A thank you from Christina

 

Dear friends,

By now you’ll have heard the result. I didn’t win, and of course I’m disappointed, it’s not the outcome we hoped for.

But I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, who gave their time, energy and support during this campaign. And more than that, thank you for everything we have achieved together over many years.

UNISON has been my home for decades. Serving as your general secretary has been one of the greatest honours of my life, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve delivered together, through difficult times, big challenges and real moments of change.

Everything we’ve achieved has come from our members. UNISON is built by the people who show up, organise, support each other and believe in the power of collective action. When we work together, we make a real difference for each other and for the public services we defend.

I want to wish the new general secretary every success. The challenges facing our members and our public services are real, and the union’s strength and unity matter more than ever. I hope UNISON goes from strength to strength in the years ahead.

I remain deeply committed to the values of this union, to solidarity, fairness and justice at work and to our members. Thank you again, for everything.

Merry Christmas and my very best wishes to you and your loved ones.

In solidarity,

Christina

(and thank you Christina for all your hard work and service to the Union. I will post more on this. Safe to say don't believe what you may have read or heard about this result)

Last Chance to Vote for Christina McAnea for UNISON General Secretary

 

Very last chance to vote for @Christina4GS

- to be sure. stick a 1st class stamp on the ballot SAE to make sure it gets there on time for close on this Tuesday 5PM 25/11/25. If you have lost SAE just post the ballot paper in a normal envelope with 1st class stamp to 

“Civica election services,London N81 1ER”

Fingers crossed!

Vote Christina McAnea as UNISON General Secretary

 

My ballot paper came yesterday to my home address (you cannot vote online or by email). I have voted for Christina as did my branch, service group and our UNISON Parliament, the NEC. 

ALL unison members including the retired can vote. 

Just put a cross against the name (Christina please!), put the ballot paper in the free Stamped Address Envelope and pop into any Royal Mail letter box.

Take part in the most important UNISON election which is probably one of the biggest individual elections in UK. Some 1.3 million ballot papers have been issued. 

Re-elect Christina McAnea UNISON General Secretary - ballot starts 28 Oct 2025

 This message was sent out today to all of our 3,000 UNISON branch members.

Dear Member,
 

Our branch has nominated Christina McAnea for re-election as General Secretary.

 

 

We’ve seen how she has delivered for you, for this branch, and for our union – growing UNISON in strength and influence.

 

Christina has the experience, skills and commitment to keep improving how our union works for you, not for any narrow political faction.

 

Her pledges are clear: fight for fair pay, pensions, jobs, rights and services; put resources where you need them most; spend subs wisely; hold governments to account; and keep equality at UNISON’s heart.

 

 

Regards

 

John Gray

Branch Chair

Greater London Housing Assocations

"𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀"

 

"Everything I’ve achieved as general secretary has been alongside dedicated UNISON members. We’ve delivered real change and together, we can keep our union strong".

Ballots arrive from 28 Oct. All UNISON members can vote include Retired.

Join an online campaign rally with Christina: UNISON General Secretary elections

 

I have just signed up for the Greater London Rally on Thursday at 6pm and submitted a question.

"Have you signed up to one the campaign rallies yet? Come along to hear how UNISON is safe in my hands and how we'll keep winning for members. Submit your questions and sign up at: http://votechristina.org.uk/rallies"

Community SGE nominates Christina McAnea for UNISON General Secretary

I was really pleased to be a member of the Community SGE (representing 60,000 housing associations and charity workers) that voted overwhelmingly to nominate Christina as our General Secretary. 
 

Christina McAnea: Nominated by UNISON Greater London as General Secretary by 24 votes to 4

 

This lunchtime the Greater London Regional Committee voted to nominate Christina McAnea, as the next General Secretary of  UNISON by 24 votes to 4.

Brilliant result! 

UNISON NEC nominate Christina McAnea to be our General Secretary

 

This morning I was present, as an elected lay member of the UNISON National Executive Committee at the NEC hustings in the UNISON centre, London of candidates standing to be our next General Secretary.  Christina McAnea is the existing UNISON General Secretary and is re-standing for a second term.

After hearing the speeches of both candidates, I voted in favour of nominating Christina McAnea. The NEC voted overwhelming for Christina to be our nominee. 

In the next few weeks UNISON branches, regional councils and service groups will be voting on who to nominate to this absolutely key position in the union. Please attend these nomination meetings and please support Christina. I will post further on why. 

