GMB ANNUAL CONGRESS held on SUNDAY 14TH JUNE – WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE 2009 at THE WINTER GARDENS, BLACKPOOL -------------------------------------- SIS. MARY TURNER (President of the GMB Union) (In the Chair) -------------------------------------- PROCEEDINGS DAY TWO (MONDAY 15TH JUNE 2009) ----------------------------------- (Conference reported by: Marten Walsh Cherer Limited, 6th Floor, 12-14 New Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1AG. Telephone: 020 7936 6000 email: [email protected] ----------------------------------------- 1 SECOND DAY’S PROCEEDINGS MONDAY, 15TH JUNE 2009 MORNING SESSION Congress assembled at 9.30 a.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, colleagues. Congress, you are about to hear the safety announcement for the Winter Gardens. Please pay attention. SAFETY PROCEDURES ANNOUNCEMENT THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Could I ask all delegates and visitors to check that you have switched off your mobile phones or make sure they are on ‘silent’ because, otherwise, you will be going home very light. Is that agreed? (Agreed) STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 3 THE PRESIDENT: I call Helen Johnson to move Standing Orders Committee Report No. 3. SIS. H. JOHNSTON (Chair, Standing Orders Committee): Congress, as Chair of Standing Orders Committee, I move SOC Report No. 3. Congress, withdrawn motions. The SOC has been advised that the following motions have been withdrawn: Motion 134 – Nationalisation of Banks, standing in the name of London Region, has been withdrawn in favour of the CEC Statement on Manufacturing. Motion 21 – GMB Pensions and the General Fund, standing in the name of Birmingham & West Midlands Region, has also been withdrawn. So Motions 134 and 21 have been withdrawn. President and Congress, I move SOC Report No. 3. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Helen. Are there any questions on the report, colleagues? (No response) All those in favour, please show? Standing Orders Committee Report No. 3 was adopted. REGIONAL SECRETARY’S REPORT: NORTHERN REGION NORTHERN REGION 1. MEMBERSHIP AND RECRUITMENT FINANCIAL MEMBERSHIP 74,418 Section Financial Membership (by each Section): COMMERCIAL SERVICES SECTION 19,464 2 MANUFACTURING SECTION 28,003 PUBLIC SERVICES SECTION 26,951 Grade 1 members 47,208 Grade 2 members 10,237 Retired, Reduced Rate & Others 16,974 Male Membership 46,801 Female Membership 27,618 Total number recruited 1.1.2008 – 31.12.2008 8,517 Increase/Decrease 1.1.2008 – 31.12.2008 757 Membership on Check-off 40,931 Membership on Direct Debit 14,856 Response to Organising Agenda Our organising strategy is locked into the GMB@Work organising agenda strategy, with the initial training and support mechanisms directed, in the first instance, to our newly appointed shop stewards, with recruitment at the top of the Agenda, and the training delivered by our Organisers. To date, approximately 255 have received the benefit of the training. This is to be extended to existing shop stewards and union learning reps. In line with the GMB@Work strategy we are training organisers to deliver the further training of shop stewards, with four officers in the process of achieving the necessary qualification. Consolidation of members, where we have union recognition, is our priority. Our well trained workplace representatives we are confident will deliver a higher density of membership. Breaking new ground and extending GMB spheres of influence is running in tandem with the consolidation strategy through the recognition regulations. Officers are encouraged to identify potential targets for building up the membership above the 10% requirement. Organising a petition to pass the 50% requirement, then lodging the application. This has proved extremely successful in securing new recognition agreements. Officers have dedicated two days per week to the consolidation of membership in organised workplaces, wherein we have potential to recruit. Recruitment Targets and Campaigns We continue the planned approach to recruitment in the National targeted organisation, in conjunction with the National Organising Team in Southern Cross, Schools, Security and ASDA. We managed to secure recognition in a workplace ballot at ASDA Distribution, Teesport, this, despite the best efforts of the ASDA propaganda machine and more recently at Walkers Logistics, part of the Pepsico Group, which represents a major coup. Again, we beat the propaganda well oiled machine of this multi- national, anti-union company. We continue to recruit in Wilkinson stores with a level of success, which can be improved. Our next major target is another ASDA Distribution site RCD8, Washington, Tyne and Wear. This is our second attempt. Previously we lost by a whisker but won a massive compensation claim for inducement from the employer to drop union membership with compensation near the million mark. We are confident we will win on this occasion. 