Category: NEC

NEC election candidate applications now open

The candidate application and nomination period opens today (Monday 13 January) for UNISON’s NEC elections 2025, which take place over the next five months. It will remain open until 5pm 14 February.

Throughout its structures, UNISON is a lay member led union, and the national executive council (NEC) is the union’s senior decision-making body. It is re-elected every two years.

Between conferences, the body directs the union’s policy and campaigning priorities – taking important decisions on things like pay negotiations and industrial action.

The NEC is made up of representatives elected from all of UNISON’s regions and service groups, as well as seats for four Black members, two young members and two disabled members. Since women make up roughly two thirds of the union’s membership, two-thirds of the seats on the NEC are reserved for women and 13 seats are reserved for low-paid women.

UNISON strives for representation from every corner of the union’s membership and you could be one of those representatives. You only need to have been a full member since 11 September 2024 to apply to be a candidate.

Some seats come with further eligibility criteria (you can find full details in the NEC election procedures). For example, to apply for a service group seat you must work in that sector, for a young member seat you must be aged 30 or under for the entire length of the two year term on the NEC or those applying for low-paid seats must earn less than the new 2025 cut-off rate.

You can find the application form here.

Once you have applied, to be eligible for election, candidates must also receive nominations from two branches or self-organised bodies relevant to your seat. To find the full details of nomination requirements, eligibility and the timetable, read the NEC election procedures.

Ballot papers will start being sent to eligible voting members on 21 April, with the pack containing a pre-paid envelope for members to return their ballot. Votes must be received by the scrutineer by 21 May. The results will be announced on 11 June.

The article NEC election candidate applications now open first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC election candidate applications now open

The candidate application and nomination period opens today (Monday 13 January) for UNISON’s NEC elections 2025, which take place over the next five months. It will remain open until 5pm 14 February.

Throughout its structures, UNISON is a lay member led union, and the national executive council (NEC) is the union’s senior decision-making body. It is re-elected every two years.

Between conferences, the body directs the union’s policy and campaigning priorities – taking important decisions on things like pay negotiations and industrial action.

The NEC is made up of representatives elected from all of UNISON’s regions and service groups, as well as seats for four Black members, two young members and two disabled members. Since women make up roughly two thirds of the union’s membership, two-thirds of the seats on the NEC are reserved for women and 13 seats are reserved for low-paid women.

UNISON strives for representation from every corner of the union’s membership and you could be one of those representatives. You only need to have been a full member since 11 September 2024 to apply to be a candidate.

Some seats come with further eligibility criteria (you can find full details in the NEC election procedures). For example, to apply for a service group seat you must work in that sector, for a young member seat you must be aged 30 or under for the entire length of the two year term on the NEC or those applying for low-paid seats must earn less than the new 2025 cut-off rate.

You can find the application form here.

Once you have applied, to be eligible for election, candidates must also receive nominations from two branches or self-organised bodies relevant to your seat. To find the full details of nomination requirements, eligibility and the timetable, read the NEC election procedures.

Ballot papers will start being sent to eligible voting members on 21 April, with the pack containing a pre-paid envelope for members to return their ballot. Votes must be received by the scrutineer by 21 May. The results will be announced on 11 June.

The article NEC election candidate applications now open first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC hears UNISON will contribute to Employment Rights Bill

The final 2024 meeting of UNISON’s national executive council (NEC) took place yesterday, with a busy agenda seeing thorough discussion from across all areas of the union.

An extensive report from the general secretariat highlighted the Employment Rights Bill, which is now going through the committee stages in Parliament. The union’s “policy and legal staff are working hard to meet admission deadlines to make UNISON policy and member voices heard and to help improve the bill.”

Internationally, the union continues to support workplace days of action for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and also to press for recognition of the state of Palestine.

It also detailed how recruitment for the year passed 200,000, with membership in Northern Ireland having grown by 15% over the past two years. The largest percentage of this growth came in social care. The union has also secured over £100 million for NHS workers through the Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign.

There was a brief update on a legal win in the Court of Appeal, Hewston v Ofsted, where a UNISON member who was employed as an inspector was dismissed for brushing rain from a pupil’s head. Ofsted has indicated that it might seek to appeal to the Supreme Court after it sees the reasons for the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

The presidential team set out how it has continued to campaign on the Middle East, alongside attending UNISON conferences and other events, and lending support to striking members.

Members of the council also received an update on the progress on the union’s race discrimination inquiry is progressing. There was also an extensive discussion around the union’s work on tackling racism, together with the challenging racism training, which is hoped to be available early in 2025.

