http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jun/27/unison-gmb-fight-spending-cuts
A similar initiative was launched in 2007 but fell at the first hurdle when, despite a statement of intent to adopt a common approach, GMB and UNISON supported different candidates in the Labour Party Deputy leadership election (Peter Hain and Alan Johnson respectively):
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=963
In todays' very different political context of austerity, cuts, pay restraint and privatisation, closer working between the UK's two major public service unions is a necessity rather than an optional extra. The unity forged in the succesful 2009 Leeds refuse collectors' dispute is a stand out example of the potential industrial strength and mutual reinforcement of a GMB UNISON alliance.
Across education, health, local government and public utilities the scope for joint campaigning is massive, provided that the new alliance is developed not only at national level but in branches, regions and workplaces.
