Union News
The latest edition of Private Eye exposes some shameful goings on at the GMB union - which will no doubt interest many of its members still fighting for equal pay.
TUC News
The GMB union has been rumbled diverting taxpayers' money intended for adult education into propaganda for the Labour party, computer equipment ...and, in a novel twist on "party politics", a Christmas bash!
The northern branch of the union has repaid £17,000 to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), which was paid as part of a scheme called "unionlearn", aimed at improving workers' literacy and numeracy.
After being tipped off by union members, BIS auditors found that money had been used to cover hotel and tarvel expenses for a union Christmas party at a Newcastle hotel. A conference for young union members - not covered by the scheme - was "disguised as a learning event", according to investigators, so BIS cash could be used to pay for accommodation, catering and promotion.
Money was also used to to help make videos encouraging people to join the union and the Labour party. Invoicers were submitted for "staff training" when the money had actually been spent on iPads for union officials.
A BIS spokesman confirmed the story to the Sunday Post nnewspaper in Newcastle and. He said:
"We requested repayment of misused money and we have received the full amount, £17,405. Acting on the advice of BIS Counter-Fraud it was decided that there was not sufficient evidence of fraud to refer the matter to the police."
The wise men at the GMB said "new robust training and structures" had been put in place to avoid any repetition. So that's all right, then!"
I take my hat off to to the GMB members who blew the whistle on this ridiculous misuse of public funds - not least because I used to be heavily involved in a workers' literacy and numeracy scheme.
Isn't it interesting that the GMB tries to draw a veil over the whole affair - without saying that any action has been taken against those abusing the system - and giving the union bad name.
Yet another good reason why trade unions in the UK should have an independent regulator - who can stand up for thee interests of ordinary members and right wrongs commited by union bureaucrats.
