GMB Union Reviews 

Absolutely dreadful service. After paying in for years and never having the need to use them, I recently had an issue that I required advice / representation for. I contacted them everyday for a week and each time was promised that someone would get back to me within 24 hours. Nobody ever did, they just weren’t interested. It took for me submitting a formal complaint to the Sheffield Branch Manager for him to eventually get in touch with me. Even then, it all went quiet again and my complaint was never dealt with correctly, just swept under the carpet. Have now cancelled my membership - funnily enough they were quick enough to contact me about that!

Isn't it odd how many positive reviews we're seeing on here telling everyone how fantastic this union is without actually stating anything specific at all?
Anyone would think that this is being done to make GMB not seem to be what they actually are: totally unconcerned when long-standing union members (17 years in my particular case) needed union representation only to be completely ignored.

GMB has been very supportive!

I had concerns with my current workplace and the union rep I was assigned to had tremendously helped me in ways I couldn't even imagine. He was very accommodating and have attended to every single concern I had very well. I have nothing but gratitude for this trade union.

Rob is an exceptional GMB representative. His knowledge of employment law is vast and his eye for detail is meticulous. He also has a high level of skill in diplomacy and negotiation. Of additional benefit which cannot be underestimated, Rob is an experienced clinician. I have worked with many union representatives over my 38 years in the NHS and I can honestly say that Rob is on a different level to them all.
Thank you for your advice and support Rob.

I have phoned GMB (Brighton and Hove) regarding my issue at workplace (Endoscopy Decontamination Department). GMB send Rob to represent me, Rob is a very reliable representative, very supportive as well, he represents as well the general welfare of our colleague by looking if he can sort it out our re-banding issue as well. Through the process he was constantly updating us the outcome of the issue. Me and my colleague are very happy with the support Rob is giving us.

Absolutely shocking support or lack of, no communication when people are needing it, i understand the reps are volunteers and it's not their fault so this is not aimed at those who give help when they can , but as a union this has been the worst I've dealt with in respect to communication, customer service and actual care and consideration for those who they are supposed to be there for, it's a paid service which incidentally is worth every penny if the union actually does what it says .... this one unfortunately hasn't delivered on any promises without causing more distress to those who have asked them to support them.

My Branch and those within it have been marvellous and truly amazing. Having gone through years of bulling, harassment and victimisation the team (Jason and Mark particularly) have shown so much care, knowledge and support!! Exceptionally knowledgeable and feisty i feel they could take on the world. The Southern region team (Lib and others), and the legal team, have also been with, and behind me the whole way!! If you’re not a member, you really ought to be. i cannot thank them enough for everything.

They make it unnecessarily difficult to cancel and/or update your workplace.
You can buy a membership online, yet you can only cancel in writing. This is not the policy of a members first organisation.
This is arguably illegal as the DMCC act requires companies to allow consumers to cancel as easily as they signed up.

I would not recommend joining, it is no wonder why membership is falling and why unions no longer have the power they once did.

I joined and needed a union rep to sit in on a meeting to act as a witness, they refused to do this as they believed the issue was before I joined despite the information I put forward being after I joined, admittedly only a few days after, but after none the less. Paul Block from the london regional office stated on the phone that they basically decide if to help someone or not by stating they may refuse for up to 3 months, but there is no hard fast rule on it. A union fighting policy and procedures yet do not have their own. I asked for a refund for the months fee and to cancel my membership, they cancelled the membership but have refused to refund.

There is also potential underhand tactics being used to assist one person in a dispute and not another, and also conflicts with their workplace reps being in personal relationships that could impact on workplace disputes. Glad I could get out of this underhand organisation, I would avoid, there are other unions out there, this one is just a wishing well to throw money into.

