GMB
The GMB is one of the UK's largest trade unions. It was founded in 1889 and has over 600,000 members working in every area of the UK economy.[1]
The union are active in the Labour Party and have been one of the biggest donors to the the party.
Contents
History
The union began as the Gas Workers and General Union in March 1889 in East London by Will Thorne. Its first victory, in 1889, was reducing the working day from 12 to 8 hours.[1]
Pro-fracking
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This article is part of the Spinwatch Fracking Portal and project |
On 8 June 2015 at a union congress debate in Dublin, the GMB came out in support of onshore fracking for shale gas in the UK.[2]
Speaking at the conference, GMB national secretary for energy and utilities Gary Smith said shale gas was a necessary part of the UK's energy mix to reduce CO2 commissions and reduce dependence on gas imports. He said:
- 'If exploratory drilling reveals a plentiful supply of UK shale gas reserves, is it not a moral duty for Britain to take responsibility for providing for our own gas needs from those supplies, rather than importing gas from elsewhere?'
In September 2016, the GMB criticised the Labour Party for pledging at its national conference a nationwide ban on fracking as 'nonsense' and 'madness'. Gary Smith said the move was 'abdication of our environmental and moral responsibilities'.[3]
In a March 2017 press release, GMB said it had written to political leaders urging them to make sure the police and courts took 'a firm line' with any protesters targeting shale gas suppliers. Together with the pro-fracking North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, it called for the protection of rights of people working in the nascent fracking industry, noting plans for two weeks of direct action against supply companies, announced by Reclaim the Power, which opposes fracking and other fossil fuels. [4]
Attendee at UK energy minister's May 2018 shale gas roundtable
Energy minister Claire Perry hosted a roundtable with the fracking industry in May 2018 just hours before she gave evidence to a committee of MPs on the Conservative government's proposed changes to relax the rules on shale gas development in the UK.
GMB was listed on a 'reconstructed' attendee list for the event, released under the freedom of information act to North Yorkshire resident Jonathan Bales following an internal review of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's initial almost completely redacted FOI response. [5]
Oil and gas companies at the roundtable included:
- Aurora Energy, BP, Cuadrilla, IGas, Ineos, Third Energy and lobby group UK Onshore Oil and Gas.
- Service companies: Ground Gas Solutions, Marriott Drilling, Onshore Energy Service Group, Zetland Group.
- Investors and fund managers: Riverstone (a major partner in Cuadrilla), Kerogen (investor in IGas), Global Natural Resource Investments (formerly part of Barclays which invested in Third Energy), KKR, JP Morgan.
Other industries and organisations: Chemical Industries Association chemical company SABIC, Coalfield Regeneration Trust, Engineering Employers’ Federation, GMB. [6]
Pro-nuclear
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This article is part of the Nuclear Spin project of Spinwatch. |
The Nuclear Workers Campaign is part of the GMB that has campaigned for a new generation of nuclear power plants. For example on 29 March 2006, GMB members from the Nuclear Workers' Campaign (NWC) lobbyed parliament on Wednesday 'hoping to persuade MPs, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet that nuclear power is a necessary part of a secure and balanced energy policy for Britain'.
The lobby was called 'Nuclear Power - The Right Answer' and sought support for for new nuclear power stations in the UK. Gary Smith, GMB National Officer, said "GMB is campaigning for a new generation of nuclear power stations on existing sites. This will improve the UK's security of energy supply and preserve our nuclear technology industry. It should also maintain existing jobs and in the longer term create new ones. However, GMB believes it is vital that expenditure on the new nuclear programme is not at the expense of investment in other equally important energy sources. The current level of investment in renewables, biofuels and micro generation must be maintained."[7][8]
Key staff
- Paul Kenny, general secretary since 2005.[9]
- Peter Kane, Sellafield Ltd site union convenor for the GMB union.[10]
- Bert Schouwenburg, international officer. [11]
Former staff
General secretaries
- Kevin Curran, 2004-2005
- John Edmonds, 1986-2003
- David Basnett, 1973-1985
- Jack Cooper, 1962-1973
- Tom Williamson, 1946-1961
- Charles Dukes, 1934-1946
- Will Thorne, 1924-1934
Other staff
- David Jordan, research officer 1980-1984. Has since held many roles at the BBC, notably chief adviser for politics, controller of editorial policy and is currently the director of editorial policy and standards.[12]
Meetings with Miliband
Between 25 September 2010 and 31 December 2013, Kenny met with with Labour leader Ed Miliband 12 times. These meeting occasionally also involved Len McCluskey and Dave Prentis of Unite and Unison.[13]
Political donations 2001-2014
Donations over £20,000.00 (2001-14) recorded by the Electoral Commission:
| Date | Name of donor | Amount | Donated to | Subsidiary (parties only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19/03/2001 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £585,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/06/2001 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £68,630.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/05/2001 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £335,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 17/05/2001 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £30,000.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 16/08/2001 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £346,875.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 17/11/2001 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £335,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 22/03/2002 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £225,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 20/05/2002 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £215,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 20/08/2002 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £215,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 31/12/2002 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,876.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 20/11/2002 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £215,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 27/02/2003 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £240,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 25/04/2003 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,000.00 | Labour Party | Scottish Trade Union Liaison |
| 22/05/2003 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road Trade Union | £20,000.00 | Labour Party | Scottish Labour Party |
| 23/04/2003 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,000.00 | Labour Party | Scottish Labour Party |
| 29/05/2003 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £240,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 08/09/2003 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £240,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 27/10/2003 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £240,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 04/03/2004 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £265,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 27/05/2004 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £25,000.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 26/05/2004 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £265,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 26/08/2004 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £265,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 26/11/2004 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £265,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 24/02/2005 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 21/09/2004 | GMB, 1 Mosley Street | £20,000.00 | Yes4theNorthEast | Central Party |
