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Union is dogged by bullying and harassment allegations as leadership
Independent, The (London), Feb 10, 2003 by Barrie Clement Labour Editor
THE BATTLE to succeed the GMB leader John Edmonds starts today amid startling revelations the union has spent up to pounds 4m in recent years fending off allegations of sexual harassment and bullying against some of its most senior officials.
The election for the top job at one of the Labour Party's biggest affiliates - and a leading campaigner against bullying in the workplace - takes place as yet another of the union's top managers faces accusations of intimidation from a member of staff.
A source close to the union calculates the GMB has also spent pounds 4m on 61 employment tribunal cases over the past six years. They involved allegations of unfair dismissal, bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination on the grounds of race, gender and disability.
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The source said: "Proportionately, the GMB must have been the subject of more individual grievances than any organisation in the country. This union must rank among the worst employers in Britain."
Critics of the union's dictatorial approach to management also point out the organisation is showing a pounds 19m deficit in its pension fund for employees at a time when it is attacking retirement provisions in the private sector.
A number of high-ranking officials have faced claims due to be heard at employment tribunals. Last December, Jerry Nelson, head of the union in Yorkshire and a prominent supporter of Paul Kenny, one of the two main contenders to take over from Mr Edmonds, was accused of bullying. He was to face claims of harrassment in an employment tribunal but it was settled before the hearing started and the union is understood to have paid out pounds 40,000 to the claimaint, Amanda Phoenix, a recruitment officer.
It is thought the total cost to the union of the case was pounds 100,000 including lawyers' fees.
Ms Phoenix has signed a "gagging clause" routinely used by the union in such cases which states she agrees not to make "unflattering or derogatory" comments about the GMB or any officers and if she does will forfeit the payment.
Mr Nelson is also to face allegations of bullying and harassment in a case due to be heard in the next few weeks.
Recently, Mr Nelson decided the union's official logo - depicting a man and woman hand in hand - was not "hard" enough and so the Yorkshire region now has a more masculine badge with eagles wings spread either side.
Another regional secretary facing employment tribunal cases is Robert Parker, head of the union in Scotland and another contender for Mr Edmonds' job. The 44-year-old former labourer is currently facing allegations of bullying and sexual harassment at an employment tribunal from Margaret McAvoy, his former personal assistant. Mary Senior, GMB Scotland's ex- equality officer, is accusing Mr Parker of victimisation and constructive dismissal after she agreed to testify on behalf of Ms McAvoy. The tribunal hearings concerning Ms Senior are due to resume today.
Mr Parker, who has been accused, during tribunal hearings, of attempting to intimidate witnesses, denies all allegations.
Gary Jones, the regional secretary in Lancashire is also facing an employment tribunal today brought by Maxine Nixon who claims sexual discrimination by Mr Jones since complaining on behalf of another of Mr Parker's alleged victims.
Ken Gregory, leader of the GMB in the West Midlands, left the union two years ago with a pounds 100,000 severance deal after nine employees claimed he bullied them. Mr Gregory was exonerated by an internal union inquiry.
Six years ago Nick Anderson, the union's north region secretary, resigned after he was accused of high spending and financial irregularities.
The GMB general secretary has been accused of presiding over a "culture of bullying" in the organisation both at the headquarters in south-west London and at major regional offices.
At one stage, employees at the union's HQ voted overwhelmingly to walk out after one employee was allegedly punched by a senior manager.
One of the main problems is thought to be the constitution of the union which gives the regional secretaries virtually unfettered power and considerable scope for patronage.
Mr Kenny, regional secretary in London, said the present general secretary had "failed" to introduce a fair system for dealing with employees' complaints and called for an independent procedure. He said that not all the complaints made against senior officials were legitimat.
Mr Kenny pointed out he sanctioned the "anti-bullying" strike at union headquarters as leader of the part of the GMB representing staff at HQ.
He argued union officials with experience of recruiting and representing employees should not be elevated to jobs as regional secretaries without training in managing a large organisation."We must be able to show that we will tackle bad and improper management practices as vigorously inside as outside the union," he said.
Kevin Curran, present leader in the northern region and the other leading contender, called for a review of the power of regional secretaries, arguing there should be more "checks and balances". Candidates for such jobs should be made to "pre-qualify". He said he had already appointed an independent "scrutiny committee" in his region for dealing with complaints against senior management. He said it should be replicated at national level chaired by a legal professional.
