UNISON National Delegate Conference: Liverpool 2025

Today I travelled by train to Liverpool to take part in the UNISON National Delegate Conference as a NEC representative for Community (80,000 Housing Associations and Charities members) with my colleague Denise Thomas. 

I always know I am back in Liverpool when I see the statues of Ken Dodd and Bessie Braddock MP in Lime Street Station. I was born and raised in nearby North Wales and have many fond memories of visiting Liverpool. 

Around 2000 delegates and visitors will be attending the annual conference of the largest trade union in the UK. 

This evening I attended the Greater London Regional briefing for all our delegates. The elected regional delegates, Yvonne and Andrew, the Regional Secretary Sara and our Standing orders Committee representative Jim, advised delegates and answered questions on what to expect and how conference is likely to be run during the next 4 days.  

As a NEC delegate and London member I mentioned the National Labour Link fringe on the Employment Rights Bill and invited delegates to attend. 

There was a number of great questions by delegates about various aspects of conference business and also in my view, some rather unwise suggestions. I gently reminded delegates on the personal dangers and wider risks of not following legal advice during debates at conference.  

Nuf said. But Beware! Beware!

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 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. 

Thanking Branches for UNISON NEC Nominations

Tonight my UNISON branch (Greater London Housing Associations) nominated Denise and I to be a candidate for the Community NEC seats (representing 80,000 UNISON Charity and Housing Association members)

That makes 10 branch nominations that I am aware of so far. We will be writing to branches to thank them for their support. Branch nominations close on February 14. 

Below is a list of other recommended candidates standing in London and for national seats. I will post recommendations from colleagues on other regional/nation candidates. 

Greater London General	Eddie Brand
Great London Female	Sonya Howard
Greater London Female	Clara Mason
Greater London Low Pay Reserved	Abiola Kusuro

 

 

 

Black Members Female	Manjula Kumari
Black Members Female	Tansaim Hussain Gul
Black Members Male	Ash Silverstone
Black Members Low Pay Reserved	Maria Albert
Disabled Members Female	Lady Lola
Young Members General	Cameron Thompson
Young Members Female	Micaela Tracey-Ramos

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2024 - Greater London regional meeting

 

This evening I attended the London Regional meeting in advance of the start of our UNISON National Delegate Conference (NDC) in Brighton. Our Regional delegate Yvonne Green, aided by our Regional Secretary,  Jo Galloway, briefed around 100 of our delegates on conference arrangements and events. 

UNISON NDC is one of the largest independent trade union conferences in the world. There are thousands of delegates and visitors from hundreds of branches, regions and nations, service groups and self organised groups, representing 1.3 million members. It is a huge and immensely complicated event, 

Jim Mansfield, who is our elected London representative on the conference Standing Orders Committee (SOC) gave us a briefing on their report. The SOC runs the conference business and timetable in line with our rule book and legal obligations. 

Some delegates, no doubt genuinely, find it difficult to understand these processes. So do I at times, despite being a conference veteran. But it needs to be run in line with our rules and the law. It is not a "free for all". 

At the end I gave a plug for delegates to attend the UNISON Labour Link meeting on Wednesday evening where Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Tom Gray (a well known musician and no known relative!) will talk to us then lead canvass sessions in Brighton Pavilion. Also, we passed around an information sheet on how London delegates can register to find out further information on how to campaign for Labour in London.

I am at conference as an elected member representing the Community Service Group (Housing Associations and voluntary sector) of UNISON National Executive Council and will look forward to listening to the debates, fringes and guest speakers and of course, meeting and listening to my members.

NEC pre meeting 8.30am tomorrow morning. 

UNISON Service Group Elections 2024: Community & other SGE recommendations

 

UNISON Service Group elections started last week. These are really important elections. Some seats were not contested so not everyone has received a postal vote (and you can vote via email but not do both!)

The list below is of personal recommendations by myself and others. I have not any of these candidates if they want to be on this list. 

