I am entering the UNISON General Secretary Election to win.
As we all know, over three quarters of UNISON members are women. As a woman who has dedicated decades of activism, campaigning and paid employment to UNISON, the trade union and women's movements, I feel I am a strong candidate. I want to use my experience as an activist and paid official to turn our great union into a hub of activism, ideas and solidarity with other unions and campaigns.
It has been suggested that because I received no nominations from the NEC, I have no chance in this election. This could not be further from the truth. My supporters are already working hard and are being joined daily by others who are keen for real change.
But it certainly is time for genuine reflection on member participation and involvement in our lay structures and the union as a whole.
I want our activist base to more accurately reflect our diverse membership. Women, black members, disabled members and LGBT members, as well as those on low pay, are all under represented. We need to undertake targeted organising to ensure this happens.
The turnout in this years NEC election was low for what is our sovereign lay member committee: As only 5.5% of members voted, we have to ask if there is some disconnect between members, branches and the key structures in our union.
We continue to struggle to fill low-paid seats on major committees, despite the fact that our 'low pay' threshold is above the living wage. Many NHS, local government and school workers are very low paid indeed.
The same low turnout and disconnect with members was true for the last GS election and applies to our service group elections and other democratic processes, including conferences and some Branch AGMs.
As GS I would make member and activist participation and engagement a priority. It is time to make "member-led" really mean something. This would give women, black members, disabled members and LGBT members more 'voice' and more power in UNISON.
I hope colleagues and activists will have the courage and solidarity to ensure that rules are followed during this campaign, to ensure a fair, democratic result. All meetings called to nominate candidates must be quorate and paid officials of the union must not interfere with branch decision-making. Please let me know if you hear that rules are being broken or if you are asked to do something you are not comfortable with.
Regardless of who wins, I think everyone in UNISON should be focussed on getting the strongest possible turnout in this election. The outcome will be vital for the future of UNISON.
I understand some staff are worried about supporting me publicly. However, UNISON should be a vibrant democracy, in which differing views are seen as healthy and necessary for change - not a threat.
I'm always interested to hear people’s views...please let me have yours!
