Vision Winter 2013

The magazine for GMB members

Vision

www.gmb.org.uk | Winter 2013

Military Might!

GM Visit our new website: gmb-southern.org.uk B Gurkhas come out fighting

0 0 0 , 0 3 2Jobsatrisk GMB defends teaching assistants from Tory threat

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

In this issue…

Paul Maloney GMB Southern regional secretary

GMB fights to save Brighton NHS services Page 25

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

Regional

National

4 Gove’s bad grade

9 Employer hostility

GMB members are outraged at Michael Gove’s plans to sack teaching assistants

6 Fighting for fighters GMB battles for the rights of veteran Gurkha soldiers

7 Tribunal trouble

Protest over government plans to force employees to pay for tribunals

8 Burger off!

GMB hands McDonalds an ASBO for its extensive use of zero hours contracts

25 Medical need

Fighting harsh hospital cutbacks in Croydon

26 Legal services

Could you benefit from any of GMB’s legal services?

27 On the lookout

GMB is looking after workers in Wilkinson stores across the region

30 Community club

GMB joins forces with Reading Town FC

GMB regional editor Michelle Gordon: 020 8397 8881 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

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!

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 Vision magazine?

Please contact Steve Hulbert on 01225 442 244 (ex 5205) Accepting of advertising and inserts 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.

GMB is proud to defend our members In the last issue of Vision I dealt with the government’s continued attack on workers’ rights through the introduction of a £1,200 fee for employment tribunals.

In this edition I unfortunately have to announce the continued attack on the legal system that will again deny workers and their families the full compensation they would normally receive as a result of an accident or injury.

The way that personal injury claims are run and funded will be changed under the banner of killing off the supposed ‘compensation culture’.

Instead of being able to secure compensation to rebuild their lives, millions of people who have been injured at work or on the roads now face paying up to 25 per cent of any compensation they win to cover fees.

I am pleased to be able to tell you that this charge and fee will not apply to GMB members. Whatever our solicitors win will be paid out, in full, to members. Now there is a good reason for all workers to become members. GMB is proud to defend our members, be it through an employment tribunal, industrial Injury or industrial disease, without you having to worry about the cost of your claim or how much will be deducted from your compensation. To get this legal cover you must be a GMB member at the time of the accident/incident.

So please tell your friends and colleagues not to wait until tomorrow to join GMB because that accident may not wait, leaving you at the mercy of an expensive legal profession.

I would also like to remind members wishing to submit a motion to Congress, that they should contact their GMB Branch before 31 January 2013.

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GMB m o r f s w e n All the

0 0 0 , 0 3 2 t a s b o j TA

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ching GMB stands up for tea assistants facing the sack

CLASS WAR GMB is fighting for teaching assistants.

04 www.gmb.org.uk

“Michael Gove is causing a huge amount of stress and anguish among those who teach some of the most vulnerable children in our society. Instead of deriding them as a ‘mums’ army’ Gove should spend some times working with teaching assistants so he can see their professionalism and the positive difference they make day in, day out.

“GMB’s campaign has already secured thousands of signatures in support of teaching assistants. The drive will be continuing over the coming months, obtaining support for teaching assistants outside school gates and in town centres across the country.”

get involvignevisdit pa For more on our TAs cam g.uk .or rn the ou www.gmb-s

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housands of teaching assistants (TAs) face losing their jobs if education secretary Michael Gove gets his way. Plans unveiled earlier this year reveal he wants to sack 230,000 TAs, 120,000 of whom are GMB members.

GMB fiercely opposes these plans and, to send the government a clear message, GMB members at the Labour Party Conference presented a Michael Gove lookalike with an F grade for his assault on our classrooms. GMB is the union for school support staff and hundreds of members flocked to Brighton to stand up for the teaching assistants.

Andy Prendergast, GMB senior organiser, said: “GMB’s campaign to promote the role of teaching assistants began in June 2013.

Teaching assistants make a massive difference to our schools and our children every day.

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

regional

Smoked

out GMB battles health risk at Bexhill High

MORE SUPPORT FOR TAs Leaving no doubt that GMB is the union for school support staff, GMB’s campaign to support teaching assistants has engaged members across the region. Earlier this year, members met in Woolwich to demonstrate against Michael Gove’s plans to sack 230,000 TAs. Many people didn’t know about the threat to TAs and once they heard about it they were keen to sign the petition. As one passer-by with young children said: “This plan is madness. Teachers can’t run a classroom on their own. They need TAs to support those children that are struggling or are disruptive.”

