Sandwell - GMB Union's Sick Stunt!

The notorious Sandwell Council GMB Union s85 branch has featured often in this blog leading to the Union's attempt to destroy me personally and finish off this blog. But how can I, as a journalist, ignore things like this????

The branch has been bragging on social media that it is on a recruitment drive for members during the #Covid19 crisis (!!!) They then put up this tweet which led to a number of you contacting me:

All bar one person contactiing the Skidder thought that the inference of this message was exactly as I understood it ie f*ck all other key workers - the Union will look after number one even if other workers are at risk. For the sake of completeness one person thought the GMB were doing the right thing with their beggar-my-neighbour, f*ck-you, approach.

Given that this less than comradely approach seems to be completely at odds with bent Labour Sandwell Council's own legal health and safety and equality obligations I sent the following to the Chief Executive, the controversial David Stevens, and to the person who purports to be s85's "health and safety officer", Annette Greenwood, on April 7th.

"THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION

I am copying this to the E&S and to Ms Greenwood whom I understand to be the Health & Safety Officer of the GMB.

You will see today from the attached that the infamous GMBs85 branch are publicly stating that Sandwell Council are not supplying adequate hand sanitiser to frontline staff.

Why is this the case?

The GMB intend to distribute sanitiser to their own members. Please state how this is to be arranged and whether Sandwell Council will be facilitating that operation, seemingly to the detriment of other staff. If Sandwell Council are to be involved please confirm how this chimes with (a) legal employement equality provisions and (b) health and safety law."

Neither Stevens nor Greenwood have bothered to respond.

Nevertheless the GMB attempted to soften the message via this blog's old friend, GMB and Labour Party official, Sarah James. Note that the GMB logo has appeared instead of the normal label:

This caused a number of you to contact me again. This time there was unanimity that the inference I myself took from this is correct ie that non-member at-risk key workers would have to subject themselves to the "hard-sell" if they wanted a bottle courtesy of the GMB. Indeed one person took to Twitter describing this approach as "criminal":

The manufacturer of this stuff is capitalist booze company Chase Distillery (makers, inter alia of a famous vodka.) They have switched production lines to make hand-sanitiser and - rather brilliantly - have donated 30,000 (yes, thirty thousand) units to emergency and fronline services.

The GMB approached Chase to buy the stuff as a trade customer. They then told the Distillery that it was to be supplied to key workers (though did not say that it would be for members only or bait for a membership campaign.) Altruistically, and on the basis the product was to be used for key workers, Chase say they kindly DONATED half the stock order.

Further, Chase were distressed that having donated half of the product free, the GMB were doctoring the labels. They told the Skidder, "With regards to GMB putting labels on our bottles - they are doing this without our knowledge/consent so thanks for bringing this to our attention."

Nice to see a Union f*ck-over these evil capitalists too!

STOP PRESS

There may be bad news for the s85 branch tonight if rumours are true. A number of folk are contacting the Skidder saying that one of their main supporters in Sandwell Council has "gone". All info welcome - contact details below.

THE SANDWELL SKIDDER - COMMUNITY NEWS - READ THE SKIDDER, KIDDER!

**** Phone No: 07470 624207 ****

Email: thesandwellskidder@gmail.com

Facebook: Julian Saunders  

Facebook Group: The Sandwell Skidder - Speaking Truth To Power!

Twitter: @SandwellSkidder            

Post:  Jules Saunders, 11 Chelworth Road, Birmingham B38 0BG

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN TROLLED BY DICKHEAD DARREN COOPER DECEASED!

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