Report of UNISON National Executive Council 17th April 2024

1. General Secretary report

The General Secretary raised a number of issues including the ongoing attacks in Gaza, the social care reforms, the health sector strikes, local government, education sector, Windrush campaign, and the Mercer case, just won by UNISON. At Health Conference, strikers were given a very warm welcome via an online broadcast from a picket line, and we would try and replicate this at National Delegate Conference if at all possible. On the National Care Service, Labour is committed a sectoral pay agreement for care workers to boost pay within the first 100 days of a new government.

Questions and comments to the General Secretary:

Several NEC members raised the issue that ‘not rocking the boat’ before a General Election is not a tactic that we should use. This period will be key for UNISON, and we need to defend against any attacks on members in the most robust way possible, with our actions promoted and publicised. Our industrial action should not be hampered or curtailed by considerations for the Labour Party.

We discussed the attacks on Gaza, calling for a more robust approach from the union, encouraging and supporting local action by branches, and publicly supporting the national demonstrations by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, including the demo on 27 April and on International Workers Day. This will help to build confidence among members. There were calls for the General Secretary to speak at these national events.

We discussed the announcement by the Labour Party that there will not be extra funding for Local Government, posing the question what can UNISON do about this? NEC members discussed the need for the Labour Link National Committee to put pressure on the Labour Party over its position on Local Government funding and the National Care Service. There was concern about the effectiveness of Labour Link to challenge the Labour Party over these issues.

One NEC member raised Wes Streeting’s comments on boosting the use of the private sector within the NHS and any concerns about this being those of ‘middle class lefties’. This NEC member felt we needed a high profile campaign on the importance of retaining the NHS as a public provider.

One NEC member asked when the union would receive the results of its internal KC-led race enquiry (looking at legal and casework support for Black members). An Assistant General Secretary replied that the outcomes should be ready for the June or September meeting.

NEC members raised the issue of Birmingham City Council and Nottingham City Council, which are facing drastic cuts to services and attacks on members. We need a determined response from UNISON to support the members facing these attacks, as well as publicising their struggles and sending solidarity messages. Some NEC members raised these struggles as key priorities for the union in the pre-election period. We discussed the National Care Service and concern at how the Labour Party appears to be rowing back from its commitment. The union’s position is a National Care Service is needed within five years whereas Labour has said it will be for the second term of its government at least. UNISON’s media outputs are praising Labour for supporting a National Care Service but should not sow illusions within our membership, one NEC member stated.

The Cass Review was raised, as it plays a part in the Tory ‘culture wars’ and their anti-Trans rhetoric. The Cass Review is scientifically flawed, one NEC member argued. The Labour Party has also been unsupportive on this issue. NEC members demanded that the union takes a more proactive position to Transphobic rhetoric from the Labour Party. The General Secretary confirmed she would wait the position from the national LGBT+ Committee.

2. Presidential Team report

The President referred to a number of important issues, including Trans rights, Gaza, local government cuts and pay campaigns.

Questions & comments: NEC members discussed the massive cuts that Birmingham City Council is carrying out, with 600 jobs going and 400 vacancies being deleted. The Council is trying to blame trade unions for this situation, because of their successful Equal Pay Claim, but the reality is that over a decade of austerity has cut £1 billion from their budgets, combined with a costly and ill-fated outsourced IT system. There are also attacks on the facility time for the Birmingham UNISON local government branch in the city. This attack is a sign of things to come for other local government branches. NEC members argued we must have a determined response to defend these members from attacks by what is a Labour local authority. An NEC member called for mobilisation to the Birmingham May Day demonstration against the cuts.

The NEC discussed the good work the President has been doing in attending picket lines and supporting the Palestine Solidarity Campaign by speaking at their national Gaza rallies. The union’s focus at Conference could be used to develop the confidence of our branches on pay campaigns. Conference could be an opportunity to share experience and good practice in successful strikes and learn the lessons from all the recent action.

We discussed Women’s Conference, and the President was thanked for highlighting Trans rights and abortion rights in her report. The union needs to be bold in defending these rights publicly, as well as organising against attacks on these fundamental rights.

3. National Delegates Conference business

The NEC agreed to support two appeals to Standing Orders Committee for an NEC motion and rule change it had ruled out of order. The NEC’s position on motions was agreed for Conference, and some amendments were also agreed to NEC motions. This took up a substantial amount of time, as is usual for this meeting in the cycle. The union’s Annual Report for Conference was agreed, though concern expressed about the NEC only receiving this very long document with 24 hours’ notice. It was agreed to circulate earlier in future years.

4. Organising report

The NEC received its regular report on membership trends and organising. Membership grew by a fraction under 7,000 new members net in 2023, an increase of 0.56%. Steward recruitment too was on the up, increasing by a significant 56% in 2023. The union has had three consecutive years of net membership growth.

The early signs in 2024 were good. In the first quarter (January to March), membership had grown by 14,500 members net, exceeding 2023 and 2024’s 1% net growth target already. We are not complacent, but the NEC was encouraged that the union is finding ways to recruit and retain members in months of the year we have traditionally found more challenging. There had been net growth in both February and March 2024 when usually these months see decline in membership.