UNISON New NEC 2025 - 2027 - 1st meeting

 

On Tuesday there was the first proper meeting of the newly elected UNISON National Executive Council (NEC). The NEC is the UNISON "Parliament" of elected members, which helps run and lead the union in-between our national conferences. 

I was so pleased when I arrived early at the UNISON National headquarters in Euston Road, London to see the new Presidential team in their office on the 8th floor preparing for their first meeting with the NEC. 

The meeting itself was pretty lively (and some breath-taking hypocrisy by some sore losers) I will post a report here for Community members soon(ish). 

It was confirmed at the meeting that I was on the UNISON national Policy Development and Campaign Committee (PDCC), the Industrial Action Committee and the Staff Pension Committee (after 4 year gap). 

In an earlier vote I had also been confirmed as being on the UNISON National Labour Link committee as a NEC nominee. 

See picture of myself and my UNISON Committee colleague Denise, the top table and also the 4 Greater London Regional reps Clara, Sonya, Eddie and Abiola (aka S Club 7). 

Greater London UNISON Regional Council AGM 2025

 

Picture collage from last weeks Regional AGM. I gave the the Finance report and thanked Council for being re-elected unopposed together with the rest of the Regional Council officer team Yvonne, Conroy, Clara and Katie. 

The key note speaker was former London UNISON activist and now MP, Deirdre Costigan. 

I moved a motion on Grenfell which the Branch Chair of UNISON Kensington & Chelsea, Sonya Howard, also spoke in favour. The motion was passed unanimously and I hope will the sent to UNSION National conference. 

Another very important motion passed was on our Regional campaign to end exploitation of migrant workers in public services. 

Sonya, Clara, Eddie Brand and Abiola Kusoro, who all spoke in various debates are standing to be elected as London UNISON NEC reps in the forthcoming elections. 

During the meeting the Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway announced that she will be starting her maternity leave the following week. She will be hugely missed but we all wished her well.  

UNISON NEC Elections: Team London & Members Together Recommendations

 

I am supporting my London colleagues Eddie, Clara, Sonya and Abiola for the above London seats and making recommendations regarding the the other national seats below.  Scan the QR code below to keep up with the campaign and receive updates. 

TUC Congress Day Four

TUC Congress finished on Wednesday. I had to leave early to deal with some urgent work and union case work. Also, on the way home, I stopped off to visit a new "build to rent" housing project in Manchester, part funded by Newham staff pension fund. I will post later on this visit, since it incorporates key worker accommodation at below market rents, which relates to my speech to Congress yesterday. 

There was an excellent presentation by Liverpool dockers who won a major pay rise due to organised strike action. It was good to see Newham union and political activist Zeta Holbourne speak on support for the creative arts. 

See top left of collage, the picture of my fellow delegate, Yvonne Green and myself in front of a large picture, just outside the main conference hall, featuring our London UNISON comrade Eddie Brand. Eddie is the London Ambulance branch branch secretary and is seen delivering a box containing 260,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street demanding to retain the "right to strike". I was wearing a LAS UNISON tee-shirt, which remembers Eric Roberts, its former Branch secretary, a proper scouser, born and bred in Liverpool but who earned the respect of so many of his London members (and elsewhere).  

I love the picture bottom left, of me laughing while in my delegate seat (hat tip picture Yvonne). I cannot remember why but probably due to to a typically funny but wicked remark by my long lost delegate cousin, Malcolm Gray, sitting to my right. 

During conference I enjoyed visits to the Bridewell pub, which is a former Liverpool docks police station and cells. Great beer, reasonable prices and friendly staff. Recommended and if ever reopened as cells, I could think of a few Tory Ministers mentioned at Congress who should be their guests.  

Greater London UNISON Regional Council & Right to Strike Protest

This Morning I attended the
@unisontheunion
@unisonglr Regional Council meeting. I was there as the finance convenor. We had talk by the current President, presentations on Year of Black Worker 2023 & our recruitment & organising plan.

While this evening activists supported by Regional Staff met up at Parliament Square to protest against Tory Government legislation trying to ban strikes. I had my Council AGM clash. Which was a shame since LAS branch secretary, Eddie Brand, gave a cracking speech

https://twitter.com/LASUNISON/status/1660750580824899586. 

