GMB Magazine GMB24 The Pulse Spring 2016 | Page 5

Visit GMB online www.gmb.org.uk MOVE TTO DIREC DEBIT K .U MB.ORG WWW.G Don’t lose your voice at work! ©iStock.com / © Marcos Mesa, Sam Workday/Shutterstock.com How the Trade Union Bill will affect members in the public sector I f the government’s Trade Union Bill becomes law this summer it will be one of the biggest attacks on the trade union movement in decades. The Bill will make it illegal for GMB members working in the public sector to have their union contributions deducted from their pay under the ‘check-off’ system. The government claims this is to reduce council costs, but really they’re hoping that people will just not bother paying for their membership by other means. In effect, trade union membership may drop and funding will decrease. Trade union facility time will be reduced or axed in public sector bodies, even though our reps carry out an important role in industrial relations. Strikes will be limited by stringent, anti-democratic balloting thresholds. When ballots do meet the threshold to strike, the union will now have to give 14 days’ notice rather than seven. Employers will be able to undermine strikes by using temps and agency workers. The Trade Union Bill has clearly been designed to make it far harder for individuals to access union representation in the workplace and is a deliberate attempt to undermine trade unions. Act now and don’t let the government attack your rights! “GMB will fight this anti-trade union bill” CHANGE TO DIRECT DEBIT! If you’re a GMB member working in the public sector, change to Direct Debit to maintain your union membership… 1 Turn to page 31 of the magazine, complete the ‘switch to DD form’ and send it in. 2 Or call our dedicated switch to DD line on 0345 337 7777 3 You can switch online too. Visit www.gmb.org.uk and click ‘Move your GMB subs to Direct Debit’. GMB will carry on fighting for your rights at work, and to ensure you have a voice at work. 5 www.gmb.org.uk 05 INS24.yor_04_05.CW12.indd 5 17/02/2016 11:17