Report of UNISON National Executive Council 14th July 2023

President Libby Nolan welcomed everyone to the NEC meeting, including new members and introduced the rest of presidential team and staff members.

1. Christina McAnea introduced her written report. Key points were:

• UNISON victory in High Court, against the government’s strike-breaking legislation. See more here High Court rules 'strike-breaking' agency worker regulations unlawful | Article, News | News | UNISON National
• Reports on the NJC ballot results. Perhaps approaching £1 million was spent on the pay campaign with investment in Movement as well as the ballot itself and campaigning and resources.
• 2 large and 5 smaller councils and approximately 800 smaller employers (mainly schools) reached the 50% threshold. 12 larger councils got over 40% but did not reach 50%.
• Two ballots are taking place in Scotland, one finishing now and another starting soon.
• Pay Review Body decision by government to honour recommendations, for instance teachers (6.5%), doctors (6% + lump sum), prison officers, police (7%). For schools, the recommendation is reported to be fully-funded, but UNISON is concerned this is not true as the government claim some money has already been provided to schools and the rest has to be found from the Education Department’s budget, so means others cuts within education. It’s not clear if other recommendations are funded, meaning for instance the doctors’ offer might mean more NHS cuts. UNISON’s NHS members are not covered by this recommendation, but by the 5% offer and lump sum agreed earlier in the year.
• Covid enquiry, of which UNISON is contributing as part of the TUC’s submissions on behalf of all trade unions. The TUC is exceeding its budget on this and unions are recommending changes to the approach the TUC has taken to contain costs.

Discussion and questions: 

The backdrop of the recent local government pay ballot results in England and Wales and the pay review body announcements naturally dominated the discussions:

1. Local Government members of the NEC stated that a 75% reject result should not be written off or downplayed; that if it were not for the anti-union laws (requiring 50% thresholds, no online voting, etc.), we would have now been planning for action as a 31% turn out had for many years been seen as an acceptable mandate for action. 31% was more than double the turnout from the postal ballot for NJC pay 18 months ago.  Lessons need to be learned: Movement (UNISON’s phone banking system) is working better but is not perfect. Why did some branches do better, with strong votes in schools (and perhaps disappointment for the hundreds of schools that reached 50%). Should  we have done targeted ballots like in Scotland, for instance.
2. If there is no money to fund the Pay review recommendations is UNISON going to fight this?
3. UNISON’s bulk email system for branches within WARMS is down, so have the NJC LG pay results gone to branch members?
4. What is happening in health with UNISON’s decision to withdraw from the pay review body. What is UNISON proposing to replace it?
5. What are we doing to support anti-union law campaigning as UNISON’s position is to oppose all anti-unions laws not just the 2016 Trade Union Act and Minimum Service Levels Bill.
6. In light of the government’s proposals relating to pay review body recommendations, the government is whipping up anti-migrant sentiment, stating that migrants will be made to pay more for visas and services like the NHS. UNISON need to challenge this.
7. Scottish NEC members raised the issue that they hadn’t been able to use Movement in their recent ballot.
8. The Camden traffic wardens ballot got a 100% YES vote on an 80% turnout. Action will be notified soon to the employer.

2. Allocation and election to NEC committees

There was thorough discussion on this. The chair pointed out that since many committees have limited numbers, with a large number having just 3 NEC members, and there are 67 NEC members, then unfortunately not every NEC member will receive their first choices for committee/s. UNISON rules on fair representation and proportionality have to ensure a majority of women and other equality groups must be represented. Add to that 12 regions and 7 service groups, the task is complex.

A small number of NEC members stated unhappiness at their allocation or that some service groups were under-represented. Others were happy that regardless of who they had stood with in the NEC elections, they had been listened to. The General Secretary reported that this is how it works every year and that this year seemed more successful than recent years. 

Those unhappy were reminded to submit emails to the President raising questions or requests to see if any changes can be considered.

3. TUC nominations

The NEC voted to send:

• Libby Nolan
• Julia Mwaluke
• Steve North
• Chair of PDCC (once elected)

4. Labour Party conference delegation

It was agreed that since this had to be Labour Link and Party members, this would be voted on separately online to allow for checks of membership.

5. 2023-2025 meeting dates

Dates were circulated 

6. Break for committees to all briefly meet to elect chairs and vice-chairs. The following were then elected by individual committees:

Development & Organisation – Andrea Egan and John Jones

Policy Development & Campaigns Committee – Tony Wright and Kath Owen

Service to Members – Mark Wareham and Nathalie Birkett

International – Liz Wheatley and Tony Wilson

Finance – Dan Sartin and Ant Solera

Staffing – Steve North and Jane Doolan

Industrial Action – Mark Fisher and Julia Mwaluke

Report ends.