UNISON NDC 2026 - Reflections (Day Three)

 

Day three started with some early HIIT training to wake me up, followed by an NEC pre-meeting and then breakfast with my Community colleague Denise.

Conference (NDC) began at 9:30am, and thankfully the rudeness and disrespect previously shown towards our lay elected volunteers on the Conference Standing Orders Committee was far more limited today.

Throughout the day, debates were generally more thoughtful and more respectful, even on potentially controversial issues such as Palestine. Many UNISON delegates from London made excellent contributions.

At lunchtime, I attended the fringe meeting on the Employment Rights Act — quite simply the most important victory for UNISON in my entire trade union membership of over 30 years. A huge well done to everyone who played their part in achieving this.

Of course, we want more. The law is still imbalanced in favour of employers. But, for once, can we please give ourselves a collective pat on the back? This is what the Labour Movement family — unions and the Labour Party working together — can deliver: meaningful, positive, and radical change for working-class people.

I remain firmly convinced that the Housing Association and Voluntary Sector should be the next to secure a Fair Pay Agreement. Denise and I will be fighting tooth and nail to make this happen.

In the afternoon, we moved on to rule change debates. Once again, I was pleased to see further respectful but sharp discussion on issues such as reviewing subscription rates and whether LGBT+ members should have NEC seats in the same way as other Self-Organised Groups.

In the evening, I had to write a speech for tomorrow and deal with various branch and other matters. As much as I enjoy conference, I am looking forward to it closing at 4pm tomorrow. However, we then move straight on to the very important NEC Presidential Team elections — watch this space.

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). 

UNISON National Labour Link Forum 2025

 

I arrived Wednesday evening for the UNISON National Labour Link forum in Glasgow. Picture with comrades from the NEC on the National Committee on way back from a meal.

Forum kicked off on Thursday evening but the National Committee met in the morning. Will post further. 

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. 

UNISON SGE Elections 24 - London Local Government

 

Ballot papers are being sent out to members homes from today. If you are a UNISON member and work in London Local Government please consider voting for

• Sean Fox - general seat

• Sonya Howard - female seat

• Clara Mason - reserved seat

UNISON London Local Government Reps: Vote Sonya, Clara & Sean 2024

 

UNISON Service Group elections nominations opened on Monday. I no longer work for a Council but do recommend that UNISON London Local Government branches consider nominating Sonya, Clara and Sean. They are top trade unionists! I will be posting on other recommendations soon. 

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. 

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. 

Homerton Ambulance Station Picket line 23.1.23

This lunch time I went to show solidarity to striking UNISON Ambulance workers, on their picket line in Homerton, East London. I went as a GLR UNISON Regional Council Officer but also on behalf of my branch. My branch Chair (and fellow Labour Councillor) Joseph Ogundemuren, was also with me. 

Despite the cold it was yet another well organised, cheerful and lively LAS picket with lots of support from the passing public. As we were leaving, an ambulance with two of the pickets left to go out on a priority "life or limb" call. 

Later on my UNISON colleague (and local resident) Sonya Howard also joined the picket line (bottom left of collage). 

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

UNISON Service Group Executive Election Results 2022

 

Yesterday I was really pleased to get an email from the elections office confirming that I had been elected unopposed to the UNISON Service Group Executive (SGE) for Greater London Community (alongside I believe the one and only, Lola Oyewusi). 

I haven't done a proper reccie on the national results yet but I was delighted that Sonya Howard defeated a long standing tfrc incumbent to join Clara Mason, representing London on the Local Government SGE. Also, London Ambulance Service, Julie Cunnane, will be there for London Health. 

Also, in the only contested Community election, our SGE Chair Malcolm Gray (no known family connection but coincidentally, he is also known to like an occasional beer and a curry) and Clare Penny-Evans, fought off tfrc extremist candidates to win both seats in Northern region. 

Looking forward to UNISON National Delegate conference next week in Brighton (Monday evening to Friday). Should be very interesting. 

I will try to blog as much as possible but for the first time in 11 years, I will be an active branch delegate (not there as a NEC member, mostly sitting on the conference pedestal trying to look interested) so will be busy writing speeches, trying to speak, organising and supporting delegates. 

UPDATE:  Did some rough and ready number crunching. SGE results 2022: Extremist hard left misogynist gang 45 seats (24%), Forces of light & reason/Unaligned 100 seats (54%) vacant seats 41 (22%)

Vote Sonya for UNISON London Local Government & Julie and Anette for London Health - your ONEUNISON "Cost of Living" campaigners

 

We have really important elections in UNISON just starting. From yesterday, ballot papers would have started to drop through the letter boxes of Local Government, Health and other service Groups up and down the country. Soon there will also be electronic ballots sent to your email address. 

