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Welcome from Warren & Penny
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Dear GMB Member, welcome to the first issue of our new digital newsletter for members across our region.
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Dear Member,
These last two years have been extremely challenging for everyone, I don’t think anyone knew quite what to expect when in March 2020, the Government announced a national lockdown.
Read more from Warren here. |
Dear Member,
It’s been a really tough two years but at last, we are back to some sort of normality.
This newsletter allows me to speak to each of you and thank each and all for your loyalty and belief in the trade union movement and the difference GMB makes to the lives of working people. Read more from Penny here |
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Summary of Congress 2022
Sunday 12 to Thursday 16 June 2022, Harrogate
The theme of Congress 2022 was “Make Work Better” and was a welcome back to a physical venue-based Congress since 2019 and this was our first visit to Harrogate. Congress was chaired by our National President Barbara Plant & Vice President Malcolm Sage.
Penny Robinson, our Regional President lead our 56-strong Regional delegation. Read more here.
Would you like to know how to get involved with Congress 2023, in Brighton from 4th June? Find out here. |
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| Here we have pulled together a snapshot of reactions from some of GMB London Region’s Delegation to Congress 2022 in Harrogate. |
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GMB schools staff need inflation-linked pay riseA London Region survey of nearly 1500 key workers members in schools has highlighted the impact of wages not keeping up with inflation and the resultant cost-of-living crisis. Years of public sector pay freezes and below-inflation pay rises are taking a devastating toll on lower-paid workers and it is just wrong that the staff feeding our children in schools are not earning enough to feed their own families. Read more
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| London bus drivers forced to wee in bushes and bottles due to ‘degrading’ lack of bathrooms, GMB Congress hears
London bus drivers are forced to wee in bushes and bottles due to a lack of bathrooms on route, GMB Congress heard.At least 175 bus routes in the capital only have one bathroom, meaning drivers have to go up to four hours without access to proper facilities.
GMB Union represents thousands of bus, lorry, taxi and delivery drivers who are all facing the same problem – Congress heard.
The union passed a motion calling for toilet facilities for at the start and end of all bus routes to half the time drivers have to wait to reach a loo.
Mike Tinnion, GMB London Region member and London bus driver, said:
“A lot of drivers are leaving the profession – it’s just grim.
“We need the keys to the city’s loos – it’s just a basic dignity.
“It can’t be right that you’re forced to bring a bottle to pee in to work – it’s even worse if you’re a woman or have any health issues.“ |
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GMB knows that this is a big problem for workers across many sectors of professional driving. We will campaign on what can but done to resolve this appalling, undignified and very much ignored issue.
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Domestic Abuse is a workplace issue affecting tens of thousands of working people. Find out how GMB can help you to introduce a DA policy into your workplace.
Thousands of Securitas workers now protected by domestic abuse charter
The security giant this week will provide a discretionary period of paid time off for someone dealing with domestic violence or abusive behaviours, to support them in seeking the appropriate help.
Read more here. |
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GMB London’s continuous fight for decent wages at Heathrow delivers success –
1300 Heathrow workers win London Living Wage pay boost after GMB Union campaign
Every worker deserves decent pay – it wasn’t fair that people employed by external contractors were getting less than their colleagues directly employed by the airport. Read more here. |
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GMB and Deliveroo sign historic recognition deal
GMB Union and Deliveroo have signed an historic union recognition deal covering the company’s 90,000 + self-employed riders.
The Voluntary Partnership Agreement will see GMB have rights to collective bargaining on pay and consultation rights on benefits and other issues, including riders’ health, safety and wellbeing. Read more here |
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GMB in communitiesGMB London nominated five Food Banks to receive a donation of £1,000 Each from the TUUT Charitable Trust. With current soaring living costs meaning a greater demand from people needing help from food banks, it is important that GMB supports communities as much as we support our members. Read more here.
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Equality in London Region
Every GMB region has equality activists who work hard every day to organise and support GMB members in protecting and extending their rights at work.
We are marking Pride Season 2022. GMB LGBT+ members can find the list of Pride events in the region here.
Have you thought about getting involved as an equality activist? You can find out about all five equality self-organised groups here. |
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Awards – GMB Long Service of Branch Secretaries
On behalf of the Regional Council, Warren Kenny has sent his sincere thanks and appreciation to the following retiring long service Branch Secretaries who will be getting a framed Long Service Award and a Merit Award for their 25 years of Long Service, those Branch Secretaries who have been members for less than 25 years received a Merit Award.
Will Conway, H48 Houses of Commons
Ann Skipper, L43 Lowestoft Branch
Danny Byrne, C30 City of London
Peter Williment, G26 Harlow Glass
Mick Aulsberry, K11 Kensington & Chelsea
Wendy Ramsay, S44 Southend on Sea
Paul Sellers, X09 Westminster TUPS
Sarah Hurley, X47 Holborn
Alistair McClean, Z23 Lowestoft & London Boilermakers
Lesley Stansfield, H30 Hendon
Congratulations and thank you each and all for all your hard work and dedication to GMB members and the movement
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London Region’s Six Nominations for the Congress Eleanor Ward Award
At the London Region Women’s Conference on Saturday 9th July, the six branch reps nominated for the Congress Eleanor Marx Award will receive a special award from GMB London’s Regional Council in recognition of their exemplary work and dedication to members of their branch.
The special awards go to:
Joanne Rust, Kings Lynn No 1 Branch
Lesley Stansfield, H30 Hendon Branch
Deborah Haynes, X10 RCN Branch
Elizabeth Booker, Plaistow P17 Branch
Penny Robinson, Barking and Dagenham Branch
Sharon Waldron, Plaistow Branch
If you have benefited from the help and support provided by a woman GMB branch or workplace rep, why not think about nominating her next year. Applications for nominations open in March so look out for our communication about it in March 2023.
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| Update your details so that you don’t miss out on ballots |
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| Become a GMB London workplace rep |
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| Get support from GMB London |
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| Request a workplace visit |
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| Access free training courses
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| Join our equality groups and get involved |
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| Access GMB’s range of discounted days out and products |
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