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Posted 31st March 2010
Bulletin - LG Bosses Refuse to Negotiate [Download document]


Posted 30th March 2010
Defending the Welfare State and Public Services - April Demo Coaches [Download document]


Posted 25th March 2010
TO ALL GMB MEMBERS AT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
25 March 2010

Dear Colleagues

BALLOT FOR ACTION ON REDUCTION OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS PROPOSALS

As you will be aware the closing date for the above ballot was 19th March 2010 and the following outlines the official result.

NUMBER OF VOTES CAST : 483
NUMBER OF ‘YES’ VOTES : 234
NUMBER OF ‘NO’ VOTES : 249
NUMBER OF SPOILED VOTING PAPERS : 3

Clearly we do not have a mandate to take action in these circumstances and therefore, I must make it clear that GMB members are not legally covered to take part in any industrial action that may be undertaken by UNISON who has received an overwhelming “YES” vote in their ballot.

However, although we are not able to take part in official action, I would expect that in true Trade Union tradition our members would show solidarity with UNISON members and provide them with moral support.

Obviously the response in the ballot is extremely disappointing on two counts. Firstly bearing in mind that we sent out over 1,600 ballot papers it is extremely worrying that we have only received 1/3 in terms of those who have voted.

This means that we have 2/3 of our membership have not engaged in this process by opting not to vote. This is a serious concern as we desperately need our members to take part in the ballots we conduct so that we can be absolutely sure what it is our members are thinking, feeling and want us to do on their behalf.

On the other count prior to the ballot, many members - much more than the 234 which voted “YES” had been in touch with my office, the Branch Secretary and with local Representatives urging the GMB to do something to stop the savage cuts and reductions to your terms and conditions and yet when given the opportunity to indicate their anger and participate in resistance against such changes, it appears that only a few are that worried about the issue.

The low response is very worrying bearing in mind that it is clear that in the next 3-5 years the programme of change within this County Council will be phenomenal. It is my belief that there will be no stone unturned in the horrendous hunt for savings. This means that although you may not be at the front of the queue for this type of savings programme now, sooner or later it is more than likely they will get around to focusing on where you are located, and the only way that we can resist is by sticking together from start to finish.

I understand that there is now a letter on the intranet for employees to sign to indicate their acceptance of the changes and this obviously places us in a predicament. However, my advice is that although we have no mandate for industrial action this does not mean that we agree to the changes, and therefore should members maintain their objection they should indicate this by signing and stating clearly that they do so UNDER PROTEST, as they do not agree with the change proposed.

This will be a long and drawn out fight against cuts and negative change and I hope that we can show much more resistance in the future. If you have any queries with regards to the above please do not hesitate to contact your Branch Secretary Vic Baines, your local GMB reps, my office or visit the branch website www.gmbmidandec.org.uk

Yours sincerely
Tyehimba Nosakhere, Organiser

[Download document]


Posted 25th February 2010
Well, despite the rain, maybe a couple of hundred people were present to hear Mrs Cutts read her pre-prepared text and blame the Government for all the cuts here in Nottinghamshire. This was despite the Government having increased the allocation to Notts by 4% this year!

I was most disappointed at the lack of GMB support - despite several members being present I was the only one holding a flag and a Broxtowe borough councillor held one of our placards (despite not being a GMB member). Are you ashamed to show that you are a member of a trade union? Any union is only as good as its members so please participate more. People made it from Worksop and Retford (some by coach) but many from local buildings didn't.

As for the speeches, the CE came outside whilst Mrs Cutts read her statement after which she marched straight back in to County Hall. Councillor Alan Rhodes (Labour leader) apologised for the barriers that had been erected stating that people have a right to have access to their councillors and should be able to ask questions. He pledged support to the trade unions to oppose the cuts. Councillor Jason Zadrozny (Lib Dems leader) gave an impassioned speech vowing to work with the other opposition parties to fight the cuts.

John Mann (Bassetlaw MP) gave an outspoken speech - I do admire the man for the speeches he makes in parliament and what he said was on a par with one of those (really rousing). A lady from one of the care homes under threat of being sold also gave an emotional speech, followed by a man who is also involved in care of the elderly. And last, but not least, Grace Perry of Unison gave a firebrand oration which should have raised anger levels to fever pitch especially when she said that the authority had more than £100m in reserves. John Mann then summed up and Deborah Hinde invited those that wanted to stay to adjourn to the assembly room for refreshments.

So, not the best of protests/rally's that I have attended and no doubt the administration will take comfort from the small turnout of protesters thinking that opposition is on the wane. Your next chance to voice your opinion will probably be at the General Election - please don't suffer from memory loss before then!


Posted 4th February 2010
Local Government Unions 0utraged at Pay Freeze [Download document]
P1-10-LG Bulletin- Bitter Blow as Employers Say No Pay Rise-20January2010 [Download document]


Posted 3rd November 2009
Terms & Conditions Meeting [Download document]


Posted 1st November 2009
Call to arms - All GMB Members – Changes to Terms and Conditions Protest [Download document]


Posted 27th October 2009
P19-09-LG Pay - Unions Submit Claim for 2010 [Download document]


Posted 11th September 2009
P16-09-LG Pay-GMB Members Vote to Accept Offer-10 Sept 09 [Download document]
LGS Pay 2009 [Download document]


Posted 12th August 2009
P15-09-LG Services-Have your say on pay 11th August [Download document]


Posted 20th July 2009
Resuls of Remploy Pay and Conditions Ballot [Download document]


Posted 20th July 2009
P13-09-LG Pay Update 16th July
[Download document]


Posted 8th July 2009
P12-09-LG Pay-Employer Shambles - Full TU side called etc-8 July
[Download document]


Posted 3rd June 2009
LG Pay - Employers can't make their minds up
[Download document]


Posted 27th April 2009
March for Jobs
[Download document]


Posted 23rd April 2009
Bulletin - LG pay offer rejected
[Download Word document]


Posted 22nd April 2009

Bulletin - LG sinks to new low
[Download Word document]


Posted 5th March 2009
Bulletin - LGPS Update: New Member Contribution Bands -
[Download Word document]


Posted 3rd March 2009
Bulletin - Arbitration for 2008 -
[Download Word document]


Posted 2nd March 2009
Branch News Letter - [Download Word document]


Posted 9th February 2009
European News Bulletin - [Download PDF document] - [Download Word document]


Posted 9th February 2009
LRD Fact Service Bulletin Fbruary 2009 - [Download PDF document]