It was also reported that the union will be able to use the ACC Liverpool for conferences again, after successfully challenging the owners for hosting an arms fair there and receiving a commitment of an ethical policy going forward.

The council also discussed:

  • the union’s budget for 2025, which was unanimously passed;
  • the problems of funding across public services;
  • a report from COP29;
  • a statement on the situation in South Korea where the president had, the previous day, declared martial law.

The article NEC hears UNISON will contribute to Employment Rights Bill first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC hears UNISON will contribute to Employment Rights Bill

The final 2024 meeting of UNISON’s national executive council (NEC) took place yesterday, with a busy agenda seeing thorough discussion from across all areas of the union.

An extensive report from the general secretariat highlighted the Employment Rights Bill, which is now going through the committee stages in Parliament. The union’s “policy and legal staff are working hard to meet admission deadlines to make UNISON policy and member voices heard and to help improve the bill.”

Internationally, the union continues to support workplace days of action for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and also to press for recognition of the state of Palestine.

It also detailed how recruitment for the year passed 200,000, with membership in Northern Ireland having grown by 15% over the past two years. The largest percentage of this growth came in social care. The union has also secured over £100 million for NHS workers through the Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign.

There was a brief update on a legal win in the Court of Appeal, Hewston v Ofsted, where a UNISON member who was employed as an inspector was dismissed for brushing rain from a pupil’s head. Ofsted has indicated that it might seek to appeal to the Supreme Court after it sees the reasons for the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

The presidential team set out how it has continued to campaign on the Middle East, alongside attending UNISON conferences and other events, and lending support to striking members.

Members of the council also received an update on the progress on the union’s race discrimination inquiry is progressing. There was also an extensive discussion around the union’s work on tackling racism, together with the challenging racism training, which is hoped to be available early in 2025.

It was also reported that the union will be able to use the ACC Liverpool for conferences again, after successfully challenging the owners for hosting an arms fair there and receiving a commitment of an ethical policy going forward.

The council also discussed:

  • the union’s budget for 2025, which was unanimously passed;
  • the problems of funding across public services;
  • a report from COP29;
  • a statement on the situation in South Korea where the president had, the previous day, declared martial law.

The article NEC hears UNISON will contribute to Employment Rights Bill first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Reserved (low pay) seat threshold for 2025

UNISON’s principles of proportionality and fair representation mean that some seats on elected bodies are reserved for women and low-paid members, so that the make-up fairly represents the wider union. This includes the national executive council (NEC).

The definition of low-paid reflects the median gross weekly earnings for all jobs – full time or part time – and is revised each year.

The median gross weekly earnings figure for 2024 has been calculated in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings at £613.30, which represents a 6.7% increase on 2023.

This means that the cut-off wage for election to reserved (low pay) seats in the union rises to £13.56 an hour.

The article Reserved (low pay) seat threshold for 2025 first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Reserved (low pay) seat threshold for 2025

UNISON’s principles of proportionality and fair representation mean that some seats on elected bodies are reserved for women and low-paid members, so that the make-up fairly represents the wider union. This includes the national executive council (NEC).

The definition of low-paid reflects the median gross weekly earnings for all jobs – full time or part time – and is revised each year.

The median gross weekly earnings figure for 2024 has been calculated in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings at £613.30, which represents a 6.7% increase on 2023.

This means that the cut-off wage for election to reserved (low pay) seats in the union rises to £13.56 an hour.

The article Reserved (low pay) seat threshold for 2025 first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC hears Christina McAnea welcome Employment Rights Bill

In UNISON’s first national executive council (NEC) meeting since the general election, general secretary Christina McAnea yesterday welcomed the Labour government’s new deal – via the Employment Rights Bill – as “the start of the process” that will have a huge impact on the union and activists, and therefore on members.

She also told the meeting that the union has seen a net growth of over 36,000 members this year – including over 4,000 new activists – which is double the aimed for 1% growth.

Ms McAnea noted how well the union’s Year of LGBT+ Workers has been going, with every region being involved, plus the success of the union’s campaign to win the ballot to keep the political fund, with 96.7% of those who voted backing retention.

She also stressed the importance of trade unions in combatting the far right – particularly in the wake of the riots in the summer and in advance of the Stand Up to Racism national demo to Stop Tommy Robinson, Stop the far right in London on 26 October, which UNISON is supporting.