GMB is fighting for the health of students and staff at Bexhill High in East Sussex due to smoke entering classrooms from the school’s chimney stacks.

The school opened in 2010 and there has been a problem with the flues in the biomass boilers ever since. The chimneys are three metres below the building’s highest point so the smoke enters via the ventilation system and is affecting the wellbeing of students and staff at Bexhill High.

Reports of illness vary from people feeling dizzy to staff being found to have high levels of carbon monoxide in their blood. One had pulmonary scarring on her lungs and a GMB member has been diagnosed with occupational asthma.

The school was taken over by the Prospects Academies Trust in 2012. The group was made aware of this severe health and safety issue and they have taken several measures to resolve it. However, GMB believes it is not providing any long-term solutions to the problem.

With an annual turnover of £76m, Prospects Group could bear the financial brunt of resolving the issue once and for all. Recently elected GMB health and safety rep Doug Skelley has increased GMB membership in the school and started a collective grievance alongside other unions.

THE NEEDS OF THE FLUE Dangerous gases are being kept inside the school.

Which schools are signing GMB’s TA petition?

Bexley Kent

Hook Lane Primary Halfway Houses Primary

319 223 216

Surrey

West Hove Infants Boxgrove Primary

Southwark

Goodrich Primary

169

Brighton & Hove

176

tures.

These schools got the most signa Can your school do better? www.gmb.org.uk 05

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UPDATE

from GMB All the news

t u o e m o c s Gurkha

fighting Gurkha GMB members make a stand against SERCO job cuts

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ore than 100 GMB members who are former members of the Gurkha regiment staged a demonstration outside the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London.

The demonstration, supported by their GMB branch (GMB Southern region’s security branch G36), was over the actions of their employer, SERCO, which provides training for the armed forces. SERCO was proposing to cut up to 100 jobs from September 2013. This would have been in breach of a guarantee given to GMB in December 2012 following a previous dispute.

FAIRNESS FIGHTER Gurkhas have fought for GMB balloted members us and deserve security. working for SERCO and they

Watch THE video 06 www.gmb.org.uk

voted in favour of industrial action. Fortunately the company came forward with an improved offer at the last minute and after a meeting, the GMB members agreed to accept the offer. GMB called off the strike with just a few days to go. However, GMB members expressed concerns over employment conditions offered to other staff working on Contemporary Operating Environment Force (COEFOR) training and support contracts for MoD. GMB will continue to monitor these employment standards. GMB understands that SERCO employs other staff on zero hours contacts when undertaking this vital work training army recruits and this is not acceptable.

To see more on the Gurkhas check out www.gmb-southern.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter @GMBSouthern UNFAIR DEAL GMB members protest increased fees for tribunals.

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We’ve

got your

back

The price of

justice

GMB members stage central London protest over employment tribunal fees

G

MB members have shown their outrage at new measures designed to make wronged employees pay to take their boss to court. More than 100 protestors gathered outside the employment tribunals office in Central London to coincide with the introduction of the government’s new employment tribunal fees.

The fees were introduced for all employment tribunal applications registered after 28 July 2013. Now, to register a claim at an employment tribunal, an individual must pay a registration fee of either £160 (for a level one claim such as an unlawful deduction from wages or a failure to provide a written statement of terms and conditions) or £250 (for a level two claim such as discrimination or unfair dismissal). This initial fee is followed by a hearing fee of either £230 (for level one claims) or £850 (for level two claims). There is no guarantee that the fee will be refunded in the event of a successful claim.

These fees make it more difficult for employees to take their boss to task.

Employment tribunals could now cost more than £1,000. The introduction of these fees is the latest government measure to make life easier for bosses and businesses. The government has already increased the qualifying period for employment rights from one year to two and reduced the consultation

time for mass redundancies (over 100 people) from 90 days to 45.

Andy Prendergast, GMB senior organiser, said: “The government has given a green light to bad employers who are exploiting their staff. While GMB will pay the fees of all cases affecting its members, the charging of up to £1,200 effectively means that many workers will lose any chance they had to seek redress if they are poorly treated.

With these fees in place, they will be denied justice if they are discriminated against or if they are unfairly dismissed.

