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GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Region

The Benefits of GMB Membership

The GMB is one of the largest unions in the UK and because of its size and influence, has considerable strength to negotiate on behalf of its members for better pay and working conditions, higher health and safety standards, better member benefits and – importantly – the strength to support and advise members should they ever find themselves in conflict with employers.

On this page you'll find further information about some of the ways you can benefit from being a GMB member.

Cash Benefits and Support

Being a member of the GMB is good for your health – and your pocket. The GMB helps by paying members the following benefits:
  • Weekly Accident Benefit for up to 13 weeks
  • Permanent Total Disablement Grant
  • Occupational Fatal Accident Benefit
  • Non-occupational Accident Benefit
  • Funeral Benefit
  • Regional Motor Drivers Fund
  • Victimisation Benefit
  • Regional Sickness Benefit Fund

Membership Contributions

GMB keeps membership costs as low as possible.

If you work full time, you pay only £2.50 a week (£10.84 a month).

Part time employees working up to 20 hours per week and those under 18 years old pay only £1.38 a week (£5.98 a month).

The union also offers a special lifetime membership for those who are retired, for a one-off payment of £25.

Unemployment, Maternity or Illness

Membership of the GMB isn't only available to those in work. If you become unemployed, or take time off work through long-term illness or maternity leave, you can still enjoy all the benefits of GMB membership – at the reduced rate of 5p a week.

Health, Safety and Environment

The health and safety of members is our central concern. The GMB has a network of specialist Health and Safety Officers ready to advise GMB Safety Representatives or members on their working environment and health and safety problems.
 
The GMB is recognised as the leader in this field and allocates huge resources both to campaigning to improve prevention and implementation of the law. Further information can be found on the Health & Safety page.

Pensions

The GMB offers truly independent pension advice. Not only does the Union represent members on over 1,500 occupational pension schemes, we also offer individual advice to our members on personal, occupational and state pensions.

Legal Services

The GMB offers the best legal service in the Trade Union movement. We help members injured at work or suffering from occupational diseases to gain compensation from their employers. GMB represents members going to Employment Tribunals to complain of underpayment of wages, discrimination, unfair dismissal or other infringements of their rights.

We also help members claim industrial injury benefits, including representation in social security tribunals.

In addition, each Region provides its own extended support for members with non-work problems, such as assistance for family members involved in road traffic accidents, or a free first interview with a solicitor on personal issues.

Every week the GMB recovers £1 million compensation for its members.

For more information on the Legal services we offer to our members in this Region, please visit the Legal page.

Equal Pay Claims          

 

The GMB are raising awareness of Equal Pay issues across the region, as many members feel they are underpaid and undervalued. The GMB have today in excess of 4000 potential claims being investigated by our specialist team of solicitors. For more information or to find out how you can submit a claim please go to Equal Pay or alternatively contact the regional office 0121 550 4888.
 
Research

Our Research Department is acknowledged as one of the best in the Trade Union movement, providing our Officers with a wide variety of information and equipping negotiators with the back-up they need to get the best possible deals for our members. The department is based at our national office in Wimbledon.

Financial Services and Discounts

GMB Credit Card
GMB, in partnership with the Bank of Scotland, has created an exclusive credit card with attractive rates and great benefits for our members.  With no annual fee and all the benefits associated with MasterCard, you can take advantage of an attractive typical rate of 14.9% APR (variable) by being a GMB member - Your Union, Your Union MasterCard!  Some of the advantages include: 0% on purchases for the first 9 months, online fraud guarantee, free additional cards for your family, up to 59 days' interest free credit, 0% for the first 9 months on balance transfers (plus a 3% fee).  For further information, please visit www.unioncard.co.uk/GMB/default.asp?cmpCode=stdMediaCode&source=GMBBWM

 or call 0800 032 2036

FREE financial advice
We work in conjunction with PFP Independent Financial Advisers to offer you discounted insurance and advice on savings and investments.

Income Protection

 

The Schemes Division of Kerry London Ltd has arranged a bespoke Personal Accident & Sickness Scheme for GMB Union members and their families. It provides weekly benefit resulting from loss of income. Limited cover is provided by most employers if you are off work due to illness or injury, however recovery may take a lot longer. If you were unable to work, you still need to cover everyday costs. This cover provides piece of mind knowing that you will receive a regular weekly benefit whilst off work.

 

For further information please visit www.kerrylondon.co.uk/gmbunion or telephone 0208 225 1014

Free income tax check
The Tax refund Company, in association with the GMB, offer a FREE income tax check to all GMB members and their families. For an application form please ring 0845 058 2288 or 0845 129 7017.  Alternatively you can log on to their website at www.taxbuddies.com/pts/gmbbwm.htm

Annual Travel Insurance
The GMB has a specially negotiated worldwide travel insurance scheme with Towergate Schemes:

  • Member only £49
  • Member and partner £72
  • Up to 4 children up to the age of 18 go free with two paying adults

This comprehensive scheme has been arranged exclusively for GMB members and their families and covers all aspects of your holiday arrangements. 

GMB Travel Club
Membership of the GMB Travel Club entitles you to get discounted rates on holiday brochure prices, paying less than through high street travel agents. Or you can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your needs.

Convalescent Homes

If a member needs a few weeks to get over a serious illness or accident, the GMB can arrange free facilities at one of its approved convalescent homes. Please contact the Regional Office on 0121 550 4888 for further details.

Training and Education

The GMB is at the forefront of the trade union movement in providing education and training for its Representatives, Branch Officers and Full Time Officials.

Our training programme offers a systematic package of courses, from induction and support training for new Representatives to advanced training for more experienced representatives. The initial training, provided within the Region, will cover Health & Safety, Legal Rights in the Workplace and Equality issues. Reps can progress to more advanced training and education opportunities.

Members who wish to go on to attend full or part-time courses in College or Universities or through other further educational avenues such as distance learning or evening classes, can apply to the Union for Scholarships or financial support. For further details on the Union’s education and training, contact the Regional Education Department on 0121 550 4888. Further information is available on the Education page.

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GMB, Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3HP

T: 0121 550 4888  F: 0121 550 4272

e:
westmids@gmb.org.uk

© GMB 2002-2008