About GMB trade Union. Sometimes workplace reps are called ‘shop stewards’, ‘union reps’, or ‘staff representatives’. Unions sometimes attempt to impose limitations upon the right of a member to resign. Two trade union representatives have been newly appointed to Labour’s national executive committee in a shake-up following the departures of GMB’s Sarah Owen and Unite the Union’s Jim Kennedy. But in the main it boils down to three things: Helping to build a strong, effective union in the workplace. Sometimes workplace reps are called ‘shop stewards’, ‘union reps’, or ‘staff representatives’. Unite trade union works hard to ensure all workers have the right representation in their workplace, as well as making your voice heard in Government debate and decision-making. Make your workplace safer. Represent members in your workplace. Develop Yourself as a GMB Rep. Support your colleagues to learn. GMB Union Representatives are people who believe in standing up for fairness and helping other members in their work place. Where a union is recognised in a workplace, there is usually an agreement in place, often called a ‘facility agreement’, that sets out the time reps can take off for their union duties, and the facilities they will be provided with, such as access to a private room where members can meet with their rep … The role of the workplace rep these days involves promoting fairness at work, bargaining for better conditions, helping to resolve issues at work, dealing with difficulties that arise in the workplace and tackling health and safety issues. Our extensive regional training programme offers a package of courses from induction and support to advanced training for more experienced representatives. They come from a variety of backgrounds and positions in their workplace. If you are, or are interested in, representing others in the workplace, GMB Union can offer you a range of training on industrial relations. The story so far… The role of the trade union learning representative has been embedded in legislatative duty time since 2002. Ways to take an active role. Becoming an Academic Rep will not only give you a chance to improve the experience for students at the University, but you’ll also gain some valuable skills. With over 600,000 members working in thousands of workplaces across the UK, GMB ensures that every member gets a voice at work through our 10,000 army of workplace representatives. The law entitles union reps to paid time-off to attend TUC or union training courses. 600 ambulances have been called to Amazon warehouses in three years, Fire and rehire is immoral and wrong. Whether you’re interested in becoming more active in a branch role or you’re a branch official looking to move into an employed role within the union, the different levels of training should offer something suitable for you. Stand up for equality. However, a decision of the Supreme Court in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209 (1977), a Foundation-supported lawsuit, makes clear that you cannot constitutionally be prevented from resigning from your union at any time. A GMB Health & Safety rep ensures the workplace is safe and healthy for our members. E-mail: lynn.brook@gmb.org.uk or Rachel.harrison@gmb.org.uk Are you interested in getting involved or would you like to become a GMB Representative? It is our intention to ensure each We represent over 620,000 working people. Join now to be a part of something bigger. It is difficult to claim to represent the workforce if many of the employees are not members of the union. Our job is to get the best deal for GMB members at work. They come from a variety of backgrounds and positions in their workplace. Read more about the cookies we use. Agreements on time off for training. When you join Unite the union, you’ll become part of a diverse and varied community of working people, just like you. A newly appointed representative is invited to attend 12 days of training in the first year and will receive paid release from work to attend. Accident Claims Becoming a union rep If you want to become a union rep, ask another rep in the workplace or contact your union through its website. By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies. This would help you to get experience and an understanding of the workings of the union at ground level. People may: 1. be good communicators and their work colleagues think that they would be good in the role 2. feel strongly about issues and want to change things for the better 3. be dissatisfied with something at work and want to have the rights of a representative to influence members and management 4. be persuaded to have a go by other union reps looking for strengthen the union team 5. be pleased with the outcome of a personal case that was handled by the union and want t… Preparing for Office After the shop steward gets elected, the chosen candidate's first duty is preparing for the office. Information and resources to support bargaining and campaigns, Your hub for training, learning and activist development, See the latest training and learning opportunities for GMB reps, Another pay freeze would be a kick in the teeth for public sector heroes, Frontline staff don’t need more clapping or a badge – they need a proper pay increase. Become involved in other areas such … Whether in a school, college or elsewhere in the education service, the role of the workplace representative is a vital one for the National Education Union. This guide is for union reps - understanding coronavirus and workplace issues, employer negotiations and how best protect the workforce. You will have a legal right to conduct union business during working hours. You’ll be given full training and support from the YUSU Student Voice team as well as being part of a dynamic peer network of Reps across the University. We've determined that 35.6% of union representatives have a bachelor's degree. Their contact details may be in your company handbook, intranet site or on the union noticeboard. 3 Despite anything set out in these rules, the Central Executive Council may, by giving six weeks’ notice in writing, cancel … While there is no direct educational qualification that will guarantee success as a union representative, most experienced professionals in this field have completed a university degree in a related subject like business, law, industrial relations or human resources management. GMB activists? Find out more about the unions' 130 year history, GMB membership offers plenty of extra benefits, GMB's structures, rules and all things Congress. Tim Roache Regional Secretary of the GMB Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Region Colleagues, in 2002 Trade Unions received new legislative rights with regards to the introduction of the Trade Union Learning Rep, the GMB prior to … This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. The GMB Yorkshire & North Derbyshire region has continued to embrace this post-holding role within its national rule book and also through the GMB@Work organising agenda. A GMB Learning Rep help members get access to training and learning opportunities. ... With experience, you