“It will become uneconomical to try to recover underpayments, providing a huge incentive for businesses to up profits at their employees’ expense. This government needs to understand that attacks on workers’ rights do nothing but give succour to the business leaders who fund their parties. They do not lead to job creation, they do not lead to a stronger economy, they lead to exploitation and insecurity.”

Rob Macey

“GMB will pay the fees of all cases affecting its members.”

ContACT gmb

If you think you have an employment tribunal cla im speak to your GMB workplace organiser.

GMB wins compensation for back injury A senior staff nurse who suffered a debilitating back injury because the newly-opened ward she was working on was not suitably equipped, has received compensation after GMB legal service brought her employers to account.

Berkshire-based Glynis Orr, who worked for Heatherwood and Wexham Park trust at Heatherwood hospital, has been a GMB member for more than 20 years. She was injured while working on a ward that lacked the proper equipment.

She said: “As a nurse, if one of your patients needs help you can’t just stand idly by. Within hours of opening, there were medically dependent patients on the ward even though we had no disabled toilet facilities, safety rails or lifting aids.

We were put in an impossible situation and were just told to ‘get on with it’.

“I was injured when helping a distressed patient use the toilet which had none of the proper safety provisions in place. The elderly lady’s legs buckled and I strained my back while trying to prevent her from falling.

“I had to leave a role I loved because of the injury and I will depend on pain medication for the rest of my life. It meant a great deal to have the support of GMB, who secured compensation for the pain and suffering I had to go through.

They took my complaint seriously when my employer didn’t.”

NOT SUPPORTED Glynis’ workplace lacked the proper safety equipment.

www.gmb.org.uk 07

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

burger

off!

GMB gives Asbo to McDonald’s over contracts

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ast food mega-chain McDonald’s has became the latest employer to receive a GMB ASBO. In September, GMB members joined Labour MP Tom Watson to present a GMB ASBO to senior managers at the McDonald’s head office in Finchley. The ASBO was given in protest over the firm offering zero hours contracts to almost 83,000 UK employees.

Last month it was reported that 90 per cent of McDonald’s UK employees are on zero hours contracts. The reports indicate that the chain is the largest zero hours employer in the UK’s private sector, with 82,800 contracted staff not guaranteed work or a stable income.

The McDonald’s website makes strong claims about work conditions: “At McDonalds UK, we pride ourselves on being a flexible employer and for many of our employees that’s why they have chosen us as their place of work. One of the ways we can offer a flexible work schedule is through our zero hours contracts.”

Martin Smith, GMB national organiser, commented: “We can’t rebuild our economy on McJobs. Few people can make ends meet on a zero hours contract. Many McDonald’s staff have to rely on benefits to survive. Rent payments aren’t flexible and neither are energy bills or weekly shopping bills. These

under PAR G

flexible wages are not much use to anyone except McDonald’s.”

Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, added: “This is what joint union and Labour campaigning looks like in the future.”

olved get inv u can get Find out how yo al involved in GMB’s politic campaigns at www.gmb.org.uk

GMB takes a swing at £4,000 pay cut MB members employed as greenkeepers at two golf courses in Brighton have taken five days’ strike action over proposed £4,000 pay cuts. Contractor, Mytime Active, which took over the courses in 2010, claims cuts are essential despite the fact that when the courses were run by the council they raked in £436,000 profit a year.

GMB members are baffled that Mytime Active has reported losses of £500,000

8 www.gmb.org.uk

a year. In a letter to all Brighton councillors, GMB senior organiser Graham Palmer wrote: “This is either a very badly run business or the company put in a loss leading bid to gain access to bigger contracts in the city… Our members and their families can neither afford this nor do they feel they should pay for someone else’s gamble.”

Since the company first informed the staff of its intention to change their terms

ON COURSE! GMB members closed the golf courses in pay protest. and conditions it has not negotiated with GMB. GMB members are prepared to take further action if it is needed.

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

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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

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

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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

An extra

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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.

iStock

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

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

Paul kenn y

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

e health car

UPDATE

c i f i r “ too hor e” to contemplat

maternity services d an E A& s n’ do oy Cr to ks ac tb cu s GMB slam Reed, Labour MP for Croydon North, GMB Croydon residents, politicians and their activists have come together to save bers hospital. Earlier this year, GMB mem ding MP inclu , bers mem y joined Labour Part s erou dang nst agai est prot to , Steve Reed ersity plans that could lead to Croydon Univ nts Hospital’s A&E and maternity departme being downgraded. hear Croydon residents were appalled to r that their NHS services were still unde d still review and that severe cutbacks coul ices. serv th heal vital to limit their access

, said: Mick Simpkin, GMB regional organiser le peop the for osals prop e “The effect of thes is It late. emp cont to ific horr too is of Croydon vital that there is quick access for both Accident & Emergency and maternity services given the volume of medical ugh. demand that passes through this boro y lutel abso is issue this on tion posi ’s GMB in ices serv clear. We are here to defend Croydon and we will resist any more interference from the Tory-led coalition government’s attacks on the NHS.”