Thank you UNISON Community & Voluntary Organisations Branch for your nominations - Only 4 days to go!

Dear Member,

Thank you to everyone who has already voted in the current UNISON NEC Elections, if you haven’t posted your ballot paper back yet then you still have time to do so. 

This is the most important election in the union, the NEC decide everything from how our money is spent to what campaigns we run. 

Want to know where your nearest postbox is to either home or your workplace? Check Find your nearest postbox 

We also proudly nominated these candidates to represent the interests of all community members nationally:

·         John Gray for Community General Seat

·         Denise Thomas for Community Female Seat 

 We have also proudly nominated these candidates to represent the interests of all members in London:

·         Anu Prashar for Greater London Female seat

·         Abiola Kusoro for Greater London Low Paid Seat

·         Sonya Howard for Greater London Female Seat

·         Eddie Brand for Greater London Male Seat

We nominated them because we believe that they will always put UNISON members first, are committed to fighting all forms of discrimination and all have a proven track record of delivering on their promises.  

If you’ve already voted, please encourage your colleagues to do so as well. Noone should be left behind.  

Don’t lose your voice. Make your plan. Vote by 19 May 2023. 

                                                                           Thank you, 

 

UNISON Housing Association's reminder about candidates nominated for our NEC elections: Ballot closes Friday 19 May

REMINDER: HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2023-2025!

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

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, National & 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 have committed:

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 nominations:

Greater London

SONYA HOWARD

ANU PRASHER

EDDIE BRAND

ABIOLA KURUSO

Community

DENISE THOMAS

JOHN GRAY

Black Members

MANJULA KUMARI

ASH SILVERSTONE

EUNICE WHYTE

Disabled Members

KATRINA MURRAY

ANGELA HAMILTON

UNISON NEC elections 2023: Vote for your 4 London Candidates - Eddie, Sonya, Abiola & Anu

 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 will:

 

·         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 

·         Fight discrimination and put equality at the heart of every decision

·         Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis- winning fair pay for all

 Eddie Brand

We’re proud to nominate @EddieBrand for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated him:

✔ Eddie is an Emergency Medical Technician in @LAS working on the frontline
✔ Eddie leads the biggest UNISON branch in London, taking them out on strike to win a pay
rise for all members in the NHS
✔ He is experienced, has been on the NEC previously and will focus on winning for all members


Sonya Howard

We’re proud to nominate @nec_sonya for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated her �
✔ Sonya has worked in Local Government and as a Social Worker for thirty years
✔ Sonya has a strong track record on equalities, negotiating the first menopause policy in
London
✔ She is experience, has been on the NEC previously and work hard on behalf of all members


Anu Prashar

We’re proud to nominate @anuox for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated her �
✔ Anu is proud Local Government worker and Trading Standards officer
✔ Anu is an equality campaigner, Chair of the Regional LGBT+ committee and represents Black Members on the national committee
✔ She will make sure sure underrepresented voices are heard at at every level and keep
fighting for equality

 Abiola Kusoro

We’re proud to nominate @bkodunlami for @Unison NEC. Read why we
nominated her �
✔ Abiola works on the frontline caring for sick children at Great Ormond Street Hospital as
Catering staff
✔ Abiola knows first hand the impact of the Cost of Living crisis on Women and the Black
community
✔ She has been on the NEC previously, and will fight for all members to get a pay rise and for
those on the lowest pay to be a priority

Greater London Seats on the UNISON National Executive Council (NEC)

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Eddie, Sonya, Abiola and Anu as your candidates for the 4 regional London seats in our NEC elections. They are great comrades and union organisers. I have been in many difficult meetings, debates and picket lines with them. They are enthusiastic, intelligent and pragmatic activists who will do their level best for members and put their interests first and foremost. 

We cannot continue to have our NEC controlled by those who have openly supported misogynistic bullies, who have tried to sack our elected General secretary and have so divided our union, that at our national conference last year a vote of no confidence in them was carried (yet they still did not resign).

If you are a UNISON member and in Greater London region you can vote for all 4 of them. Ballot papers will start to drop at members homes from next Monday 17 April. 

