Union vs union as GMB members who work at Unite plot four-day strike

Two of Britain's biggest trade unions have been pitted against each other after GMB Union members voted to take strike action against their bosses from Unite the Union.

A group of workers in Unite's National Bargaining and Disputes Support Unit (BDSU) are to stage a four-day walkout over 'bullying and victimisation' from management.

Their planned action, from 3 to 6 December, comes after Unite were accused of failing to investigate and take action following complaints.

Some bosses in the BDSU are alleged to have bullied staff and victimised those who spoke out.

GMB said it attempted to resolve the dispute but claimed Unite had been 'unwilling to address the members' concerns or take any meaningful action'.

Members working in Unite's BDSU who took part in a ballot this month voted by 83 per cent to support strike action, according to GMB.

But Unite branded the claims made by GMB as 'totally untrue' and said only five members had voted for strike action, meaning it was 'not a viable ballot'.

Both GMB and Unite are affiliated to the Labour Party and have made donations to individual Labour MPs or Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) this year.

Danny Adilypour, GMB London regional organiser, said: 'GMB will always support our members in standing up to bullying within their workplaces and resist any attempts to victimise them for raising their legitimate concerns.

'Our members in Unite's BDSU proudly support other workers to take action against rogue employers.

'It is unacceptable that they have had to face bullying and victimisation from their own trade union employer and they are right to challenge this.

'They have been attempting to resolve their workplace concerns constructively with Unite since March, but have instead been rebuffed and victimised for raising legitimate industrial issues.

'It is deeply disappointing that there has been no effort from Unite to resolve this dispute.

He added: 'Our members have quite simply had enough and they have now voted to take strike action.

'This was entirely avoidable and is solely down to Unite senior management failing to enter meaningful discussions to resolve this dispute.'

A Unite spokesperson said: 'This statement is totally untrue.

'Unite has rightly suspended two GMB union members for serious allegations including the harassment of a woman member of staff.

'The GMB then balloted eight people in a department of 24 and five of the eight have voted for action. This is clearly not a viable ballot.'