The Pulse summer 2013 by Future Plus

The magazine for GMB members

Pulse The

www.gmb.org.uk | Summer 2013

Space Raiders GM

B battles Bedroom tax!

Making Waves

Plymouth welcomes GMB Congress 2013! WIN a Toyota Aygo See p15 worth ÂŁ9,000

Get reADY For

4 1 0 2 S S ConGre ision making! c e d B M G f o rt a p e b ce to Don’t miss your chan is is built on ion will follow – but th y s what polices the un de ci de ss re . So if you’re not alread ng ar ye Co e B th M G of st re e th e branches over ch meetings take plac an Br t. the hard work of GMB ar st to e m ti e ch, now’s th . involved in your bran to make a difference ce an ch ur yo e ar d an regularly

SAY HAVe YoUr

ss 2014... To attend GMB Congre by your branch You must be nominated weeks -up GMB member for 53 id pa a en be ve ha t us You m the regional office h ac re t us m ns io ot m Your branch’s by 31 January 2014 am, 8–12 June 2014 gh tin ot n in e ac pl s ke GMB Congress ta

• • •

FInD YoUr GMB BrAnCH

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

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Inthisissue…

Tim Roache d North GMB Yorkshire an l secretary na gio Derbyshire re

GMB young members get active Page 6

Regional

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

National

4 Save our NHS

9 Congress

5 Pillow talk

11 Paul Kenny says

Time is of the essence, so take action GMB in march against the bedroom tax

6 Voice of youth

What our young members group is up to

8 Congress

All the news from GMB Congress in Plymouth A word from your general secretary

12 Political candidates

Meet GMB’s Labour candidates

14 GMB in your pocket

Your region’s report from Plymouth

GMB’s mobile app can keep you in the loop

25 Pants on fire

15 Win a car!

The lies the Tories are telling about benefits

26 A clean sweep

Your chance to win a Toyota Aygo

16 Striking a light

School cleaners campaign for a living wage

Commemorating the matchwomen’s strike

28 Club class

17 Take a break

Tribute to Leeds Trade Club unveiled

29 Tough lessons

Help for women who need a holiday

19 Free our pubs

School staff given medical responsibilities

How sky-high rents are shutting our pubs

30 Competition

22 Selling services

31 Contact GMB

24 Members’ statement

Win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet! Names and numbers you can call on

GMB regional editor Caroline Jones: 01924 887 266 Editorial director Stephen Pierce Editor Matt Robinson Art editor Johnny Goddard Contributors Emma Johnston, Jayne Nelson Advertising manager Steve Hulbert Account managers David Parker, Lisa Dunham Production and procurement manager Matt Eglinton Production co-ordinator Tracy Nugent Art directors Stuart Hobbs, Dermot Rushe Director, Future Plus UK Jayne Caple Printed at St Ives Direct

Why public services must remain public

GMB’s annual statement and audit

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Congress is vital to GMB Welcome to the Congress edition of The Pulse. Our delegation welcomed back into the fold some very experienced activists to join with the 40 per cent that were going to Congress for the very first time. To watch for a full week a procession of Yorkshire and North Derbyshire GMB delegates going to the rostrum moving resolutions with great skill and passion was a highlight of my time with GMB and a very proud moment indeed! I’m aware that many of you reading this won’t really understand how Congress works, or its importance – understandable as you go about your daily lives. But as a result of this region’s motion this year a special contribution rate has been agreed for apprentices and working students. In addition, again stemming from our region, retired life members who hold branch officer positions no longer have to pay full contributions. We also had motions passed on the living wage for all and calling on a massive government investment to build new council houses to provide work, create revenue by people paying tax and spending in the high street, and fill the desperate housing shortage – all designed to get this country moving again. It is a scandal that this government has earmarked £4bn to spend on council house building and £96bn on housing benefits; it should be the other way round! We also passed resolutions on international issues affecting workers who are murdered in Columbia just for joining a union, and in Costa Rica and North Korea highlighting the plight of working people. So Congress is vital and our region again punched above its weight to ensure GMB continues to go from strength to strength. Our region’s membership continues to grow for a sixth year, and once again our finances are ahead of budget so, thanks to all of our activists, staff, officers and mainly you, we are in very good nick indeed! Thank you for your membership which I value so highly.