3 Overview of Region’s Economic and Employment Situation The credit crunch and economic slowdown is affecting all sectors of the economy. The service provider and public sector are all affected by the downturn. Administration is the only area of growth, with company after company going to the wall, representing a dramatic change from our last report. However, there are some positive signs on the manufacturing sector, in the longer term, with the prospect of 6,000 jobs through the construction of windmills for farms offshore, bigger than the Eiffel Tower, so we are told, to be built on the ex-shipyards on Tyneside. This work is likely to commence in 2010. In the meantime, there are a lot of hard times ahead and further challenges to meet. It is imperative, therefore, we remain focussed and we will prevail. 2. GENERAL ORGANISATION Regional Senior Organisers 5 Membership Development Officers 2 Regional Organisers 17 Organising Officers 2 No. of Branches 127 New Branches 1 Branch Equality Officers 15 Branch Youth Officers 0 3. BENEFITS Dispute NIL Total Disablement NIL Working Accident 3,777.90 Occupational Fatal Accident 3,870.00 Non-occupational Fatal Accident 970.00 Funeral 51,379.00 4 JOURNALS & PUBLICITY Over the last year Northern Region have continued to contribute extensively to the Regional Media. We engage at every opportunity to raise the profile of our union and the services we provide for our members. We contributed to the three GMB magazines, with a variety of stories including health and safety, education and political. This is a very important way of communicating with our members. We also produced various newsletters and flyers covering a variety of different workplaces and events. 4 5. LEGAL SERVICES (a) Occupational Accidents and Diseases (including Criminal Injuries) .Applications for Legal Assistance Legal Assistance Granted 964 964 Cases in which Outcome became known Total Withdrawn Lost in Court Settled Won in Court Total Compensation 1,149 424 £6,874,338.85 £6,874,338.85 Cases outstanding at 31.12. 2008 2,955 (b) Employment Tribunals (notified to Legal Department) Claims Supported by Union 223 Cases in which Outcome became known Total Withdrawn Lost in Tribunal Settled Won in Court Total Compensation 241 31 5 155 38 £326,213.40 £233,800.00 £560,013.40 Cases outstanding at 31.12. 2008 340 (c) Other Employment Law Cases Supported by Union Unsuccessful Damages/ Compensation Cases outstanding at 31.12.2008 NIL NIL NIL NIL (a) Social Security Cases Cases outstanding Supported by Union Successful at 31.12.2008 95 56 36 GMB Northern Legal Services 2008 Throughout 2008, GMB Northern have worked closely with our lawyers to promote GMB Legal Services and raise awareness amongst members of the perils and pitfalls of using non-specialist law firms and claims management “farmers”. These dangers were graphically illustrated in the case of GMB Northern member 5 Andrea Crook. Following her road traffic accident, Mrs Crook was contacted by her insurers who put her in touch with lawyers who got her to sign an authority to “accept no less than £1,600.00.” After contacting GMB for a “second opinion”, Mrs Crook was put in contact with specialist GMB Northern lawyers who subsequently recovered substantially higher damages of £6,500.00. Through Northern Star and membership campaigns, GMB Northern have worked to increase awareness of the benefits of the Union legal services, and have seen an increase in the numbers of members seeking the assistance of the union. A satisfaction survey was carried out amongst users of the legal service and this revealed widespread satisfaction with the quality of legal advice and representation provided by GMB Northern with more than 90% of members saying they would recommend the service. The survey also showed that over 70% of referrals were via Branch Secretaries, Shop Stewards or as a result of the materials distributed to promote the legal service, demonstrating the effectiveness of the awareness campaign. We aim to build upon the positive findings of the survey by further developing legal services to members in the coming year. GMB are a campaigning union. One of the legal decisions which we, and our members, find utterly bewildering is the 2007 decision of the House of Lords to deny compensation to those who have developed pleural plaques – permanent damage to the lungs – as a result of their employers negligence. During 2008, GMB continued to campaign for the rights of pleural plaques victims. A parliamentary lobby in October was particularly effective and GMB Northern will continue to actively campaign for the rights of those who suffer injury as a result of asbestos exposure. There are many other battles to fight as the insurance industry continue to attack asbestos victims and deny them compensation for their blighted lives. The GMB’s activity as a campaigning union and its legal services are crucial to delivering justice for asbestos victims. 6. EQUALITY & INCLUSION The last year has been a year of change in the organisation in how we handle the whole equalities agenda. Four people from Northern Region attended the Equalities Champions Event in Nottingham last year.