GMB has members across all sectors of Public Services in every GMB Region.
‘Public Services are a vital part of what holds British society together. After 8 years of sustained cuts to funding, chaotic reorganisations, outsourcing and privatisation, our public services are close to breaking point……’ By Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, Public Services.
The following Public Services attended the Conference-
Police Staff, Local Government, Schools and Academies, Social Care, NHS, Ambulance and Public Services General.
Two GMB representatives from our branch – Jim Wilson and Cathy Mill attended the Public Services conference in Glasgow last week.
Jim and Cathy were joined by other GMB reps, from other Police forces across the United Kingdom.
Each section of the Public Services, discussed what issues they had and put forward ‘motions’ to be voted on at the end. All motions were agreed and carried.
Police Staff Reps (delegates) discussed and decided on the Motion below.
Cathy Mill, delivered the speech, on behalf of all police staff in every region on the second day of the Conference.
Motion:
Raising the profile of and improving the GMB service to Police Staff
This conference calls upon the GMB
- To recognise and celebrate the role of Police Staff within the GMB and across the UK
- To ensure all staff reps are adequately trained and provided with appropriate publicity materials and dedicated Regional support.
- To include police staff on newly formed Regional Public Sector Committees.
SPEECH
President, Conference.
Cathy Mill, West Yorkshire Police Branch, Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Region.
First time delegate. First time speaker.
We are NOT police officers, we are police staff, working in the police service carrying out essential services that enable the police service to operate.
We take your 999 calls
We examine crime scenes and investigate crimes against you
We book people into custody
We manage the admin and I.T.
Anything that doesn’t need a warrant or powers.
We feel we are the poor relations within the GMB, and we want to change that.
We want you to know what we do and want you to know what sort of support and understanding we need.
We face terrible problems in the workplace and in the organisation. We are hampered by a lack of materials and a lack of training on the issues of the day.
Our reps and ourselves want training on:
- Job evaluation
- Bullying and Harassment
- GDPR
- Recognition Agreements
- Organising
- Grievance and Disciplinary hearings.
- Dealing with stress, violence and mental health in the workplace.
We especially want police specific training on e.g.
- Post Incident Management
- Police Interview Skills
- A.C.E. – Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
We need appropriate publicity materials and access to Regional Resources.
We face a daily recruitment battle against other Trade Unions within the sector. And the geography and necessary security of the service hampers our recruitment efforts.
We want a dedication officer to support and guide us.
AND we want to share our concerns with fellow GMB public sector workers.
Please support this motion.
As previously mentioned, the motion was supported.
Posted: 25th November 2019