Posted: 3rd June 2020
As lockdown restrictions start to ease and Government guidance changes regarding work, we have been busy talking to employers, schools, academies and Sandwell Council about the importance of the need to consult on workplace changes to ensure workers are safe at work.
Whilst we have consulted on many risk assessments, It…
Posted: 24th May 2020
As we come to the end of mental health awareness week, our branch secretary has been reflecting on how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected him.
Working through this pandemic I have found it difficult as I have had to change my way of working. In the middle of March, like many of our members I…
Posted: 20th May 2020
At any one time 1 in 4 of us will suffer with mental ill health, during a pandemic we know that many factors will impact on our mental health & wellbeing and this figure may increase.
Factors such as fear of the coronavirus itself, worry about our loved ones, bereavement, loneliness and for those of…
Posted: 18th May 2020
FAO GMB Members
Working in Schools in England
The Government have announced plans to phase in a wider opening of primary schools from 1 June, starting with nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6.
The Government has further stated that it aims for all remaining primary children, plus year 10 and year 12 students to return to school for up to four weeks of the summer term.
The statement has caused a great deal of concern amongst GMB members about safety for…
Posted: 17th March 2020
We know that many of our members are concerned about the current pandemic and we want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure our members are protected at work and do not face any detriment if they have to self isolate or are diagnosed with a case of Coronavirus. Keep checking…
Posted: 13th March 2020
Health & Safety concerns addressed GMB welcome the turn around by Serco as they have agreed to not go ahead with changes to the number of rounds undertaken by our members in Sandwell.
Serco, who hold the contract for refuse collections within the borough planned to reduce the number of collection rounds, which had huge…
Posted: 1st March 2020
For over two years GMB have been supporting electricians in Sandwell to get the recognition they deserve for their job. After reaching a stalemate with Sandwell MBC, GMB members took the decision to ballot for Industrial Action along with colleagues from Unison and Unite and dates set for strike had been sent to the employer.…
Posted: 5th February 2020
We are pleased to announce that following negotiations Sandwell MBC have formally introduced a “Menstruation to Menopause” Policy & Guidance.
Women workers make up 58% of the total employee workforce within the Local Authority and this policy will not only raise awareness of menstruation and menopause related issues at work but will assist managers in…
Posted: 16th January 2020
in 1855 Eleanor Marx, was born. Who was Eleanor Marx & why is she so important to the GMB you may ask?
A co-founder of the GMB at the forefront of the fight for the 8 hour working day who consistently fought…
Posted: 10th January 2020
⚠️Victory for GMB! ✊
Late last night we were advised that Serco have now agreed to suspend the round changes imposed on Sandwell bin workers to allow further talks around Safety concerns.
Over the next 3 months, we will work with Serco to address our members’ concerns around workload and allocation
Therefore we will suspend…