www.gmb.org.uk 03

l a n o i g e r

E T A D P U

GMB m o r f s w e n All the

o t e t a l o Is it to ? s h n r u o e sav A

sector companies are rubbing their hands at ccording to Bill Chard, GMB’s the thought of profiting from the break-up of membership development officer, the National Health Service. “we have a fight on our hands, win to need we and it’s a fight that to save the NHS.” STAnding firm “The Con-Dem assault is at an advanced So is it too late to save our NHS? stage,” he says. “Health authorities Not if we stand together behind and primary care trusts are now Nye Bevan’s symbolic being abolished and replaced statement made at the with clinical commissioning creation of the service: groups. Doctors will ‘The NHS will last as long continue to tend to the as there are folk left to sick and private fight for it.’ Bill Chard says: companies will be “We care and we must running the ship.” continue the fight; our Care professionals have rs created the jewel forefathe MEM ORIAL PLAQUE come out against these GMB members will fight in the crown, the Welfare State, changes and unions for their hospitals. and we must put the privatisation representing doctors and nurses of the NHS at the forefront of all our have sent a clear message, once it’s gone, it’s gone.” because ns, campaig saying this is the direct road to privatisation. issues with what’s national these Combine The government’s regulations say that all the a recipe for disaster. it’s and locally on going services can be offered out for tender. Private 04 www.gmb.org.uk

Continual financial pressures, departmental restructuring and service changes culminate in a stressed workforce. Nearly 400 staff from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust took part in a survey last year. The results were disturbing; they showed 46 per cent had suffered work related stress in the last year, up from 29 per cent the previous year and higher than the national average. Unfortunately, the trust has among the highest stress rankings in the country, not surprising given the major cost-cutting exercise taking place. The on-site GMB representatives are dealing with these increased stress levels first hand and know how uncertainty, brought about through cuts and changes, can cause severe low morale. This summer GMB will launch a stress awareness campaign to help combat the risk of work-related stress. Anyone wishing to find out more about our campaign or to get involved should contact Lou Foster-Wilson on 0845 337 7777.

iStock

nte a e th p u t s u m s r e b m e m GMB in the fight to save the NHS

regional

Fight the

bedroom tax

BECOME A GM WORKP B ORGANILACE SER www.g mb

Meet the reps! Margaret McParland has worked at St James Hospital for four years and encourages GMB members to contact her with any problems they face at work. She said: “I didn’t realise how much I would enjoy doing the courses and how much I would benefit from the education programme that GMB offers to reps. This has been invaluable in my workplace and I am confident that I can represent my members using the knowledge that these courses have given me.”

GMB members join 1,000 protestors in march against the bedroom tax HAPPY TO HELP Margaret McParland is on-hand for members. Jackie Raby has worked at Leeds General Infirmary for 25 years. She says: “Sometimes you are not aware of changes until they happen. I enjoy representing GMB members because I hate to see injustice.”

GET IN TOUCH

If you work for the NHS and would like to find out more about becoming a GMB representative, please contact Joan Kea ne on 0845 337 7777.

Cure the NHS As the government makes a move towards privatising the NHS under the guise of clinical commissioning groups, it has never been more important to fight for a free National Health Service. NHS spending is being cut and redirected towards social

care, with NHS workers bearing the brunt of the cuts. Meanwhile, a think-tank says that patient care is suffering as a result, despite the NHS staff’s best efforts. It has never been so important to protest against the dismantling of our health service.

.org.uk

On 20 April more than 1,000 protestors held a rally outside Leeds Art Gallery. The demonstration was organised by ‘Hands Off Our Homes’ and was held in protest against the government’s controversial bedroom tax scheme. The new tax, aimed at people who rent their home and get housing benefit, will mean that the amount they can claim will be dependent upon the number of people living in a household. Anyone with a ‘spare’ bedroom will have their housing benefit cut by 14 per cent, and those with two or more spare bedrooms will lose up to 25 per cent. GMB convenor, Joanna Perry, says this is nothing more than an ideological assault on the poor. The government is bringing in the bedroom tax to deal with the social housing crisis, but its efforts are “spurious to say the least”. People who are supposed to move out of their homes to avoid paying the tax for their ‘extra’ rooms will have nowhere to go. “Even if there were enough onebedroom flats to move all the so-called under-occupying tenants to, the cost of implementing this would far outstrip even the most optimistic estimates of savings achieved by this policy,” Joanna explained. “I am fundamentally opposed to these measures, and stand in solidarity with all who oppose the bedroom tax. And it is our members who have to deal with the repercussions of this disastrous piece of legislation. We should not stand by and allow this to happen. We want the government to do a u-turn – they’re used to it by now, they’ve done it often enough – and we want a guarantee from the Labour Party that they will reverse this legislation when they regain office.” ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT To find out more about bedroom tax, Joanna Perry describes the visit www.handsoffourhomes.org.uk bedroom tax as “spurious”.