NHS Pay offer - UNISON 2023 ballot : Gordon McKay

An intelligent and convincing guest post by UNISON Health NEC member (and real life NHS nurse) Gordon McKay on the latest NHS pay offer to settle the strikes. I am so proud of my UNISON NHS comrades such as Gordon and LAS Eddie Brand, who have not only delivered a significant victory for NHS workers but also a road map for other public service workers to win similar claims. I declare an interest in this road map in my current UNISON pay dispute with my employer.

"After a sustained campaign of industrial action by a number of our health branches UNISON have forced the UK Tory Government to make a significantly higher pay offer to English NHS workers after saying the previous offer was final and would not be increased.

Last Autumn the Tories gave NHS workers a £1,400 pay increase even although inflation, particularly on food, energy and housing was running significantly higher.

UNISON’s response was to ballot all our NHS members in England but disappointingly even with all of the hard work put in by branches and members, due to the savage balloting restrictions placed on trade unions by this Tory Government only eight UNISON branches got over the 50% turnout threshold to make strike action legal.

The response from supporters of Time for Real Change in our union was to simply ballot everyone again, not withstanding the cost, the limits on branch activists and staff and the previous results. I argued instead we should target re-ballots on several branches to allow us to concentrate our resources in the branches that had gotten nearest to the threshold figure. The Health Group Executive agreed and we re-balloted ten health branches and in a great show of success we got nine of these ten branches to not only vote for industrial action but to do so in large enough numbers to get us over the legal thresholds to allow us to take action.

Six days of strike action by our members took place between December 21 2022 and February 10 2023. That industrial action and hard negotiating have now resulted in the Tories increasing their offer. As well as the original £1,400 an additional lump sum beginning at £1,655 for the lowest paid and rising through the bands has been offered. On top of that a pay rise of 5% for 2023/24 has ben offered even although the Tories had originally told the Pay Review Body only 3.5% would be on the table. Additionally, a pay increase of 10.4% has been won for the lowest paid.

What I wont pretend to people is that we have won everything our members deserve but due to the courage of members who took action and strong negotiating this right wing Tory Government have been forced to make significant concessions they vowed they wouldn’t do.

It is now up to our members to decide as it should be. Members will receive their electronic ballot papers via an email link and voting will run from March 28 to April 14. I will listen to and support our members in whatever decision they take. Our members are there when we need them in their daily jobs. I promise I will be there when they need our union to support them".

Gordon McKay

UNISON London Ambulance Service (LAS) Strike: Picket outside their Waterloo Headquarters 10.2.23

 

After work this evening I went to the UNISON picket line outside the LAS headquarters in Waterloo, Central London. I went to show solidarity and support on behalf of Greater London UNISON Regional Council officers and my own Housing Associations UNISON branch. 

It was yet another, well organised and well supported LAS picket. Congratulations to their Branch Secretary Eddie Brand, and their stewards and regional support staff including our Regional Secretary, Jo Galloway. The pickets were confident, knew what the battle was about and what to do on a picket line. 

I see also from other social media reports that some LAS pickets are tomorrow setting off as volunteers to Turkey to help out as paramedics with the dreadful recent earthquake.  Last year the branch helped organise a convoy to Ukraine to deliver much needed medical supplies and equipment. 

I have been on various picket lines in my time in the Labour Movement and the UNISON LAS are by far the best organised I have ever attended. 

Our ace UNISON Head of Health, Sara Gorton, gave short speech to the pickets thanking them for all they are doing to save our NHS.

Fellow London UNISON activists Anu Prashar and Abiola Kusoro were also there to show solidarity.

Just to point out that contrary to Tory lies and smears, for life and limb calls, pickets are volunteering with the full support of their stewards, to leave the picket line to attend, and I have witnessed this on many occasions during this strike.  Because it is an "operational" picket line, with emergency ambulances coming and going, the branch has to be careful of numbers of pickets and supporters to ensure safety. 

I came back home tonight feeling uplifted and proud of my union and our members.  

UNISON NEC Elections - Personal recommendations for London & National Seats

 UNISON Branches can still nominate candidates until next Monday 13 February. Above are my personal recommendations for the London seats and below for the national seats. 

We definitely need an NEC that puts members first, supports our General Secretary Christina McAnea (never again a vote of no confidence in the NEC)  and makes sure that everyone has a voice in UNISON. Fight discrimination and tackle the Cost of Living Crisis. 