Re-elect Christina McAnea as UNISON General Secretary

 

Just made donation to her re-election campaign as our GS. 

Check out https://votechristina.org.uk/

UNISON NEC Presidential Team elections 2025-2026

UNISON National Conference finished at 4pm on Friday 20 June 2025. I will post on the last 2 days of conference when I can. But after the close of conference, the newly elected UNISON National Executive Council (2025-2027 NEC) met for the first time to vote for our New President, Senior Vice President and Junior Vice President. 

I had been re-elected as a NEC Community member with my colleague Denise Thomas and we voted  in this important election. 

These are not just honorary or ceremonial positions, the new Presidential team are the most senior lay activists in the largest union in the UK, providing leadership for over 1.3 million members. 

I was more than pleased that the following were elected with clear majorities.

Catherine McKenna – UNISON President

James Anthony – Senior Vice President

Debbie Rowden – Junior Vice President

"This marks a fresh start and a powerful step forward for our union. With a strong NEC and a leadership team committed to putting members first, the future of UNISON looks brighter than ever".

Agreed. 

UNISON National Delegate Conference 25: Day two

I had another relatively early start to get to the NEC conference pre meeting for 8.30am. I had a day off running but did some HIIT instead. 

The NEC pre meeting went well and I was in the conference hall for the 9.30am start (Tuesday start is 10am). I am sitting on the front row on the far left (in joke) on the NEC platform (facing) next to my UNISON Community colleague, Denise Thomas. 

Thankfully, Conference was today also chaired by the super competent, former President Maureen le Marinel. 

The Standing Orders report went through quickly and there was only a little of the time wasting we experienced yesterday. 

Unfortunately, the miserabilists continued to promote, in my view, anti-Labour, pro Tory and pro Reform propaganda at every opportunity in debates but such is life. I genuinely don't think it did them any favours. 

Our General Secretary, Christina McAnea, gave a great and well received GS speech to conference which resulted in a standing ovation. Under Christina, for example, we have seen an increase in our membership, successful strikes, £162 million in back pay for members being upgraded and also (in my world) a fantastic victory for LIVV Housing Association strikers.  They won a 8% pay rise, an improvement in terms and conditions and a wider commitment to look into banning the absolutely disgraceful anti- trade union human rights abuses that LIVV carried out. 

During lunch I attended a fringe on organising and supporting workers in social care. Two Cymru/Wales Region care workers described the dreadful problems that migrant workers experience from employers and unfair visa rules. 

Before conference restarted after lunch, I handed out leaflets for the UNISON Labour Link Rally that evening. I had a really good response and it was so nice to get so much positive feedback from delegates, 

Our keynote international conference speaker was Lee Saunders, the President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Our sister union across the pond. He gave a lively, passionate and barn storming speech which got everyone also on their feet. 

Motion 12 was the last to be debated today "All we ask is to be treated with Dignity and Respect". I have lost count of number of UNISON Conferences I have attended and while I have sometime thought that some of the speeches I have heard are "inappropriate" I never thought I would hear delegates at our conference (last year) being allowed to suggest that up to 40,000 UNISON members in our Police Civilian staff are all violent racists and bigots, as well as being useless and should be sacked!  

Wow. Union members being allowed to openly call for other union members to be sacked? 

The debate will continue tomorrow morning.

This evening I went to the Labour Link Rally and listened to Christina, Maggi, and Employment Rights Minister, Justin Madders, explain exactly what is really happening with the Employment Rights Bill.  

Please ignore the Tory/Reform miserabilists untruths. 

Last chance for UNISON NEC elections: Members together Community, London & National Slate

 

The UNISON NEC elections close at 5pm Wednesday 21st May next week. It is a postal only ballot and if you have not voted yet, it is probably best to send tomorrow at the latest to make sure it gets to returning officer in time - it is SAE but maybe put on a 1st class stamp if you can, to make sure. 

I am standing with Denise for the 2x Community seats (if you are UNISON members and work in a charity or Housing association). I am recommending Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola as your London reps. All UNISON members will be able to vote for other national seats as well (except for the Young Members seats which are for ...Young members only). 

Please vote and if you are a UNISON member in another UNISON Region or Service (work) Group then please check the Members Together web site for recommendations. 

We must unite our union and work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea to win for members. Full stop. 

