Rail union leader says GMB 'using bullyboy tactics as merger bid'

One of Labour's biggest union backers has been accused of employing "bullyboy tactics" in an alleged attempt to take over a smaller rail union and seize control of its assets.

- Rajeev Syal

Maryam Eslamdoust, the general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), said the GMB union was using an in-house agreement to block recruitment and take control of the white-collar union to access its buildings.

She claimed that spurious bullying allegations have been launched against her as part of the takeover plot - and that Gary Smith, the head of the GMB and an ally of Keir Starmer, has refused to defuse the row.

In response, GMB described Elsamdoust's allegations as "utter nonsense" and insisted it has no plans to take over the rail union.

Eslamdoust, a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn and a former mayor of Camden, became the first woman of colour to head a national trade union in September. She replaced Manuel Cortes, who was dismissed for gross misconduct after 11 years in the role.

An inquiry into TSSA's working practices by Helena Kennedy KC concluded in February 2023 that female staff had been subject to sexual touching and manipulative behaviour over many years.