Gary Smith
@GMBGarySmith
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General Secretary of @GMB_union #MakeWorkBetter
Joined May 2020
The current wave of industrial action isn’t driven by ideology - it’s driven by workers who can’t afford to eat or heat their homes. This isn’t 96’/ 97’. The next election will be fought in the back of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. 🧵 1/3.
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We are not taking any lectures from this Tory Government on safety in the health service - the service is in crisis on their watch. Never forget, while these workers were on the frontline of the pandemic, the Tories were partying in Downing Street. #TalkPayNow 🚑
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It is the honour of my life to be elected @GMB_union General Secretary. A huge thank you to all GMB members. In the election I made 3 clear pledges: to fight for good jobs & proper pay; to achieve pay justice for working women; and reduce the cost of being a member of the union.
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A month without a bin collection. This is the environment that the people of Glasgow are living and working in under the SNP-Greens. Glasgow deserves better.
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I joined GMB activists on RMT picket lines today. We are unequivocal in our support for their members in struggle. It’s a huge own goal for @UKLabour to turn a Tory Transport crisis into a Labour story. 2/3.
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The mood of the country is with us, people understand why working people are standing up. 3/3.
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A commitment to extend and increase statutory sick pay is welcome, but a £10 minimum wage lacks ambition and won’t resolve the recruitment crisis in our social care service. @GMB_union is fighting for a £15 minimum wage for carers.
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Absolutely tragic. @BritishGas’s fire and rehire has shattered lives and the business, and the human cost is massive. This gas van graveyard may represent the death knell of a once great company.
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You cannot negotiate in good faith with fascists. You must never appease fascists. When confronted with fascism, you must defeat it. To the people of Ukraine, our Labour Party and labour movement are on your side. 🇺🇦
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Our members at the @McVities site in Tollcross have worked through the pandemic. Their employer has tried to stab them in the back. If our members are up for it, we’ll fight the closure. The east end of Glasgow needs manufacturing jobs.
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More than a decade of ideological Tory cuts have left our health and social care services on their knees. People are dying because of those cuts. We don’t need any more dishonesty and delusion from Tory Ministers. #BBCLauraK
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The Scottish Greens have no interest in working class communities and jobs. Done absolutely nothing whilst manufacturing and fabrication jobs in the renewables industry were exported halfway across the globe, and voted to keep Carers on poverty pay too. #BBCLeadersDebate.
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Have been an outspoken critic of Labour energy policy but @Keir_Starmer support for Hydrogen yesterday is a major step forward. Hydrogen offers huge opportunities for the UK. Good for the environment, jobs and national security.
📢 Labour Leader @Keir_Starmer today highlighting how investment in hydrogen can: . ✅Create UK jobs.✅Facilitate a just transition for gas workers.✅Tackle the climate crisis.✅Underpin a fourth industrial revolution
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Solidarity to our members Falcon food services in Stirling, out this week over pay.
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I've been out applauding our key workers again tonight and from the bottom of my heart on behalf of everybody in @GMBScotOrg, thank you. #AfterTheApplause, it's time for government and employers to pay up for Scotland's key workers!
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They laugh whilst people die, families are left in the cold and their workers have to strike over their threats to sack them. Contrast that with the dignity and decency of @GMB_union members. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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On the picket line at Glasgow’s Western depot, standing with our members in their fight against poverty pay, discriminatory pay systems & devastating cuts. If our members back Glasgow-wide strikes, they will be supported. Enough is enough, Glasgow needs a new deal. #COP26Strike
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Solidarity with all of our members at Wilko. A huge amount of work is being done by our shop stewards, convenors and staff to support our incredible members. Good leaders listen and for too long Wilko senior management didn’t.
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Solidarity with the family of lifelong trade unionist and anti-racist, Jack Dromey. He championed GMB members during the seminal Grunwick Dispute of 1976-78. Always there for GMB members . RIP comrade.
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Visited the Amazon site in Swindon today to speak to and organise workers. No surprise they're angry about their pay, but there's also big issues with safety at the site and a bullying management culture. Workers joining GMB and joining the fight to make work better. ✊
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Solidarity to our members marching in London today in support of our sisters and brothers in Ukraine. 🇺🇦
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Dropped by the @CWUnews picket line in Paisley. From all of us at GMB, solidarity to all CWU members in dispute. One struggle.