UNISON NEC Elections 2025: Community Service Group Ballot Paper - Vote for Denise and John

 

This morning I received this scan via teams from a workplace UNISON Colleague. The ballot papers for UNISON Community members (Housing Associations and Charities) have finally arrived. My pack was delivered by Royal Mail today as well. 

If you are a UNISON member and work for a Housing Association or Charity then please consider voting for Denise Thomas and John Gray as your NEC candidates. 

Also think about supporting other Members Together candidates and those who genuinely want to put the real interests of members first, work with our General Secretary, Christina McAnea and genuinely want to build and grow our union to deliver for members. 

For other recommendations in other services groups, regions and self organised groups :-

All members will have a vote for their region, service group, black and disabled candidates. Young members will also have a vote for their forum candidates. 

UNISON NEC ELECTIONS 2025
MEMBERS TOGETHER CANDIDATES

REGIONAL SEATS

Eastern General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Glenn Carrington, Debbie Rowden, Sam Hemraj

East Midlands General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

James Minto, Debby Taylor, Leanne Weatherley

Greater London General, Female, Female Low Pay Reserved

Eddie Brand, Sonya Howard, Clara Mason, Ablola Kusoro

Northern General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Linda Hobson, Janet Green, Helen Firman

Northern Ireland General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Alastair-Long Margaret McKee Catherine McKenna 

Scotland General            

Willie Docherty 

SERVICE GROUP SEATS

South East General, Female, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Theo Michael, Kerry Stothart, Fatima Kamara, Sarah Barwick

South West General, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Nell Guild, Alison Evans, Wendy Walker

Cymru/Wales General, Female, Low Paid Reserved

Glerin Pappas, Tess Morris, Michelle Edwards

West Midlands General, Female, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Rob Birch, Julie Lawton, Nicola Moran, Deanne Wheeler

Yorkshire & Humberside General, female, Female, Low Pay Reserved

Rhlan Hawthorn, Kerri Tierney, Julie Marsland, Emma-Lee Baylls

Community General, Female

John Gray, Denise Thomas

Energy General              

Tracey Wainwright

Health General, General, Female, Female

James Anthony, Bryn Webster, Michelle England, Hetty Okonjl,

Higher Education General, Female

Dan Beard Amelia Rout

Local Government General, General, Female, Female

Justin Ashton, Andrew Coughlin, Maxine Young, Jenny Whittaker

Police, Probation and Cafcass General, Female

Phil Williams Karen Poole

Water, Environment & Transport General

Natalie Mladenovlc-Halgh

BLACK MEMBERS SEATS

Black Members Female, Female, Male, Low Pay Reserved 

Manjula Kumari, Tansalm Hussain Gill, Ash Silverstone, Marla Alberts

DISABLED MEMBERS SEATS

Disabled Members Female

Lady Lola Oyewusi

UNISON NEC Elections Recommendations: on London regional, National Local Government, Black Members & Disabled members

 

UNISON NEC elections currently underway, and the recommendations shared above reflect the views of several colleagues London This is a significant election, as the NEC functions as "Parliament" UNISON. It is essential to elect NEC representatives who prioritise members' interests, aim to unite the union, and work with, not attack, our General Secretary Christina McAnea.

All 1.3 million UNISON members are entitled to vote for seats in respective regions and service areas (such as Local Government, as above). Additionally, they can vote for Black and Disabled members. Members under the age of 30 can also vote for two young members' seats. A small number of NEC seats have been elected unopposed.

Further updates will follow regarding other regions and service areas.

While I support the Members Together slate, are several other strong independent candidates. Please review the election booklets if  you have time.

The deadline for ballot papers to be received by the Independent Scrutineer is 5 p.m. 21 May 2025. results will be announced on 11 June 202, and the successful candidates will assume office at the conclusion the National Delegate Conference 2025.

UNISON Community Seminar 2025

Yesterday, the UNISON Community (Housing Associations and Voluntary Sector) annual seminar took place in Bristol. The day started at a 9am pre Conference meeting for myself and the Community Service Group Executive. 

10am the seminar started with Sector meetings. I attended the Housing Associations one and we had a speaker from LIVV Housing Association UNISON who are taking extensive strike action against their employer to reverse real term cuts in pay. LIVV have behaved appallingly and not only are they refusing to meet and try to conciliate but are actively attacking strikers and the union. 

While no-one expects an employer to simply agree to all union demands, what LIVV senior management and board are doing is deliberate union busting, by offering a pay rise ONLY to people who don't join or leave the union. Not being discriminated for joining a union is a fundamental human right (United Nations ILO declarations). If you don't respect the human rights of your workers then you are not fit to run in any way any organisation in my view, never mind one supposedly with a social purpose. 

