UNISON NEC Young Members' Reps
2025-2027
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Cameron Thompson
Micaela Tracey-Ramos
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Reports
Development & Organisation – 13 May 2026Recruitment and organising report noted. Severe membership decline of -2,978 in April has reduced YTD growth to 4,366 (0.3%).Learning and Organising activity updated noted. 2658 episodes of learning have been recorded from January to April 2026, including both member learning and activist training.An update on the Member Engagement Programme (MEP) was received. The union is on track to launch the new member portal, new website, and new learning management system on w/c 8 June 2026.Learning Management System (LMS) update noted. Progress has been made on the LMS with the next step being formal testing of the full system. Members will be able to access the full catalogue of member learning via the member portal.The update on Merlin was noted. It was agreed to switch off WARMS on 8 August 2026.Update on data protection noted. Branch Email System – An IT support proposal has been received from Bespoke IT Solutions Ltd (BITS). We are in the process of calculating costs and how the project will progress.Constitutional matters:
Report on branches under regional supervision noted.
Assistant Certification Officer’s Sift Decision under Section 108A of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 Ogbonna Nnamuchi Applicant and UNISON: The Public Service Union Respondent. The Assistant Certification Officer found that Mr Nnamuchi’s application is not one which the Certification Officer has the jurisdiction to determine. Therefore, the application cannot be accepted for determination by the Certification Officer and is dismissed.
The Committee noted a summary of complaints received by the Returning Officer during the General Secretary 2025 election containing complaints not upheld, partially upheld and upheld.The Committee agreed the policy positions on deferred NDC Rule Amendments. The detail was provided at the meeting of the NEC on 20 May 2026.The Committee agreed the policy positions on NDC amendments to motions. The detail was provided at the meeting of the NEC on 20 May 2026.Honorary Life Membership awarded to:Christina McAnea – UNISON Staff Branch
Lynne Morris – UNISON Staff Branch
Pauline Bacon – UNISON Eastern
Sarah Crowe – UNISON Eastern
Brian Debus – Greater London2026 TUC Congress awards agreed UNISON nominations:Safety Rep: Shirley JamesLearning Rep: Wendy Aitman and Simon AlbrowOrganising: Mark FisherWomen’s Gold Badge: Davena RankinBranch Employed Staff – Programme for Branch SupportThe Committee noted an update on the development of a new package to promote and support quality employment relationships between branches and their employees. The proposals to expand support to branches will be costed, and a report will be submitted to the FRMC scheduled for September 2026, to secure appropriate funding to implement them.
Policy Development & Campaigns – 13 May 2026Employment Rights Act implementation update
Sampson Low introduced Employment Rights Act 2025 update and current live consultations: Access Code, Collective redundancies, TUPE and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). The committee gave feedback from local public service workplaces.Update on Fair Visa campaign
Narmada Thiranagama reported on the UNISON Day of Action for the Fair Visa Campaign, subsequent committee discussion included: the true value of the work of our members in health and social care being recognised; importance of allyship, countering misleading Home Office economic value figures.Director of Communications report
Jo Jacobson shared a presentation and discussed with the committee the MEP launch, the new website, new digital communications, the new my UNISON portal; also, the upcoming public services campaign sharing a flavour of the messaging.Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence campaign
Gemma Freedman discussed with the committee progress to date, why we need a new UK law, our legal proposal and why the law should include the public sector and how. The committee endorsed this work.COVID 19 Public Inquiry update and UNISON report
George Stevenson updated on the end of the Inquiry evidence collecting. An internal report: Covid-19: The UNISON Story will be launched at NDC fringe.Elections 2027 and Responding to Reform UK
Clare Willliams and colleagues updated. Reform UK identified as a growing electoral and workplace threat; response combines political strategy, organising, and member engagement. Campaign Activity reported: national campaign launched with activist network, training (e.g. anti- racism and countering far right online), and local branch action plans. Strong collaboration with partners, Hope Not Hate, Show Racism the Red Card and Stand up to Racism.Jess Turner (Cymru) and Lillian Macer (Scotland) attended meeting.Cymru: Reform not yet successful electorally but seen as a major future risk.Scotland: Reform came second in election; lessons learned informing future strategy.Key Challenges: Scaling up activity, refining messaging, coordinating a clear overarching political strategy, and evidencing impact.Next Steps: Review strategy, expand activist engagement, strengthen alliances, improve targeting for upcoming elections (especially local government), and maintain campaign momentum.Kings Speech – Upcoming Westminster Government programme
Kings Speech delivered on 13 May 2026 with new Bills and the committee will be kept informed.PDCC Climate change working group
Tracey Wainwright, chair of Climate change group, provided an update: Year of Green Activism viewed as successful so far, for example webinars well attended, increase in green activists, effective campaign work delivered. Agreed, important UNISON representation at COP should continue.Devolution Protocol working group
James Anthony reported that an updated version of the Devolution Protocol is near completion; the completed document will be shared and the appropriate parties, committees and teams will be consulted.The proposed protocol will be circulated to the full NEC – to agree (or not) an updated version towards the end of 2026.Affiliations agreed
APSE [Association for Public Service Excellence]Women’s Aid Federation of England