5 www.gmb.org.uk 05

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Young members get Active Training

WORKING TOGETHER GMB and Veolia join forces for new learning centre.

on track

GMB and Veolia work together to invest in training

Rachel Harrison reports on the young members’ section The region’s young members have been pretty busy over recent months; a delegation attended the Labour Youth Conference, the first ever GFTU Youth Conference and the TUC Young Members’ Conference. Our regional young members’ banner also took pride of place at many of the rallies and demonstrations across the region, including the ‘Reclaim Your NHS Rally’ held in York. The first social event of the year was held at Henry Boons in Wakefield, with food and drink provided for the revellers and entertainment courtesy of DJ Wags and The Cheats. A fantastic night was had by all and we are hoping to schedule another social event over the summer so watch out for further details. GMB young members have also launched a campaign to equalise pay. They are asking employers that pay the youth rates of the National Minimum Wage to pay workers the same rate of pay for doing the same job, irrespective of age. If you are under 21 and are being paid in line with the youth rates please complete our survey at www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk

heffield recycling and waste employees are to benefit from a new state-of-the-art training facility on Lumley Street. The new GMB/Veolia Environmental Services training facilities are a partnership between GMB and Veolia. Tom Henthorn, from GMB’s Community Organising Project, spoke to The Pulse to tell us about the agreement: “What a journey it’s been to get to this point! Former offices have been refurbished into two training rooms (one housing a suite of high-spec computers provided by GMB), a conference room and a kitchen.” The agreement will mean GMB members now have access (in work time) to computer courses, classes in literacy and numeracy, as well as all the training they need to do their job. GMB’s union learning representatives at Veolia are also conducting a survey to find out what other skills our members would like to learn. The centre was officially opened by Tom Spaul, executive director of

Veolia Environmental Services, and Graham Benton, GMB senior organiser, on 10 April 2013. Tom Spaul said: “The investment in this new training facility demonstrates our commitment to the development of our employees. It will also provide learning opportunities within the community which forms part of Veolia’s national Skills for Life and Corporate Social Responsibility pledge.” Peter Davies, GMB organiser, said: “This facility is the biggest and best example of partnership work within the region. We have a good working relationship with Veolia and look forward to developing our education partnership.” Tom Henthorn added: “GMB believes this is the cutting-edge of industrial relations; at the same time as fighting and negotiating for a fair deal for members when the employer has different interests to union members, GMB will work just as hard together with the employer if they share a common interest.”

ore find outgem to keep up to date Visit our Facebook pa paigns (search with our events and cam Derbyshire rth No d an e GMB Yorkshir to Young Members) or go rg.uk e.o hir ks www.gmbyor ail to em an p dro ly, ve Alternati rg.uk b.o gm rachel.harrison@ . 77 77 7 33 45 08 or phone

06 www.gmb.org.uk

CUTTING THE RIBON Tom Spaul and Graham Benton cut the ribbon.

regional

l l rewe a F s y a S Region to President

injured ? ork at w .uk .gmb.org www

President Dave Noble stands down after triumphant term Following a triumphant term in office, GMB regional president, Dave Noble, made the decision to stand down from his post. Tributes poured in for Dave at the Regional Council meeting, which was held in the newly refurbished conference suite at Grove Hall. Tim Roache, GMB regional secretary, spoke of the tremendous support given by the outgoing president and thanked GOODBYE DAVE Dave for his loyalty, Regional secretary Tim Roache friendship and support. congratulates Dave Noble. After a contested vote, Andy Irving, workplace organiser at the BASF chemical plant in Bradford, In other regional elections, was elected as the new regional president Lesley Day and John Gibson were elected for the next four years. Andy said: “I’m onto the Commercial Services section of the looking forward to building on the good Regional Executive Committee, Paul Harvey WELL DONE ANDY foundations that Dave and the team have and Rob Whitehead onto Manufacturing and Andy Irving, the new put in place and to continuing to grow the Stacey Booth and Garry Warwick were elected t. iden regional pres region, even in these times of austerity.” onto Public Services.

