MERRY CHRISTMAS! To begin with, we would like to give thanks and recognition to all our members, activists and reps for their support over the last 12 months. We would like to request you join us in acknowledging those serving our country and remembering those no longer with us by raising a glass to them over the festive period. Finally, on behalf of the branch, we would like to wish all our members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We all hope you have a truly wonderful, magical time whatever you are doing.

GMB members get discounts on LV= Car insurance. Go to http://lv.social/MH5q to get yours!

Dear Member, Wilko has informed retail team members and GMB Union that the company is going to commence collective consultation on their proposal to operate 7 day deliveries. The Wilko proposals affect a total of 311 stores; In 35 stores, Wilko is proposing the removal of the night shift and supervisors role and team members will be put at risk of redundancy. There are 9 stores where this can’t be achieved at present. In the other 267 stores the proposal is to introduce new rota’s to include weekends. This will not affect team members statutory rights to opt out of Sunday Working. The collective consultation will last a minimum of 45 days. The GMB will be meeting Wilko on Tuesday 18th September at the Head Office in Worksop. Whilst we recognise its very tough times on the High Street for retailers and we want Wilko to get back to profitability, the GMB Union will defend our members jobs, hours, flexible working arrangements and livelihoods. If you’re a GMB Union member and affected by the proposed changes, get in contact with your local GMB Union rep, Convenor or Regional Office. We want your views, and alternative proposals to feed back in to the collective consultation. Please contact GMB Union for representation at your 1 to 1 meetings. We will send out regular bulletins and updates throughout the collective consultation period. If you’re not currently a GMB member and wish to join, you can do so online www.gmb.org.uk , seeing your local rep, contacting a convenor or by completing the form overleaf. Yours sincerely, GARY CARTER GMB NATIONAL OFFICER

Another thankyou from another local football team. Small donation in return for a season-long advert in the match programme. Much appreciated and happy to help :)

Huge well done to our Branch Auditor, Clayton Tindle for raising £1000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Torn between attending Worksop Pride tomorrow and watching the Match? Do both! Courtesy of #NorthNottsBid they have provided free WiFi in the town centre of Worksop. Live streaming at you fingertips. #SupportingTheEvent #NotMissingTheMatch

Today at GMB commercial conference W21 branch had the pleasure in announcing to Congress that Wilko is committed to signing the dying to work charter. This will further protect our 21 thousand team members and provide flexible and compassionate support for anyone who gets diagnosed with a terminal illness. #GMB18 #GMBCS18 https://www.dyingtowork.co.uk

Video of our Branch Auditor, Clayton Tindle, carrying out his skydive on behalf of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. Clayton raised over £700, well done!

Wilko Pay Offer 2018 – Ballot Result Dear Member I am writing to let you know that GMB members voted by 81% to 19% to accept the final pay offer. We have informed the company of the result and the first part of the two stage increase will be paid from 1st April 2018. The second part will be paid from 30th September 2018. Please see the table below for full details. Pay Offer Table Details of the 2018 pay offer are below: Over 25s 1 April 2018 - £7.84 (1.42% increase) £0.01 above NLW 30 September 2018 - £8.00 (3.49% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay) £0.17 above NLW Full Year - Average increase of 2.46%. Under 25s 1 April 2018 - £7.43 (0.68% increase) £0.05 above NMW 30 September 2018 - £7.70 (4.34% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay) £0.32 above NMW Full Year - Average increase of 2.51%. Team Supervisor in Retail and Levels 2-4 in the DC’s (including engineers) 1 April 2018 - 1.42% increase 30 September 2018 - 3.49% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay Full Year - Average increase of 2.46% Head Office non-executive team members on higher than Wilko minimum rates of pay 1 April 2018 - 1.42% increase 30 September 2018 - 3.49% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay Full Year - Average increase of 2.46% £10 celebratory Wilko voucher Not trading again on New Year’s Day 2019 I would like to thank GMB members for participating in the ballot. Yours sincerely GARY CARTER GMB NATIONAL OFFICER

One of our branch auditors, Clayton Tindle, is taking on a sky dive on 15th April to raise money for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. If anyone can spare a pound or two, please follow the link in the article below or click this link: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/claytontindle

Another two lovely thank you cards received today :)

We have had it confirmed that the ballot papers for this years pay offer should be landing on your doorsteps from today. The website has also been updated today :)

A lovely thank you letter from Worksop Pride thanking us for our ongoing support :)

