Welcome to the bumper edition of our regional newsletter “Members First”, with information and news covering the last six months.

There has been so much industrial activity during this time that it would make for very extensive reading so we have encapsulated some of what your union has been involved in, fighting for the members.  

Industrial campaigning and negotiations have been very busy across many sectors and industries represented by GMB. Significant progress has been made in areas of work that have previously been difficult to reach, like the workers in the gig economy. Self-employed workers who do not have employment rights and therefore do not have any security around earnings and hours, nor do they have paid leave, employer pension schemes, or health and safety assessments and protections to name but a few. The rights that the trade union movement has worked tirelessly to achieve and protect.

Read more from Warren and Penny here.

Charity Bus Company employer pays four-figure settlement to GMB member for unfair dismissal. Read more here.

Access to toilets for taxi and transport workers is a basic human right 
GMB campaigning for local authorities to re-open public toilets. Read more here.

Employers should provide free hearing tests to call handlers and members working in call centres.  

GMB campaigning for changes to legislation as call handling is a massive industry across public and private sectors. Read more here.

GMB campaigning for cleaner water. GMB members in Thames Water and thousands working in the water industry call for an urgent public inquiry into sewage dumping and ‘gross mismanagement’ and underinvestment of the entire water industry. Read more here.

Miscarriages should be included in parental Bereavement leave- we need a change in the law   GMB to campaign for a change in the law. Read more here.

GMB welcomes new legislation so hospitality and other workers keep all tips and gratuities  
After years of campaigning for a law change, 2 million workers in the hospitality, leisure and services sectors are to receive all tips, gratuities and service charges given by customers. Read more here.

GMB teaching assistant members in schools under pressure and calling for major reform of Ofsted inspections.  70 per cent of members said they had worked extra hours in preparation for the inspection, with 87 per cent unpaid for these extra hours. Read more here.

Pay victory for striking parking enforcers in Kensington and Chelsea after heroic 19-Day strike action. After a hard-fought campaign and strike action, NSL made an acceptable offer to GMB members resulting in an above inflation 14% pay rise taking hourly rate from £11.95 to £13.50. Read more here.

Strikes hit Tower Bridge, Old Bailey, Barbican in pay dispute
City of London Corporation GMB members voted for and took strike action across London tourist attractions resulting in the company making an improved pay offer for our members. Read more here.

GMB workers in Bakkavor Pizza Harrow supplying many supermarkets secured a strong mandate for Industrial action. GMB members demanded a better deal and rejected a 5.9 per cent pay deal. Read more here.

Workers at Grand Union Housing taking strike action over low pay.
GMB members at Grand Union Housing, who provide 13,000 social homes across Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire are unable to afford their own rent and are taking strike action. Read more here.

Strike action averted as ground staff at Stansted accept bumper pay offer. Over the summer Blue Handling ground staff at Stansted Airport were balloted for industrial action and now accepted a bumper pay deal just hours before receiving an industrial action ballot paper. Read more here.

Redundancy for 80 Banbury DHL staff forced through without proper union engagement. GMB to consult with ACAS Read more here.

Restructuring in Newham leaves GMB members feeling ‘totally worthless and humiliated’. Long serving GMB members have come under attack in another sham restructure of the department. Read more here.

GMB supporting workers and members covered by London ULEZ Expansion

The ULEZ expansion will discriminate against workers struggling with the cost of living, Read GMB Statement from Warren Kenny, GMB London Regional Secretary. Read more here.

GMB voiced opposition to Cambridge proposals on congestion charge  (STZ) and although this has been revised, it is not enough for low-paid workers and residents.  Having to factor in payment for STZ will mean for some that it is no longer viable to live and work in Cambridge. Read more here.

GMB challenges and condemns Home Office U-turn over Windrush recommendations as they celebrate the 75th Anniversary  Williams report, the government has done a U-turn on 3 key reform commitments. Read More here.

Women’s football teams deserve equal FA cup prize money  GMB which represents match hospitality and security staff at several premier league stadiums calls on the Football Association to end gender discrimination in footballers’ pay. Read more here.

Five food banks received a donation of £1,000 each. GMB London Region and T.U.U.T Charitable Trust are proud to be supporting the invaluable work of the Trussell Trust, Fareshare and other organisations and community projects offering meals, food parcels, toiletries, advice and signposting. Read more here.

Congress 2023 Awards
London Region member Simon Wilde from Best Food Logistics wins the National 2023 GMB Mary McArthur Health & Safety Rep of the Year for his outstanding campaigning for the safety of drivers. Read more here.

London Regional awards have been presented to those nominated by Branches who didn’t receive the National Award:

Bismilla Mahomed –  Asda South Ruislip store
Adam Wade –  Asda Great Yarmouth store

The Region was not successful in winning the National Eleanor Marx 2023 Women’s Rep of the Year award at Congress but has presented London Region awards to the four members nominated:

Donna Thomas – E28 Branch
Joanne Turickki – X54 Branch
Christina Dearlove –  B14 Banbury Branch
Tracy Beeson – G50 Evri Branch

Congress 2024
If you are interested in becoming a delegate to GMB Congress 2024, register your interest here.

The following Long Service and Merit Awards were presented at the March 2023 London Regional Council Meeting.

Long Service Award is in recognition of long and dedicated service to GMB and for those who have had 25 years of unbroken GMB membership. Merit Certificates are awarded as a token of appreciation and in recognition of meritorious service to GMB London Region members.

Long service
Peter Veal – Huntingdon & Wishbech
Keith King – Z69 Peterborough Tec
Maureen Malone – Luton
Charles Pittaway – Bromley East
Colin Gadsdon – Hotels & Catering
Dave Dennis – Kings Lynn

Certificate of merit
Keith King – Z69 Peterborough Tec
Maureen Malone – Luton
Charles Pittaway – Bromley East
Colin Gadsdon – Hotels & Catering
Shirley Murphy – Hotels & Catering
Dave Dennis – Kings Lynn

Congratulations and thank you, each and all.
Union Gold Badge
Rachael Hookway is being presented with the CEC Gold Badge in recognition of her service to the Union’s Executive.

Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals in the workplace is the second most common preventable cause of bladder cancer. To tackle this, Fight Bladder Cancer will be working with GMB to ensure at-risk workers receive information, safety training, and appropriate personal protective equipment to minimise exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

Smoking is the cause of almost half of all bladder cancer cases, but exposure to some chemicals in the workplace also significantly raises the likelihood that workers in certain industries will develop bladder cancer.

Chemicals at work that are associated with bladder cancer include aromatic amines, (used in the production of dyes, rubbers, and textiles and can be found in some pesticides) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (formed in the production of some wood, coal, diesel and fats).

Workers who work in the following occupations may be at risk: Tobacco/dye/leather/rubber/metal works, factory/chemical works, oil/petroleum works, hairdresser, printer, painter, leather worker, cleaner, domestic assistant, electrician, mechanic, waiter, gardener, seafarer, nurse.

If you are concerned or would like more information about bladder cancer contact Fight Bladder Cancer on 01844 351621 or info@fightbladdercancer.co.uk. If you have been diagnosed with Bladder Cancer and you think your occupation may have caused the cancer and you wish to make a claim contact UnionLine https://unionline.co.uk/personal-injury-enquiry-gmb

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