First of all, what is the NEC?
NEC stands for national executive council. A group of ordinary members of the union – people just like you, who work in public services. Every two years, we elect a new committee who will attend regular meetings and decide what the union do. The members of the NEC are volunteers who don’t get paid but they do get travel expenses to attend council meetings.
What do the NEC do?
The NEC is the senior decision-making body of UNISON – they guide the union’s policy and campaign priorities and made the big decisions about how the union is run.
Sub-committees of the NEC then look after specific areas of the union’s activities in more detail. These sub-committees focus on staffing, services to members, policy, development and organisation, finance, industrial action, our campaign funds and our international work.
The NEC also champions public services. The NHS, education, local councils and other services need UNISON to stand up for them. The NEC makes sure our public service agenda is prioritised.
How will the elections take place?
NEC members are elected by all members of UNISON via a postal vote. Members elect candidates to represent their region and their service group. There are also additional seats for Black members, young members and disabled members.
As with all other UNISON elections, the union’s principles of proportionality and fair representation means that two-thirds of the seats on the NEC are reserved for women. And there are seats reserved for low-paid women members.
When and how will the elections take place?
The member ballot will open on 4 May and closes on 27 May 2021. The results will be announced on 11 June 2021.
Voting packs will be sent to members’ homes direct from Civica Election Services (CES) is the returning officer and the independent scrutineer.
If members haven’t not received their pack by 13 May, then they should contact UNISONdirect on the number below.
As usual, there is a ballot helpline. The helpline will open on 13 May.
Phone: 0800 0 857 857. Text phone: 0800 0 967 968.
NIAS Unison Branch NEC Nomination
Gordon McKay (Health Male)
James Anthony (Health General)
Michelle England (Health Female)
Pat Heron (Health Female)
Katrina Murray (Disabled Members Female)
Manjula Kumari (Black Members Female)
Annette Hislop (Black Members Female)
Ash Silverstone (Black Members Male)
Mitsy Harmon Russell (Black Members Low paid)
Cameron Smith (Young Members General)
Micaela Tracey-Ramos (Young Members Female)
Alastair Long (NI Regional Male Seat)
Margaret McKee (NI Regional Female Seat)
Catherine McKenna (NI Regional reserved Seat)
Angela Hamilton (Disabled Members General)