Bulletin No 1 January 2018 Wilko Pay - Final Pay Offer 2018 Dear Members GMB reps met with Wilko Management on 18th January for a financial briefing and then again on 24th January for Pay Talks. Following the return of the pay surveys and discussions amongst the negotiating team we presented the following 2018 GMB pay claim to Wilko on 24th January: A. Pay Increase above the rate of inflation (Retail Prices Index 4.1%). B. Pay for team members under the age 25 to be aligned with the rate for 25’s and overs. C. £10 celebratory voucher D. New Year’s Day to be a non-trading day as agreed to be reviewed as part of the 2017 pay talks. After seven years of declining profits, Wilko will make a loss this year. Despite the negative news and difficulties across the retail sector, the pay talks were positive and we made progress on all four points. Final Pay Offer During negotiations management moved from their original positions and an improved and final offer has been negotiated. The Pay Offer for 2018 is a two stage offer (1st April & 30th September 2018) A. The proposed basic rate for a Level 1 employee (aged 25 & above) will increase from £7.73 to £7.84 per hour from 1st April and then rises to £8.00 per hour from 30th September 2018. The pay rise is worth 2.46% for the 12 month period and is an increase of 3.49% on the hourly rate, i.e. £7.73 to £8.00 per hour. The proposed rates for Supervisory levels in DC and Retail and Head Office non-executive team members on higher than Wilko minimum rates will increase by 1.42% in April and then by 3.49% on 30th September 2018. This is an increase of 2.46% for the 12 month period. B. The proposed basic rate for under 25’s will only increase by 5 pence an hour from £7.38 to £7.43 per hour from 1st April but then increases by 27 pence per hour to £7.70 per hour. The pay rise is worth 2.51% for the 12 month period and is an increase of 4.34% on the hourly rate, i.e. from £7.38 to £7.70 per hour, which further reduces the gap with over 25’s from 35p to 30p with an on-going company commitment to equalise pay when affordable. C. The offer of a £10 celebratory voucher. D. No Trading on New Year’s Day 2019. The pay offer is in line with current average pay increases and is a positive step forward on the 2017 pay offer which was 1% from 1st October 2017. The GMB believes that significant progress was made through negotiations and the talks were both constructive and led to an improved offer. GMB believes this is the best offer that can be achieved through negotiations and we will arrange workplace visits and a ballot of GMB members shortly. Pay Offer Table Over 25s 1 April 2018 - £7.84 (1.42% increase) £0.01 above NLW. 30 September 2018 - £8.00 (3.49% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay) £0.17 above NLW. Full Year - Average increase of 2.46%. Under 25s 1 April 2018 - £7.43 (0.68% increase) £0.05 above NMW. 30 September 2018 - £7.70 (4.34% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay) £0.32 above NMW. Full Year - Average increase of 2.51%. Team Supervisor in Retail and Levels 2-4 in the DC’s (including engineers) 1 April 2018 - 1.42% increase. 30 September 2018 - 3.49% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay. Full Year - Average increase of 2.46%. Head Office non-executive team members on higher than Wilko minimum rates of pay. 1 April 2018 - 1.42% increase. 30 September 2018 - 3.49% increase on pre-April 2018 basic rate of pay. Full Year - Average increase of 2.46%. Also for all. £10 celebratory Wilko voucher. Not trading again on New Year’s Day 2019. GARY CARTER GMB NATIONAL OFFICER

Two more lovely thankyou cards received in the last week :) The first from a member whose son is suffering from a brain tumour. A fundraising day was being held and the branch bought a £50 gift voucher to be raffled off. The second from From The Heart Charity, a local group helping vulnerable families, particularly needed at this time of year. The branch donated £75 towards purchasing items to be handed out to those most in need. One of the best parts of our roles :)

We would like to take the opportunity to wish all our members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We would also like to thank all our reps across the region for their tireless, sometimes thankless, but ultimately rewarding work they do on a daily basis. We hope all enjoy the festivities.

The wonderful letters keep coming. This one received from Aurora Wellbeing Centres in Doncaster following a request from one of our reps to make a donation. Wonderful cause.

Another great letter from a grateful recipient. Many of our members and their families have had to use the services of Bassetlaw Hospice over the years, and this is our third donation in 3 years to such a wonderful local cause.

Lovely thank you card received following a donation to Sheffield Children's Hospital on behalf of one of our members. The little thankyou's that make this role so worthwhile :)

As Monarch airline ceases trading, affected members can call us for advice on 0300 333 0303.