theACTIVIST Issue 88 February 2021

GMB News From Around The Region

“ It's absolutely scandalous and time we had much tougher laws in the UK to protect workers ”

Peter Davies Senior Organiser In this issue… • Scandal of Arcadia SCANDAL OF ARCADIA COLLAPSE AS TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR collapse • More safety, more SACKED WORKERS REDUNDANCY space and less stress Workers have to apply through the statutory process and the taxpayer will cough up while in our schools greedy multi-millionaire Philip Green sails off on his yacht. • Tracy Brabin for Mayor • British Gas Update GMB has revealed the ‘scandal’ of Arcadia’s collapse as it emerges the taxpayer will have • GMB Pay 15: Learn to to shell-out for sacked workers’ redundancy pay-outs. The historic Burton site in is set to Win session close with 400 jobs lost, it was announced last week. The former Burton factory in Leeds has • Mental Health been in operation since 1922 - most recently as a distribution centre for Arcadia stores impact on NHS including Dorothy Perkins and Burtons. workers • Fair pay for key Administrators Deloitte, who raked in millions for their services during the sell off of Philip workers Green’s empire, told workers there would be no money left to pay their notice pay or • Workers Budget redundancy. This leaves hundreds of staff having to apply to the Government for the money 2/3/21 • UnionLine win big for that is rightfully theirs – which will ultimately be funded by taxpayer cash. GMB member • Young members Peter Davies, GMB Senior Organiser, said: “Obviously, this is an absolute tragedy. This site show solidarity with was a thriving distribution centre still rammed with stock. The administrators have raked in gas workers millions overseeing selling off the company names. But not one jot of effort has been made • TUC: Young workers on the workers’ behalf who will have to carry on up to the closure date, clearing that stock bearing the brunt and won't get a penny out of it.

“Workers will have to apply for redundancy through the statutory process and the taxpayer will cough up whilst that greedy multi-millionaire Philip Green sails off on his yacht. It's absolutely scandalous and time we had much tougher laws in the UK to protect workers who always have to pay the price for these board room disasters.”

THE ACTIVIST GMB - Grove Hall - 60 College Grove Road - - WF1 3RN 0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk 1 THE ACTIVIST

GMB members from Asquith Primary School in Leeds

GOVERNMENT HAS DONE ‘PRECIOUS LITTLE’ TO PREPARE SCHOOLS FOR SAFE RETURN GMB Union, which represents more than 100,000 school workers, has called for fully revised risk assessments to be published on a full return for schools. Ahead of the Prime Minister’s major announcement on lockdown easing on Monday, the union said the Government must fund additional safety measures.

GMB is calling for more safety, more space and less stress and listed a number of measures that need to be taken in order to ensure school safety (see opposite).

Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said: “We want all our kids in their classrooms and learning but we need MONDAY MORNING HEALTH & SAFETY a proper credible plan. Let’s face it, the Government has done precious little to make schools safer between BRIEFINGS FOR GMB REPS the start of lockdown and now despite having ample Every Monday morning at 9.30am we run a briefing for time. GMB Health and Safety reps - these cover key topics around the pandemic and how we can better “Once again, the media has been briefed before protect members. school workers and their unions. As a starting point, we need to see risk and equality impact assessments to fully They’re a great opportunity to ask questions if you’ve know what we are dealing with and how the got any and to keep up to date with the latest Covid Government plans to support safety in schools. guidelines both inside and outside of the workplace.

“School support staff have been in classrooms throughout the pandemic - schools have not been You’re invited to join so please hit the button below to closed – many school workers are telling us that without register or to catch up on last Monday’s session. additional protective measures, more space and proper support a full return won’t work. Click here to register “We need full central Government funding for enhanced safety measures, extra PPE in primary, early years and SEND settings which are now higher risk - and Click here to watch Monday’s for school workers to be vaccinated as soon as possible. session This isn’t just about keeping school workers and our children safe. It’s about keeping the R number down for all of us.”

