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Issue 88 February 2021

theACTIVIST GMB News From Around The Region

THE ACTIVIST

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

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk

In this issue… • Scandal of Arcadia

collapse

• More safety, more

space and less stress

in our schools

• Tracy Brabin for

Mayor

• British Gas Update

• GMB Pay 15: Learn to

Win session

• Mental Health

impact on NHS

workers

• Fair pay for key

workers

• Workers Budget

2/3/21

• UnionLine win big for

GMB member

• Young members

show solidarity with

gas workers

• TUC: Young workers

bearing the brunt

“ It's absolutely scandalous and time we had

much tougher laws in the UK to protect workers ”

Peter Davies

Senior Organiser

SCANDAL OF ARCADIA COLLAPSE AS TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR

SACKED WORKERS REDUNDANCY Workers have to apply through the statutory process and the taxpayer will cough up while

greedy multi-millionaire Philip Green sails off on his yacht.

GMB has revealed the ‘scandal’ of Arcadia’s collapse as it emerges the taxpayer will have

to shell-out for sacked workers’ redundancy pay-outs. The historic Burton site in Leeds is set to

close with 400 jobs lost, it was announced last week. The former Burton factory in Leeds has

been in operation since 1922 - most recently as a distribution centre for Arcadia stores

including Dorothy Perkins and Burtons.

Administrators Deloitte, who raked in millions for their services during the sell off of Philip

Green’s empire, told workers there would be no money left to pay their notice pay or

redundancy. This leaves hundreds of staff having to apply to the Government for the money

that is rightfully theirs – which will ultimately be funded by taxpayer cash.

Peter Davies, GMB Senior Organiser, said: “Obviously, this is an absolute tragedy. This site

was a thriving distribution centre still rammed with stock. The administrators have raked in

millions overseeing selling off the company names. But not one jot of effort has been made

on the workers’ behalf who will have to carry on up to the closure date, clearing that stock

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.”

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THE ACTIVIST

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

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk

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

a proper credible plan. Let’s face it, the Government

has done precious little to make schools safer between

the start of lockdown and now despite having ample

time.

“Once again, the media has been briefed before

school workers and their unions. As a starting point, we

need to see risk and equality impact assessments to fully

know what we are dealing with and how the

Government plans to support safety in schools.

“School support staff have been in classrooms

throughout the pandemic - schools have not been

closed – many school workers are telling us that without

additional protective measures, more space and

proper support a full return won’t work.

“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

for school workers to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

This isn’t just about keeping school workers and our

children safe. It’s about keeping the R number down for

all of us.”

GMB members from Asquith Primary School in Leeds

Click here to register

Click here to watch Monday’s

session

MONDAY MORNING HEALTH & SAFETY

BRIEFINGS FOR GMB REPS Every Monday morning at 9.30am we run a briefing for

GMB Health and Safety reps - these cover key topics

around the pandemic and how we can better

protect members.

They’re a great opportunity to ask questions if you’ve

got any and to keep up to date with the latest Covid

guidelines both inside and outside of the workplace.

You’re invited to join so please hit the button below to

register or to catch up on last Monday’s session.

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THE ACTIVIST

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

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk

Speaking to The Activist, Tracy said:

“ I’m Yorkshire through and through,

so this is a huge honour. I’m

incredibly proud to be Labour’s

mayoral candidate because it

means representing the people I

grew up with and the communities I

grew up in to try and make a real

and practical difference to their day

to day lives.

“ We’ve seen this year, more than

any other, how much it matters who

we elect. We need a mayor who is

going to get West Yorkshire our fair

share when it comes to funding, jobs,

transport and a recovery from the

pandemic. There’s a big north/south

divide in this country and we deserve

better than to be treated as second

class citizens.

“ There’s a big job to do in rebuilding

our economy in a post Covid-19

world, my job will be to make sure

that what comes next is fair and

delivers the jobs, skills and

opportunities for people.”

She also appeared in Emmerdale

and wrote for both Hollyoaks and

Shameless.

Tracy says representing her home

area in Westminster is the honour of

her life, but that she will stand down

as an MP if elected as West Yorkshire

Mayor in order to be a full-time

mayor for the region.

