The GMB trade union is embroiled in a significant new crisis, with two senior female leaders making serious allegations of bullying and harassment against the leadership. This internal strife emerges as the union's general secretary, Gary Smith, prepares for a potential battle to retain his position in an election this May.
Allegations of Retribution and a Culture of Fear
The Guardian can reveal that the union is now confronting an employment tribunal claim for unfair dismissal from one of the women, who was a member of its senior leadership team. She was dismissed following an investigation that took place months after she herself had submitted a formal complaint about being bullied and harassed.
In a dramatic move after her sacking, she emailed the union's entire central executive committee (CEC). In her message, she stated her belief that her dismissal was an act of retribution directly linked to the formal complaint she had made against General Secretary Gary Smith and other senior male colleagues. She further alleged there had been contraventions of governance and urged the committee to act against leaders she accused of fostering a "culture of fear and control".
The situation escalated when the GMB sought and obtained a High Court injunction to force the return of approximately 700 documents she had retained. The union stated this data related to multiple individuals, including junior staff who had raised concerns about her conduct.
A Second Senior Voice and a Damning Follow-Up Report
A second female senior leader, who remains employed but is currently off sick, also contacted the CEC. She informed the committee that she had reported bullying and harassment involving the union's leadership. She is understood to have said the union was "rotten at the root" and being damaged by the actions of those at the top, adding she could no longer ignore their unacceptable behaviour.
This fresh turmoil comes against the backdrop of the GMB's long-standing struggle to reform its internal culture. A landmark independent report by Karon Monaghan KC in 2020 found the union to be "institutionally sexist". A follow-up review by Monaghan, completed in late August, delivered a sobering assessment. Of around 27 original recommendations, only 11 were graded as fully implemented five years on. A leaked summary seen by The Guardian acknowledged some improvements but stated that "real challenges" remain.
Union Response and Forthcoming Leadership Election
In a statement, the GMB strongly contested the claims. Regarding the first staff member, the union said she was "dismissed from our employment due to a breakdown in trust and confidence, including matters arising from serious grievance relating to racism". It stated the complaints against her by numerous staff were "fully upheld" and that her own complaints of bullying were "fully investigated and none upheld".
Concerning the second staff member, the GMB confirmed whistleblowing complaints were "investigated thoroughly over a three-month period" but were "not substantiated", with no evidence of wrongdoing found.
Gary Smith, who became general secretary in 2021, will face a re-election battle in May if he chooses to stand again. He is believed to be facing at least one challenger after expressions of interest were invited before Christmas. The GMB is a major donor to the Labour Party and counts senior figures like Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves among its members.
The Unite union, representing the dismissed staff member, robustly challenged the GMB's account. A representative stated: "Our member was dismissed with no investigation and no hearing. An investigation and hearing, as set out in Acas guidance, is the minimum we would expect from any employer. The allegations have been denied throughout."
John Smith, chair of the GMB's national negotiating committee, said staff representatives were working with leadership to complete the remaining tasks from the Monaghan report, anticipating this work would finish soon.
