NEC hears of mileage win and membership growth

On Wednesday 8 April, UNISON’s national executive committee (NEC) met for the second time this year. President Catherine McKenna chaired the session.

The meeting opened with UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan giving her report, in which she explained that she has spent the beginning of her term, which began in January, meeting with members and staff across the union. This included a visit to UNISON’s most remote branches in Shetland and Orkney.

“It was particularly impressive that both branches delivered in-person quorate AGMs despite their geographical challenges,” Ms Egan said.

The general secretary also shared an update from her recent meeting with the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in which she raised the need to review mileage rates for people who drive to work. “Many low-paid members are paying to do their jobs,” she said. In response to UNISON’s lobbying, the government has since agreed to review mileage rates.

Ms Egan recently addressed MPs at an emergency meeting in Parliament on migrant workers. The union has also agreed to organise a regional day of action on Friday 24 April when migrant worker members will lobby their MPs.

In response to a call from an NEC member for UNISON to express support for British Medical Association doctors who are currently on strike, Ms Egan expressed her support, saying, “We all have responsibility and a role to play, when there is strike action, to get onto other trade union picket lines.”

She added: “It takes a lot of time for members to get to the point of industrial action, and they don’t do it for the fun of it.”

Alongside meeting with members and ministers, Ms Egan has represented the union at several events against the far right, including the recent Together Alliance rally on 28 March which was attended by over 500,000 people from across the country.

UNISON vice president James Anthony gave an update on the union’s activity in response to Reform UK, which includes a new network for members seeking to get involved.

The NEC noted that the working group looking at implementation of changes to the the political fund had met and work was continuing to ensure the union’s compliance with the new measures set out in the Employment Rights Act while also protecting its income.

NEC members heard that UNISON membership is continuing to grow, with 0.5% net membership growth reported at the end of March 2026. The biggest challenges have been in the health service group.

Members heard that the NJC committee has rejected a pay offer of 3.3% for schools and councils workers. The union is expecting an HE pay offer to be announced shortly.

The NEC also agreed the agenda for the national delegate conference which will take place in Brighton on 16-19 June.

The next NEC meeting is on Wednesday 20 May at UNISON Centre in London.

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