Not A Good Look, GMB!
The GMB finds itself in the news headlines for all the wrong reasons after sacking a woman union official who was unable to attend a disciplinary hearing after being signed off work by her GP.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/gmb-union-guilty-behaviour-meant-32373219?
GMB Union guilty of behaviour its meant to fight againstIt appears lessons have not been learned and it looks like a damning 2020 report has been gathering dust in an office drawer.
Gary Smith of the GMB
Leading KC Karon Monaghan's August 2020 investigation into sexual harassment and complaint management at the GMB trade union could not have been more damning.
The report was commissioned after former general secretary Tim Roache quit amid misconduct allegations. Monaghan eviscerates the organisation, stating: "The GMB is institutionally sexist.
"The general secretaries and all regional secretaries are, and always have been, men. Women are underrepresented throughout the GMB's ranks.
Leading KC Karon Monaghan's August 2020 investigation into sexual harassment and complaint management at the GMB trade union could not have been more damning.
The report was commissioned after former general secretary Tim Roache quit amid misconduct allegations. Monaghan eviscerates the organisation, stating: "The GMB is institutionally sexist.
"The general secretaries and all regional secretaries are, and always have been, men. Women are underrepresented throughout the GMB's ranks.
"Bullying, misogyny, cronyism and sexual harassment are endemic within the GMB. The culture in the GMB is one of heavy drinking and late night socialising, salacious gossip and a lack of professionalism.
"The GMB's policies and practices are not sufficiently clear or robust to deal with sexual harassment among employees or members. Fundamental change is required if the GMB is to meet its promise to women in the GMB and to women in society more widely."
Monaghan goes on to warn that change is "unlikely" without external supervision and a complete overhaul. Nine months later, Gary Smith was announced as the GMB's new general secretary and vowed to address the very serious issues in the report.
GMB union accused of silencing staff who complain of abuse in workplace2
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It beggars belief therefore that he has been recorded admitting the union used expensive lawyers to pressurise a 36-year-old female employee into dropping a sexual harassment complaint against a colleague and signing a gagging order.
While admitting that the woman was the victim of harassment, Smith insists he isn't going to have a "wrecking ball" put through what he calls "my union".
The £148,000-a-year general secretary tells the woman: "Once you get into a fight with a big organisation, we're going to come out swinging and we'll have better lawyers than you, and they'll be more expensive."
"The GMB's policies and practices are not sufficiently clear or robust to deal with sexual harassment among employees or members. Fundamental change is required if the GMB is to meet its promise to women in the GMB and to women in society more widely."
Monaghan goes on to warn that change is "unlikely" without external supervision and a complete overhaul. Nine months later, Gary Smith was announced as the GMB's new general secretary and vowed to address the very serious issues in the report.
GMB union accused of silencing staff who complain of abuse in workplace2
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
It beggars belief therefore that he has been recorded admitting the union used expensive lawyers to pressurise a 36-year-old female employee into dropping a sexual harassment complaint against a colleague and signing a gagging order.
While admitting that the woman was the victim of harassment, Smith insists he isn't going to have a "wrecking ball" put through what he calls "my union".
The £148,000-a-year general secretary tells the woman: "Once you get into a fight with a big organisation, we're going to come out swinging and we'll have better lawyers than you, and they'll be more expensive."
GMB Union General secretary Gary Smith (Image: Garry F McHarg Daily Record)
The meeting – which was supposed to be to discuss her return to work – was covertly recorded. She has now been sacked over a counter-claim of sexual harassment against her.
No matter what has gone on, Smith's comments are completely unacceptable. Thousands of women pay their GMB subs every month to have protection against this type of behaviour.
But it appears lessons have not been learned and it looks like Monaghan's report has been gathering dust in an office drawer. The GMB does not belong to Gary Smith, as he appears to believe. It belongs to its 600,000 members who deserve better and he should apologise.
The meeting – which was supposed to be to discuss her return to work – was covertly recorded. She has now been sacked over a counter-claim of sexual harassment against her.
No matter what has gone on, Smith's comments are completely unacceptable. Thousands of women pay their GMB subs every month to have protection against this type of behaviour.
But it appears lessons have not been learned and it looks like Monaghan's report has been gathering dust in an office drawer. The GMB does not belong to Gary Smith, as he appears to believe. It belongs to its 600,000 members who deserve better and he should apologise.
