The fallout from the May elections across Scotland, Wales and England and the successes and challenges of organising and preparations for the union’s national conference were discussed at the last NEC meeting before the union’s national conference in Brighton next month.
In her report to the committee, general secretary Andrea Egan said: “I am proud of the role UNISON played during the campaign, which was advising our members and the public of the threat Reform poses to workers’ rights.
“I have not been shy about speaking up about where I think the blame for this situation lies: quite simply the Labour government is not delivering for working class people despite the modest gains we have secured in the form of the Employment Rights Act and the Renters Rights Act.
“What is needed is a wholesale change of approach, meaning the interests of workers need to be put before the wealthy.”
The general secretary reassured members of the NEC that she was confident that the union had already successfully built the foundations of an anti-reform strategy. Members discussed how the union will evaluate materials and messaging used in the 7 May elections, how it talks to young members and those disillusioned with politics and how it works with external organisations such as Hope not Hate.
The NEC also received updates on ongoing work across the union with the implementation of the Employment Rights Act and legislative updates and work that has started on the possibility of an Employment Rights Act 2.
There was positive news around membership numbers with over 26,000 net membership growth seen during 2025 but concern expressed that recruitment was slowing down and we needed a cross-union approach to get it back on track. So far this year has seen growth in Social Care, Community, Higher Education, Police, Probation and Cafcass and WET, but disappointing figures in the health, education and energy sectors.
The importance of national campaigns, particularly around the SSSNB implementation and violence in schools, was emphasised to boost membership and engagement in the education sector.
The meeting also discussed preparations for the NJC ballot; changes to the Political Fund with a start date of January 2027; the HE ballot that opened on Monday; and union victimisation. Final preparations for National Delegate Conference in Brighton next month were also approved.
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