Community Service Group:
Northern: Malcolm Gray and Clare Penny-Evans
North west: Joy Ryan

Health Service Group:
Eastern: Ben Matenga
East Midlands: Stuart Hallowes
London: Chris Akaluka, Julie Cunnane, Paula Ward
North West: Iain Mooney and Janice Fennell-Rutherford
Yorkshire & Humberside: Dave Syms, Julie Marsland and Rhian Hawthorn
South West: Alison Evans and Marion Baker
South East: Fatima Kamara
Wales: Dawn Ward and Rhian Edwards

Local Government Service Group:
Eastern: Neil Bland
East Midlands: Richard platt and Clare harwood
London: Sean fox, Sonya howard and Clara Mason
West Midlands: Justin Ashton
Yorkshire and humberside: Kerri Tierney and Joshua Moore
South West: Neil guild and Sharon foster
Wales: Dave Rees and Kim Russell

Higher Education Service Group:
East Midlands: Irvin Hendrickson and Hannah Mee
London: Josie Mangan-Murphy and Sue Parkins

A Labour Movement Day: East Ham By-Election & UNISON NEC induction training

 

Early this morning I went out with Labour Party colleagues to remind electors in Boleyn Ward in East Ham, London to vote today for Sofia Patel in the Newham Council By-Election. 

Afterwards I went to the UNISON headquarters in Euston for induction training following my election to its National Executive Council (NEC) for Community members (representing 74,000 Housing Association and Voluntary organisations members) in the UK and Northern Ireland. 

I was pleased to be back on the UNISON NEC with Denise Thomas and am looking forward to the first proper NEC meeting tomorrow to elect members and chairs of the important NEC sub committees. I am far from happy (to say the least) about current proposals by the current lay Presidential team and will be making my views well known and will report back on what happens. 

I had hoped that the Presidential team will stand by their public comments that they want fairness and equality in committee appointments as well as wanting to unite the union for the battles ahead but so far, based on their current proposals it would appear not. Watch this space. 

UNISON NEC Elections: John & Denise Endorsed by Brian Green

 Many thanks to Brian for his kind comments and endorsement of us. This is the last weekend for voting!

BALLOT CLOSES FRIDAY 19 MAY. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED OR LOST BALLOT PAPERS YOU CAN RING 0800 0 857 857 by 12 noon Monday 15 May to get replacements

UNISON NEC Elections: Tony endorses John & Denise for Community seats

Many thanks to former UNISON Housing Associations branch chair & L&Q Housing Association convenor, Tony Power, for this endorsement.

For those of you who do not work for Housing associations, Charities or other 3rd sector employers (Called "Community" in UNISON) you can vote for below

For all UNISON members voting in the NEC elections, here are our personal recommendations for contested seats. We have not sought the agreement of anyone to be in these recommendations.

Please vote in these elections, the future of the union is at stake. We need a NEC that will be a voice for all members, reject division, defeat this Government and stand together to make our union stronger.

You can vote for your regional reps (based on where you live), your Service Group (based on your job) and for National Black members and Disabled members seats (even if you do not consider yourself to be Black or Disabled).

If individual members have not received a paper by 25 April 2023 (or lost the originals and need a replacement), then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect, on the following telephone number: 0800 0 857 857.

Lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.

John Gray & Denise Thomas (Community candidates)

UNISON Elections 2023: Ballot closes Friday 19 May

For all UNISON members voting in the NEC elections, here are our personal recommendations for contested seats. We have not sought the agreement of anyone to be in these recommendations.

Please vote in these elections, the future of the union is at stake. We need a NEC that will be a voice for all members, reject division, defeat this Government and stand together to make our union stronger.

You can vote for your regional reps (based on where you live), your Service Group (based on your job) and for National Black members and Disabled members seats (even if you do not consider yourself to be Black or Disabled).

If individual members have not received a paper by 25 April 2023 (or lost the originals and need a replacement), then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect, on the following telephone number: 0800 0 857 857.

Lines are open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.