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It’s impossible to overstate the impact of tonight’s announcement on Wilko workers and their families. Our shop stewards, convenors and staff have been working hard supporting our members across Wilko, and everyone at GMB will continue to do so in the difficult weeks to come.
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It’s time for change in Amazon. Great to join the demo at Amazon HQ as our members in Coventry begin their historic ballot for union recognition. We’re all behind you @GMBMidlands, let’s get out the vote. ✊🗳️
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Under my leadership, @GMB_union will be prudent and disciplined in how we spend money. More importantly, we will be focused on campaigning, organising and growing, not raising members' subscriptions to fund a failing union.
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British Gas Senior Management haven’t just betrayed their loyal workforce, they’ve betrayed their customers too. Hearing horror stories on the picket line today in Uddingston about how British Gas are failing our key workers. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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A tough day today. I was part of the team that campaigned for and negotiated over all the T&Cs we’ve been fighting to defend. I’ve been around the gas industry since my 16th birthday and the only constant in the industry is our union. We’re going nowhere. #StopTheBritishGasFire.
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Services in Glasgow increasingly politicised. Wealthier areas prioritised. Working class communities abandoned. Glasgow deserves better.
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British Gas could resolve this dispute at any time by stopping the bullying and the threats. British Gas customers don’t pay a premium to stuff the pockets of contractors, they expect the professionalism of our members who are the best in the business. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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We have seen some abysmal treatment of workers over the years, but this is a new low. Solidarity with the @RMTunion and their members at P&O from all of us at GMB.
Absolutely scandalous behaviour by @POferries sacking its workforce by video and employing security guards with handcuffs to remove crew. @RMTunion calls upon the Trade Union movement and the British public to protest and call out this shameful act.
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Solidarity to GMB members in the ambulance service in England on strike today because they are still waiting for pay talks. We won't tolerate our members in England being treated as second class citizens. The Tory Government needs to wake up, stop dithering and talk pay now.
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The struggle in Amazon is truly inspiring ✊. We have to take them on industrially as well as through procurement - Amazon benefit from substantial public sector contracts. They must stop receiving public money until they treat their workers properly.
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Enormously proud to be alongside our President @bplantgmb and Vice President Malcolm Sage as we prepare to kick off my first congress as General Secretary of @GMB_union. Thank you to all staff who have worked incredibly hard to pull together our first digital congress. #GMB21
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Deep rooted problems over equal.pay, poverty pay across Glasgow City Council services and zero trust in the council who threaten us for the 3rd time with Tory anti-union laws . We shall not be moved by threats. Solidarity.
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Nobody still believes this SNP / Green coalition is left-wing do they?.
Today's front page leads on Nicola Sturgeon and Patrick Harvie failing to turn up for a crunch vote on free school meals. #scotpapers . Read More:
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Solidarity from the Glasgow pickets this morning!. Western, St Rollox and Blochairn depots all standing strong.
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On behalf of the entire GMB, my thoughts, best wishes & solidarity are with Jack Dromey’s loved ones today. Jack was a trade unionist to his core, ever a friend of the GMB. We will remember him the only way we know how; by fighting for a fairer world for working people.
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Sending solidarity to the #GMBThree who were found not guilty this morning. ✊. They should never have been arrested and this should never have gone to court. Trade unionists must be free to protest and campaign to defend and improve the living standards of workers.
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Another gas van graveyard. Every one represents a life damaged and likely another nail in the coffin of a once great company.
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It’s not my job to mark Keir Starmer’s homework. When Labour Party conference kicks off this weekend, my priority, and the priority of @GMB_union, is telling workers’ stories and connecting Labour with the real world experiences of our members across the country.
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Today is ASDA Equal Pay Day. #ASDAPayJustice. From today, the mostly female staff in stores effectively start working for free, relative to their mostly male colleagues in depots. If @ASDA can find the money for Michael Bublé, they can find the money to pay GMB members properly.
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Islamophobia is a poison and I’m proud @GMB_union has become the first to unanimously agree to adopt the APPG definition. We have a long and proud history of fighting racism in our communities and workplaces; thank you to @Afzal4Gorton for his support.
