Who runs the union? YOU decide!
Balloting has opened for a vital election for our union – and you can take part
The national executive council (NEC) is a group of 68 members who are just like you. Ordinary members of UNISON. No superpowers other than the ones you have. They’re council workers, nurses, care workers and any of the public service jobs a wide-ranging union like UNISON represents.
Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about the NEC elections – and why you should take a few minutes to vote.
Why is this happening?
The national executive council (NEC) is elected by our members every two years. It’s the largest election UNISON runs.
Why is this election important?
UNISON is run by, and for, its members through its democratic and lay structures. All of our elections are important, as they allow the union to function in the best interests of our members. The NEC is the senior governing body of the union, elected by members to represent their interests in how the union is run.
Does it matter how many people vote?
Yes! The NEC that members elect will make decisions about the future of our union and these decisions will directly affect you, our members. It’s important that as many members as possible have their say, so that the elected group that guides the work of the union for the next two years is as representative as possible of the whole union membership and does not overly represent the views or interests of only some members over those of others.
Who can vote?
All full members who were on the union’s membership register as of 21 January 2025 will be entitled to vote in this election. As this is a statutory ballot, governed by the law, voting can only be done by a ballot paper sent to members’ home addresses. (With a Labour government now in power, we’re hoping that will change in the future.)
When is it happening?
The candidate application and nominating periods have already taken place. Your branch reps and officers have already had the chance to nominate candidates to seats representing your region, service group (health) and to the reserved Black member, disabled member and young member seats. Your branch nominated candidates based on who we believe will represent our members best interests. These candidates are mainly INDEPENDENT Left activists but who all have shared principles and who will put members at the forefront of our union. Further information about them can be found HERE
The candidates your Branch nominated were:
General Health Seat – James Anthony and Bryn Webster
Female Health Seat – Michelle England and Hetty Okonji
Female Black Members Seat – Manjual Kumari and Tansaim Hussain-Gul
Male Black Members Seat – Joseph Ogundemuren
Reserved Black Members Seat – Maria Alberts
General Disabled Members Seat – Michael Craig
Female Disabled Member Seat – Amanda Sweetlove
General Young Members Seat – Kameron Spence
Female Young Members Seat – Micaela Tracey Ramos
General North West Seat – James Robinson and Tracey Delaney
Female North West Seat – Paula Carlyle and Fiona Wild
Reserved North West Seat – Zaihere Chaudhry
The member ballot opened on 21st April and ballot papers were sent to your home address. It closes on 21st May and the results will be announced on 11th June.
If you have not received your ballot paper and wish to take part in the elections, you should contact the ballot helpline om 08000 857 857. Lines are open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4pm Saturday. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968. The latest point you can request a ballot paper is 12 noon on 14th May 2025.
You should endeavour to have your membership number to hand when calling.
