The General Secretary is expected to praise Labour’s employment bill – but urge the party to “think again” on other issue
Reform UK are “chancers and bankers” who are no friends of working people, GMB Chief Gary Smith will say in a speech to the union’s annual congress today.
The General Secretary is expected to praise Labour ’s employment bill – but urge the party to “think again” on other issue.
The union’s annual congress is taking place in Brighton this week.
“Let’s get one thing clear,” Mr Smith will tell union members in a keynote speech today.
“Mr Farage and his ex-Tory soulmates are no friends of workers. 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.”
He’ll add: “By the way, 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.”
Mr Smith will say it was time to call Reform UK out for their “sneering, snooty attitude” to public sector pensions.
“Go ask a local authority care worker, refuse collector, street cleaner, school support staff member if they think they’re meagre pension is gold-plated,” he will say.
“Reform’s abuse and name-calling of low-paid public sector workers is an utter disgrace.
“Of course, Mr Farage has also threatened the NHS. And, he is notoriously weak about Putin.”
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On Labour, Mr Smith will add:
“The new Employment Rights Bill is….the biggest, most positive step in trade union rights in 50 years.
“But, Labour aren’t making it easy to rally to their banner. Congress, it is less than a year since Labour won its landslide. There was a feeling of real hope, real change. Where there could be a common endeavour in rebuilding our country. Where GMB was willing to play our part.
“But mistakes have been made. My message to the Government …..is simple – listen. Listen to GMB. Listen and think again.”