John Gray & Denise Thomas (Community candidates)

HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE UNISON NEC ELECTIONS 2023-2025! Community Nominations by London Housing Associations branch

The UNISON NEC is the “Parliament” that helps run the union in between our annual National Delegate Conference. Ballot papers will be sent to your home address any day now. Your Branch Committee nominated the following candidates. Please see photos and statements why these Community & Greater London delegates were nominated.

Denise Thomas & John Gray

“Thank you again for nominating us for the NEC, as you know the election ballot papers are being sent out this week! 

As a nominating branch, you are able to let your members know who you nominated and why. This will really help our campaign and to get our message out. 

This is one of the most important elections in our union, but we all struggle in getting members to get involved. We have also both made a one minute video introducing ourselves and what we want to achieve if elected. You can share this video.

Denise Thomas https://youtu.be/fq6168G3c2c 

John Gray https://youtu.be/eUfR3sZ6cCI 

The UNISON Housing Associations Branch nominated Denise Thomas and John Gray because they have committed to: 

1. Putting UNISON Members first 

2. Representing members when they need help and support 

3. Winning better pay and decent pensions for all 

4. Fighting Cuts and Austerity 

5. Building a union that looks after you and your family 

These are the values and priorities of the majority of UNISON members. Values and priorities that your branch hold and support. Make sure your voice and branch is heard!

The UNISON Housing Associations Branch Committee also nominated Sonya Howard, Eddie Brand, Abiola Kusoro and Anu Prashar, for the Greater London Region NEC Seats. 

The NEC is the most important National Committee in UNISON, we nominated these candidates as we believe they are the right people for the job. They are all experienced reps, from introducing the first menopause policy in London, to fighting for LGBT+ rights, to getting over the industrial action threshold, to leading the London Ambulance Service strike and winning for members. 

We nominated Sonya, Eddie, Anu and Abiola because they have committed to: 

• Fight discrimination and put equality at the heart of every decision • Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis – winning fair pay for all • Put London UNISON members first, not factional politics • Work with our first woman General Secretary, Christina McAnea, to make UNISON the strongest union. • Make sure every member gets high quality legal advice and representation when you need it most 

See below for our other National seat nominations: 

Black Members MANJULA KUMARI, ASH SILVERSTONE, MITSY HARMONRUSSELL 

Disabled Members KATRINA MURRAY ANGELA HAMILTON

UNISON NEC Elections 2023 - Vote Denise & John for Community

 

1.3 million ballot papers are being sent out to UNISON members homes from today via Royal mail. Please see the message that Denise and I have sent out to the 46 UNISON branches who have nominated us and who we have asked to circulate this message to their Community (who work in Charities and Housing Associations) Members (but not the above flyer).

Dear Branch Secretary

Once again, many thanks for your nomination of the both of us for Community NEC. The ballot papers are starting to go out Monday 17 April and we would be most grateful if you could send out to your members by your usual methods of communication our photos and hopefully the nomination statement below. This will be in accordance with UNISON rules.

We have also both made a 1 minute video introducing our self and what we want to achieve if elected.

Denise https://youtu.be/fq6168G3c2c

John https://youtu.be/eUfR3sZ6cCI

“This Branch is nominated Denise Thomas and John Gray in the UNISON National Executive Council elections to represent Community Female seat and General Seat. We did so because they are committed to:

1. Putting UNISON Members first
2. Representing members when they need help and support
3. Winning better pay and decent pensions for all
4. Fighting Cuts and Austerity
5. Building a union that looks after you and your family

These are the values and priorities of the majority of UNISON members.

Values and priorities that your branch hold and support

Make sure your voice and branch is heard.

Many thanks

Denise and John

UNISON NEC Elections 2023: Less than one week to go before 1.3 million ballot papers are sent out

 

Next Monday 17 April ballot papers should start dropping through the home letter boxes of 1.3 million UNISON members. 

These are really important elections and I would urge all UNISON members to Vote and unite our unison by supporting candidates, who put the interests of the union first and foremost. The present NEC Majority Group has been so dreadful that it actually lost a vote of no confidence in it last year (but still refused to resign). 