Steve ning added: “David Cameron entered Dow with ed trust be Street said the Tories could n billio £2 and s year three our NHS. But after own top-d d, ante unw an wasted on reorganisation, the government is y considering closing Croydon Universit don Croy . units rnity mate Hospital’s A&E and of s part ived depr t mos the of has some ing London and is one of the fastest grow out with it populations in the UK. To leave . these vital services is just unacceptable

Saving services

GMB battles to save sexual health services in Brighton GMB members are battling the privatisation of two Brighton sexual health clinics. According to new plans, the Claude Nicol clinic for genito-urinary medicine (GUM) and Morley Street Contraception and Sexual Health (CASH) are to be integrated and put out to procurement through a public tendering process next year.

Gary Palmer, GMB regional organiser, said: “Once again, under claims that integration of services will be more cost effective, another part of the NHS is potentially going to be placed in the hands of private profiteers.

“The issue is that these private organisations will look to maximise profits and in doing so

will potentially threaten pay and conditions for our members. There could be a reduction in the quality of service provided for the people of Brighton.”

GMB has called for an immediate meeting with Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals chief executive Matthew Kershaw on the proposed privatisation of sexual health services at Royal Sussex County Hospital.

GMB will continue to monitor and challenge the senior management team in this matter to ensure this city’s NHS hospital and its staff are not sold out, exploited or undervalued to line the pockets of private health profiteers.

KEEP IT PUBLIC Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

www.gmb.org.uk 25

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

education THE SPECIAL NEEDS JUNGLE If your child has special needs, GMB can get you the right support

forward planning Protect your loved ones with a free* will from GMB

A

who ensure that making a will is a quick and ctually, many of us avoid easy process. making a will, putting it off until A will makes sure that the people in your we’re older, or wealthier, or have life who need your protection will receive this a family or for one of many other even when you’re reasons. As a not there. It is also a result, the We all need to make time for statement to your majority of adults beneficiaries that in the UK do not a bit of forward planning. you have thought have a will. about them and Unfortunately, “Where are we going on made an active none of us are holiday next year?” choice to pass on immune to your estate to them. accidents ing sav rt sta I ld ou “Sh This is far more happening at any ?” up to buy a house meaningful than time. Even if the leaving the question percentage “What’s going to happen of who gets what to chances are very when I die?” a set of arbitrary small, isn’t it better legal rules. These to have a plan? rules, called the Intestacy Rules, can But GMB sometimes produce unexpected results. To members don’t have to put it off! Together access the GMB Free Will scheme contact with their spouse or partner, they can receive GMB by telephone on 0208 397 8881. a free will provided by GMB’s legal service *Subject to rule

26 www.gmb.org.uk

When it is suspected that a child has special educational needs requiring further support in school, parents suddenly find themselves moving into a new world of assessments, reports, meetings, and even tribunal and court cases to ensure that their child receives proper support. The right help in moving through the special needs jungle can make all the difference.

GMB’s legal service regularly deals with such cases. A recent case demonstrates how it can help. John had a diagnosis of autism and was seriously struggling with school. He was very anxious and frustrated and was regularly being excluded. His mother’s job was in danger because she had to keep taking time off for meetings or to look after him, and she was worried he would be permanently excluded. GMB’s legal service was able to help in securing a statement of special educational needs for John and ensuring it made provision for him to receive one to one specialist support full time funded by the council and separate therapy. With the right support John was able to cope in school and the exclusions stopped.

GMB legal service can also help with school transport, provision for children out of school, exclusions, disability discrimination and similar matters.

get in touch

For more information, call 020 8545 8177

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

regional SAFETY FIRST Pat Bethal and Brian Dowden-Knight behind the scenes in Wilkinson.