Speaking of the union’s international work, the general secretary spoke of her visit to Palestine in May, and also how UNISON co-ordinated a meeting of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (TULO) general secretaries with the Palestinian ambassador at the TUC conference. Ms McAnea also highlighted the under-reported catastrophe of the civil war in Sudan, where sexual violence and rape are being used as weapons, and more than half the country is facing famine.

Assistant general secretary Liz Snape reflected on “the highly successful [general] election campaign” that the union ran, with evidence showing that, in constituencies that the union specifically targeted, that work had increased the Labour vote.

The meeting also received a briefing on the Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill from UNISON’s director of political strategy Maggi Ferncombe.

Stressing the role of UNISON in getting this bill, she explained that it is “a mix of individual rights and collective rights” and includes some of the “big ticket items” that the union has been campaigning on, with many elements directly affecting women at work, including the repeal and replacement of trade union laws on industrial action, an end to exploitative zero-hours contracts and the introduction of day-one sick pay, maternity pay and flexible working.

While UNISON is concerned at gaps in the bill, it does also provide many things to celebrate, also including improvements around facility time and access to workplaces for organisers and reps, while digital balloting is on the table.

The presidential team’s report emphasised the union’s fight against fascism and the far right – and the meeting had a dedicated period in which to discuss mobilising for the Stand Up to Racism demo and for wider work into combating racism and fascism.

The NEC received an organising report, which noted that recruitment was doing particularly well in the care sector, and that the new Organising Framework has been launched. Members of the committee lauded the success of the organising to win strategy, which has provided major dividends for the union – not least among health support workers.

The meeting also:

  • heard a report on pay across the service groups
  • received the latest financial report
  • heard a report on a year of green activism
  • discussed future NEC elections and by-elections.

The article NEC hears Christina McAnea welcome Employment Rights Bill first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC hears Christina McAnea welcome Employment Rights Bill

In UNISON’s first national executive council (NEC) meeting since the general election, general secretary Christina McAnea yesterday welcomed the Labour government’s new deal – via the Employment Rights Bill – as “the start of the process” that will have a huge impact on the union and activists, and therefore on members.

She also told the meeting that the union has seen a net growth of over 36,000 members this year – including over 4,000 new activists – which is double the aimed for 1% growth.

Ms McAnea noted how well the union’s Year of LGBT+ Workers has been going, with every region being involved, plus the success of the union’s campaign to win the ballot to keep the political fund, with 96.7% of those who voted backing retention.

She also stressed the importance of trade unions in combatting the far right – particularly in the wake of the riots in the summer and in advance of the Stand Up to Racism national demo to Stop Tommy Robinson, Stop the far right in London on 26 October, which UNISON is supporting.

Speaking of the union’s international work, the general secretary spoke of her visit to Palestine in May, and also how UNISON co-ordinated a meeting of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (TULO) general secretaries with the Palestinian ambassador at the TUC conference. Ms McAnea also highlighted the under-reported catastrophe of the civil war in Sudan, where sexual violence and rape are being used as weapons, and more than half the country is facing famine.

Assistant general secretary Liz Snape reflected on “the highly successful [general] election campaign” that the union ran, with evidence showing that, in constituencies that the union specifically targeted, that work had increased the Labour vote.

The meeting also received a briefing on the Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill from UNISON’s director of political strategy Maggi Ferncombe.

Stressing the role of UNISON in getting this bill, she explained that it is “a mix of individual rights and collective rights” and includes some of the “big ticket items” that the union has been campaigning on, with many elements directly affecting women at work, including the repeal and replacement of trade union laws on industrial action, an end to exploitative zero-hours contracts and the introduction of day-one sick pay, maternity pay and flexible working.

While UNISON is concerned at gaps in the bill, it does also provide many things to celebrate, also including improvements around facility time and access to workplaces for organisers and reps, while digital balloting is on the table.

The presidential team’s report emphasised the union’s fight against fascism and the far right – and the meeting had a dedicated period in which to discuss mobilising for the Stand Up to Racism demo and for wider work into combating racism and fascism.

The NEC received an organising report, which noted that recruitment was doing particularly well in the care sector, and that the new Organising Framework has been launched. Members of the committee lauded the success of the organising to win strategy, which has provided major dividends for the union – not least among health support workers.

The meeting also:

  • heard a report on pay across the service groups
  • received the latest financial report
  • heard a report on a year of green activism
  • discussed future NEC elections and by-elections.

The article NEC hears Christina McAnea welcome Employment Rights Bill first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC told: ‘If you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories’

In her report to UNISON’s national executive council meeting today, general secretary Christina McAnea thanked those who helped campaigning for the local elections earlier in May.

