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GMB union secretary faces fresh legal battle; In the first major

Sunday Herald, The, Mar 9, 2003 by Stephen Naysmith

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"In hindsight, if I had the chance to do it all again, I would look at issues like training and advice in dealing with workplace stress and management issues.

"I don't feel betrayed by the union. But I hope it puts the necessary support mechanisms in place for whoever is appointed next regional secretary in Scotland. I could have had more support and training for personal development."

The nearest Parker came to acknowledging wrongdoing was in admitting he had used "industrial" language. He added: "I don't accept the issue about me being a bully. I've got a loud voice and I used the language of the shop floor. In certain circles I acknowledge that that is not acceptable. If I've offended anyone, I can only apologise."

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Parker said he now wants to recuperate and look after his family. "I will always have the stigma of having been involved in this case," he said. "I want to continue to represent working-class people in a different field, and I am now drawing a line under this whole regrettable situation and trying to rebuild my reputation as a tough talker and a hard negotiator."

He said he had avoided taking the "easy way out" by taking sick leave or retiring on the grounds of ill-health.

Parker is now unemployed, but will continue to be paid for one year with a salary he said amounted to "(pounds) 36,000 spread over the next 12 months", not the (pounds) 65,000 some reported.

The GMB has already spent in excess of (pounds) 250,000 defending Parker against the two tribunal claims, in addition to the (pounds) 50,000 it has agreed to pay Senior. With an expected settlement in the second case, the union's costs could potentially top (pounds) 500,000. Parker said he was not embarrassed by the figure. "I have no control over the fees charged by our legal advisers. I'm entitled to that representation like anybody else in the GMB."

Parker's resignation has also meant the end of his hopes of succeeding John Edmonds as GMB general secretary when he retires later this year.

Some within the union movement are now calling for root and branch reform in the GMB. One prominent Scottish trade unionist and former GMB regional council member said "regime change" was essential to combat a bullying culture "systemic" in the union. One unofficial report has said that the union faces 61 cases brought by staff in six years at a cost of more than (pounds) 4 million.

He said there was a strong possibility that the Scottish region would be suspended while root-and-branch reform was carried out. Settlements and astronomical legal costs have left the GMB vulnerable to merger or takeover, he said. "We need to change how we go about our business," he added.

"What Margaret McAvoy's and Mary Senior's cases have shown is that we have to support people who stand up against bullying.

"In the past, we haven't done our dirty washing in private - we just didn't do it at all. Funnily enough, if you do that, it stinks."

Catch up Last week, Mary Senior accepted a (pounds) 50,000 settlement of a victimisation case against the GMB union's Scottish leader, Robert Parker. Parker resigned from his post following the decision.Senior said it was sad that a union should find itself defending such a case

GMB union secretary faces fresh legal battle; In the first major

Sunday Herald, The, Mar 9, 2003 by Stephen Naysmith

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