GMB Handbook

Britain's General Union

GMB Midland and East Coast Region

Members Handbook

Dealing with Workplace Problems

What do I do if I'm facing a Disciplinary Hearing?

Whether the Union is recognised by your employer or not, you are entitled to have a GMB Representative in the Hearing with you.
Immediately contact your local Rep, Branch Secretary or Union office for advice and assistance.
Don't go in alone – take your GMB rep with you. If you suspect your interview is turning into something else, you are legally allowed to postpone the meeting until you can contact us to arrange representation.

What do I do if I have a Complaint or Grievance at Work?

First of all speak to your immediate Supervisor or Manager about the problem
If the problem is not resolved contact your local Rep, Branch Secretary or Union for immediate advice and assistance. Before you do this, try and obtain a copy of your company's Grievance Procedure if one exists.
You will be advised on how to formally register a grievance.
You are entitled to a Union Representative in a grievance Hearing, whether the Union is recognised by your employer or not.

Accidents at Work

Notify your Manager.
Make sure it is entered in the Accident Book.
Speak to your Rep. If you don't have one, contact your local GMB office and explain what has happened.
Make sure you get the names of any witnesses.

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Your Rights

Trade Union Membership – you have the legal right to join the GMB and be represented by us at work.
Trade Union Recognition – this means that employees will have the legal right to call on GMB's expertise in negotiating terms and conditions like pay, health & safety and pensions.
Parental Leave – working parents who have responsibility for a child have the right to parental leave.
Maternity Rights – ordinary maternity leave is 26 weeks, regardless of service, from April 2003
Time off for Dependants – you now have the right to take reasonable unpaid time off to deal with urgent domestic problems if your spouse, child or parent falls ill or is injured.
Paid Annual Leave – you are entitled to 4 weeks' paid annual leave from your employer.
Working Hours – you cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours per week (averaged over 17 weeks) or be penalised for insisting on that right.
The Right to Breaks – adult workers are entitled to a minimum 20 minutes rest break when working longer than 6 hours. You are also entitled to 11 hours rest between each working day and a minimum 1 day off each week.
Part-time Workers – if you work part-time you should be treated no less favourably than your full-time colleagues.
National Minimum Wage – you are entitled to be paid at least the National Minimum Wage, which is reviewed annually.

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Health & Safety

GMB is recognised as the leading Trade Union on Health & Safety and Environmental Issues. A key role in achieving good health and safety at work is played by your GMB Safety Representative. Safety Representatives are elected by GMB members in the workplace. They have legal rights to inspect, investigate, take up issues and to get training.

GMB full-time organisers also inform, support and represent on health and safety issues. The GMB Regional Health and Safety Service provides back up and can arrange workplace visits.

To get advice on:

Employers' Legal Obligations
Health & Safety at Work Act
Health & Safety at Work Regulations
COSHH
Safety Representatives and Safety Committees
Health & Safety Training
Enforcement

Contact Craig Stuart or Carole Wojcik on: 0115 960 1105 e-mail: carole.wojcik@gmb.org.uk

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Training and Education

GMB is at the forefront of the Trade Union movement in providing education and training for its members.

Regional and Local Training Courses
Full training for all new Representatives
Support for learning at work for all members via workplace learning projects and Union Learning Representatives

For more information on courses and course content contact our Education Department on:
0115 960 1105 e-mail: carole.wojcik@gmb.org.uk

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Free Legal Services for GMB Members and their Families

For Advice and Assistance on:

Accidents at work and diseases caused by your job
Unfair dismissal and other work related problems
Obtaining State Benefits
All forms of discrimination
Contracts, pay slips etc
Personal injury legal package for members and their families
Protect you and your family with a Will, completely free or charge

*Non-work related accidents for family members

Please note: It is each member's responsibility to keep their Union Contributions up-to-date.

Call our Legal Department on: 0115 960 1112 e-mail: midlandlegal@gmb.org.uk for the only real free legal service

We've taken the law into our own hands...

Did you know that the GMB Legal Service is there to take the best possible care of every member's legal needs? We have appointed the leading UK Trade Union Solicitors to provide a comprehensive package of legal assistance.

Conveyancing – Whether you are buying or selling a home, the GMB legal Service charges you just £235.00 per transaction, ex VAT and disbursements.

English Law – No matter what you need to know, up to 30 minutes of advice is absolutely free. All you need do is fill in a form that is available from the GMB Regional Office.

Employment Law – There have been many changes affecting members' employment rights over the past years. If you have any questions or issues relating to your employment, the Regional Office can help you out.

Free Wills – Available to all members.

