Judges have the right to a union, GMB asserts

GMB wrote to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales last week after an MP raised concerns about “bullying, harassment, whistle blowing and discrimination” among judges.

The letter also covered concerns about Covid outbreaks in courtrooms and how unsafe judges – particularly women – allegedly feel in and outside of the courtroom.

It states that just as judges may join clubs or associations, they can join unions, provided they do not take part in party political activity and do nothing to bring the judiciary into disrepute or damage their own actual and perceived independence.

Stuart Fegan, GMB senior organiser, said: “Judges undeniably perform a vital and exalted role in society. But they are workers – and more importantly – people too. They have the same rights as others not to be discriminated against, not to be threatened, not to feel scared. If they don’t have a union to stand up for them, who will?

“GMB is calling on the Lord Chief Justice to work collaboratively with us and give judges the backing they need. - and to confirm the right to join a union.

“Only the resources and backing of a union will enable them to be properly protected, have representation for terms and conditions and issues at work and ensure diversity and discrimination, bullying and other issues are resolved with appropriate structural and cultural change.”