Last week I was invited by @GMBGarySmith to address the @GMB_union's Central Executive Committee. The CEC unanimously agreed to adopt the @APPGBritMuslims definition on Islamophobia making them the first trade union to do so. Very proud. Full story 👇🏽.
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On the picket line in Bishop Auckland with GMB members striking in the ambulance service this morning. Emergency call-outs are being covered, and the strike is solid. #TalkPayNow @SteveBarclay
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Huge protest at Pilgrim Foods in Southall today over the company's plans to close the Collett Way site and slash our members' terms and conditions. GMB is going to fight this all the way ✊
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One phone call. That’s all it would take to resolve the dispute. The British Gas Senior management provoked this strike action, and it’s their arrogance that is keeping it running, letting down their customers and betraying the workforce. One phone call. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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Solidarity with all our members across British Gas. Proud to join you on the picket line today. @BritishGas - They stabbed their workforce in the back and they are reaping the result. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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This venal Government is doing all it can to distract from the mess they’re creating of our country. In our NHS, our public services, our broken airports, our privatised rail networks. Lies and lawbreaking at every turn. Solidarity to the @RMTunion.
"Ordinary taxpayers are going to pay the price". Conservative minister Chris Philp says the wage increases called for by the RMT would lead to further inflation. #Newsnight
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While GMB members risked their lives on the front line of the pandemic, these two chancers were partying the night away in Downing Street. They broke the law. It should be up to the country to decide if they get to keep their jobs.
BREAKING Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak issued with fines over Partygate.
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The Leader of Glasgow City Council blamed Thatcher for the state of city. Now she wants to deploy Thatcherite strike-breaking tactics. SNP hypocrisy. We shall not be moved. Solidarity forever. #COP26Strike
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For all the talk from the rail bosses and politicians, it’s the @RMTunion who have the back of their members. Solidarity ahead of tomorrow’s strike action, the whole movement is behind you.
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The outpourings of international solidarity for the cleansing workers is in stark contrast to the nonsense from many bitter and reactionary nationalists. My politics have always been shaped by class, not flags.
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Delighted to address @RMTunion members in Glasgow today. Joined by GMB reps Chris Mitchell (@ChrisMGMB ) and Hailey Maxwell (@_acephale). Solidarity to the RMT!
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Key workers are tired and angry after nearly 20 months in the grip of COVID. The Scottish Government needs to step up and work with us to fix industrial relations in its biggest council. Solidarity @GMBGlasgowCC.
BREAKING: Glasgow #COP26 refuse and cleansing strike to go ahead. Glasgow City Council has acted in bad faith and failed to give our members proper time and space to discuss the 11th hour offer from COSLA. Strike action will commence from midnight.
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There’s no net zero without nuclear. This is a welcome step in the right direction for the future of real jobs in the nuclear sector.
NEWS: Funding for Sizewell C nuclear plant has been confirmed - a massive stride forward for a low carbon future 🙌.
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The long term has to be energy independence, jobs, and environment. This means nuclear. A national plan for hydrogen. Onshoring our renewables manufacturing.
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Proud to join GMB members on the picket line today on what could be the biggest day of strike action in the history of our NHS. Solidarity with members of @theRCN striking today too ✊. NHS workers have had enough. @SteveBarclay needs to talk pay now.
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I was proud to be back on the picket lines in solidarity with our striking members in Scottish and British Gas in Uddingston this morning. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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Tens of thousands of people will be going cold today as a result of @BritishGas’s bullying, intimidation and threats to sack our members. It’s the Senior Management who should be facing the sack for betraying their workforce and customers. Heads must roll. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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Outrageous nonsense being spouted by SNP MSPs in the BiFab debate today. The @scotgov failed to invest in the Methil yard they themselves own - our members were doing the “green jobs of the future” in muddy fields. The UK Tories & SNP Scot Gov have buried BiFab together.
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The decency of our members, those workers who have been on the front line of this crisis, is in stark contrast to the behaviour of the Senior Management who have lined their pockets as they wrecked the company. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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Let’s start with renewables. We’ve created next to no jobs manufacturing and fabricating our wind sector, while subsidising the offshoring of thousands of jobs all over the world. End the renewables rip off.