While some positions were uncontested or not contested, in London we have a battle for the London General Local Government seat & Health seats. 

Sonya is the lead in London Local Government for our campaign on the "Cost of Living crisis" while Julie and Anette lead for Health workers. Tell us what is the impact on you and your family of this crisis. 

Check out here what you can do to help our campaign https://www.oneunison.org/ Please share this material. 

Nominate Sonya Howard and Clara Mason for London SGE seats

I am no longer in the Local Government Service Group for London but if I was, I would vote to nominate Sonya and Clara! 

"Dear Branches 

We are writing to you to request your branch nominations in the upcoming 2022 SGE Elections 

Who are we? 

Clara Mason -Assistant branch Secretary at Greenwich UNISON also currently female representative for London on the SGE. Standing for the Greater London SGE female seat membership number 107824223 

I am a teaching assistant who has a real understanding of schools’ members issues and support many of them during the pandemic with concerns around their safety during pregnancy, supporting them through individual risk assessment, ensuring school risk assessment were updated regularly and fully assessed the many risks faced by our members. 

I continued to support many of our reps in other roles like waste services, care workers and cleaners. I have championed mental health support not just for our members but for all reps who faced increased workloads and changes to way of working. 

A key success I have had is supporting many of our school support staff winning our term time only case which led to 5000 school support staff in Greenwich reviving back pay not only was this a success for Greenwich, but this has led to many other UNISON branches in London to successful challenge term time only contracts and get back what was rightfully members money. 

I want to continue championing for our London branches on the SGE ensuring that issues we all face are raised and that we push our Union to fight issues that effect our members and reps – we are set for some challenging times ahead with many employers and workplace try to recover from the 

Sonya Howard 1162788 Standing for Service Group Executive Greater London Local Government General Seat I am the Branch Chair Kensington and Chelsea Local Government branch. 

I have various National positions and have a vast amount of experience across UNISON and the Labour movement. Including negotiations across Tri -borough working. Over the years I have both organised successful disputes; lobbies, and campaigns across Labour and Tory led Councils ensuring better pay and condition for our members. 

Recently securing through Negotiations and a fairer pay and grading, with increased leave for many members. Continue to ensure that COVID working has seen members protected through risk assessment, including Negotiation new working from home ensuring no losses across the Council including our School members. 

A decent pay rise is needed more than ever before if we are to prevent members falling deeper into debt. This corrupt government sees inflation rising beyond 4% with a pitiful offer that will not prevent our members becoming classified as the working poor. 

We now need a clear strategy and leadership to build for solid support on future pay campaigns. I believe in strong democratic rights within the union and lay representation. I believe empowering our membership and standing up for fairness and transparency is crucial to take this union forward. 

We will bring Fresh approach to the SGE. Listening to our members including I promise that we will ensure the voices of our Black, LGBT+ , Women and Disabled will always matter and be heard. That UNISON Equality agenda will never be ignored. 

Yours in solidarity Sonya Howard and Clara Mason

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

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  

UNISON Housing Seminar - Thursday, 10 May 2018

UK Housing Seminar - Thursday, 10 May 2018 – UNISON Centre

It’s a crucial time for housing with key policy developments, a renewed interest in social housing and the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy all affecting the sector.

UNISON wants to hear from our members working in housing about the challenges they face so that we can work together to address them. We are therefore writing to inform you that we are holding a UK seminar for members working in housing - whether in local authorities, ALMO’s or housing associations - on Thursday, 10th May at the UNISON Centre, London.

Guest speakers to include:

John Healey MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing - speaking on the current housing policy environment and Labour’s response, including Labour’s Review of Social Housing

Sonya Howard, UNISON NEC Member & Kensington & Chelsea Branch Secretary - speaking on the challenges facing council housing, including Grenfell and implications for the workforce (at Kensington & Chelsea)

Steve Hilditch, Labour Housing Group – speaking on the challenges facing the Housing Association Sector

The seminar will explore the challenges arising from the current housing policy environment, the changes members are facing to their jobs and the communities they serve, the implications and the solutions that are needed. The key aim of the event will be to develop an action plan to strengthen our organisation and membership in housing, support housing members in their jobs and to empower them to influence the debate on the future role of the sector and their local working conditions.

Please see attached circular for further details and complete the registration form and return it by Monday, 23 April

Contact: James Bull on 020 7121 5449, e-mail j.bull2@unison.co.uk

Check out Circular here