THE ACTIVIST GMB - Grove Hall - 60 College Grove Road - Wakefield - WF1 3RN

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk 2 THE ACTIVIST

GMB IS PROUD TO SUPPORT TRACY BRABIN AS LABOUR’S

WEST YORKSHIRE METRO MAYOR CANDIDATE

Tracy Brabin is the Member of She also appeared in Speaking to The Activist, Tracy said: Parliament for and Spen, and wrote for both and “ I’m Yorkshire through and through, which is her home town and where Shameless. so this is a huge honour. I’m many of her family still live. Her Mum incredibly proud to be Labour’s still lives on the council estate Tracy Tracy says representing her home mayoral candidate because it grew up on. area in Westminster is the honour of means representing the people I her life, but that she will stand down grew up with and the communities I Tracy isn’t a typical politician. She as an MP if elected as grew up in to try and make a real was a free school meals kid who, like Mayor in order to be a full-time and practical difference to their day so many people in our area, started mayor for the region. to day lives. work as soon as she was old enough to do so, working in her local Tracy’s priorities as Mayor would be “ We’ve seen this year, more than hairdressers. protecting and creating good, well any other, how much it matters who Growing up in Batley in the 1970s, paid jobs – including in the growing we elect. We need a mayor who is Tracy watched headline acts at the entertainment industry which is going to get West Yorkshire our fair Batley Variety Club which is where already starting to flourish in the share when it comes to funding, jobs, transport and a recovery from the she first got stars in her eyes. region, alongside the green economy; safer streets and pandemic. There’s a big north/south Seeing the likes of Louis Armstrong, community policing; expanding divide in this country and we deserve Eartha Kitt and Shirley Bassey in her clean and green transport, including better than to be treated as second small market town set Tracy on a a mass transit system for the region class citizens. path in the entertainment industry. and ensuring a fair recovery from the “ There’s a big job to do in rebuilding Covid-19 pandemic. For three decades she worked in the our economy in a post Covid-19

entertainment industry, and might be world, my job will be to make sure Mayoral powers in West Yorkshire familiar to voters as Tricia Armstrong, that what comes next is fair and include transport, adult skills, some a character Tracy delivers the jobs, skills and aspects of planning and housing, played. opportunities for people.” policing and the economy.

THE ACTIVIST GMB - Grove Hall - 60 College Grove Road - Wakefield - WF1 3RN

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk 3 THE ACTIVIST

BRITISH GAS STRIKE DAYS 23 TO 26 GO AHEAD AS PARENT COMPANY

CENTRICA ANNOUNCES £700 MILLION PROFIT Fire and rehire remains the main obstacle to a potential settlement from the talks at ACAS, says GMB Union

British Gas engineers took strike action for the 23rd day today as parent company Centrica announces adjusted operating profits of almost £700 million.

Preliminary results for the year ending December 2020 GMB NHS PAY 15: LEARN TO WIN shows that Centrica recorded £699 million in adjusted Exhausted? Stressed? Overworked and Underpaid? operating profits, and a £52 million statutory profit Then you cannot afford to miss this event... compared to an £849 million loss in the previous 12 months. Calling all GMB NHS & Ambulance Service Activists. Around 7,000 British Gas engineers will down tools for four GMB would like to invite you to attend an important days from Friday, 26 February until Monday, 1 March National NHS and Ambulance GMB Reps and over the company’s plan to sack them all and rehire Activists’ Zoom event on Tuesday 30 March from them on worse terms and conditions. These are strike 6pm-8pm. days 23 to 26 of the ongoing dispute. Take some time out to join our online event to have Talks between GMB and British Gas have taken place at your say on pay and your voice heard by your trade ACAS, but GMB says the company’s refusal to withdraw union. its fire and rehire plan remains the main obstacle to a potential resolution. We are running this event because GMB wants to support you and your colleagues to make real The field staff bargaining group rejected the fire and changes on your ward, unit or community team rehire cuts in December and has already taken base. Register to join the Big GMB NHS Conversation part in 22 days of strike action. today!

Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said: “Last summer, when British Gas decided on fire and rehire pay Register to join the big conversation cuts for gas engineers, it was already a profitable company - as today's results confirm.