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Another reason the Tories hate trade unions, we call out their abysmal record on our vital public services. A liar and law breaker leading a Government of chaos. Their incompetence has profound implications for all of us.
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On a day when we mark the passing of this wonderful woman Cathy Murphy, I will remember the happy times too. An inspiration, the very best of GMB, and a class fighter to the end.
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Delighted to meet and address GMB members striking at @StagecoachNE this morning. Threats and intimidation from management won’t work. If you want to settle this dispute, get to the negotiating table.
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Great to hear Energy Minister @mgshanks reiterate the Government's support for new nuclear today. It's imperative that we have more investment in developing manufacturing supply chains and a skilled workforce, and we need a plan beyond Sizewell C.
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Disgraceful that our members are being attacked at their place of work. Utterly shameful and should be condemned by all.
The Glasgow constituency office of Labour MSPs was stormed by protestors this afternoon, terrifying and threatening our staff. Staff who are working to help Glasgow constituents. Thanks to @policescotland for ensuring their safety. The Speaker is right to try to calm this down.
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The hypocrisy is sickening. Once again the rich lecturing working class people & those on the front line of COVID-19: accept your living standards being hammer & be grateful. Want to oppose your standard of living being decimated? The solution is to get organised & campaign.
Working people should take real terms pay cuts? . A sick joke.
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Everyone deserves to be part of a union that brings people together in good faith to build a better future and to #MakeWorkBetter. GMB will be that union, we will be different, we will be better and we will win together.
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Johanna Baxter for Labour’s New Deal for Working People - make work pay through a collective union voice. Union members in Paisley & Renfrewshire South, vote @JohannaBaxter on Thursday!
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A good first step in the fight to keep the @McVities factory in Tollcross open this morning, with strong support from the workers and the community. Productivity is up, sales are up, profits are up. We are not going quietly into the night. Our factory. Our future. Solidarity.
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A very Merry Christmas to GMB members and their families across the country. Here’s to a happy, campaigning and organising New Year!
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Renewables industry wants more money from us - we’re entitled to ask where are the jobs we were promised?. The great renewables rip off needs to stop - new developments need to be linked to real jobs, not just those in finance and PR.
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The Senior Management of Centrica have let down the workforce, let down their customers, and turned it into a pariah company. A message of solidarity to our members on strike again today to #StopTheBritishGasFire
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Great to be joined by @FredThomasUK, Labour candidate for Plymouth Moor View, on a visit to Devonport Dockyard today. Labour's commitment to a defence industrial strategy will mean investment in skilled jobs in communities like Plymouth. Vote for change tomorrow.
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It was an honour to meet and address some of our striking members at Amazon in Coventry tonight. Solidarity to workers all around the world who are taking on Amazon and campaigning to make work better. ✊. Proud to stand alongside workers like Mikey in this historic dispute.
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GMB has lost a leader, a friend and an inspiration with the loss of Michelle McCrossen. Dignity and decency shone through everything she did, and her courage and strength was an inspiration to us all. My thoughts are with her family, friends and comrades across our union. 🧡
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The action our members are taking in Scottish Gas, and indeed across British Gas, is historic. What they are doing is not easy, they are standing up for dignity and decency, and they deserve our absolute solidarity and support. #StopTheBritishGasFire
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Solidarity to Chris Clarke, a fantastic fighter for GMB members in Cadent gas, summarily dismissed by the company because of his union work. The company will learn that this union was borne of the gas industry and we are never afraid to fight for what is right. Unity is strength.
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Solidarity with @RMTunion and friends on a freezing picket in Edinburgh this morning. Great to see the auldest Leith Young Socialist still standing strong 💪
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Thanks to @SusaninLangside for recognising the heroics of our members in cleaning up George Square. Because of cuts to the service, made by your administration, workers have had to be redeployed from across the city - leaving other parts neglected. Glasgow deserves better.
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I’ve appeared on BBC Disclosure when it’s been uncomfortable for my union and we’ve needed to face up to past mistakes, but under my leadership @GMBScotOrg is fighting for working women every day. Disappointing that @scotgov was “unavailable” for the #carehomescandal programme.
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Union organising isn’t easy. Hard work, commitment and courage of members and our staff mean we are breaking new ground as a union.