Nominate Sonya Howard, Eddie Brand, Anu Prashar and Abiola Kusoro- your UNISON NEC team for London

As a UNISON London lay activist I can personally recommend all of these candidates seeking nomination as UNISON NEC reps (and was even out on the picket line with Eddie at the LAS branch secretary yesterday). They are all experienced, competent and tough trade unionists (with heart and passion). What more can you ask for?

Please get your branch to nominate all of them.

Dear Branch Secretary and Branch Committee,

We are asking your branch to consider nominating Eddie Brand, Sonya Howard, Anu Prashar and Abiola Kusoro for the Greater London NEC seats.

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

• Put London First - We will represent every one of the 130,000 UNISON members across London and make sure that those issues that matter most to our diverse, independent and dedicated London members and branches.

• Stand United and Reject Division - We will work with, and support, Christina McAnea, the elected General Secretary to deliver for all members. This 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 - UNISON Greater London has over 80% Women and over 20% Black members with a diverse workforce across Health, Local Government, Higher & Further Education, Community and Energy, Electricity, Water and Transport. UNISON must represent all members and the NEC should be led by those that do.

• Fight Discrimination and put equality 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.

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

I have attached our more individual information about us all, and ask that you circulate this to your committee.

If you require any further information please let me know, and if you could let me know when your branch is meeting to make the decision.

In solidarity,

 Anu, Eddie, Abiola, Sonya

Solidarity With Striking UNISON London Ambulance Service Workers

This afternoon I joined the UNISON LAS picket outside Newham Dockside Building, which is owned and used by the Council for its services but parts of the building are leased to London Ambulance Service (LAS) as its control centre for North London. 

The strike call had been particularly solid and effective. When the LAS Branch secretary, Eddie Brand (see centre left of Mayor with his famous beard) arrived here this morning at a prearranged time, nearly the entire staff on duty walked out on strike and joined the picket. 

Other Newham Labour Councillors had visited the picket line before and after but the Labour Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz (UNISON Member) joined us and spoke a few words in support of the strikers. 

Being a responsible branch and union, I observed Eddie approach the pickets after being contacted by local management, that they needed two of the strikers to return to duty to deal with an increase in priority emergency calls, for which two volunteers promptly agreed to return. 

It was really great to chat and talk to the strikers about about the stress and strains of their job, the impact that the cost of living crisis was having on them and their families as well as national politics and the lack of a 24 hour canteen in Dockside!

On the way back I stopped off again at West Ham Ambulance Station and spoke to pickets who were braving the rain but receiving great support from car drivers hooting their horns in support. 

London UNISON AGM - Angela Rayner MP; Nordic model, Ukraine Ambulance aid, General Secretary Christina McAnea & election results (forces of light & reason returned as elected lay Convenor team)

 

This morning we had our first in person Greater London UNISON AGM since 2020. It was marvellous to be meet old friends and comrades (and new people I had only met before on video). While I did not enjoy the travel "experience" on route via the London Central line, I think you cannot beat real human contact and engagement (when safe to do so). 

I was really pleased at the attendance (about 130 delegates I think) since we were worried that people would not travel into central London. 

Our keynote speaker was deputy leader of the Labour Party and former UNISON activist Angela Rayner, who gave a barnstorming speech attacking the Tories and on how much she owed to UNISON and the wider Labour movement, for supporting her from being a 16 year old single mum social  care worker into a union activist then becoming a MP. 

Angela had a fantastic reception from the AGM and she stayed for the following debate on an emergency motion on "Sexism & Misogyny".  There was some brilliant speakers on this motion which was passed unanimously but some breathtakingly hypocritical contributions from hard left extremists, who spoke in favour of the motion, at the same time they support someone sacked from their job for bullying and harassing 14 female UNISON members??? I am so glad that we did not invite anyone from the current UNISON "Presidential" team to speak. 

Our regional secretary, Tracey Dalling, gave her report and answered questions from the floor. She is off at the end of the month to take up her new position as regional secretary for Scotland and will be missed. Our London loss is Scotland's gain. 

