington WA1 2NG T: 01925 630 095 F: 01925 634 797 GMB regional website www.gmbnorthwest.com

www.gmb.org.uk 31

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