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Solidarity to @ASLEFunion members across the rail network taking action today. GMB and the entire union movement is with you in your struggle.
It is solidarity that wins disputes. Our EC President Dave Calfe has some words of encouragement for our members taking action tomorrow. You can show your solidarity by joining our picket lines. There's power in a union ✊
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We are proud of our Jewish history. Really good feedback from @GMBLondonRegion on training they have been undertaking on antisemitism. @GMB_union is totally committed to fighting antisemitism.
GMB is a union with a proud Jewish history and whilst we were at @GMBLondonRegion offices in Hendon we took a look at their incredible London Trousers Makers Union banner with its Yiddish side 🧡✊
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Congress, thank you!. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together in Harrogate this week. Our great union, reps, activists and members are ready for the fights ahead. Let’s build @GMB_union and make work better for our people. #GMB22
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All across the country, GMB members who were called “key workers” during the pandemic are having to fight and strike for the pay rises they deserve. Solidarity to our members striking to #EndRubbishPay in Sheffield. Stick together and you will win. @GMBCampaigns @GMB_union.
Bin workers in Sheffield are to strike every day from the 22nd of November as part of their ongoing pay dispute with Veolia. Strike action was originally planned to take place every Monday, starting yesterday.
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Just as in London a few days ago, scenes in Glasgow must be called what they are, not just thuggery but fascism on our streets. At times of crisis far right are never far away. We shouldn’t pretend Scotland is uniquely tolerant. Trade unionists can’t be still in the face of hate.
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We have defeated the far right before and, together, we will do it again. ✊.
𝗡𝗘𝗪: 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗢 𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗥-𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘. “We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”
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The thoughts of the entire @GMB_union are with the working people and trade unions of Ukraine at this time. Solidarity with the the workers of independent Ukraine facing the brunt of this invasion. Solidarity with the Russian opposition.
NEW 🚨: The TUC condemns the illegal invasion of a sovereign nation and calls for Russia to respect Ukrainian territorial integrity. We join the global union movement in calling for peace and urge all governments to reach a negotiated solution through diplomacy.
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Glasgow City Council issuing more threats today in response to our campaigns highlighting impact of their cuts. GMB Scotland will not be silenced. We want investment in the city and not just in the lead up to #COP26. Solidarity with @Glasgow_LR.
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Time to properly value the workers in our social care sector. @GMB_union is fighting for a £15 minimum wage for carers. It’s the very least they deserve.
Adult social care desperately needs proper funding, including ring-fenced cash to improve the pay, terms and conditions of workers in the care sector to reflect the skilled and valued job they do. Our carers deserve no less than £15 an hour.
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Antisemitism must be rooted out the Labour and trade union movement and that includes where it raises its ugly head in our union. Utterly vile.
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Serious lessons from the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. The Tories must back our vital defence manufacturing, including shipbuilding. The country needs ships for defence and they must be built in UK yards. More from @GMB_union ⬇️.
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Brilliant celebration of working class organisation and solidarity at Durham Miners’ Gala. Great to catch up with union comrades from across the country, and in particular our wonderful Durham County Local Authority branch members.
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We are proud of our Jewish heritage here at @GMB_union. We celebrate our diverse membership, and all communities are welcome to organise under our banner. Solidarity.
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Sending my solidarity to @GMBMidlands members at Amazon in Coventry taking part in the first ever #AmazonStrike in the UK. Today's strike is historic and inspirational, and our whole union stands with you in your fight to make work better in Amazon. Solidarity ✊
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This is a huge step forward and a big win: we’re proud to now be the union for @Deliveroo riders. ✅ Minimum earnings .✅ Union representation .✅ Safer working . We’re campaigning and organising with Deliveroo riders from day 1 - bring it on.
BREAKING NEWS 🚨:. @Deliveroo and GMB Union announce a new joint agreement for Riders. It's official - we're the union for Deliveroo Riders.
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I wrote to the First Minister in March last year calling for a national plan for social care. It was ignored. That shows how care workers and service users are valued by the Scottish Government. We need a proper inquiry into this predictable disaster.
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We have wage shortages, not labour shortages!. Want carers, retail workers, HGV drivers, hospitality staff? Pay a proper wage.
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