Personal report of the UNISON National Executive Council 16th September 2020

In line with UNISON guidance, this 1 item agenda meeting to nominate the General Secretary was scheduled for 90 minutes but took 140 minutes without breaks bringing in to question, discrimination to those who have disability issues not to mention those who had a back to back meeting and consequently missed most of it.

Concern was expressed at the outset that no hustings were allowed at this meeting particularly as it was needed to be held remotely. Chair said no hustings on basis NEC members will know who they will vote for before the meeting. This I believe was unfair to 1 candidate who is neither an NEC member or Assistant General Secretary so who would not be known to most on the NEC. IT issues took a while to sort out.

4 of 5 candidates were proposed and seconded.

An NEC member supporting Christina Mcanea proposed an elimination ballot. A left NEC member challenged this saying it was unprecedented to propose this during the course of a meeting and should have been communicated beforehand. We were one hour 35 minutes into the meeting at this point already overrunning. The vote was 34 to 22 for an elimination ballot. I voted against.

A Roger McKenzie supporter proposed a secret ballot. A left NEC member said any delay in the meeting was due to those who introduced proposals that could have been raised in advance of the meeting - No curve balls.

The secret vote vote was For 27 Against 29. I voted against.

Subsequent rounds of the elimination ballot were: 1st round Christina Mcanea 22, Paul Holmes 22 Roger McKenzie 12, Hugo Pierre 4.

2nd: C.Mcanea 23, P.Holmes 25, RMcKenzie 11.

3rd: Christina Mcanea 29, Paul Holmes 26. 5 abstentions.

Christina Mcanea was nominated by the NEC.

Roger McKenzie supporters either abstained or voted Christina Mcanea on the final round.