a time to remember

GMB gathers for Workers’ Memorial Day and a chance to remember those killed in unsafe workplaces Workers’ Memorial Day is held on 28 April every year, a day when all over the world unions, safety campaigners, workers and their families hold events, demonstrations, vigils and a host of other activities. In GMB’s regional office, regional secretary, Tim Roache, signalled a minute’s silence with the ringing of the memorial bell. The bell was erected last year in memory of all those who had lost their lives at work. Workers’ Memorial Day also reminds us that workplace-related deaths can be prevented. GMB passionately campaigns for better workplace safety and protection. Speaking at the event, Tim Roache said: “Holding the memorial event at GMB’s

regional office is a fitting tribute to all those people killed or injured at work. “Our members should be safe in the knowledge that when they leave home to go to work they will return back safe to their families and loved ones. The attacks that we are seeing on health and safety legislation are abhorrent and are part of the bigger picture of this government’s attack on working people.”

Never forget Colin Kirkham (GMB health & safety officer), Desiree Risebury (GMB senior orga niser) and Tim Roache (GMB regional secr etary). www.gmb.org.uk 07

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Ship shape

in Plymouth All the news from the Yorkshire & North Derbyshire region at GMB Congress

hat an amazing week for the Yorkshire & North Derbyshire region at GMB Congress 2013. The 40-strong delegation arrived ership of in Plymouth on 1 June, under the lead did they and he, regional secretary, Tim Roac GMB 600 than e mor l tota In the region proud. in part took ts gues and ors visit delegates, the UK. Congress, converging from all over y saw GMB mon cere On Sunday, the opening ct Central tefra (Pon by Mos young members Lee icals Chem F (BAS Early nna Joha branch) and g members’ youn nal regio the ying carr ch) bran ns carried banner. For the first time all nine regio led by the hall ce eren conf the their banners into . salem Jeru of tune the to er national bann Many of our delegates were first time of motions, speakers, discussing a wide range and stepping e strik ral gene a including a call for ss the acro e wag g livin a for n paig up the cam itted subm country. More than 50 motions were e. alon n to Congress from this regio

speaking debut ch), Mel Hobson (Sheffield Mcp & Lt bran of issue the ng raisi 79, ion moved mot to say attacks on the disabled. It went on in work that we need to campaign and

IT’S GOOD TO TALK Speakers included MP Andy Burnham. 08 www.gmb.org.uk

Disabled alliance with other groups, including Uncut, UK and C) (DPA Cuts inst Aga le Peop fits and against attacks on employment, bene ploy Rem of nt tme trea support services. The g Livin bility Disa to cuts the employees and ern. conc r icula part of are ance Allow ) special Central Executive Committee (CEC GMB the ding inclu d, reports were discusse lopment deve the into ing look ect, Women’s Proj to the took of women within GMB. Four officers er form , ison stage, including Rachel Harr e about secretary at GMB Sheffield. They spok ement urag enco ed offer and es their experienc GMB. to women who wish to progress in

hard hitting

an author, Guest speaker Owen Jones, who is mentator, com ical newspaper columnist and polit -Dem Con the on spoke of the devastati society. government has unleashed on our branch) got lth Hea y nsle (Bar son Jack tin Mar y Burnham, And with involved with a Q&A session gress. Con to ess addr his Labour MP, following a at “Wh : said he, Roac Tim ting, Commen the region. for been has this s gres Con ant brilli and played Our delegates were second to none were a They ngs. eedi proc a major part in the .” with be to sure plea credit and a

congress 2013

national

l na O I T NA

UPDATE

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E T A D P U

from GMB All the news

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

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

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

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

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

GEORGE FRASER ss. re Reports from Cong

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

On the Blacklist?

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

plymouth, 2–6 june www.gmb.org.uk 09

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

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

inspiration

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

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

Rates increase

10 www.gmb.org.uk

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

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

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

Paul kenn y

says

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

national

UPDATE

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

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

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

Look at our

s e c c u s

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

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

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

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

NATional email me at Sarah@sarahowen.org.uk

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

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

Clive Lewis, Norwich South

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

Clive@lab

email me at Vicky@vickyfoxcroft.com

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

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

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

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

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from GMB All the news

membership

made easy

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

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

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

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

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

exclusive extras

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

14 www.gmb.org.uk

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

YOUR HISTORY Read about how GMB came into existence.

regional NATional exclus ive to

gmb

member s prize dra w

WIN!

a toyota aygo worth £9,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.gmb.org.uk 15

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

exclusive

to gmb WOMEN members

regional NATional

Take a

Break

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

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

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

iStock x 4

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

...or Woolacombe Sands?

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

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

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

www.gmb.org.uk 17

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

How to make GMB work for you

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

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

Hi sara, it’s Joe.

