Staff at the GMB union have voted to strike over claims the organisation has failed to act on the recommendations of a report that described it as ‘institutionally sexist’.
According to the BBC, employees at GMB in the North East say that the reforms promised after barrister Karon Monaghan’s damning report in 2020 have not materialised, with a taskforce set up to bring forth change being disbanded.
Karon Monaghan KC’s report called for fundamental change at the union, finding that branches were organised in such a way that deterred women from participating.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment ‘endemic’ within GMB Union
Non-disclosure agreements have ‘devastating impacts’ on people
Worker Protection Act: how should HR prepare for sexual harassment obligations?
In 2020 she said that “bullying, misogyny, cronyism and sexual harassment are endemic within the GMB” and highlighted that the general secretaries and regional secretaries had always been men.
“The culture in the GMB is one of heavy drinking and late-night socialising, salacious gossip and a lack of professionalism,” her report said.
The independent review of the union’s culture was launched after former general secretary Tim Roache stood down amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
This week, staff at the GMB’s North East, Yorkshire and Humber region told the BBC that progress in addressing the culture had stalled.
One employee said: “Enough is enough… 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 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.”
A Unite spokesperson told the BBC: “We can confirm that our members within the GMB’s North East, Yorkshire and Humber region have voted for industrial action following a ballot over allegations which include failure to implement the recommendations of the Monaghan Report and other concerns from staff including women.”
A GMB spokesperson said: “We are committed to listening to our staff and are available for discussions to seek a suitable resolution to matters. We have been involved in an ongoing dialogue with Unite on issues specific to the Yorkshire area, but these were put on hold as their representative informed us they are on leave until 25 March.
“Tackling bad behaviour and practices is central to our union’s purpose, and the recent dismissal of a senior official in the area concerned for sexual harassment, bullying and two further counts of gross misconduct is a clear demonstration of this.
“Every leader in GMB has an obligation to uphold and adhere to the spirit and principles of the Monaghan report, which is overseen by our general secretary and national president, in line with the unanimous decision made by delegates at GMB Congress in 2023 to endorse the work of the union’s Taskforce for Positive Change.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
“We recognise that securing deep-seated changes in culture is an ongoing process and leaders throughout the union are committed to achieving this.”
