GMB Magazine GMB24 The Pulse Spring 2016 | Page 25
LEARNING
UPDATE
Visit GMB online at www.gmb.org.uk
Care in CRISIS
portunity
Education op
GMB hosts care
sector forum
C
are providers, politicians
and GMB representatives
came together recently to
discuss the impending crisis
in funding for elderly care.
Representatives from local authorities
and private care companies of all sizes
attended the event, hosted by GMB.
Current funding for elderly care is
unsustainable and the government
needs to act quickly to avert a total
collapse. The issues carers face on
a daily basis were raised, and the
forum gave a human face to
what’s normally referred to
in dry, financial terms.
The funding gap is
expected to be £1.1 billion
by 2020, and care homes
will be forced into closure.
Rachel Dix, GMB
organiser, said: “We
wanted to explore what
action we could take to
get the government to not just sit up and
listen, but to invest adequately in our elderly
and vulnerable. Unions and employers do not
“GMB will work
closely with
employers”
FOUR WHO CARE
Rachel
Elizabeth Paley, Lou Foster-Wilson,
m.
foru
the
plan
Dix and Victoria Austin
always agree – but
GMB is determined
to work closely with
enlightened employers
because it is right for everyone.”
The introduction of the Living Wage – which
GMB says should be £10 per hour – was a key
point during the forum. However, every
discussion and debate came back to
inadequate funding for this important sector.
Dewsbury’s Labour MP Paula Sherriff is a
member of the Health Select Committee, and
recognised the importance of the issue. She
has promised to raise the issue in Parliament.
LEARN ONLINE
The GMB Learning for Work (LFW) project
in Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region
has built a brand-new website for Union
Learning Reps (ULRs) and GMB members
who want to improve their skills and
knowledge. It’s great if you want to get other
members or your employer on board with
the important learning agenda.
Sarah Barnes, project worker for LFW,
worked tirelessly to develop the site, which
makes education and training courses
available at the click of the button. She said:
“As a learning project worker and a parent, I
understand how important it is for members
to be able to access information around the
clock in a time and place most suitable for
them. The site provides detailed information
on adult apprenticeships, distance learning,
ULR training, free online resources and
GMB-run education courses. I’ve worked
hard over the last few months to get the
site up and running – but it has been very
rewarding. Plus the feedback from ULRs
and learners is really positive.”
Chris Murphy, LFW project manager,
added: “Learning is a core union
business. GMB members deserve
to have their interests represented
when it comes to education and
training opportunities. Trained ULRs
can do this. Find out more about
what your branch is doing and if you
require any assistance, contact the
LFW project and we will link you to
a project worker.”
Visit the new website and
see what you think: www.
gmblearning.com
www.gmblearning.com
HELPING YOU LEARN
GMB project worker
Sarah Barnes.
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