could become a regional secretary of your union or move into a post at national head office. Promote by GMB Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region, CLASS Centre for Labour and Social Studies. There are dozens of unions out there but not all will allow you to join because they can be industry-specific, others may not provide representation at such short notice, etc. Structural history. GMB Union Representatives are people who believe in standing up for fairness and helping other members in their work place. You could start as a learning rep in a local union office. Go to reps guidance. LabourList can exclusively reveal that Tom Warnett has taken up one of the NEC’s trade union places. Why not become a rep in your school or college? GMB Workplace Representatives usually take on the role of both Workplace Organiser (Shop Steward) and Safety Rep. Whatever role you take on, GMB will be here to support and train Campaign on global issues. If you're interested in becoming a union representative, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. No care worker should face the punishment of statutory sick pay of just £95 a week for doing the right thing. How To Become an Union Representative. Being a union rep is important and rewarding but it isn't always easy. To GMB members the workplace rep is ‘the union’. Further training is also available after completion of the initial training to help develop skills in a specific area. Are you a union rep looking for help and advice to support your colleagues at work? Members look to their reps for knowledge, experience and guidance. Each rep is the first point of contact for GMB members and potential members and vital to the union’s work. Unions, government and employers know that training can help a great deal. You could also move into politics as a councillor or MP. As a GMB workplace representative you will play an important role in helping members in your place of work, with the full support of the trade union infrastructure, making sure our members are treated fairly at work. GMB originates from a series of mergers, beginning when the National Amalgamated Union of Labour (NAUL), National Union of General Workers (NUGW) and the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) in 1924 joined into a new union, named the National Union of General and Municipal Workers (NUGMW). GMB is at the forefront of the trade union movement in providing education and training for its representatives, branch officers and full time officials. We have over 620,000 members who work in public services, for private companies, in full and part-time jobs. Contact GMB National Office or your GMB Region. Three steps to becoming a Trained & Active rep Over the years, thousands of UNISON members have been supported and mentored into becoming active with the help of the Trained & Active Plan. GMB Workplace Representatives usually take on the role of both Workplace Organiser (Shop Steward) and Safety Rep. Whatever role you take on, GMB will be here to support and train you. GMB 2020, all rights reservedTerms and Conditions | Built by 89up. Issues at Work As the recognised Trade Union, we are able to meet with you face to face, represent you at meetings and also help to present your case professionally. Take a look at our wide range of resources. We exist to get a better deal for our members and to support you when you need help. If you want a trade union representative coming with you to a disciplinary then you will need to become a member of one. As the representative of a labor organization to both management and the union members in the workplace, a shop steward works as a facilitator and a mediator. Attend meetings to discuss workplace issues relevant to you and your colleagues. If there’s a union at work, you can ask the trade union representative (‘rep’) about joining. The GMB’s goal is for 100% of workplace membership. There are all sorts of reasons. They turn to their workplace rep when they have a problem or feel they are being unfairly treated. GMB is the trade union for everyone. I hope you find this manual useful. Being a GMB representative is a challenge. Represent women, black members, disabled, or LGBT members. GMB Reps get more involved in many different ways. Updates and advice tailored to your job on our workplace noticeboards, Advice and support to help members and reps, Online and downloadable resources to help you fight for proper protective equipment, your law firm - owned by GMB for GMB members. If you are interested in becoming a workplace representative then download a copy of the form below and return it to the GMB. GMB members come from all walks of life. Depending on union rules, you may be appointed or elected. We are committed to building a strong organisation in every GMB workplace to help make every workplace safer. Each rep is the first point of contact for GMB members and potential members and vital to the union’s work. Keeping you up to date and in touch on GMB issues that matter to you. Talk to, recruit and organise members around workplace issues. Members all have one thing in common: they look to the union for support in case of a problem at work. As a general union, GMB membership is open to all workers and students in both the public and private sectors. GMB Union operates nationally and also locally through 9 regional offices. The GMB union invests in the development of all our workplace representatives delivering training courses and on-site support. As a part-time union official (often known as a shop steward or representative), you’ll be elected by local trade union members to pass on the views of the staff to the management of your company. Stay in contact with members. Be involved in how your branch and union is run. We're on your side. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 23.3% of union representatives have master's degrees. In general the issues on which union representatives spend most time are health and safety matters and the way employees are treated by management. Talk to members about workplace problems, advice them and keep them informed of latest developments. Full sick pay for social care workers now! 1 GMB is an open and democratic organisation and welcomes into membership people from any industry or walk of life who are committed to upholding the aims and rules of the Union 2 The Central Executive Council may create temporary grades of membership if they think they are necessary. Give you and your colleagues a voice in the union and your Organisation’s decision-making processes. They work in the public and private sectors and it is the members that elect the workplace rep to represent and advise them. Help us by emailing your MP with one click. Organise your colleagues and make them stronger. A GMB Workplace Organiser (Shop Steward) represents members in the workplace and takes up their interests. Join more than 600,000 people and become a GMB member today. Inexperienced members have gained the confidence and knowledge to speak up and become effective reps in their workplace. Disseminate relevant information. 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