So there is no need to hurt workers, customers and shareholders. Refusing to take fire and rehire off the table is the main obstacle to a settlement at ACAS.

“Strike days 23 to 26 will go ahead at British Gas and GMB’s executive has determined action could continue to mid-April in this deadlocked dispute.

“After 22 days of strikes, more than 230,000 homes are in a backlog for repairs and 300,000 planned annual service visits have been axed. The company is misleading the media that it is catching up after 24 hours.”

THE ACTIVIST GMB - Grove Hall - 60 College Grove Road - Wakefield - WF1 3RN

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk 4 THE ACTIVIST

PAY RISE FOR KEY WORKERS

GMB POLL: 60% OF NHS WORKERS FAIR PAY FOR KEY WORKERS’ MEETING WHO CONTRACTED VIRUS GMB, in conjunction with the TUC’s ‘Fair Pay for Key Workers’ campaign, has hosted a ‘Fair Pay for Key EXPERIENCED POOR MENTAL HEALTH ‘Workers" online meeting with local Conservative MP for GMB union has demanded the Prime Minister produce an Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore, and key workers and NHS worker recovery plan after a poll revealed the constituents from Keighley & Ilkley. The purpose of the majority of those who contracted Covid were meeting was so key workers in the public and private experiencing poor mental health. sector could talk about what a pay rise would mean to them, and also to put pressure on the Government The survey, of more than 3,000 health workers in roles ahead of the budget proposals, to: across the NHS, revealed 60% of those who had contracted the virus said that the experience • Stop and reverse the public sector pay freeze had either some negative impact or a severe • Provide the funding to all public services to enable negative impact on their mental health. In total, 30% of outsourced workers to be paid at least the Real Living those surveyed said they had caught the coronavirus Wage and/or achieve parity with directly with almost 60% saying they passed it to a family employed colleagues who work alongside them member. Workers describe experiencing seizures, shock, • Raise the minimum wage to at least £10 per hour emotional damage and a lack of mental health support. • Create a supportive environment for pay determination in the health service that provides a Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said: “Our NHS significant and early increase for all NHS staff. members are telling us about the terrible toll of working flat out on the frontline during this pandemic and The MP was asked to listen and only respond on whether the severe impact catching Covid has had on their he was willing to support and sign our letter to the mental health. These are the people who have been Chancellor demanding the above. Find out in next saving lives throughout the pandemic. Now they need week’s issue if he did! Ministers to look after them.

“As the the Prime Minister unveiled his roadmap out of A WORKERS’ BUDGET: 2 MARCH 7.30PM lockdown, we called on him to outline a plan to help The night before Rishi Sunak’s Budget – unions are getting our beleaguered health workers recover from this together to demand a Workers’ Budget. As the pandemic pandemic.” rages, unemployment rises and thousands are forced to work in unsafe conditions, join us to demand a Workers’ Budget. It’s time for a pay rise for all our key workers. For safe workplaces and decent sick pay for all, for decent jobs for everyone – and fair funding for our precious NHS and public services. Join the online rally with shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds, the TUC’s Frances O’Grady, union leaders, international speakers and frontline workers. Sign up now: https://www.tuc.org.uk/RegisterWorkersBudget

THE ACTIVIST GMB - Grove Hall - 60 College Grove Road - Wakefield - WF1 3RN

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk 5 THE ACTIVIST

HAD AN ACCIDENT? THEN CHECK Unionline is your law firm - owned by GMB for GMB YOUR CLAIM WITH UNIONLINE members. It’s an added and unique benefit of your GMB membership: One of the main benefits is that if Had an accident that wasn't your fault? You could you make a personal injury claim and win – because get free legal representation and keep 100% of your we’re not trying to make profits for shareholders - you compensation by using GMB's law partner, UnionLine. keep 100% of your compensation. Unionline services

include: UnionLine is owned by GMB and run for you, our members. From accidents in the workplace or on the • Free personal injury claims for you and your family* road, to industrial diseases, they deal with all types of • Free will writing service** claims. Checking your claim is quick, free and easy - • Discounted probate and trust services just use our interactive form by following the link • Discounted conveyancing below: • Discounted family law representation

