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Obituary
Derrick Whitfi eld
The Regional Organising 1969-2007
Team goes back to class Janet Hulley pays
Since the start of this year, GMB’s
tribute to GMB stalwart
Regional Organising Team have been Sadly, 2007 saw
visiting schools in Leeds, Bradford GMB Doncaster
and Calderdale, as part of a drive to branch lose
boost membership numbers and Derrick Whitfi eld,
advise existing members on the a good friend
issues affecting them. and colleague, to
The meetings were well attended a heart condition
and the main topics of discussion at the tragically young age of 38. I
included national bargaining knew Dek for nearly 20 years and
for school support staff, cover he was a union rep all that time.
supervision and equal pay. Above: GMB Dek ran the Doncaster Case Branch
Another issue that was raised was
members at Yeadon
virtually on his own for several years.
how little information school staff
Westfi eld Junior
During his time as branch
School, Leeds.
received from their local authority secretary, the only thing Dek got
about job evaluation and equal pay, Left: New wrong was not covering his own
given that the implementation date
members at
expenses, something which caused
for job evaluation was April 2007.
Greetland Primary
branch funds to just keep on
School, Halifax.
The team also found that many growing! In 2007, when it became
staff were not currently in a union, clear that the Doncaster Case
but were keen to join GMB, resulting Branch would close, we thought
in signifi cant increases in school updated and represented, the team about how we should use its
membership across all of the now plans to visit as many schools as remaining funds and various ideas
local authority sites visited. possible over the coming months. were mooted.
To ensure that GMB members Please contact a member of the However, following Dek’s death,
across the Yorkshire and North Regional Organising Team if you all agreed that the funds should be
Derbyshire Region are properly would like to arrange a school visit. put towards doing something in his
memory. Dek gave so much to GMB
and its members – we wanted to
give something back.
GMB cautions police bullies
Many suggestions were put
forward, but the one that everyone
felt was most appropriate was to
Union members at West Yorkshire Police complain of harassment donate the money to the British
Heart Foundation.
GMB members employed
57%
and members appear to It is hoped that, in some small
as shift workers in the have been accessed. way, these funds might contribute
‘civilian’ sections of the Despite this clear attempt to fi nding a cure for the disease
West Yorkshire Police to infl uence the result of that took Dek from us at such a
complained about
of members voted in
the ballot, 57% of members young age. He was a credit to GMB,
incidences of interference
favour of strike action
voted in favour of strike and will be sadly missed by many.
and intimidation during a action. GMB organiser John
recent industrial action sides of industry, in order to Kirk branded the activities
Dek’s mother, friends and
ballot called by the union. ensure that the process is of senior management colleagues with a cheque for
The introduction of fair and lawful. a “disgrace” and a formal
the British Heart Foundation
unpopular new shift Although GMB stuck to grievance has been
patterns on May 12 and the those principles, senior lodged. GMB lawyers are
refusal of management to managers did not and also preparing unlawful
negotiate with unions over union members complained victimisation claims.
the new shift system led of interference and To ensure GMB members
to GMB members being intimidation during the are able to participate in
balloted for strike action at ballot. Members stated union business without fear,
the end of April. that they were approached the ballot is to be restaged,
The ballot, like all those by managers and asked to to secure an even higher
organised by GMB, was “come clean” about their majority for strike action. As
conducted by ERBS union membership and how we go to press a re-ballot has
(Electoral Reform Balloting they were going to vote secured a 71% vote in favour
Services), an independent in the ballot. In addition, of strike action and the
company used by both emails between GMB reps dispute continues.
www.gmb.org.uk 5
IINS02.ykd_news 5NS02.ykd_news 5 11/7/08 17:00:08/7/08 17:00:08
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