Do you want GMB to approach them?

Hi Joe, what can I do for you?

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

Later that week...

any time Joe.

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

Thanks a lot for your support, sara.

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

The End

18 www.gmb.org.uk

Joby Seesions

The threat of involving GMB did the trick.

NATional

Freoeur

PUBS

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

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

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

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

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

“Pubcos are pricing pubs out of the market”

from doing so.

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

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

www.gmb.org.uk 19

national

UPDATE

The cost

from GMB All the news

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

Manchester

£2,012

Stokeon-Trent

Lambeth

£2,132

Croydon

Wandsworth

£2,265 £2,350

Cityof London

£3,464

£2,045

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

20 www.gmb.org.uk

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

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

Find out more

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

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

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Selling our

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

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

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

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

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

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

NATional

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

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

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

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

Help GMB S e NH Saveyoth ur services and

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

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

GMB Member offer

Andrew Wiard

iStock x 3

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

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

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

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

www.gmb.org.uk 23

national

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

GMB’s annual statement and audit Audit Report

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

24 www.gmb.org.uk

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

Year ended 31 December 2012

£’000

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

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

Benefit Car

Executive

£’000 £’000

12 1

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

£’000 £’000

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

Benefit Total Employers’ Mortgage NI

1 1 2

regional

UPDATE The Tories are from GMB All the news

telling porkies! Tory benefit myths are part of a war on the poor

he Tories, backed by their Lib-Dem lapdogs, have waged an incessant war on the poor, the disabled and the working class. To built up justify their unfair policies, they have to led pedd g bein are h whic a veil of myths, ies. GMB polic their ort supp to le peop persuade to expose has gained knowledge and statistics lies. – are y reall they these myths for what ing Myth 1 The number of people claim to unemployment benefit is growing unsustainable proportions. fits has Reality The bill for out-of-work bene a half now is and s year for n dow g been goin the of math million lower now than in the after last recession.

ce because Myth 2 Benefits are a lifestyle choi they are too generous. Reality s a week at the • A single person working 30 hour £2,270 a be ld wou e Wag mum Mini National income an – year better off than on benefits gain of 66 per cent. working • A single parent with two children WHO NOSE WHY? a year 05 £4,6 be ld wou k wee a s hour 30 David Cameron might be telling me inco an – porkies about people on benefits. better off than on benefits . gain of 45 per cent

• A couple with two children in which one partner works 30 hours a week would be £3,651 a year better off in work than on benefits – an income gain of 30 per cent. • A single adult of working age on benefits receives only 40 per cent of the weekly amount thought to be the acceptable minimum to live on. A couple with two children receives only 62 per cent of the acceptable minimum. Myth 3 Spending on benefits is out of control. Reality Benefit spending in 2011–12 accounted for 10.4 per cent of GDP, lower than the mid-1980s (11 per cent) and in the mid-1990s (12 per cent). This is despite recent increases in benefits due to the recession and unemployment. Myth 4 The benefits system is full of benefit cheats and fraudsters. Reality In 2011–12 just 0.7 per cent or £1bn of the benefit bill was overpaid due to fraud – JIMINY CLEGG compared to £70bn lost Nick Clegg is going through illegal tax evasion. along with the Tories.

well done ros jones! Labour’s mayoral victory in Doncaster

Rex Features x 3 /iStock

abour's Ros Jones has won the race to become Doncaster's mayor. She beat incumbent mayor, Peter Davies, well known for his controversial right wing views, in a hardfought contest. In an interview with Ros, she said: “Doncaster has spoken and it has said loud and clear that it wants a mayor who will always be on its side, who will stand up against David Cameron and his Tory-led government and who will go out and sell Doncaster to the world to bring jobs and

growth here. Change needs to be brought about in the council services, especially children's services. “The people of Doncaster have put a great responsibility on my shoulders. Times are tough, we have a government delivering the most ruthless cuts to local government we've had in modern times. But I think we can, together, drive our borough forward.” Ros went on to say: "I want to thank all GMB members in Doncaster who came out to support the campaign. I am truly grateful for their support.”

ED’s UP Ros Jones celebrates with Ed Miliband.

www.gmb.org.uk 25

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

Clean up

your act

GMB launches petition to get Sheffield cleaners a living wage

26 www.gmb.org.uk

the sector to make sure our members get what they deserve – a fair wage that they can at least live a reasonable life on.” The living wage for Sheffield and South Yorkshire

is £7.45 per hour. Below are the companies carrying out publicly-funded work who will pay or are considering payment and those who will not pay.

