Workers are ‘flocking’ to join GMB union across Reform UK led councils

Councils led by Reform UK have seen workers “flocking” to join the GMB union over fears there could be a cut to pay and job conditions.

The GMB has seen a rise in membership in, Nottinghamshire, Doncaster, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Durham and Derbyshire.

GMB general secretary Gary Smith launched a scathing attack against Reform UK in a speech at the union’s annual conference in Brighton over the weekend.

Smith said, “They’ve spent a political lifetime attacking trade unions and the rights we have all fought so hard for.

“Decent pay, better conditions, protections we cherish.

“Why is it always the posh, private schoolboys who want act like they’re working-class heroes?

“Do they really think we can’t see the bankers, the chancers, the anti-union blowhards?

“If Reform are so pro-worker, why did they just vote against protections against fire and rehire? Why did they vote against sick pay for all workers? Why did they vote against fair pay for carers? Why did they vote against trade union rights to access and organise in places like Amazon?

“Now they are going to run town halls, and the first thing they want to do is sack council workers.

“It’s high time they were called out for their sneering, snooty attitude about so-called ‘gold-plated’ pensions. Go ask a local authority care worker, refuse collector, street cleaner, school support staff member if they think their meagre pension is gold-plated.

“Reform’s abuse and name-calling of low-paid public sector workers is an utter disgrace.”

GMB national officer Rachel Harrison told the PA news agency: “Reform spouts a lot of nonsense about being on the side of workers, but these figures show people aren’t buying it.

“Workers in Reform-led councils are flocking to join unions because they know the first thing Farage and his cronies will do is attack low-paid staff’s terms and conditions.”