Model Emergency Motion - Reinstate Steve North

Emergency Motion to UNISON National Delegate Conference

Reinstate Steve North – Defend Democracy in UNISON

Conference notes that following the outcome of an internal UNISON process arising from a complaint made in 2023, in relation to his role of Chair of UNISON’s NEC Staffing Committee, Steve North has been suspended from all UNISON roles for 18 months, but remains a member of UNISON.

This decision led to Steve’s immediate removal from the roles of UNISON President, Chair of Staffing, NEC representative, North West Joint Deputy Convenor, Salford City UNISON Branch Secretary and Steward.

Conference notes the powerful letter from members of the Salford City UNISON Branch Committee to UNISON General Secretary Christina McAnea, stating how the decision has impacted their branch, how appalled they are at how UNISON has handled this process and demanding their right to elect Steve as their Branch Secretary.

Conference further notes that Steve continues to deny the allegations of misconduct against him. In statements he has made since the outcome, Steve has highlighted numerous concerns about the way his original hearing and appeal were conducted and has stated that he will continue to challenge this decision, including through the Certification Officer.

Conference understands that the members of the panels that found against Steve and enforced this sanction were appointed by senior officers of the union.

Conference believes that Steve North remains the democratically elected UNISON President, NEC member, Chair of Staffing, North West Joint Deputy Convenor and Salford City UNISON Branch Secretary.

Conference further believes that Steve has consistently promoted greater transparency and accountability within our union in these roles. He has insisted that we must stand up for UNISON policies, and be unafraid to challenge the current Labour Government in doing so. He has marched and spoken in solidarity with Palestine, has actively worked to organise migrant workers in social care, has personally confronted the Far Right and has shown unwavering solidarity for the rights of all UNISON members, including our Trans comrades.

Conference believes Steve’s removal from his union positions, at the start of the UNISON NEC elections when no prior restrictions had been placed on his union activity since the complaint was raised in 2023, is intended to create division in our union when we need unity against Labour Government cuts and the rise of Reform.

Conference therefore demands Steve’s immediate reinstatement to all his UNISON positions and calls upon the NEC to undertake an immediate, member-led review of all disciplinary procedures to ensure the fairness and transparency befitting a genuinely member-led union.

We are encouraging UNISON members to ask their branches to agree this motion and to submit it to National Delegate Conference as an emergency motion through OCS.

The deadline for Emergency Motions is 9am on Tuesday 10th June.

As well as submitting to Conference, we are suggesting that any branches that agree this motion should send it by email to UNISON General Secretary Christina McAnea (c.mcanea@unison.co.uk) and copy in the UNISON Vice Presidents Julia Mwaluke (j.mwaluke@unison.co.uk) and Lyn Marie O'Hara (l.o’hara2@unison.co.uk).

You can download the motion as a Word document here.

There is also a petition available to sign in support of Steve, here.