| 25/05/2005 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £580,250.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 29/04/2005 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,000.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 06/04/2005 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £24,000.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/09/2005 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,460.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 24/08/2005 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 24/11/2005 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 24/02/2006 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 03/03/2006 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,000.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 24/05/2006 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 03/05/2006 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,000.00 | Labour Party | National Trade Union Liaison |
| 21/07/2006 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 21/12/2006 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £73,000.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 21/12/2006 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 28/03/2007 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 19/02/2007 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/04/2007 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £30,000.00 | Labour Party | Scottish Labour Party |
| 03/04/2007 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £20,395.00 | Labour Party | National Trade Union Liaison |
| 20/08/2007 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £290,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 03/11/2007 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Rd | £20,000.00 | Labour Party | National Trade Union Liaison |
| 20/12/2007 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Rd | £292,373.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 19/03/2008 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Rd | £356,997.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/06/2008 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £294,358.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 20/08/2008 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Rd | £299,664.88 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 12/12/2008 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Rd | £294,665.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/03/2009 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £312,825.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/06/2009 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £590,490.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 21/12/2009 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £304,861.47 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 31/03/2010 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £344,137.86 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 01/06/2010 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £806,294.88 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 28/07/2010 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £28,000.00 | The Rt Hon Edward Miliband MP | |
| 30/11/2010 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £580,950.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 11/03/2011 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £35,000.00 | Labour Party | Wales Trade Union Liaison |
| 14/02/2011 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £64,260.00 | Labour Party | Scottish Labour Party |
| 28/03/2011 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £357,885.50 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/06/2011 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £368,947.72 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 23/04/2011 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £24,000.00 | Labour Party | Scottish Labour Party |
| 15/08/2011 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £315,125.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 22/12/2011 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £597,625.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 30/03/2012 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £384,388.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 31/08/2012 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £375,209.25 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 18/12/2012 | GMB, 22/24 Worple Road | £296,725.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 15/03/2013 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £44,605.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 28/06/2013 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £462,485.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 16/09/2013 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | 293,648.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 09/12/2013 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £40,500.00 | Labour Party | National Trade Union Liaison |
| 27/11/2013 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £327,275.00 | Labour Party | Central party |
| 24/02/2014 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £53,416.46 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 18/09/2014 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £35,125.00 | Labour Party | National Trade Union Liaison |
| 17/09/2014 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £151,165.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 01/05/2014 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £50,000.00 | Labour Party | National Trade Union Liaison |
| 19/05/2014 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £46,233.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
| 21/11/2014 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £60,250.00 | Labour Party | National Trade Union Liaison |
| 15/12/2014 | GMB, 22 Stephenson Way | £1,088,810.00 | Labour Party | Central Party |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 GMB, History, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ Archive | GMB Congress on onshore fracking, GMB website, 8 June 2015, accessed 3 October 2016
- ↑ Rowena Mason and Adam Vaughan, Labour's pledge to ban fracking in the UK is 'madness', says GMB, The Guardian, 26 September 2016, accessed 3 October 2016.
- ↑ Ruth Hayhurst, “Police and judges should take a firm line with anti-fracking protests against shale gas suppliers” – union, Drill or Drop, 20 March 2017
- ↑ What do they Know?, Shale Gas Round Table: internal review of Freedom of Information request to Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 24 July 2018
- ↑ Ruth Hayhurst, What government told the shale gas industry about success, regulation, jobs and support, Drill or Drop, 22 October 2018, accessed same day.
- ↑ GMB, "GMB As Part Of Nuclear Industry Lobbies Parliament", 28 March 2006, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ Brian Wheeler Labour and the nuclear lobby BBC News, 23 May 2007, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ GMB, General secretaries, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ Julian Whittle New Cumbria nuclear plant proposal welcomed News and Star, 24 June 2011, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ Linkedin, Bert Schouwenburg, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ Linkedin, David Jordan, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ Labour, Ed Miliband meetings, accessed 4 March 2015
- ↑ Electoral Commission, Donation Search, accessed 4 March 2015
