Workers Revolutionary Party - FROM NEW LABOUR SPIN TO UNION BUSTING

The News Line: News Saturday, 18 February 2006 FROM NEW LABOUR SPIN TO UNION BUSTING

GMB members with their acting General Secretary PAUL KENNY (2nd left) demonstrating outside Portland PR in Holborn yesterday

GMB trade union members demonstrated yesterday against the union-busting propaganda for Asda Wal-Mart being supplied by public relations company Portland PR, which was set up by ex-Downing Street deputy press secretary Tim Allen.

News of the ex-New Labour spin doctor’s ‘services’ to the anti-union employer came out in an industrial tribunal.

This awarded 340 GMB members at ASDA’s Washington distribution depot £2,500 each over the company offering them a ten per cent wage rise if they would give up their collective bargaining rights.

GMB acting general secretary Paul Kenny told News Line outside the PR company’s central London office yesterday: ‘Portland are modern day parasites.

‘They peddle their services to anti-union companies like ASDA Wal-Mart.

‘They are trading on their connections with New Labour and it’s time these people were brought out into the open.

‘Many of their clients are in the voluntary sector, such as the Guide Dogs Association.

‘We will be taking up the matter with these clients.

‘Portland PR needs to be exposed for the protection of other workers. Tim Allen worked at the Number 10 press office and has gone from spin doctoring to union busting.’

GMB member Fred Stansbury added: ‘What this man has done is disgusting.’

London GMB branch officer Terry Bulkeratis said: ‘We have rights as workers to join trade unions and look after our interests at work.’