GMB North West & Irish Region
11 March 2016

As part of the speaker line up set for the International Women's Day Event held at Regional Office in Liverpool, Ross Holden a Young Member discussed this important topic and also took a snap poll. The results are interesting, perhaps confirming the view held by Paul McCarthy that there would be a lot less conflict if we had more women taking part in negotiations. We have also been running a survey on the regional website this past week or so with a similar outcome.

Please let us know what you think at https://www.gmbnorthwest.co.uk/content/should-uk-stay-europe-or-leave

Here is what people have been telling us so far.

We asked the question - How will this affect our members, families and communities?

STAY VOTE

Secure workers rights, the only way the north gets funding this

government only funds tory heartlands and London

STAY VOTE

Frightening to think the Torys would not be held account to anyone should we leave. Safety in numbers. Need to continue to develop workers rights through the EU route and protect /preserve existing legislation before they are over written. Environmental policy is far more advanced and forward thinking than current domestic routes...to name but a few.

​STAY VOTE

Protection of Jobs & workers rights

LEAVE VOTE

It needs to get out, for sake of our once cherish democracy that has been eroded, our distain has grown over the years with every interference in our Court matters that have angered millions by it. It is also the ridiculous regulations that has subjected us to silly and unnecessary regulations that have been expense to adhere to. Also lead to thousands of business's going out of business. The EU is authoritarian and this does not fit well into our society or outlooks. I could go on and on. all things EU has brought I disapprove of, changes to our communities, economy which is a lot worse than it would have been if we hadn't got tangled up in the EU German ideology.

LEAVE VOTE

The EU is an undemocratic monolith ran by neoliberal corporatists its original purpose has failed & in its current form is simply insupportable. The cost to the uk in terms of stretched services, depressed incomes & high housing costs has been & is, too high. Its effect on poorer Southern & Eastern countries has been the exact opposite of that intended. We are now simply stripping those countries of their best people, reducing their populations & diminishing their prospects of economic parity with us. We do this because its cheaper for uk business & affords them massive profits

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/11531066/British-business-is...

that they do not share with the rest of society

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/12063052/Mass-migration-drivin...

Also, coming from a multicultural area, I fail to see how uncontrolled white immigration can help our already isolated desicommunities. The whole EU idea needs fundamental change & we should be willing to negotiate our exit from a position of strength in the hope of forcing sweeping change & if not, leaving without a second thought.

STAY VOTE

The conservatives will find it a free for all with our T&C's and we will be going back in time. They will also go ahead with TTIP in or out.

STAY VOTE - How will this affect our members, families and communities?

Workers rights mean a lot

STAY VOTE

We should stay in Europe. 3 million jobs depend on it. Workers rights holiday pay paternity and maternity pay all could be jeopardised if we leave. Britain is stronger in the EU.

STAY VOTE

I believe this will be an end to workers rights, Health and Safety legislation being watered down. Damage to the economy leading to loss of jobs. We are better off being in Europe than out of it.

STAY VOTE

I've lived in and amongst Europeans for 20 years and like what has been achieved as a collective. Little England mentality does not appeal to me.

LEAVE VOTE

I feel we need to leave the EU so that we can regain control of our country again. As much as we can have sympathy for asylum seekers we need to control it ourselves and not be told by unelected people in Brussels what to do. We need to be able to deport people who commit serious crimes and not have to listen to the of crying about their human rights.

STAY VOTE

I worry about workers rights if we do leave​

Please do let us know what you think, the survey is on the regional website www.gmbnorthwest.co.uk

Europe: Stay or Leave? Young member Ross Holden hears views from GMB Women on the EU Referendum at International Women’s Day event.

 

On International Women’s Day GMB women members in the North West & Irish Region held a seminar on how national and global issues are affecting women and the importance of getting more women involved in the trade union movement and politics. 

Women members and activists noted that one of the most pressing political issues that affect women is the European Referendum, where the UK will decide on 23rd June whether it should remain a member of the European Union or leave. GMB women at the event voiced real concern that the Europe debate is not being focused on the real issues that matter to women and workers across the UK, instead being nothing more than a male-dominated Conservative party drama.

The North West & Irish young members network has also been active on this issue and young member Ross Holden was invited to discuss with GMB women and activists this important topic and take a snap poll alongside our regional online survey.

Ross Holden said:

“I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to talk with fantastic GMB Women members and activists on the EU Referendum, which will have a major effect on how much we can protect and progress women’s rights and equality in Cameron’s Tory Britain. Being a member of the EU means that we benefit from legislation protecting maternity leave rights and working to close the gender pay gap, which is still a major source of discrimination against women.

The poll results and the following discussion was very interesting and confirms what GMB women and our Regional Secretary Paul McCarthy rightfully said on the day: That there would be a lot less conflict and a lot more clarity in the EU Referendum debate if we had more women taking part in negotiations.”

 

Check out the video below to hear the results of the poll and GMB women members and activists discussing their views on the importance of the referendum for women’s rights and whether it’s better to stay in, or leave, the European Union.

 

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Ross Holden, Young Member, Europe Stay or Leave?