Instead of tackling tax evasion, the Tory Party has colluded in covering it up as the boss of the bank, HSBC, was promoted to be a minister in the Government says GMB.

GMB Yorkshire & North Derbyshire regional secretary Tim Roache said, “This is another example of tax evasion on a massive scale that is endemic, systemic and deep rooted in the City and the wealthy classes across the country.  This is criminal activity on an industrial scale. Instead of tackling it the Tory Party has colluded in covering it up. The boss of the bank was promoted to be a minister in the Government. The credibility of this class in dealing with the deficit fairly has taken a very bad knock”

Phil Whitehurst, GMB National Officer said, “Only when the employers wake up and own up to their failed years of non investment, and invest a real apprenticeship program will we get back on track in the UK. For years the construction industry employers have buried their heads in the sand, way before the deepest recession we have experienced in living memory, they have failed to invest in “real apprenticeships” and opting for past Government low wage alternatives, with nothing at the end of the tunnel for those employed in such schemes.

Sheffield City Council has reacted angrily at the reports that Green Co, the company currently operating Sheffield’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, are engaged in the abuse of zero hours contracts.

The Green Company is owned by the charity Salvaire. The dispute is over failure to secure an agreement on premium pay for weekend and overtime working, on welfare facilities and how the contract is managed. GMB secured a living wage for members in the recycling centres from the out-going senior management team effective from April 2014. All of those managers have since been dismissed or have had to leave the company. The Finance Director and Operations Manager have already been dismissed and a HR manager and others have also left after raising concerns over bullying. GMB reps have been sacked and other members have also been issued with disciplinary letters after a previous, unofficial, walk out over the bullying of a disabled worker.

After a week of negotiations with Govt we have emerged with a pay offer. The GMB committees agreed that should a pay offer emerge we would undertake a consultation of the membership. A pay offer has emerged. After discussions with the National Secretary, Brian Strutton we have recommended and agreed that whilst this consultation commences we suspend the NHS Strike in England. We remain in dispute in Northern Ireland.

It is fair to say the GMB NHS strike escalation, particularly in the ambulance service is what strengthened our bargaining position in these talks.

As we turn to the consultation there will be scheduled a special NHS meeting of reps. This will take place next Wednesday 4th February 11-3 at the GMB Euston office.

Further details to follow.

GMB, the union for NHS and ambulance staff, has issued the necessary formal notices to all relevant NHS employers for strike action on 29th January 2015 in the pay dispute in England and Northern Ireland. GMB also responded to the latest statement from Department of Health ahead of further talks to avert strike action.

A new GMB video update will be uploaded on regularly basis.  Each update will cover GMB news, GMB fighting for justice, GMB campaigns, GMB action points and GMB members’ offers.  It will remind members to update their profiles, follow us on twitter, visit the national website and move the Direct Debit and so on.

Please circulate the link far and wide: 
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB4BRdiTEwzaf0kMBcUC6NXMCSjTPknoK

The Institute of Fiscal Studies estimates that “under Autumn Statement plans Conservatives could be cutting unprotected budgets by 26% after 2015-16, or an extraordinary 41% over the whole period from 2010” says GMB

The combined experience of Unity and GMB will create a stronger more secure union for the benefit of all our members says Unity General Secretary.  It was announced on 9th January 2015 that members of Stoke based ceramics union Unity had voted in favour of a merger with GMB.  A majority of 93% voted in favour of the merger. Nearly 4,000 ballot papers were issued to members eligible to vote.

A new year, all exciting, but January can be a very stressful month financially for many the Guardian reported recently and millions fear missing January’s rent or mortgage payments, says Shelter.