GMB union facing institutional sexism and bullying complaint
GMB union facing institutional sexism and bullying complaint
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Former staffers and members of the GMB union have launched an official complaint to the equalities watchdog this week over allegations of institutional sexism and bullying, Sky News understands. In the complaint, which Sky News has seen, the women allege that there is a "pattern of victimisation and harassment against women who speak out" about wrongdoing inside the Labour-backed union. They argue it could be a breach of GMB's duties under the Equality Act.
GMB has struggled with these issues before. Four years ago, a damning report written by Karon Monaghan KC branded the union 'institutionally sexist' and, according to a number of women complaining to the EHRC this week, they insist the union hasn't changed.
In Ms Monaghan's initial report she described "bullying, misogyny, cronyism and sexual harassment" being rife inside the union and described the culture in GMB as "heavy drinking and late-night socialising, salacious gossip and a lack of professionalism".
Last year, members in the Yorkshire and Humber region balloted to strike over complaints of bullying and harassment which have been staved off following the union's concession to invite Ms Monaghan back inside the union to investigate. But now, a group of around a dozen former and current GMB staff have written to the equalities watchdog to demand an external investigation.
One of those women, Cath Pinder, a former regional president in the GMB North East, said: "They cannot be allowed to police themselves. It's really difficult to put your head above the parapet but when multiple people do it it shows an institutional problem.".