Check your claim here Visit UnionLine to find out more

** T&Cs apply

UNIONLINE WIN COMPENSATION FOR INJURED MEMBER GMB member Peter Cannon, started a personal injury claim after he suffered a crush injury to the middle finger of his dominant right hand whilst working at Surface Technology Plc. Peter’s fingers were underneath a frame whilst trying to guide an accumulator tank into place. The tank was overhanging its frame as the forklift truck holding it was at a slight angle and Peter was trying to straighten it. The frame was lifted on one side so when Peter was lowering the accumulator onto the frame on the forklift, his finger was crushed due to the angle of the forks.

When it crushed the finger, the end of the finger broke and split open due to the pressure. Peter had to have an operation on his finger and because he suffered anxiety working around forklift trucks, he was no longer able to do his job. As a result, Peter was supported through his employer’s capability procedure and unfortunately had to leave his workplace.

We were extremely pleased that we were able to help Peter obtain a substantial compensation award for the trauma he experienced.

Speaking to The Activist, Peter said: “The GMB Union helped me with handling the whole situation. The advice and support from the union representative helped my case and my final claim. Without them the uncaring management team would have just swept me aside.

“I would like to thank my solicitor, Mrs Naomi Johnston, Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer of Pattinson and Brewer and UnionLine for all the hard work they have done in finalising my claim. “My advice to everyone - don't stand alone, stand with GMB Union”.

THE ACTIVIST GMB - Grove Hall - 60 College Grove Road - Wakefield - WF1 3RN

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk 6 THE ACTIVIST

GMB YOUNG MEMBERS SUPPORT BRITISH TUC – YOUNG WORKERS “BEARING GAS MEMBERS WITH £2,000 DONATION BRUNT” OF JOBS CRISIS TO STRIKE FUND Commenting on this week’s labour market figures, which show that young people (16-24 year-olds) account for 6 Members from the GMB Young Members’ Network in 10 (58%) of the payroll jobs lost over the last year, TUC (YMN) in the region, have agreed to donate £2,000 General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Young from their fund to support striking British Gas workers. workers are bearing the brunt of this jobs crisis. We cannot afford for another generation to be scarred by Joe Wheatley and Gina Harding, Executive Officers for mass unemployment. The Government must stop the regional YMN, said in a joint statement: dragging its heels and announce an extension of the full furlough scheme for the rest of this year. "The British Gas strike represents a fundamental attack on our movement and our rights in the workplace. “The current uncertainty is creating needless anxiety and making it hard for businesses and working families to plan “If we fail, and Centrica succeeds, then the floodgates for the future. And it must revamp its Kickstarter scheme for all employers to use ‘fire and rehire’ to erode terms to help more young people back into work.” and conditions will be opened. On the need to support the self-employed, Ms

O’Grady added: “Millions of self-employed workers are “We are proud to support and stand in solidarity with still being denied the support they need to make ends GMB members at British Gas. meet during this crisis. That is not right. Ministers must fix this urgently and extend the self-employed scheme to “We encourage all regional branches that have not help more workers.” already done so, to likewise make a donation to support our members in their action.” On the need to boost job creation, Ms O’Grady added: “The economy needs jumpstarting. The Jake O'Malley, Organiser and Young Members’ Officer, Government must get on the front foot and start added: investing in job creation. Fast-tracking spending now on green housing, infrastructure and our public services can “I am delighted with the decision taken by the region’s create good jobs in the parts of the country that need YMN to support British Gas members. them most.”

On the need to help the recently unemployed, Ms “Young members recognise that if we don't act now O’Grady said: “Ministers must help those who lose their and support our members in their action, the world of jobs get back on their feet quickly. That means keeping work for future generations will be a very bleak and the £20 uplift in Universal Credit in place - not taking precarious world indeed.” away this lifeline.”

THE ACTIVIST GMB - Grove Hall - 60 College Grove Road - Wakefield - WF1 3RN

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk 7