I gave my finance convenor report (and the diversity report since the convenor Cynthia was unable to attend). We had a briefing by long standing member, Jackie Lewis on ending the UNISON support for the "Nordic model" for sex workers followed by a motion which was passed. 

There was a fantastic (and at times emotional) report by the secretary of UNION London Ambulance Service, Eddie Brand on their 1200 mile drive to the Polish/Ukraine boarder to deliver 10 ambulances, medical equipment and humanitarian supplies to their fellow trade unionists in Ukraine. I am so proud of this act of solidarity. 

Our final speaker was our general secretary, Christiana McAnea, who told it as it is - why we need to get rid of Boris Johnson, why we need an alternative government and how we can help bring this about by demonstrating at the TUC demo then rally on Saturday June 18. 

The final agenda item was the announcement that Yvonne Green had been re-elected as Regional Convenor. Which meant that Yvonne, Conroy, myself, Cynthia and Clara were all re-elected as London Regional Council officers for the next year. 

UNISON Greater London activists met with Christina McAnea ahead of tomorrow's government spending review.

 

 

UNISON Greater London activists met with Christina McAnea ahead of tomorrow's government spending review.

Our message to Rishi Sunak is clear: The government must find the money for the pay rise our members deserve.

Check out Christina's blog here https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2021/10/blog-the-government-tries-to-look-like-its-giving-but-its-taking-away/

Team London for Members 4 UNISON NEC 2021

 

We are standing to

• Represent every one of the 130,000 UNISON members across London

• Amplify the voices of our members from every service group and sector – community, utilities, higher education, health and local government

• Ensure UNISON is a leader in the campaign to eradicate systemic racism in society

• Hold the government to account for their incompetence in dealing with the Covid crisis and for our members paying the ultimate price

• Defend our members and the services they deliver from government attacks and neglect

• Fight the public sector pay freeze – UNISON members must not pay for the cost of Covid

We believe that for our new General Secretary to take these fights to the government and for UNISON to punch its weight as the largest trade union in Britain, she needs a unified NEC. She can deliver but only if she has an NEC that puts members interests before those of any personal gain, politics or faction.

For our NEC to deliver 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 Sonya Howard, Clara Mason, Eddie Brand and Eunice Whyte- your NEC team for London

Eddie Brand for London Male Seat

Clara Mason for London Female seat x2

Eunice Whyte for London Reserved Seat

Sonya Howard for London Female Seat x2

Hey guys!!! it's Dettol o'clock!!!

The latest idiocy from the "leader" of the free world. The BBC reports that disinfectant firms have had to issue public warnings that people should not inject or drink their products to treat Covid-19.

Hat tip my UNISON comrade, Eddie Brand, who as the branch secretary of our London Ambulance Service has a professional interest in pouring scorn on such moronic comments. 

UNISON #UNEC19 Elections - Community & Greater London Region Seats

I have just voted for the following candidates and will post the ballot paper to the independent electoral reform services later today. It took me 5 minutes.

UNISON is the largest trade union in the UK with 1.3 million members covering a wide range of traditional public services such as Local Government and the NHS as well as out sourced private companies and the voluntary sector. So our elections are a "little" complex.

I am standing for one of the two Community (for members who work for Housing Associations and the voluntary sector) national seats and Denise Thomas, for the other seat.

Denise has worked for the Community sector for 26 years, supporting adults with learning difficulties. She is a valued colleague on our Service Group Executive in battling for our sector.

Also I voted for the following 3 candidates standing for Greater London Regional seats.

Sonya Howard is a respected London activist. She is the secretary of the Kensington & Chelsea branch and she has been outstanding in supporting members and campaigning for safety and tenants rights post Grenfell fire.

Cynthia Adjei works for the GLA and is our London UNISON Regional Convenor for Equalities. She is a committed campaigner for greater funding for all public services to tackle homelessness, child poverty, in work poverty and gun/knife crime.

Eddie Brand has been a London Ambulance worker for 32 years and says things as it is. As long as I have known him he puts UNISON members first and foremost while proud to be a NHS paramedic.

Congratulations to Jo (daughter of our dear departed comrade, Irene Stacey) for being elected unopposed.

I will post my ballot paper for Black and Disabled Members seats next. If you don't work in the Community sector or in London, you can see my other recommendations here