GMB trade union helping workers during COVID-19

We will not allow these employers to profit unfairly on the back of these workers

8 April 2020

The GMB North West & Irish region has been made aware of companies stopping members and new recruits from joining a trade union, this is absolutely not acceptable and something we are taking very seriously. We are focussing our attention on these companies, who have a legal requirement, to make sure workers are represented and fairly treated.

Regional Political Officer, Neil Smith, came across this issue while in discussions with local Labour Councillors. He said ‘’The GMB union cannot and will not accept companies flouting the law, taking advantage of people desperate to earn an income in these most difficult times. The union has done a lot of work helping members navigate the latest contract changes and health & safety at work. We will not allow these employers to profit unfairly on the back of these workers’’.

GMB trade union membership will help improve worker pay and health & safety conditions in your work place, join us today and help make a difference in your workplace.

You can join our union online now, please follow this link to join and enjoy the full trade union support. (https://www.gmbnorthwest.co.uk/join-now)

Trade union membership: your employment rights

You have the right to:

  • choose to join or not join a union

  • decide to leave or remain a member of a union

  • belong to the union you choose, even if it’s not the one your employer negotiates with on pay, terms and conditions

  • belong to more than one union

Your employer isn’t allowed to:

  • offer you a benefit to leave a trade union

  • threaten to treat you unfairly if you don’t leave a union

Refusing to employ you for trade union membership reasons

An employer or employment agency isn’t allowed to insist that you:

  • join or leave a trade union

  • leave one union for another

Dismissal for trade union membership reasons

Your employer isn’t allowed to dismiss you or choose you for redundancy because you:

  • are or want to be a union member

  • aren’t or don’t want to be a union member

  • took part or wanted to take part in union activities

Other unfavourable treatment

Your employer mustn’t treat you unfavourably (for example refusing you promotion or training opportunities) if you:

  • join a union

  • take part in its meetings

  • leave a union

What to do if you have a problem

You may be able to use a grievance procedure or go to employment tribunal if you think your employer has treated you unfairly because of your trade union membership.

Contact the ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration) if you have any questions about trade union membership.

From the Gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/join-trade-union/trade-union-membership-your-employment-rights

GMB North West & Irish Region