Tracy’s priorities as Mayor would be

protecting and creating good, well

paid jobs – including in the growing

entertainment industry which is

already starting to flourish in the

region, alongside the green

economy; safer streets and

community policing; expanding

clean and green transport, including

a mass transit system for the region

and ensuring a fair recovery from the

Covid-19 pandemic.

Mayoral powers in West Yorkshire

include transport, adult skills, some

aspects of planning and housing,

policing and the economy.

Tracy Brabin is the Member of

Parliament for Batley and Spen,

which is her home town and where

many of her family still live. Her Mum

still lives on the council estate Tracy

grew up on.

Tracy isn’t a typical politician. She

was a free school meals kid who, like

so many people in our area, started

work as soon as she was old enough

to do so, working in her local

hairdressers.

Growing up in Batley in the 1970s,

Tracy watched headline acts at the

Batley Variety Club which is where

she first got stars in her eyes.

Seeing the likes of Louis Armstrong,

Eartha Kitt and Shirley Bassey in her

small market town set Tracy on a

path in the entertainment industry.

For three decades she worked in the

entertainment industry, and might be

familiar to voters as Tricia Armstrong,

a Coronation Street character Tracy

played.

GMB IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

TRACY BRABIN AS LABOUR’S

WEST YORKSHIRE METRO

MAYOR CANDIDATE

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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

shows that Centrica recorded £699 million in adjusted

operating profits, and a £52 million statutory profit

compared to an £849 million loss in the previous 12

months.

Around 7,000 British Gas engineers will down tools for four

days from Friday, 26 February until Monday, 1 March

over the company’s plan to sack them all and rehire

them on worse terms and conditions.  These are strike

days 23 to 26 of the ongoing dispute.

Talks between GMB and British Gas have taken place at

ACAS, but GMB says the company’s refusal to withdraw

its fire and rehire plan remains the main obstacle to a

potential resolution.

The field staff bargaining group rejected the fire and

rehire cuts in December and has already taken

part in 22 days of strike action.

Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said: “Last

summer, when British Gas decided on fire and rehire pay

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

GMB NHS PAY 15: LEARN TO WIN Exhausted? Stressed? Overworked and Underpaid?

Then you cannot afford to miss this event...

Calling all GMB NHS & Ambulance Service Activists.

GMB would like to invite you to attend an important

National NHS and Ambulance GMB Reps and

Activists’ Zoom event on Tuesday 30 March from

6pm-8pm.

Take some time out to join our online event to have

your say on pay and your voice heard by your trade

union.

We are running this event because GMB wants to

support you and your colleagues to make real

changes on your ward, unit or community team

base. Register to join the Big GMB NHS Conversation

today!

Register to join the big conversation

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THE ACTIVIST

FAIR PAY FOR KEY WORKERS’ MEETING GMB, in conjunction with the TUC’s ‘Fair Pay for Key

Workers’ campaign, has hosted a ‘Fair Pay for Key

‘Workers" online meeting with local Conservative MP for

Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore, and key workers and

constituents from Keighley & Ilkley. The purpose of the

meeting was so key workers in the public and private

sector could talk about what a pay rise would mean to

them, and also to put pressure on the Government

ahead of the budget proposals, to:

• Stop and reverse the public sector pay freeze

• Provide the funding to all public services to enable

outsourced workers to be paid at least the Real Living

Wage and/or achieve parity with directly

employed colleagues who work alongside them

• Raise the minimum wage to at least £10 per hour

• Create a supportive environment for pay

determination in the health service that provides a

significant and early increase for all NHS staff.

The MP was asked to listen and only respond on whether

he was willing to support and sign our letter to the

Chancellor demanding the above. Find out in next

week’s issue if he did!

A WORKERS’ BUDGET: 2 MARCH 7.30PM The night before Rishi Sunak’s Budget – unions are getting

together to demand a Workers’ Budget. As the 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

GMB POLL: 60% OF NHS WORKERS

WHO CONTRACTED VIRUS

EXPERIENCED POOR MENTAL HEALTH GMB union has demanded the Prime Minister produce an

NHS worker recovery plan after a poll revealed the

majority of those who contracted Covid were

experiencing poor mental health.

