Andrea Egan has today (Wednesday) been elected as the next general secretary of UNISON, the UK’s largest union.
She replaces Christina McAnea who has served as general secretary since 2021.
Andrea will begin her five-year term on 22 January 2026.
Voting in the ballot was as follows:
Andrea Egan 58,579 (59.82%)
Christina McAnea 39,353 (40.18%)
UNISON general secretary elect Andrea Egan said: “I’m honoured to take up the post of general secretary at UNISON, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me.
“I will work tirelessly to transform this union, but I cannot do it alone. Because this isn’t about me as an individual. It’s about ordinary UNISON members taking charge collectively.
“We are going to need everyone – members, branch reps, grassroots activists, and our staff – pulling together. Then we can transform our union, and with it the lives of public sector workers across this country.”
Andrea began her working life as a residential care worker, supporting vulnerable children. She went on be a social worker, becoming fully qualified 15 years ago.
Andrea first became a union steward 30 years ago and went on to be elected as assistant secretary, joint secretary and now the secretary of UNISON Bolton local government branch.
First elected to the union’s national executive council in 2017, she became president of UNISON in 2022.
During that time Andrea supported the implementation of UNISON’s first race discrimination panel, gave support to the launch of trans-ally training and championed the union’s disabled workers’ passport.
She also led on the ‘organising to win’ programme, which has done so much to support members to win substantial improvements to pay and conditions.
Notes to editors:
– Christina McAnea continues as UNISON general secretary until 21 January 2026.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Dan Ashley M: 07508 080349 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
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