Denise and I are standing for the 2 Community National seats (for UNISON members who work in Housing Associations and the Voluntary sector)

I will be putting out personal recommendations for other seats over the next few days (and posting videos). 

UNISON NEC elections: Voting Starts April 17th

 I think most people who follow this blog and my social media, know I am standing for the Community General Seat. My plea is that as many UNISON members vote as possible in these important elections. While my wish is to get rid of a majority NEC faction that lost a vote of No confidence in it (but refused to resign) at our sovereign National Conference. It is really important that members turn out and vote as a democratic principle. 

We have had tiny turnouts in the past and no wonder we get unrepresentative and dysfunctional representation (in my view) if only 5% of the membership participate.  So regardless of your views, UNISON members please VOTE. 

UNISON Community Seminar/Conference 2023 - Day 1

 

UNISON holds an annual Seminar and Conference for members who work in our Community Service Group (Housing Associations and voluntary sector).  This year it was held in Bournemouth. Unexpectedly I stepped in to chair a workshop on pensions due to illness.  Once again I will use my twitter feed to report on the day. 

At @unisontheunion @UNISONCommVol annual conference in sunny Bournemouth. Started 9am with meeting of Service Group Executive. Now #HousingAssociation sector meeting addressed by @CityHallLabour @Semakaleng

Our speaker @Semakaleng is Chair of @LondonAssembly #Housing committee & @CityHallLabour spokesperson. I asked for appropriate support for our campaigns against pay cuts, breaking #pension promises & trade union victimisation. Sem is willing to listen & work with us

After @Semakaleng we had a roundtable feedback from Housing Associations @UNISONCommVol members from all over the UK. Common themes were Cost of Living, pay cuts (below inflation offers), breaking #pension promises, bullying, discrimination, stress, workload but some positives. I made a suggestion about a new campaign to improve Housing Association Governance and accountability.

After lunch the @UNISONCommVol annual seminar kicks off with welcome from our Chair Malcolm Gray (long lost cousin) & speech/Q &A from @unisontheunion regional secretary Clare Williams. The actual #unisoncomm23 conference starts tomorrow

Next Nye Cominetti from @resfoundation on report "who cares" "exp of social care workers & the enforcement of employment rights in sector" clearly care workers are being unlawfully under paid by not properly inc travel time. #ucommunity23 @UNISONCommVol @GavinEdwards77

Final presentation by @organiserjo the @unisonglr regional secretary on "organising & recruitment strategy development project". We need to build on our strengths. While we need to acknowledge our weakness we should not beat ourselves up. Need to learn & evaluate.

After break I will be leading a #ucommunity23 workshop on "Find out what is happening to your pension & how to organise to improve it". @unisontheunion pension guru, Glyn Jenkins is not well. 4.20pm at Meyrick suite. Finish 5.20pm. All welcome but register beforehand at conference desk

Chatting to delegates outside #UCommunity23 with @DeniseT25475880. Both of us are standing for
@UNISONCommVol NEC seats. Many thanks for the support we have received so far from so many branches. Ballot papers drop 17/4/23. Any delegates who want to speak to us are very welcome

After a meeting of all London delegates there was a Conference social. Afterwards we went for a #UCommunity23 @unisonglr delegation meal with great comrades @JoeOgundemuren
@MarcelaBenede10 @CllrLolaOyewusi @rachangeli @TLJM44 @jcreed551

UNISON Women's Conference 2023: Denise Thomas report

Guest post by Denise Thomas.

"I attended Women’s Conference as a delegate from Cymru Wales, Ymlaen/Forward Branch.

This year it was held in the wonderful seaside resort of Bournemouth. Firstly, it was great to see so many friendly faces as this was the first face to face Women's conference since Covid.

Conference held a minute silence to remember Brianna Ghey and other Transgender people who died at the hands of violence

There were many interesting motions and great speakers on Cost of living, sexual abuse, industrial action and mental health amongst young workers. These were all motions that resonated with me, working as a Black support worker for a national charity supporting vulnerable residents, who live in a 24/7 residential project.

