Running Time: 18 mins 12 secs
*** NOTE: THE WOMAN WHO MADE THIS TESTIMONY HAS DONE SO ANONYMOUSLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROTECT HERSELF FROM FURTHER ABUSE ***
Shocking evidence has emerged of bullying and harassment of women by the General Secretary of the GMB, Gary Smith.
The details of the appalling treatment of a woman who was simply trying to speak out about serious sexual harassment and abuse by a fellow trade unionist are appalling and upsetting enough .. but what’s worse is that she is not the only one.
Rank and file campaign group #MeTU are aware of a number of women in the GMB who have been similarly treated, and forced out of the union. And this in a union who claim to have cleaned up their act after the Monaghan report in 2021 found the union to have a culture of bullying and misogyny.
#MeTU are also hearing reports that this vile behaviour is happening in the majority of trade unions in Britain – but women are still too frightened to speak out. Hopefully the bravery of the woman in this video speaking out will encourage others to – but this has to stop. Now.
If we are to build rank and file union movements capable of confronting the multiple crises we face as workers, we have no chance of doing that when women are being assaulted, bullied and hounded out of our movement.
So #MeTU have called a demonstration outside GMB Head Office in London (Mary Turner House, 22 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD) at 8:30am on Friday March 8 – International Women’s Day, but also the day that full time employees at the GMB begin their ballot for strike action to change this toxic culture once and for all. All sisters – and supportive brothers – welcome; let’s take our movement back.