Who’s paying a living wage? SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL

✓

Confirmed in November 2012

AMEY

✓

Confirmed in May 2013

VEOLIA

✓

Confirmed in May 2013

SOVA (GREEN CO.)

✓

Confirmed in May 2013

KIER

In talks with GMB and only likely if SCC insist

UNITED LEARNING TRUST (Springs and Park Academy)

In talks with GMB currently

VINCI

In talks with GMB currently

SIV

Won’t agree now but will continue to talk

CARILLION

Industrial action ballot result 100 per cent for strike action, first day 15 March. Contract now under new tender

TAYLOR SHAW

Indicative ballot taken place

EUREST (Springs and Park Academy catering)

Won’t pay but will have to if ULT agree

OCEAN

Won’t pay but will have to if ULT agree

MELLORS

Won’t pay

CAPITA

Won’t pay

iStock

ontracted-out school workers took to the streets of Sheffield in a bid to get their employer, Carillion, to do the decent thing and pay them a living wage. Cleaners, who were out-sourced from Sheffield City Council over two years ago, were promised that their terms and conditions would mirror local authority agreements. But when Sheffield City Council agreed to become a living wage employer in January 2013, (which would mean that many workers would see their pay shoot up from £6.31 to £7.45 per hour), Carillion went back on its word. GMB, along with the affected workers, launched a petition outside the Town Hall calling for all outsourced public sector workers in Sheffield to be paid the living wage. Speaking to The Pulse, Peter Davies, GMB organiser for the Carillion workforce, said: “We launched a living wage petition and have already had a one-day strike with a further day planned in the summer. Hopefully the damage is done, because Sheffield City Council has now agreed to help us in our campaign and to write to all out-sourced contractors in the city and urge them to pay the living wage. We will not rest on that though, and we are currently planning more industrial action at Carillion and throughout

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

When you need help, GMB offers members free legal advice* so you can fight your corner

ree legal advice* is all part of being a GMB member. GMB solicitors, Thompsons, have secured compensation for hundreds of Yorkshire & North Derbyshire GMB members over the last 12 months. Here are just a couple of successful cases…

Compensation after tragic accident The family of a Pontefract mother who died in a horrific road accident has received £370,000 in compensation after getting help from GMB. The 43-year-old died from multiple injuries following the crash in March 2007, when she was the passenger in a car that collided with an HGV lorry. Her son, who was 10, suffered multiple injuries.

Following her tragic death, her husband decided to contact GMB for help. GMB then instructed Thompsons Solicitors to investigate a claim for compensation from those responsible for the accident. Thompsons was successful in securing payments for the young son’s injuries as well as compensation for all the family for the loss of their mother.

GMB steps up for Step-fall member A civilian police worker who had to retire early after injuring his back when he fell down a flight of stairs has been awarded compensation after coming to GMB for help. The 61-year-old from Wakefield badly injured his back in the fall at West Yorkshire Police headquarters in November 2008.

West Yorkshire Police denied liability and the case was heard at Leeds County Court, where the judge ruled the accident had been caused by the absence of a handrail. He added that the GMB member’s retirement was brought forward by six months as a result of his injuries. He was awarded £17,000 in compensation.

elp here toah personal Have you suffered psons! injury? Contact Thom or away at d ure inj en If you’ve be ntact co from work you should ht aig str e vic GMB’s legal ser . 76 29 0 10 08 08 on away

*Subject to rule

www.gmb.org.uk 27

regional

UPDATE

from GMB All the news

leeds club

honoured Leeds Trades Club gets its own blue plaque tribute

GMB was proud to support the unveiling of the Leeds Civic Trust blue plaque commemorating Leeds Trades Club. The club was built between 1934 and 1936 as the Jewish Institute, and from 1974 to 1994 the art deco building was the headquarters of Leeds Trades Council. The club was used by the Leeds Labour movement for meetings, events and concerts and was a hub for the left to gather and meet like-minded people. In 1978, exiled Chilean trade unionists escaping from Pinochet’s fascist regime were housed, trained and found employment by activists of Leeds Trades Council. Many gigs have been held at the club including Rock Against Racism and the Right To Work Campaign. Leeds Trades Council was established in 1860 when fewer than three per cent of workers were trade union members. Tim Roache, regional secretary, said: “This building has a special place in trade union history; many successful campaigns were created here and a succession of young trade unionists attended their first meetings and were enthused for life.”