WHAT A LET DOWN!!
I been bullied at work and target. I contacted GMB midlands branch “ IAN EDWARDS” was useless and no help at all. I called numerous times with no replies or support I put questions forward regarding my issues at work and had the most disappointing replies ever!
I challenged my wage deduction and Ian tried to challenge my knowledge which I had legal advice confirm at a later date was correct ! He did not turn up to my first meeting after I left multiple voicemails causing me to not attend, when attending my second meeting he made one point and stayed quiet at one point went silent when asked if his still in the call and claimed his headphones dropped out “convenient” and I have serious allegations against my company he remained mute and had no input.
I even followed to thank him for attending but to date got no reply or feedback.
COMPLETELY USELESS! AVOID AT ALL COSTS! It’s obvious they favour the employer as they are probably paying there wages!
This rubbish EXCUSE of a union needs to be investigated!! Reading all the comments shows I am not the only one!!

Hi think twice before you want to become a member I can tell you my own experience it's waist of money. I been the member of GMB for long time when I needed for help to represent my issue they picked up so many things to avoid which i can't believe so it's not fair.

Waste of money, my rep was ignoring my calls for 3 days, didn’t explain the process of the investigation, she was insisting that everything will be alright, turns out she was talking with my managers behind my back. I’m pretty sure I would’ve done better myself, first month and the last

Been a member for years. When I needed some advice it took ages to get them to respond. When I finally talked to a rep, he directed me to a government website. Couldn't get me off the phone fast enough. I have ended up representing myself.

Don't bother with this union if you are Driving for Uber, No pay rises at all after being with them for 6 months , ask yourself this : Since when has a union been in harmony with any corporation?
Also how can a union like this stand back and watch drivers driving insane hours risking public safety just to barely scrape by a living. Do not waste your money.

I had to leave a well paid job because not one, but two, so called Reps, from the GMB refused to help me facilitate a Homophobic hate crime, in my then work place. I couldn't take the bigotry at work and no one helped me.

I'm loathe to even give these idiots one star !!

This company needs to be more honest and accountable. They do not represent an all for one approach, and even after 5 years membership are happy to mis-advise via an untrained rep who happily admits they know very little laughing off the severity of the issue. Having no accountability for their actions or advice fuels mistakes and wrong information, almost as if they are employed by the company they are negotiating with. Many of my work colleagues have received a better deal by not belonging to the union so I seriously believe I’ve wasted time and money becoming a member. Please don’t be taken in and save your hard earned wages.

Would rate a 0 of I could. I can see a lot of very bad reviews which I myself have also experienced regarding the lack of communication from this service.

I wanted to contact the Wembley branch but was automatically transferred to the Hendon Branch? Both branches I had to call several times to get through to them. They rarely pick up phone calls.

I have experienced very delayed communications from one representative only to find out that she wasn’t my allocated representative? Very confusing.

I tried to raise a new issue with them and was extremely appalled and shocked at the customer service that I received from the Assistant Branch secretary manager Valorie Moore, in the Hendon branch. From the minute I received her call, she was very patronising and passive aggressive and had no sense of compassion and understanding and continuously interrupted me whilst trying to speak. I was immediately shut down by her when trying to raise my concerns regarding the dissatisfaction of the service provided my GMB Union up until that point, and she said ‘we are not here to discuss this, we do not have a lot of time so there is no point at mentioning this’

Despite her aggression from the beginning I ignored and proceeded to voice my work place concerns (which I now deeply regret) she was very quick to dismiss my case and lacked basic customer service skills and extremely lacked empathy.

These people are clearly not here to support. Your money is going to waste. DO NOT JOIN THIS UNION. PLEASE BELIEVE THE REVIEWS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT!!

I made a big mistake by not reading these reviews before signing up!!

This GMB Union needs to be shut down!

Absolutely disgusted with GMB.
Since 2022 been taking direct debit payments from my bank account, I didn’t even know I was a member, so I have asked for refund, they came out with so much rubbish it was impossible, so I’m going to the ombudsman.

Typical.... try to pal out a negative with a positive.... proofs a point... they can't even see it.... the power of the union... 70 years ago... long gone now... got to admit there are the cheapest then some of the bigger hitters... best way to deal with it is to cancel membership.. get your £15 or so and bin it...cause that's what you're doing every month you pay them...never know you might get more enjoyment out of it.. first time...........

GMB have been so helpful to me regarding a matter I approached them with. Kind, professional and prompt in solving my questions. I would highly recommend.