Finance & Resource Management – 30 April 2026The Committee APPROVED the minutes of the FRMC 28h January2026 and Special Meeting - Conference Business of 7th April 2026The Committee APPROVED the updated Management Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2025The Committee approved the Financial Statements for 2025 and approved the submission to the NEC for endorsement and subsequent publication/distribution once signedThe Committee approved the Going Concerns report and updated Financial PlanThe Committee agreed the Letter of Representation and for it to be signed on its behalf by the Chair/AGS Chief Financial OfficerThe Committee noted the Auditor’s Management Letter and accepted the report and its contentsThe Committee approved the Management Accounts for 3 months to 31st March 2026It was AGREED for Property Services to proceed with marketing the 7th Floor of UNISON Centre on a 10-year lease basis (with break clause), based on terms of a detailed lease agreement being agreed by legal advisors.The Committee AGREED to hold Higher Education 2027 Conference in Glasgow at a cost of £84,000 including VATThe Committee AGREED to hold Young Members 2027 Conference in Glasgow at a cost of £64,800 including VAT
International - Meeting of Thursday 14 May 20261. PalestineThe Committee noted the report and agreed to explore the possibility to provide a donation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign legal appeal from other funds.The Committee noted the reports on:2. Turkey3. Colombia4. CubaThe Committee noted the report. The Committee agreed to donate £500 to the UNISON- Cuba Solidarity Campaign appeal.5. Business and Human RightsThe Committee noted the report.6. UIDFa) The Committee noted the budget and the overview report.b) The Committee noted the mid-term report ‘Organising Federations of Baranguay Health Workers’.c) The Committee approved the ‘Organising Federations of Baranguay Health Workers’ report and the final project payment of £2,925.78.d) The Committee approved the Ukraine social worker and health worker union project ‘Voice Advocacy Resilience Training Action (VARTA)’ in principle with payment of up to £44,265 via EPSU to be agreed by Chair and Vice Chair on final confirmation of the proposal.e) The Committee approved the final project report for ‘Trade unions as guarantors of labour rights and defenders of human and labour rights in Costa Rica’s banana and pineapple sector’ and the final project payment of £6,000 to Banana Link.f) The Committee approved the report for ‘Trade unions as holders of labour rights and defenders of human and labour rights‘ and payment of £48,588.63 Banana Link.g) The Committee approved the final project report ‘Building Malaysian electronics unions’ representation and power organising project’.The Committee noted the reports on:7. Climate8. Tax Justice9. Leadership in the global and European trade union movement10. Asia Pacific11. EuropeThe Committee noted the report and agreed to support and promote trade union appeal with the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign in Autumn 2026.The Committee noted the reports on:12. Middle East and North Africa13. Sub-Saharan Africa14. Working with self-organised groups15. Supporting regions and branches:The Committee supported the proposal to hold the International Seminar in UNISON Croyde Bay in November.16. Amendments to International Motions to National Delegate ConferenceThe committee agreed to recommend that the NEC support the following amendments:78.1 , Condemning the US Military Attack on Venezuela and Defending National Sovereignty, Peace, and Workers’ Rights , National Executive Council79.1 , Venezuela , National Executive Council80.1 , Solidarity with Workers of Venezuela , National Executive Council81.1 , Standing Up for Peace and Democracy in Colombia , National Executive Council82.1 , Hands Off Cuba! End the Blockade on Health , National Executive CouncilThe Committee noted the SOC decision to rule the amendment to the motion “Solidarity with workers, women, and youth in Iran” out of order. The committee agreed to recommend that the NEC accept the decision, change its position to support with qualification, and consider an emergency motion on the war on Iran.17. ReaffiliationsThe Committee recommends and requests that the PDCC approve the £500 affiliation to the Trade Justice Movement.The Committee recommends and requests that the PDCC approve the £950 affiliation to Actions for Southern Africa and continue to monitor.The Committee recommends and requests that the PDCC approve the £400 affiliation to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.The Committee recommends and requests that the PDCC approve the £250 affiliation to the Committee for Defence of the Iranian Peoples Right and continue to monitor.The Committee recommends and requests that the PDCC approve the £450 affiliation to the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, providing the organisation meets the NEC’s criteria for organisations that UNISON affiliates to.18. Nomination of delegate to TUC CongressThe Committee nominated the Vice Chair Micaela Tracey-Ramos as delegate to the TUC Congress.19. Any other business19.1 International Peace ConferenceThe Committee agreed to support the International Meeting Against War Conference 2026 and to underline UNISON’s policy on Ukraine to the organisers.
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Services to Members – 14 May 2026 (Special)AGREED to send best wishes to Leanne Weatherley who had been involved in a road traffic accident with her childrenWelcomed Jeannette Sainsbury, Legal Officer, UNISON Centre and Karen Osborne, Legal Officer, UNISON ScotlandReceived a verbal update on the termination of the LV contractReceived a verbal update on Chair’s action – a request had come in for the 4 week rule to be waivered in relation to a migrant worker in Northern Ireland – noted this had been deniedReceived a verbal update on behalf of the Head of Legal ServicesWelcomed colleagues from Thompsons in attendance at the meeting – noted that the presentations were well receivedQ&A session took place amongst committee members on various concerns including cases being turned down by Thompsons ending with a ‘win’ elsewhere/Health & Safety statistics/Race cases/Barrister’s language/Unfair dismissal/Violence in schools/Length of time cases take to be heard and the importance of members being made aware of this at the beginningHighlighted the benefits and noted the rationale and practicalities behind PI cases that the Legal Services Team had to deal withAn issue on PI stats outlined within reports circulated to the Committee would be looked at after the meetingThe Legal Services Team were thanked for all that they do for UNISON membersThompsons were thanked for all their support that they provide to UNISON clients in getting their claims into court and their successes for our members
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NEC - 21/05/2026The 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.