NEWS GMB
Regional membership on the up
The GMB@Work strategy and the formation of the Regional Organising Team bring a fresh
impetus to union activities and membership levels across Yorkshire and North Derbyshire
The number of GMB members in new members and securing new The representatives are now provided
the Yorkshire and North Derbyshire representatives and contacts.
‘Member
with more training, support and
Region has increased, following Thanks to the Regional Organising
Get
encouragement than ever before, in
the introduction of GMB@Work Team’s targeting of large employers
– the union’s national strategy to
Member’
order to ensure they are able to build
across the region, such as schools, the union in their workplaces.
encourage membership growth and Asda and Southern Cross Healthcare,
campaign
The GMB ‘Member Get Member’
mobilise current members to set the a steady decline in membership resulted in campaign has been successful in
agenda in their workplace. numbers has been reversed.
over 200
encouraging existing members to
The Yorkshire and North Derbyshire
Region has created a Regional Better support for reps
new joiners
bring friends and family to the union,
Organising Team, which focuses Through the work of the regional
during its
resulting in over 200 joiners during
its fi rst month alone. ‘Member Get
on building the union by enrolling education department, GMB
fi rst month
Member’ offers £10 for every member
recruited and £5 for part-timers.
900
Hard work pays off
800
872
The GMB@Work approach to
union activity is here to stay, says
700
senior organiser Neil Derrick: “Our
600
674
687
offi cers, staff, workplace reps and
620
637
branch activists are beginning to
500
566
see the results of their hard work
f
members
533
540
o
translated into membership growth
400
479
498
and increased union activity in the
404
workplaces across the region.
Number
300 363
348
“We are now back on track as a
200
region and I’m confi dent that the
direction of travel is going one way
100
April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
– towards a bigger, stronger union,
2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008
delivering more for its members
through effective campaigning
GMB Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region – Actual Recruitment 2007/08
and workplace organisation.”
Southern Cross
Meet the team
gets organised
Carol Rose
Carol Rose is one of GMB’s Southern
Cross Healthcare reps, and looks
GMB Organiser Jon Smith sets out his agenda
after members’ health and safety
plus a great many other issues at
I took over responsibility for GMB members aid Southern Cross workers in their fi ght to the care home where she works.
at Southern Cross Healthcare homes in West receive a fair and living wage for doing jobs “GMB helps to solve problems
and North Yorkshire during February, and that many of us would not even consider. for its members at work in many
have now had the opportunity to meet many In addition, it’s very important that GMB different ways,” says Carol. “I think
of our members in their places of work. fi ghts to ensure that other employment it’s important that workers have the
My visits to the Southern Cross homes issues, such as health and safety, respect and back-up of a union and the legal help
underlined the dedication and commitment dignity at work and fl exible working are kept it can supply if members need it.”
shown by staff to all residents, some of whom high on the employer’s agenda. If you would like to know more
exhibit very challenging behaviour. about becoming a GMB member
Our Southern Cross members deserve all Strengthening GMB’s voice or rep in a Southern Cross home
the support and help GMB can give them, to The recruitment of so many new Southern in South Yorkshire and North
make sure that they are respected in their Cross reps has been heartwarming, and I will Derbyshire, call Sue Hill on 0114 276
workplaces and by the general community. provide them with help and support over the 8017 or email sue.hill@gmb.org.uk
coming months. GMB’s ultimate aim is to
The caring profession have a rep in every home across the region.
Carol Rose
These members are very often low paid If you would like more information about
(left) with two
colleagues
workers and do their jobs because they becoming a GMB member or rep in West and
care about the elderly. I feel that it is the North Yorkshire, call me on 01924 882 255
responsibility of GMB and its members to or email jon.smith@gmb.org.uk.
6 www.gmb.org.uk
IINS02.ykd_news 6NS02.ykd_news 6 11/7/08 17:00:10/7/08 17:00:10
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