Our General Secretary, Christina McAnea gave a great speech to conference, which was well received, explaining how Women are at the forefront of so many of our disputes and campaigns, fighting for fair pay and for the future of our public services. Women are empowering women to not give up with the challenges we are facing.

Labour Bridget Phillipson, Shadow Secretary of State for Education addressed conference about the importance of childcare and education in Labours plans to form the next UK government. Many exciting ideas and plans.

Attending the Community Service group meeting, which continues to struggle and still experiencing the same issues, lack of pay due to the lack of local government funding, lone working, shortage of staff plus recruitment due to low pay, facility time plus the difficulties of organising due to the workforce being so fragmented.

With the cost of living continuing to rise, members are having to work extra hours or having to take on a second job in order to just survive.

Conference congratulated Sian Stockham, Unison Member for National Executive Council, on receiving an OBE for her Political and Public Services".

Newham Labour Unions - the Right to Strike - Thursday 2 Feb 23

This is our 2nd meeting to organise and rally Labour Party supporting trade union branches and activists in Newham. The Tory Government threats to the basic human right of taking strike action simply  must be opposed. Find out more about what is at stake and what we can do about it. 

All Labour Party trade union supporters welcome (including everyone whose union is not currently affiliated to the Labour Party but you are still a supporter)

Thursday 2nd Feb at St Lukes Centre, Canning Town, E16 1HN 6.45pm

Nominate Denise Thomas and John Gray to UNISON NEC Community Seats 2023

 

Denise and I are restanding for the two seats allocated to the UNISON NEC for the National Community service Group (UNISON members who work in Charities, Voluntary Sector and Housing Associations).

We have emailed all 477 branches in England and the devolved nations who have Community members asking them to nominate us. We ask members who support us to contact their branches and ask them to nominate us.

Below is a copy of our nomination request:-

"Dear Branch Secretary & Branch Officers & Reps,

Nominate Denise Thomas and John Gray- your NEC team for Community

We are writing to ask your branch committee to consider nominating us to the Community National Executive Committee (NEC) seats. UNISON election office has told us that you have community members, and you can nominate us. We also ask you to support all Candidates that support Unity in UNISON.

The nomination period for the NEC elections is 9th January to 13th February. Your branch must hold a quorate meeting in this period and submit the nominations on the CES portal (look out for an email from takepart@cesvotes.com) if you would like to nominate us. We’ve attached a checklist for branches to help you navigate the process.

Both of us are active UNISON members and officers like you. We all work hard dealing with members who need advice, negotiating with our employers, and campaigning on issues that matter to our members. Between us, we have years of experience as well as a fresh approach after the last few years of turmoil and a genuine dedication to UNISON and our members.

We believe UNISON needs to better represent workers like you and your members and if elected, we pledge to:

     ●     Put Community Members First - We will represent every one of the 82,000 plus UNISON members and make sure that those issues that matter most to our diverse, independent and dedicated Community members and branches.

●     Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis - Through winnable & strategic pay campaigns in our service group, increasing the pressure on this disgraceful government and employers through campaigning and meaningful industrial action, and increasing resources for local branch campaigns & initiatives, we promise to lead our members out of this crisis to put money in their pockets.

 ●     Make sure that a future Labour Government delivers on providing sectorial collective bargaining for Charities and Housing associations. To ensure fair pay, pensions and decent terms for all Community members

● Stand United and Reject Division - We will work with, and support, Christina McAnea, the elected General Secretary to deliver for all members. Last year’s NDC showed that what matters most to us, our branches and our members is working for positive, progressive change in our union - not pettiness and protecting individuals.

● Make sure everyone has a voice in UNISON - Community has over 80% Women and over 20% Black members with a diverse workforce across all regions and nations. UNISON must represent all members and the NEC should be led by those that do.

● Fight Discrimination and put it at the heart of UNISON- No-one should ever experience racism, misogyny, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ageism, disability or any other form of discrimination in either the workplace or the union. We promise to work with all the Self- Organised Groups to support their campaigns and priorities.