And speaking less than 24 hours after Rishi Sunak called a general election she noted that, in England and Wales on 4 July, “if you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories. We want to see as many Labour MPs returned as possible”.

“We have seen, as trade unionists, the result of 14 years of the Tories,” she said, adding that the Conservative government is taking “the British people for fools”, after the prime minister had claimed falling inflation as a victory for Conservative policy, ignoring the fact that that doesn’t mean that prices are not still rising.

“The cost of living is still the main issue” on doorsteps, said Ms McAnea and reiterated that “the choice is between Labour and the Tories”.

Addressing concerns around stories that Labour was back-peddling on the New Deal for Working People, she said that discussions were taking place “almost weekly” between unions and the party and that that was not the case.

Ms McAnea noted that this was down to Conservative-supporting media spinning stories about the New Deal just before the 2 May elections.

On the Middle East, the general secretary also told the meeting that UNISON was in discussion with international unions to support the people of Gaza and trade unions in Palestine.

“I recently met with Husam Zomlot, Palestinian ambassador to the UK,” she said. “I assured him of UNISON’s ongoing support for justice for Palestinians and for peace in the region, as well as the fundraising efforts of our branches to get aid to the people of Gaza.”

The council also received a report from the president, Libby Nolan, which included her attendance at regional AGMs, including that in the North West, where she told members that action in the region taken by branches as part of the union’s Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign “has been successful and has helped to galvanise activity in many other parts of the country”.

Ms Nolan said that she was continuing to “represent UNISON at the national demonstrations organised by PSC (Palestine Solidarity Campaign).

She noted that last Saturday’s demonstration was on the week of the 76th anniversary of the Nakba – the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

“It was a great honour to speak on the 76th anniversary to commemorate the devastating events of the Nakba and demand an end to all the atrocities of the last seven months.”

The meeting also heard about and discussed:

  • arrangements for national delegate conference in Brighton in June
  • arrangements for the political fund ballot
  • increases in membership, together with improving retention of members.

Check the website and Activist digital over the next six weeks for more guidance over the general election.

The article NEC told: ‘If you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC told: ‘If you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories’

In her report to UNISON’s national executive council meeting today, general secretary Christina McAnea thanked those who helped campaigning for the local elections earlier in May.

And speaking less than 24 hours after Rishi Sunak called a general election she noted that, in England and Wales on 4 July, “if you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories. We want to see as many Labour MPs returned as possible”.

“We have seen, as trade unionists, the result of 14 years of the Tories,” she said, adding that the Conservative government is taking “the British people for fools”, after the prime minister had claimed falling inflation as a victory for Conservative policy, ignoring the fact that that doesn’t mean that prices are not still rising.

“The cost of living is still the main issue” on doorsteps, said Ms McAnea and reiterated that “the choice is between Labour and the Tories”.

Addressing concerns around stories that Labour was back-peddling on the New Deal for Working People, she said that discussions were taking place “almost weekly” between unions and the party and that that was not the case.

Ms McAnea noted that this was down to Conservative-supporting media spinning stories about the New Deal just before the 2 May elections.

On the Middle East, the general secretary also told the meeting that UNISON was in discussion with international unions to support the people of Gaza and trade unions in Palestine.

“I recently met with Husam Zomlot, Palestinian ambassador to the UK,” she said. “I assured him of UNISON’s ongoing support for justice for Palestinians and for peace in the region, as well as the fundraising efforts of our branches to get aid to the people of Gaza.”

The council also received a report from the president, Libby Nolan, which included her attendance at regional AGMs, including that in the North West, where she told members that action in the region taken by branches as part of the union’s Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign “has been successful and has helped to galvanise activity in many other parts of the country”.

Ms Nolan said that she was continuing to “represent UNISON at the national demonstrations organised by PSC (Palestine Solidarity Campaign).

She noted that last Saturday’s demonstration was on the week of the 76th anniversary of the Nakba – the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

“It was a great honour to speak on the 76th anniversary to commemorate the devastating events of the Nakba and demand an end to all the atrocities of the last seven months.”

The meeting also heard about and discussed:

  • arrangements for national delegate conference in Brighton in June
  • arrangements for the political fund ballot
  • increases in membership, together with improving retention of members.

Check the website and Activist digital over the next six weeks for more guidance over the general election.

The article NEC told: ‘If you don’t vote Labour, you’re giving a vote to the Tories’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.