The GMB union is urging the government to prioritise companies that recognise and engage with trade unions, particularly in light of Amazon securing £1 billion in public contracts amid ‘union-busting’ accusations.
During the Labour Party conference, the GMB highlighted the need for more union-friendly practices within public procurement processes, stressing the importance of fair treatment for workers.
GMB Challenges Government’s Procurement Policies
The GMB union has strongly criticised the government’s procurement practices following revelations that Amazon secured £1 billion in public contracts amid accusations of ‘union-busting’. At the Labour Party conference, the union is advocating for preferential treatment for companies that recognise and engage with trade unions. This call to action comes on the heels of a narrowly missed union recognition vote at Amazon’s Coventry distribution centre.
GMB is also pursuing a legal challenge against Amazon, alleging that the company has pressured employees to revoke their union membership, thereby complicating efforts to achieve the vote threshold for union recognition. While Amazon denies these allegations, data from Tussell indicates that a significant portion of the company’s public contracts were for cloud services.
General Secretary’s Remarks
Gary Smith, GMB’s general secretary, has asserted that Amazon needs to treat its workers with greater respect, including offering fair pay and improved working conditions, if it is to continue benefiting from lucrative government contracts. He highlighted that most of Amazon’s public contracts last year were centred around cloud services.
Smith’s comments come as the Labour government aims to simplify union recognition procedures and enhance workers’ rights, creating a more balanced power dynamic between employers and unions.
Labour Government’s Stance
The Labour Party has expressed a commitment to reforming union recognition processes. These reforms aim to provide greater rights for workers and simplify the methods by which unions can achieve official recognition.
Current legislation prevents unions from reapplying for statutory recognition for three years if they fail to meet the voting threshold, adding another layer of complexity to the unionisation efforts.
Amazon’s Defence
Amazon has countered GMB’s claims by asserting that employees have always had the option to join or not join a union. The company argues that direct engagement with its workforce remains a key part of its operational culture.
According to Amazon, the company’s approach has always been to provide workers with the choice to engage in union activities, emphasising that involvement is neither mandated nor discouraged expressly.
Background of the Union Vote
The narrowly missed vote at Amazon’s Coventry distribution centre is significant as it came within 28 votes of compelling Amazon to negotiate union terms. This near-success has given GMB a renewed impetus to push for union recognition and fair treatment of workers across various sectors.
The union alleges that Amazon has taken steps to undermine these efforts by making it difficult for employees to maintain their union membership, a claim currently under legal scrutiny.
Future Steps for GMB
GMB remains committed to its campaign for better working conditions and fair treatment for employees not just at Amazon but across all workplaces. This includes continued lobbying for legislative changes that favour trade unions in public procurement.
GMB’s broader strategy includes a range of actions aimed at influencing government policy and procurement decisions, ensuring union-friendly companies are given due consideration in future contracts.
GMB continues to push for reforms that will prioritise union-friendly companies in public procurement, ensuring fair treatment and better working conditions for all employees.
The union’s legal challenge against Amazon and advocacy for legislative changes signify an ongoing commitment to fostering a more equitable workplace environment.