Personal Injury Claims – If you, or a member of your family, has suffered an accident or illness that was someone else's fault, the GMB Legal Service is there to help you claim compensation. Members are covered for accidents anywhere and family members are covered for non-work accidents. Our lawyers are top experts in their field and the service is absolutely free.

Some claims companies promise free assistance and then demand a huge share of your compensation. With the GMB the ONLY cost to you is a small administration charge for successful cases only, which we use to help fight other cases. So don't risk being ripped-off, when you know you can trust the GMB Legal Service.

... So you're in safe hands for personal injury claims

For legal assistance, call now to see how we can help you 0800 587 7533 Lines are open 8am – 8pm. All calls are free.

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A Summary of GMB Financial Benefits

Dispute of lock-out pay
Accident of assault at work causing absence of 3 weeks or more
Total disablement caused by an accident at work
Fatal accident at work
Fatal accident outside work
Funeral grant

For further information please contact your Branch on 0115 960 1113 or e.mail jaime.foster@gmb.org.uk

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Pensions Services

The GMB is the only Union which has a specialist Pension Department. We can:

Provide general advice and guidance
Represent you if you have a problem
Negotiate with employers to improve your benefits
Provide pensions training

Whether your enquiry is about personal pensions, occupational pensions of the State pension scheme call our Finance Officer, David Castledine, on: 0115 960 1118 e-mail: david.castledine@gmb.org.uk

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Thorne Credit Union

Do you always have cash to pay for:

Hoildays
Home Improvements
Christmas
Car repairs

If the answer is no, then you need to join the Credit Union.

After 3 months of regular saving, you are eligible for a loan.
All loans will be charged interest of only 1% per month on a reducing balance.
No credit checks.
Loan insurance is automatic and free.
No hidden extras and no small print, and all profits are put back into your Credit Union.

Telephone: 0161 486 1777

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Tax Advice

The Inland Revenue is holding £1 billion in overpaid tax that is waiting to be claimed back. On average one in five people are due for a tax rebate.

Are you one of them?

Browell Taxation Services are offering a free income tax check to all GMB members and their families. You will receive:

All the tax back if it is less than £50
All current and future years' savings
75% of any tax refund

For more information contact the TaxBack Helpline, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm on: 01670 858687

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GMB Drivers' Fund

What is it?

The fund is set up to provide assistance to its members when involved in a motoring incident, including access to a specialist Solicitor and Hardship Fund of up to 75%

What kind of cover is available?

The Fund offers protection whilst at work and private motoring in both the UK and Europe .

How much does it cost?

This is available for only 25 pence per week

For advice and a joining form Contact Membership Services on: 0115 960 7171 e-mail: membershipMid&ECReg@gmb.org.uk

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Other Benefits

Discounted holidays – call our Holiday club on 01709 821020 open 7 days a week
Discounted Flights – call BMi on 0870 6070555, and quote ‘GMB Friends & Family'
Discounted Airport Parking & Hotels call GMB Airport Parking on 0870 7370123, or visit www.aph.com/gmb
Discounted AA membership – call 0800 783 7053, quoting ref. GMB MPL
GMB Travel Insurance – call Sterling Hamilton Wright Ltd on 0800 0680070

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Equal Rights

GMB has been in the forefront of the flight for equality within Trade Unions at the workplace and within society for many years. Our Equal Rights structures cover discrimination on the grounds of sex, disability, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and equality issues for men and young people. We aim to put equality and in particular equal pay, family friendly policies and tackling racism at the top of the negotiating agenda in the workplace. GMB produces negotiators' guides on a wide range of equality issues. These include equal pay, negotiating Equal Opportunities Agreements, tackling harassment, equal audits, flexible working, atypical working, age discrimination, lesbian and gay discrimination, HIV/AIDS and the Family Charter

Regular equality briefings are posted onto the GMB website and are available from your Regional Equal Rights Officers.

For more information on how to get involved call:

Adrienne Allen, Regional Equal Rights Officer – 01482 218018
e-mail: equalityMid &ECReg@gmb.org.uk

Tyehimba Nosakhere, Regional Race Officer – 0115 9607171
e-mail: raceMid&ECReg@gmb.org.uk

David Shamma, Regional Young Members Officer – 01733 344418
e-mail: youthMid&ECReg@gmb.org.uk

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Getting More Involved

Thinking about being a GMB Representative? All of our Representatives receive the best training and support in the Trade Union movement.

Become one of the team and gain confidence, discover new talents and get great satisfaction in doing the job well. The rewards of being a Representative are many, but none matches the thanks and respect you will receive from your members.

There are also many other ways of becoming involved in your Union

For more information contact your local office who will be delighted to help

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