Stay safe

in store

iStock

Talks, training and trip hazards – how GMB members at Wilkinson are addressing health and safety

up-to-date laws, case scenarios and codes of After a difficult round of pay negotiations conduct. Through the courses I was able to last year, GMB is due, once again, to start talks share the knowledge gained from reps in other with Wilkinson. All that we know at this point is industries. I have been able to develop the that negotiations will be tough. Despite skills to increase the support I can offer GMB government rhetoric about the economy members in my Wilkinson store. My message improving, retailers are still struggling. to other GMB reps is get signed up and enjoy Whatever the position, GMB is committed to the training courses. They really do boost your consulting and briefing members at the knowledge and confidence.” earliest opportunity. If you work for Wilkinsons, please speak to your GMB rep in store for the latest update and if there isn’t one please Real risks contact the regional office to get involved.

GMB Wilkinson health and safety reps That’s exactly what Peter Kirby (Bognor have also raised concerns about heir store GMB rep) did. “After joining role in health and safety inspections.

Wilkinson in 2009, I was made aware GMB will be raising this at the of the opportunities to next IR meeting with become a member of GMB the company in an and was delighted to be effort to reinvigorate nominated. I was then the role. On a recent elected as store union walk through an in representative,” he said. store warehouse GMB “When GMB training branch secretary and courses became available senior rep, Pat Bethell, I immediately signed up. and branch committee I found them member Brian invaluable in BOX OF TRICKS Dowden-Knight noticed enhancing my Health and safety reps have the an overflowing cage. knowledge with power to change your workplace.

Trip hazards, poor control of waste and stock left lying around are all too common occurrences, and puts members at real risk.

Thank you Pat Finally a note of thanks. Pat Bethell started her six-month secondment in May (from her previous night shift position) to work full-time as a senior representative protecting the health and safery of GMB members working in Wilkinson stores.

Pat’s role includes sitting on the national wage negotiation team, retail, health and safety and the industrial relations committee.

She spends her time travelling across the region to represent members – alongside being a busy grandbmother!

Billy Gaskill, GMB workplace organiser, said: “Without Pat’s flexibility and willingness to travel anywhere at anytime my job would be nigh on impossible. Indeed members and health and safety representatives across the region wanted to express thanks for her dedication and support.”

get involved come Find out how you can be rep at ety saf d an h alt he B a GM .uk www.gmb.org

www.gmb.org.uk 27

regional

Join our facebook group GMB Southern Region

All action

GMB takes the AA to task over Employment Relations Act

T

he AA has admitted that it breached a GMB member’s rights.

Under the 1999 Employment Relations Act, employees have the right to be accompanied to grievance or disciplinary hearings by an official who is employed by a trade union, an official who is certified by a trade union or a colleague.

However, when Mr Smith, a GMB member, was invited to such a hearing, his request to be accompanied by a GMB representative was denied. The AA claimed that he could

only be accompanied by an official employed by a trade union, a workplace colleague or a representative of their recognised union.

Mr Smith, supported by GMB, brought employment tribunal proceedings against the AA, complaining that the company had breached his right to be accompanied by his GMB representative. Faced with court proceedings, the AA admitted that its policy did not reflect the law. Paul Grafton, GMB organiser, stated: “This case clearly shows

that GMB will fight to ensure our members are properly represented. We have no fear of taking legal action to enforce their rights when necessary.”

Work for the AAd?a new website GMB has launche for members at the AA. www.gmbaa.org.uk

Who cares? GMB!

GMB is battling to stop East Sussex Council shutting down services for older people in the area.

The council is currently consulting on closing the Phoenix Centres in Lewes, Charter Centre in Bexhill, Orion centre in Hailsham and the Isabel Blackman centre in Hastings. These places provide a variety of services for those who have been assessed as needing support to be able to continue living independently.

The centres are a lifeline for the people that use them. They are a safe environment offering social services support and health-related support.

Crucially, they also keep minds active with games, quizzes, arts and crafts and discussions. Without these centres, many of the people who use the services would have to go into residential care.

The campaign is a joint effort between GMB and the local Labour Party. Sarah Owen, GMB member and Labour’s candidate for the Hastings and Rye seat in the next general election, is driving the activity.

GMB is asking supporters to send pre-designed postcards to the council explaining how vital these services are. If you would like some GOOD CAUSE postcards to distribute among friends please Services for the elderly contact Michelle Gordon at in East Sussex are michelle.gordon@gmb.org.uk

Join GMB’s postcard campaign to save services in East Sussex

under threat.

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regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

HISTORIC SERVICE Arthur Paine’s amazing work has come to light.

