Branch Unanimously Nominates Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary

Our Branch Committee has voted unanimously to nominate Andrea Egan in the upcoming General Secretary election.  If elected, Andrea would be the first lay member and Branch Secretary to hold this crucial role.

We nominated Andrea as we believe she, rather than a union employee or bureaucrat, is best placed to ensure UNISON is truly member led. Andrea has the strongest manifesto with clear actions and policies and is the candidate we trust to end the union’s subservience to Labour and stand up for members whenever its MPs, or its policies go against their values or their interests.

Andrea Egan, current Bolton Local Government Branch Secretary, NEC member, previous UNISON President and General Secretary election candidate

The general secretary is the most senior role in the union. They represent UNISON when talking to the media, other unions, employers and to Parliament. UNISON has to elect its general secretary every five years.

As the largest trade union in the UK, who runs UNISON matters. It matters in the country at large, and it matters in your workplace.

UNISON’s elected General Secretary runs our union, manages its 1,200 staff and ultimately determines the kind of union we are and can become. The General Secretary and their abilities and qualities is the single biggest factor in whether or not UNISON succeeds and wins for you at work and on pay.

You can read Andrea Egan’s manifesto here, and Christina McAnea’s manifesto here.

How the election works

Voting will be over a 4-week period from Tuesday 28 October to Tuesday 25 November. Ballots will be mailed out by the Post Office from Tuesday 28 October so are likely to arrive any time from a few days to a couple of weeks after this date. 

1.5 million UNISON members – our in-work members plus our Retired members – get a vote in this election, so it is a big exercise, and ballot mailouts are staggered. By law, we cannot allow members to vote electronically, so lookout for your ballot paper which will be posted to your home address.

Inside will be a smaller addressed envelope, with the postage already paid. Vote by placing an X in the box beside your preferred candidate’s name, put the ballot in the envelope and put it in the post box. Simple!

Members are strongly encouraged to use their vote in this important election that comes only once every five years. Make your choice and have your voice heard!