MNHQ - I hope you are going to release your own statement on GMB Union

I am just astounded and horrified by GMB withdrawing help for the women here at this critical time. The guy who led this misogynist campaign - because that's what this actually is - has nothing to lose in any of this, not on the women's spaces front nor the desperate need for support in work matters which disproportionately affect women, particularly during this pandemic. None of it touches the sides while he laughs along about how woke and powerful he is in his massive place of privilege.

I don’t think the GMB realised that the majority of its membership are not Twitter users. It’s a blue collar union and the female membership is not particularly woke: they are often in the caring professions so they know what sex is.

The reason they have done this is because they see women's voices as irrelevant and worthless and male voices as intimidating and worthy of listening to. We see you, GMB.

Thank you ova (sorry we cross posted and I have lots of me me me posts on this thread already so I'll try and stop )

It's just so stupid and so depressing, I didn't think it was possible to feel more ignored and supported - the shielding group have literally been abandoned with little advice and no proper legal protection at all. My DH has been off and due to return to work tonight so I was actually hoping we may have some advice on the Q and A this afternoon to help us, but no. I've been waiting for today. It's such a let down and for such a shit reason makes it worse.

Really?! Do they even think how that fucking sounds?

Nope, they think "if I agree to this then the flying monkeys on Twitter will stop shouting at me, which is far more important than supporting women could ever be".

Sorry, terribly SPaG and a bit inarticulate today!

I'm actually furious and upset about this, I didn't actually think I could feel much worse at the moment as I'm so fucking fed up about my situation anyway. I can't get any answers from anyone about the shielding risks and employment protection - even from my MP. We have no rights, no protection, no legislation to protect us.

No one gives a fuck and the very people who should give a fuck and hold employers/government to account, think I'm not worth helping.

It’s ironic to withdraw support for a site which allows women to discuss their human rights and equality rights as a protected characteristic because Twitter activists don’t like it.

*GMB is the trade union for everyone. Our job is simple: protecting, defending and extending your rights in the workplace and beyond.

That means being there to fight your corner if you have a problem, big or small – and working to get you a better deal. Whatever the issue, we have thousands of highly trained staff and expert activists to support you. From securing proper sick pay in workplaces and ensuring wage support, to leading demands for proper protective equipment at the Government top table – we make sure our members’ voices are heard locally and nationally.

That’s the power of getting a union on your side. With GMB that’s what you get: a family that stands up for you.*

Ha fucking ha.

It appears you can no longer post on the Q and A thread (apologies if someone has mentioned this already and I missed it) as I think posters should be made aware of this situation.

I posted a question on there originally to say I am shielding but my DH has been forced to return to work as his employers they have refused time off - I asked for advice on how we could be protected. It's very important to me, after all (this sounds melodramatic!) but it literally is a life and death situation for me.

As a group the shielded people have been put at risk by the government's failure to provide protection to us - our health and our lives are at risk. Now a union will not provide advice on how to ensure we can get this protection. The majority of those questions on that thread were from women in insecure, or ZHC employment who are being put at risk by their employers.

Now a union which offered support to these women has withdrawn it - as they have been targeted by a small number of people who don't like what other women have to say when we stand up their rights. They want to silence us and isolate us - but also people who happen to stand next to us!

I am more than happy to say I don't believe men can become women and happy to fight against the fact support is denied me because I say that. But other women on that thread haven't said that, or may not even believe it or even be aware of it - yet they have also been denied support and advice.

How the fuck can that be right?

"Sorry, your rights and your health and your life aren't worth protecting because you don't believe men should be allowed to access single sex spaces".

Really?! Do they even think how that fucking sounds?

If I were in charge of MN they would not be invited back. If they can backtrack so swiftly due to a sweeping generalisation, I would be thinking - in a sweeping generalisation of course- that this is a body which does not support women/mums.

This may not be the case of course but it is certainly looking that way.

Bluntly, this is not the bloody time for unions to be making it harder for any of their members to access information or support. Perhaps they haven't noticed that we're in a bit of a crisis at the moment and that women are being hit particularly hard? Women, not "comedians" who think that it would be nice if women would shut up.

What they have does is end their participation in some MN Q&As.

Because a man has told them, on Twitter, of all places, that some women here are talking about things they don't like.

Talk about missing the Zeitgeist.

GMB members will still be able to receive advice from their union. It is overegging it to say they are withdrawing support.

What they have does is end their participation in some MN Q&As.

If MN want to continue that series, then there are many unions to invite. How many threads/activities were there still to go when GMB pulled out?

So, let's be clear. A major union has decided that the women on Mumsnet, all of them, and there are a lot, do not deserve to be reached out to because some women on this site have said things that make some people on Twitter cross? And they thought that the middle of a pandemic would be an ideal time to pull this shit?

Not only are GMB Union withdrawing legal advice from women here who discuss feminism they are also withdrawing it from every demographic of women who use this site.

It's unforgivable, especially in light of the number of women who are working themselves to death over this bloody virus. The nurses, caregivers, etc.

Who are you clapping for GMB? Just the men??

Awful behaviour.

It's 2020, you dinosaurs. It's a great look, withdrawing support from women who are discussing their rights under the law and have been actively asked to by the public consultation of their own government. Ffs.

While I'm on it, HQ, can you please, please come up with a way of people being able to donate or join the premium service, without compromising their anonymity.

pertella wouldn’t It be easier to ban people who claim to be “cis”? I think that’s legal. And under the equality act we could choose to ban all men, if it was proportionate, but I might like my Nigel to be able to join.
I think family/pregnancy is the same under the Equalities Act isn’t it? You can discriminate for pregnant people if it is a proportionate response to a reasonable aim? So you could have a position reserved for pregnant women.

Well, we could say that members have to identify as male for a set period every week to cover all bases

Somebody needs to set up a female workers union IMO. But I suppose it wouldn't be allowed.

I'm starting to think we should just form our own union @OneEpisode.

Unless Mumsnet can get paid by the MRAs at the GMB and host a discussion from a union for free, choosing a union that does respect women and parents?