No wonder "Housing Associations" (when there are actually many very good ones who would never act it this way) are hated by so many, across the entire political spectrum. Who on earth is advising them to do this?  How can human rights abusers be allowed to run services for vulnerable residents? 

There were "new delegate" and then equalities caucus meetings over lunch then the Seminar itself started afterwards. Our General Secretary, Christina MacAnea, gave a simply brilliant and inspiring speech followed by a wide ranging Q&A. The way she has been treated following her personal bereavement by some extremists has been truly shameful but I am so glad she is back and standing up for the union and our real members.  

Joseph Evans from the IPPR spoke about sectorial bargaining in other parts of the economy. This issue is so important to our sector and I spoke on this debate the next day at the actual conference. 

After the seminar there was a regional meeting of Greater London Community delegates then a social in a nearby pub. 

"There is no vacancy" Christina McAnea - 15 Feb 2025

A collective response to the incredibly powerful and personal speech by our General Secretary, Christina McAnea, to delegates yesterday at UNISON's Women's Conference. She is right that there is "no vacancy" and the shameful behaviour of those who launched their attempt to get rid of her during her bereavement leave has been called out.

See speech General secretary’s speech to Edinburgh women’s conference | News, Press release | News | UNISON National

"Bill will make game-changing improvements to working life, says UNISON"

 

This is special. A very welcome day. Good news for workers and responsible employers. Still lots to do. 

Fair pay agreement in social care will be an historic step

Commenting on the publication of the employment rights bill today (Thursday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“At last the lives of millions of employees across the UK look set to change for the better. The bill lays the groundwork for a brighter future for everyone at work.

“There’ll be improved protection from the first day in a job and more family-friendly roles. Bad bosses won’t be able to exploit at whim using dodgy ‘fire and rehire’ tactics, and it’ll be easier for unions to offer support to all employees.

“The means to create a fair pay agreement to increase wages for care workers in England is game-changing. It’s an historic first step towards transforming a sector that’s been neglected and ignored for far too long. The result will make a world of difference to people who need care and to their families too.

“The two-tier workforce will be no more, with penny-pinching employers no longer able to treat outsourced workers less favourably than everyone else.

“A new body to negotiate pay for school support staff will bring a much-needed boost for the low-paid, mostly female workforce and attract recruits into currently hard-to-fill roles.

“The bill marks a sea-change in industrial relations after years of worsening workers’ rights and unnecessary hostility towards unions. It’ll stop employees being penalised for going on strike* and bring union ballots into the digital age.

“All this can only help the economy thrive and improve services to the public. Good employers have absolutely nothing to fear, but the bad ones won’t like it one bit.

“This is a complex programme of legislation, and the details will need to be fine-tuned. There’s still much work to do. But the government has stuck to its pledge to overhaul working life, a huge achievement in less than100 days.”

Trade Union Congress 2024: Tuesday

(better late than...) Day 3 for me started with a windy run along Brighton prom and back. Apologies but due to a number of reasons (including a furry of urgent calls and messages from my UNISON members regarding a pending deadline about proposed changes to terms and conditions) I did not make notes about Congress for the last 2 days. 

Highlights was the well received speeches by our Labour Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and our General Secretary, Christina McAnea, as well as a number of other UNISON and other speakers. 

I went to a lunch time fringe on "The digital trade union" organised by @digitcentre . I was late due to on online @unisonclarion meet on T&Cs. In that meeting with members we discussed setting up a WhatsApp group. When I arrived at fringe they were discussing merits of TU WhatsApp!

After close of Congress I went to a fringe on the new Governments proposed changes to employment rights run by ACAS. Fascinating discussions. I made a point that there is such a power imbalance at this moment between workers and employers (in favour of employers) and that we need the proposed changes to take place before we can really discuss improving the relationship and possible partnership between trade unions and employers. 

UNISON General Secretary on Greenwich & Lewisham Hospital picket line for fair pay

 

Brilliant picket line this morning at Greenwich and Lewisham hospitals. Applauding the courage and commitment of these workers. Time for ⁦@LG_NHS ⁩ to do the right thing and pay them fairly ⁦

@unisontheunion

Christina McAnea

Hundreds of healthcare support workers stage historic 48-hour strike, says UNISON | News | News | UNISON Greater London