 Please consider nominating:

●     Denise Thomas, Community Female Seat, Membership Number 8688788

●     John Gray, Community General Seat, Membership Number 3083288

 Keep reading for more information about each of us and why we want to be your NEC Member!

Nominate Denise Thomas – Branch Welfare Officer Ymlaen/Forward Cymru Wales

I am a support worker who has previously served as an NEC member and on the Community Service Group Executive. My background is working in the Voluntary and Community sector for the past 29 years supporting adults with learning disabilities and currently work for a major national organisation.

I hold Regional positions as Regional Black Members Secretary, Welfare Officer for Ymlaen/Forward Cymru Wales and as a Workplace Steward. I advise, support or represent UNISON members.

As a support worker who works night shifts, weekends and bank holidays supporting vulnerable adults, I know just how hard it can be to do our job and how we struggle to balance work and family life on low incomes. This is why we need a strong and effective union.

As a Black Woman, I know the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on Women and the Black Community first hand. UNISON needs to tackle the inequality and discrimination experienced by so many members, particularly community service group members who are often hardest hit. We have to deal with high childcare costs, rising rent and mortgages, the highest cost of living and energy prices soaring plus travel and everything else. It’s not good enough and something has to change.

As your NEC member, I promise to tackle the issues that matter and put our member’s front and centre- as I've always done.

Nominate John Gray – National Convener, Clarion Housing Group

I am tenancy specialist for a housing association who deals with complex anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and tenancy fraud across 3 inner London boroughs.

As a housing worker I understand first-hand the stresses and difficulties of providing public services. As a steward and National Convenor, like many of you, I work hard every day to help members when they need it most, representing them in disciplinary, sickness absences and grievances as well as negotiating with my employer on pay, terms and conditions.

In the past I was the Chair of a strike committee that took part in a successful month long “all out” action, as well as other disputes over pay and pensions. Too often then community sector is overlooked and underestimated. We often have much worse terms and conditions that those directly employed by hospital trusts or local authorities. Community workers need a government that respects our sector and the important services we provide.

My special interest is pensions and I am a trade union nominated Pension Board member and represent all local government trade unions on the London Collective Investment Vehicle. Everyone should have the right to a fair and decent pension, our sector often suffers from lower employer contributions and worse benefits.

As well as being a front line worker I am an experienced activist. I’m the National UNISON Convenor for my employer, National Community Service Group Executive member, and former NEC members. I am the London Regional Finance Convenor and Chair of London Labour Link. I’ve been an active member of both local government & community branches for the past 26 years, I’ve previously been branch secretary, treasurer, and health & safety officer.

As your NEC member, I promise to tackle the issues that matter and put our members’ front and centre- as I've always done.

For an NEC that delivers on the issues that matter most to you and your members we need an NEC that is united in its priorities rather than fighting itself:

Nominate Denise Thomas and John Gray - Your NEC Team For Community Members

---

Elected as Greater London General Rep for UNISON Community (Charities, Housing Associations & Third Sector) & I will support the Kirklees 15

 

I was really pleased to be notified on Friday that I had been elected unopposed for the Greater London General seat on the UNISON Community National Service Group Executive. 

This means I will represent all UNISON members in London who work in Charites, Housing Associations or the Third Sector. There are a number of national employers whose headquarters are in London and are therefore part of London region as well. 

I am looking forward to representing the interests of London Community members at this national body and will do whatever I can to hold the present Community NEC members to account for their actions in particular the complicity and failure to stop the victimisation of the Kirklees 15.

This is about 14 female UNISON members and 1 male, whose complaints of bullying and harassment against our so called current "President" Paul Holmes, have been dismissed by our NEC without any due process for them. This is despite the fact that he has been sacked by his employer for bullying and harassing them. 

I will also challenge them for supporting the bullying of UNISON staff, including threating to sack them, breaking the union rules, fiddling procedures and using "union busting" tactics against our recognised trade unions. Incredibly they have also failed to completely condemn Putin's fascist war of aggression against Ukraine.

Watch this space.

(Picture of some of the many Community delegates who walked out of our recent conference in Glasgow last month when Paul Holmes was chairing it).