Goodbye

WISE LEADER John Lewis (centre) steps down after 22 years.

john!

GMB wishes London ambulance hero John Lewis a happy retirement

J

ohn Lewis was born in the 1930s before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, credit cards or contact lenses.

John joined the London Ambulance Service in 1975 and became a paramedic in 1981. He was successfully elected as a senior convenor, a role he enjoyed for many years.

As the full-time GMB representative, John held many offices. Most notably, he was elected chairman of the joint council.

In 1991, John stood for the role of branch secretary of the London Ambulance GMB. He was elected and has successfully held the position right up to this year. When John stood down from the job the branch had an impressive membership just shy of 2,000 – a massive improvement on the 63 members

that were in the branch when John and his team started. John has been an inspiration to many members and countless GMB activists have benefited by his knowledge and experience. John was held in such high regard that, in recognition of his contribution to the union, he was awarded the silver badge for dedication and service by GMB general secretary Paul Kenny.

John has been a fantastic source of wisdom and advice throughout his tenure as a GMB branch secretary and although he has stepped down from full time employment, we know that he will still be very much involved. The GMB Southern region would like to thank John for all the dedication he has shown, a truly inspirational man that others can look up to.

In the family...

Paul Maloney, GMB Southern regional secretary was recently contacted by Australian industrial relations academic Ed Davis. Ed had been looking into his family history and had found an impressive story of his grandfather’s dedication to GMB and the labour movement.

After the First World War the young Arthur Paine found work at Portsmouth Dockyard as an apprentice boiler maker. He joined the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders, starting an extraordinary period of service that Paul is keen to share!

Over 50 years, Arthur held various roles in the union including treasurer, president and secretary. He was also elected a Labour councillor locally and served his community for many years. Arthur’s service was marked and celebrated on a number of occasions. In September 1949 he was awarded an emblem designed to show the work of the Boiler makers society. In 1962, this extraordinarily dedicated man was awarded a clock and a History of the United Society of Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Ship Builders.

Pitch Perfect

GMB sponsors Reading Town FC GMB Southern Region is Reading Town FC’s main sponsor for the 2013–14 season.

The season kicked off on 10 August with a home game against Thame United.

At the end of last season a majority share in the club was purchased by Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union Council and GMB has agreed to sponsor them. Reading Town FC board member Natalie Newby said: “We welcome the support of GMB Southern Region and its members. Joining me on the board of Reading Town FC are Spencer Barnshaw, a branch secretary from NUT, and

30 www.gmb.org.uk

Martin Smith from GMB. All of us are on the Battersea and Wandsworth trades council board and we look forward to building a community club.”

Kevin Brandstatter, GMB senior organiser, said: “GMB is proud and pleased to support Reading Town FC. Being owned by a trade union body, the club is unique in the football world.

“GMB wants the new Reading branch to be entrenched in the community and we hope to use the football club facilities to support branch activities.”

BACK OF THE NET! GMB is proud to sponsor Reading Town FC.

Visit our website www.gmb-southern.org.uk SISTER ACTS A lively discussion at the GMB Sisters meeting.

Sisters

doin’ it for themselves Uniting female members across the south, GMB Southern Region members were pleased to attend a meeting with GMB Sisters London region in Euston. The guest speaker at the meeting was Kate Green MP, who is the Shadow Minister for equalities.

The meeting was lively and GMB members asked challenging questions covering a wide range of subjects. As well as asking about changes to legal aid, housing, benefits, a Living Wage and food banks, there was a lot of criticism of the current government and the disproportionate impact of its cuts on female workers.

But it wasn’t all negative: there was some positive discussion about how Labour can

update its policies to attract women voters.

GMB Southern region women’s network would like to thank GMB Sisters for inviting us along and we look forward to more joint ventures in the future.

lved get invoGM B

If you would like to join n’s Southern Regions wome re he up n sig network, please g.uk/ www.gmb-southern.or n me wo al/ about-us/politic

GMB

SOUTHERN REGION

Contact GMB

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

GMB southern region

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

GMB basingstoke Office

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

GMB HOVE Office

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

GMB south coast Office

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

WEB

wonder Get the very latest news from the region, update your GMB profile and manage your GMB subscription payments using the region’s website.

The site has everything you need to keep informed about what GMB’s up to in your area.

GMB swindon Office

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

GMB thanet Office

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

GMB welling Office

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

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