The Monaghan investigation at the GMB

In September 2020, the hard-hitting Monaghan report into sexual harassment within the GMB general union concluded it was “institutionally sexist”, with bullying, misogyny, cronyism and sexual harassment endemic. Karon Monaghan KC carried out an investigation ordered by the union after national president Barbara Plant received a letter from “concerned members and staff” relating to complaints of harassment and assault.

Monaghan found the union’s culture was one of “heavy drinking and late night socialising, salacious gossip and a lack of professionalism” and that its policies and practices were inadequate to deal with sexual harassment complaints. She also found significant gender job segregation at regional level, with many of the union’s structures and branches dominated by men.

“The regional secretaries hold disproportionate power in the GMB,” she reported. “Many use that power to bully and manipulate members of the GMB’s lay bodies, from branches up to the CEC [Central Executive Council].”

Her report concluded that “fundamental change is required if the GMB is to meet its promise to women in the GMB and to women in society more widely”. It made 27 recommendations to help achieve change. The union fully accepted the report and its findings and has published regular updates on how it is implementing these and other recommendations insert (see pages 56-57).