History in the making Bill Chard, membership development officer, unveiling the plaque along with trade union and Labour colleagues. 28 www.gmb.org.uk

Winner Gary Whitehead won £100.

Cash for contact details

Leeds Local Government members win big and turn their details into dosh!

ucky winners from Leeds Local Government Staff branch have bagged themselves £100 in a special postcode lottery. The GMB branch ran an incentive to get their membership database up to date, asking members to complete a postcard providing their email, mobile and workplace details. The draw was made by GMB’s political officer, Steve Jennings, at the branch meeting. The winners, pictured with GMB convenor Mark Sykes, are Rachael Cavanagh, project assistant

in Leeds City Council, and Gary Whitehead driver/cleaner for Leeds City Council. Branch secretary, Stacey Booth said: “It is imperative that members provide up to date details to ensure they receive relevant information regarding their terms and conditions and to enable us to communicate with them effectively. Congratulations to the lucky winners and happy spending!”

Beaming! Rachel Cavanagh receives her winnings.

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

Handle with care GMB’s policy is that school support staff should not administer medicines

ead teachers are putting pressure on school support staff to give medical care to pupils with additional health needs, creating a new industrial issue. Many children occasionally need medical help at school, while an increasing number have long-term ailments including asthma, diabetes or more complex conditions such as cystic fibrosis, and may have associated special educational needs. Medical care is often delegated to school support staff such as teaching assistants, higher level teaching assistants and lunchtime supervisors, among others. More and more school support staff are being asked to take on responsibilities in this area, even though they often lack the necessary training and do not receive any additional remuneration. A report produced by GMB has found that more than a million school children are being put at risk every day because school support staff are being asked to perform medical procedures with little or no training. Brian Strutton, GMB national secretary for public

services, said: “Demand for medical provision in mainstream schools is increasing substantially. The report also found that 43 per cent of those questioned said they felt pressured to take on this responsibility. Of those that do, the survey found that 57 per cent said that they had not received the necessary training to allow them to carry out any duties, which included overseeing asthma pumps and inhalers, administering behavioural drugs, diabetes injections or adrenaline injections for anaphylactic shock and responsibility for catheters and tracheotomy care. GMB policy and advice to members is, of course, to avoid getting involved unless the appropriate training and remuneration are forthcoming.”

iStock

“A million children are being put at risk every day”

Work in a school? For more information on the School Support Staff National Project Team and information surrounding Understanding The

School of success Project worker Julie Whitaker is supporting school support staff. GMB has set up the School Support Staff National Project Team, who will use the issues to help kick-start a broader dialogue in schools about support staff development and training, and to encourage staff to take up an active role in workplace learning. Leading this innovative project is Piotr Plonka (project manager) along with project workers Julie Whitaker (GMB Yorkshire & North Derbyshire region) and Colin Walters (GMB Southern region) who are reaching out to school support staff by offering a free level 2 accredited course, Understanding The Safe Handling Of Medicines. This course offers a distance learning NCFE level 2 certificate, which can be completed at times and locations suited to the learner. This certificate would be relevant for teaching assistants and school support staff as part of a personal and professional development work plan, or those who wish to add a new qualification or to extend their knowledge.

Safe Handling Of Medicines certificate, please contact Piotr Plonka on 01924 887277 or email piotr.plonka@gmb.org.uk

This offer does not remove the employer’s duty of care to provide all school support staff with adequate training for medical needs that children may have (Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974).

www.gmb.org.uk 29

regional

UPDATE

Move tto Direc Debit k

from GMB All the news

here to

HELP!

Polish GMB members in Barnsley know that they can get help and assistance with bills, problem landlords or form-filling from the volunteers at the Polish Library and Drop-in Centre. Volunteers Tamara Gryszel-Fieldsend and Hanka Zahorska also organise community events and give lessons to children born in the UK of Polish parents on their history and heritage. The centre is also a GMB learning centre and GMB is given access to use the facilities for meetings, recently meeting with members from the giant ASOS/Unipart distribution centre in Barnsley. The Polish Library and Drop-in Centre is based on Wellington Street. Anyone wishing to use their facilities should contact Tamara on 01226 698 288.

.org.u www.gmb

Pedal power Gary receives a cheque for £500 from Mick Woodhead, GMB branch secretary.

Pedal for Pounds Gary gets on his bike to raise £1,000 for charity

HELPING HAND Get assistance from the friendly volunteers!

