GMB NEWS
Young guns
Power to the people!
GMB’s young members let us know
what’s been keeping them busy
February – This month we March – GMB’s Regional April – Taking inspiration
hosted a talk by Mike Treen from Young Members’ Committee from Unite’s ‘Supersize My
the New Zealand union, Unite, hosted an anti-fascist activity Pay’ campaign, our young
who told us about its successful day, organised and led by the members have produced their
‘Supersize My Pay’ campaign on ‘Hope Not Hate’ campaign. own workplace bulletin for the Meet GMB Sheffi eld Mun & Lt
behalf of young workers at such Around 20 people from region’s bar workers. (S38) branch member Mark Norton,
fast food chains as McDonalds, across the region came together Our team decided to place who is president of the British
Pizza Hut, KFC and Starbucks. to participate in a two-hour copies of the bulletin at a Drug-Free Powerlifting Association
Mike outlined how Unite was workshop, which covered such number of bars around Sheffi eld (BDFPA), and has won numerous
able to increase its membership topics as the nature of the BNP University, in order to highlight world titles and set several global
among fast food workers via a and why trade unions should key employment rights and records in the sport.
number of activities, including campaign against fascism. health and safety concerns. The
demonstrations and industrial The workshop was followed by bulletin encourages bar staff to Can you tell us a little
action. As a result, Unite won a leafl eting exercise against the contact GMB for more advice. about yourself?
signifi cant wage rises for many BNP in Heckmondwike. I live in Woodseats, Sheffi eld
of these workers and ended age During May’s local elections, Summer and beyond and I am employed by Sheffi eld
discrimination regarding New the BNP lost this seat, which In the months ahead, we’ll be City Council (Streetforce). I am
Zealand’s minimum wage. refl ects just how pivotal both visiting the GMB 2008 Congress, currently the president of the
The meeting was well the work of such anti-fascist supporting the union’s anti- British Drug-Free Powerlifting
attended, attracting members organisations as ‘Hope Not Hate’ exploitation and anti-fascist Association (BDFPA), which I
and activists from other and GMB’s involvement in public activities, and undetaking am proud to represent.
international trade unions. campaigns can really be. volunteering work at several
major music festivals. Could you explain a little
This year, we’re sending a about powerlifting?
team of 12 volunteers to work The sport consists of three types of
at the Glastonbury Festival lift; squat (legs and back strength),
and 18 volunteers to the Leeds bench press (chest and upper body
Weekend. Through this work strength) and deadlift (mainly back
with the Workers’ Beer Company, and leg strength but all muscle
we are able to raise money for groups are used). There are 12
campaigns – and get free entry different weight categories and
to see the bands, of course! you have three attempts at squat,
bench press and deadlift. The
■ For more info, contact Rachel highest poundage achieved in each
GMB’s young members
get active!
Dix on 01924 882 255 or email makes up your total score.
rachel.dix@gmb.org.uk
When did you start
powerlifting and how often
Retire
do you train?
Bob’s fond farewell
from work
I started training in 1979, at the age
of 15, and competed for the fi rst
not GMB!
time in 1980. I train four times per
Bob Faraday, the GMB organiser for Sheffi eld City
Update your details
week and try to vary my training
Council, retires after two decades with the union
routines from time to time so as
at www.gmb.
not to get stale.
I became a GMB member in 1982, The recession
org.uk
started working for the union in 1987 has started to hit What are some of
and have done so ever since, but will manufacturing in South Yorkshire your most memorable
be retiring this August. over the past few years, forcing many powerlifting experiences?
Over the past 20 years, I’ve been companies to announce redundancies One of my most memorable
lucky enough to work with some of in order to stay afl oat. Inevitably, experiences would have to be in
the best GMB reps in the union. I want some failed and had to close, leading Belgium during the 2000 World
to say a big “thank you” to them for to even more job losses. Championship. I beat Frank
all the help and assistance they have I have no idea what I am going to do Mombert, ‘the deadlift machine’,
given me over the years. to keep myself busy after retiring, so who evened the score in Edinburgh
There were good times and bad
Pastures new:
any offers will be seriously considered, in 2002, where I was placed third.
times – really bad times! In the Bob Faraday bids just as long as they are legal and Also, setting a new World
1990s, Sheffi eld City Council had its
farewell to GMB
humanly possible! Record on the bench press, in the
budget cut by Margaret Thatcher’s
after 20 years as a
union organiser.
Once again, a big thank you to all Masters 1 and Open category, after
government, year-on-year, at the cost the reps I worked with over the years, competing for 26 years.
of hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs. and all the best for the future.
www.gmb.org.uk 7
IINS02.ykd_news 7NS02.ykd_news 7 11/7/08 17:00:11/7/08 17:00:11
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