We will be different, we will be better, and we will win together, says new GMB General Secretary Gary Smith. 
GMB Union – Britain’s General Union with 600, 000 members from across all industrial sectors – has elected Gary Smith as its new General Secretary today (Thu 3rd Jun 2021).
Mr Smith, who was the union’s Scotland Secretary, was elected with more than 50 per cent of votes cast. Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary for public services, came second with Giovanna Holt, GMB Senior Organiser, in third.
Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said:
“It is the honour of my life to be elected GMB General Secretary. A huge thank you to all GMB members.
“Thank you for listening to the different visions offered by the candidates and thank you for your continuing membership of our great union.
“Everyone, from members to staff, wants a better GMB. We must shed the practices and cultures that have blighted us in recent times and rediscover all that is good about this union. And there is so much that is good.
“We have fantastic people, talented and committed activists, and incredible members who pay their hard-earned money to be part of an organisation that fights for justice in the workplace.
“Let me be clear that I will work with and be guided by our union’s President Barbara Plant and our Central Executive Council to ensure the full implementation of the Monaghan Report – never again can we lose sight of the duty we have to our people. And we will now go forward together with a renewed focus on workplace organising in everything we do, building and growing from the grassroots across all our regions and nations.
“Everyone deserves to be part of a union that brings people together in good faith to build a better future and to make work better. GMB will be that union, we will be different, we will be better and we will win together.”
A message from Barbara Plant
I want to say a big congratulations to Gary Smith on being elected as the new General Secretary of our union.
I also want to put on record my thanks to Warren Kenny for being AGS since November last year.
Finally, I’d like to extend my best wishes to the other candidates who stood in the election – Rehana Azam and Giovanna Holt – it takes courage to run and their commitment to our union is phenomenal.
Posted: 3rd June 2021