The survey, of more than 3,000 health workers in roles

across the NHS, revealed 60% of those who had

contracted the virus said that the experience

had either some negative impact or a severe

negative impact on their mental health. In total, 30% of

those surveyed said they had caught the coronavirus

with almost 60% saying they passed it to a family

member. Workers describe experiencing seizures, shock,

emotional damage and a lack of mental health support.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said: “Our NHS

members are telling us about the terrible toll of

working flat out on the frontline during this pandemic and

the severe impact catching Covid has had on their

mental health. These are the people who have been

saving lives throughout the pandemic. Now they need

Ministers to look after them.

“As the the Prime Minister unveiled his roadmap out of

lockdown, we called on him to outline a plan to help

our beleaguered health workers recover from this

pandemic.”

PAY RISE FOR KEY WORKERS

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

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk

HAD AN ACCIDENT? THEN CHECK

YOUR CLAIM WITH UNIONLINE Had an accident that wasn't your fault? You could

get free legal representation and keep 100% of your

compensation by using GMB's law partner, UnionLine.

UnionLine is owned by GMB and run for you, our

members. From accidents in the workplace or on the

road, to industrial diseases, they deal with all types of

claims. Checking your claim is quick, free and easy -

just use our interactive form by following the link

below:

THE ACTIVIST

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”.

Check your claim here

Unionline is your law firm - owned by GMB for GMB

members. It’s an added and unique benefit of your

GMB membership: One of the main benefits is that if

you make a personal injury claim and win – because

we’re not trying to make profits for shareholders - you

keep 100% of your compensation. Unionline services

include:

• Free personal injury claims for you and your family*

• Free will writing service**

• Discounted probate and trust services

• Discounted conveyancing

• Discounted family law representation

Visit UnionLine to find out more

** T&Cs apply

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THE ACTIVIST

TUC – YOUNG WORKERS “BEARING

BRUNT” OF JOBS CRISIS Commenting on this week’s labour market figures, which

show that young people (16-24 year-olds) account for 6

in 10 (58%) of the payroll jobs lost over the last year, TUC

General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Young

workers are bearing the brunt of this jobs crisis. We

cannot afford for another generation to be scarred by

mass unemployment. The Government must stop

dragging its heels and announce an extension of the full

furlough scheme for the rest of this year.

“The current uncertainty is creating needless anxiety and

making it hard for businesses and working families to plan

for the future. And it must revamp its Kickstarter scheme

to help more young people back into work.”

On the need to support the self-employed, Ms

O’Grady added: “Millions of self-employed workers are

still being denied the support they need to make ends

meet during this crisis. That is not right. Ministers must fix

this urgently and extend the self-employed scheme to

help more workers.”

On the need to boost job creation, Ms O’Grady

added: “The economy needs jumpstarting. The

Government must get on the front foot and start

investing in job creation. Fast-tracking spending now on

green housing, infrastructure and our public services can

create good jobs in the parts of the country that need

them most.”

On the need to help the recently unemployed, Ms

O’Grady said: “Ministers must help those who lose their

jobs get back on their feet quickly. That means keeping

the £20 uplift in Universal Credit in place - not taking

away this lifeline.”

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

0345 337 7777 www.gmbyorkshire.org.uk

GMB YOUNG MEMBERS SUPPORT BRITISH

GAS MEMBERS WITH £2,000 DONATION

TO STRIKE FUND Members from the GMB Young Members’ Network

(YMN) in the region, have agreed to donate £2,000

from their fund to support striking British Gas workers.

Joe Wheatley and Gina Harding, Executive Officers for

the regional YMN, said in a joint statement:

"The British Gas strike represents a fundamental attack

on our movement and our rights in the workplace.

“If we fail, and Centrica succeeds, then the floodgates

for all employers to use ‘fire and rehire’ to erode terms

and conditions will be opened.

“We are proud to support and stand in solidarity with

GMB members at British Gas.

“We encourage all regional branches that have not

already done so, to likewise make a donation to

support our members in their action.”

Jake O'Malley, Organiser and Young Members’ Officer,

added:

“I am delighted with the decision taken by the region’s

YMN to support British Gas members.

“Young members recognise that if we don't act now

and support our members in their action, the world of

work for future generations will be a very bleak and

precarious world indeed.”