Members of the GMB, one of the UK’s largest trade unions, have voted for industrial action over claims that the organisation has failed to address its “institutional sexism.” The employees, who are based in the North East, Yorkshire, and Humber (NEYH) regions, allege that promised reforms following an internal investigation have not materialised. The enquiry in question, conducted by Karon Monaghan KC, found last year that “bullying, misogyny, cronyism, and sexual harassment were endemic” within the union. It outlined the need for a “complete transformation” in culture and practices.
In response to the recent ballot, a Unite spokesperson confirmed that members in the NEYH region had voted for industrial action based on multiple concerns, one of which was the alleged failure to implement the recommendations of the Monaghan Report. GMB is the third-biggest trade union in the UK and a significant donor to the Labour party. The staff citing concerns of sexism claim that promised reforms have “gone backwards,” with a taskforce disbanded before reforms were made.
The investigation came after the abrupt resignation of General Secretary Tim Roache. His replacement, Gary Smith, promised to implement all Monaghan recommendations in full. Responding to the ballot, a GMB spokesperson said that the union was committed to listening to its staff and was available for discussions “to seek a suitable resolution.” Nonetheless, the staff in question allege that not only have reforms not been implemented but that Unite union representatives have also been intimidated, and there has been a failure to follow disciplinary procedures.
In 2020, when the investigation was launched, the GMB confirmed that it had written to union members saying that any acts of sexual harassment would be taken seriously. One employee has now stated: “We were all promised after the Monaghan report that the horrendous culture of sexism and outright misogyny within GMB would be tackled, yet we’ve gone backwards. More and more of the staff are sharing their stories of harassment. We’ve therefore been left with no choice but to ballot to take this action to force the hands of those in charge to bring back Karon Monaghan or another trusted TUC advisor to properly and crucially independently throw a light on what’s happening within the union.
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