The national executive council – stuffy old-fashioned name, we know – but it’s a group of 68 members who are just like you. Ordinary members of UNISON. No superpowers other than the ones you have. They’re council workers, nurses, care workers and any of the public service jobs a wide-ranging union like UNISON represents.
Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about the NEC elections – and why you should take a few minutes to vote.
Why is this happening?
The national executive council (NEC) is elected by our members every two years. It’s the largest election UNISON runs.
Why is this election important?
UNISON is run by, and for, its members through its democratic and lay structures.
All of our elections are important, as they allow the union to function in the best interests of our members. The NEC is the senior governing body of the union, elected by members to represent their interests in how the union is run.
Does it matter how many people vote?
Yes! The NEC that members elect will make decisions about the future of our union and these decisions will directly affect you, our members.
It’s important that as many members as possible have their say, so that the elected group that guides the work of the union for the next two years is as representative as possible of the whole union membership and does not overly represent the views or interests of only some members over those of others.
Who can vote?
All full members who were on the union’s membership register as of 21 January 2025 will be entitled to vote in this election. As this is a statutory ballot, governed by the law, voting can only be done by a ballot paper sent to members’ home addresses. (With a Labour government now in power, we’re hoping that will change in the future.)
When is it happening?
The candidate application and nominating periods have already taken place. Your branch will have had the chance to nominate candidates to seats representing your region, service group (health, higher education etc) and to the reserved Black member, disabled member and young member seats.
The member ballot opened on 21 April when ballot papers were sent to your home address, and it closes on 21 May. The results will be announced on 11 June.
Who is running the election?
UNISON’s member liaison unit runs the election. Civica Election Services (CES) is the returning officer and the independent scrutineer.
I’m not really involved in the union, I’m just a member
Your vote is as valid as anyone else’s. In fact, it’s the silent majority of members – the ones who don’t go to branch meetings or sit on a committee or play an ‘active’ role in the union – that we want to encourage to vote. It shouldn’t just be those who shout the loudest who decide what happens to your union.
All UNISON members are equal and all have the same voting rights in this election. One member, one vote.
And remember the more people who vote, the more reflective the NEC will be of our membership, and the better the union can serve those very members, like you.
How long does it take? Do I need to know in-depth ‘stuff’ about the union?
It takes just a few minutes. And no, you don’t! You’ll get brief biographies of the candidates you can vote for.
Is there any support?
Yes, there’s a ballot helpline which opens on 30 April and closes at 12 noon on 14 May.
Telephone: 0800 0 857 857. Or textphone: 0800 0 967 968.
Members should endeavour to have their membership number to hand when calling.