WIN!

ary Charlesworth, a GMB representative from Northern Gas Networks, has raised £1,000 for charity by taking part in the fourth annual Pedal for Pounds. The money he raised was split equally between Huddersfield Town Football Club’s ‘Keep It Up Campaign’, which supports the club’s youth

academy, and the deserving Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Gary said: “The route was mostly along country lanes and the weather was kind to us – until the third day when the headwind over the North York Moors made it twice as hard to pedal! The target was £1,000, and with help from the branch, I achieved it. I am truly thankful to all my sponsors.”

A samsung galaxy tablet

Design a GMB banner and win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet*

30 www.gmb.org.uk

PRIZE TREAT Get creative and you could pocket this tablet! TERMS & CONDITIONS *Closing date is 16 September 2013 and winners will be notified by telephone. Entries will be judged by the regional secretary and his decision is final. If the design is suitable it will be produced as a full size banner, although we reserve the right to use the winning design and elements of other entries. The design you submit must be your own original work and must not contain any other content or materials that you do not have permission to use. By entering you agree to take part in any publicity in the next issue of The Pulse. If the entry is selected as the winner, then all property rights are transferred to GMB.

iStock

Are you a GMB member who has a flair for design? If so, why not have a go at our ‘Design a Banner’ competition? We’re looking for a banner design for the Yorkshire & North Derbyshire region to be used on marches and demos. Your design can include images and graphics and can also represent the trade union movement from the past, present or future (or a combination). It should contain the name of the region, our GMB@WORK logo and be easy to spot from a distance. The best entry will win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and their design may even be made into a full-sized banner. Entries can be sent electronically to caroline.jones@gmb.org.uk or posted to GMB, Grove Hall, 60 College Grove Rd, Wakefield, WF1 3RN. Please provide your name, address, membership number and contact telephone number.

Kiveton park play ball GMB-sponsored Kiveton Park FC under 15s completed the 2012/13 season as Division E runners up, rewarded with promotion to Division D of the Sheffield and District Junior League. They have also won the division’s fair play award for the second year running. Mark Tideswell, the team’s coach and GMB accompanying rep, said: “Thanks to GMB we were able to buy match balls, special award trophies and man of the match medals for the players.”

Senior organiser, Graham Benton, commented: “GMB’s purpose is to improve the quality of life for its members and their families, so we are pleased to support junior football in the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire area. Being successful is a bonus and GMB wishes the players, their parents and coaches all the best for another good season.”

Sport for all! GMB has secured a fantastic offer with Barnsley Premier Leisure and Fitness Flex for GMB members in the region. The benefits of the package include a reduced membership fee of £22.50 per month payable by direct debit, with no joining fee, plus: • • • • • • • • •

se of seven venues U Unlimited use of eight fitness suites Unlimited use of all fitness classes Unlimited use of the Metrodome Waterpark Unlimited use of three other swimming pools* Unlimited use of the athletics track Off-peak badminton and squash at the Metrodome Half-price adult swimming lessons Free personalised induction and progression reassessment

(Inductions are compulsory for new members using the gym)

To receive the offer, simply show your GMB membership card in your chosen gym (see below for venues). For more information please contact your local BPL/Fitness Flex gym or contact Jessica Carrington at the GMB regional office on 0845 337 7777. Visit www.bpl.org.uk for further information on BPL.

GMB

H YORKSHIRE & NORT DERBYSHIRE

Contact 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

Regional Secretary: Tim Roache. Grove Hall, 60 College Grove Road, Wakefield WF1 3RN T: 0845 337 7777 F: 01924 887272

GMB brighouse Office Clifton House, Clifton Road, Brighouse HD6 1SL T: 0845 337 7777 F: 01484 721 222

GMB chesterfield Office 34 Glumangate, Chesterfield S40 1TX T: 0845 337 7777 F: 01246 234521

GMB sheffield Office

Thorne House, 188-190 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1SY T: 0845 337 7777 F: 0114 273 9601

GMB york Office

75 Gillygate, York YO31 7EA T: 0845 337 7777 F: 01904 674045

GMB REGIONAL WEBSITE www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk

*Dependant on session times Dearneside Leisure Centre, Doncaster Fitness Flex, Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre, Hoyland Leisure Centre, Metrodome Leisure Complex, Royston Leisure Centre, Wakefield City Academy and Pontefract Fitness Flex.

@GMBCampaigns GMB Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region GMB Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Young Members

www.gmb.org.uk 31

Get up to

£100

** OExfclusive fe ends r 31 July!

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

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

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

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

Don’t miss out! Sign up now. Go to:

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

Your GMB