NDC Brighton 2026 TFRC Booklet
Welcome: our General Secretary, Andrea Egan
In an unprecedented election result Andrea Egan was resoundingly elected by members to be our General Secretary. Incredibly this was the first time a lay member has been elected to the highest office in our union.
Already members see the difference. A General Secretary with a fresh dynamic approach, who is not afraid to boldly and effectively challenge employers and the Government. Not with empty rhetoric but an approach that delivers for members. A near 25% increase in the tax-free mileage rates – the first since 2011, secured after a direct conversation with the Chancellor is just one example.
It was Time For Real Change supporters that gave full backing to Andrea’s campaign – speaking to members, delivering Branch nominations and handing out leaflets. We knew members need a new approach and wanted a union that delivers. Meanwhile factions such as Members Together and Organised Left supported the status quo candidate, with no change in approach.
Of course, Andrea can’t change UNISON overnight, and cannot do it alone. We need change at all levels that means activists from the workplace to the NEC stepping up to support and her real organising agenda that was so popular with members.
There will be those that will resist this change, but we now have a real opportunity to become a union that delivers improvements in our members lives.
Join us, and help Andrea transform our union into a real force for positive change.
A fresh start in UNISON - Time for Real Change Rally
Tuesday 16th June, 7.30pm
Prompt start at the Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront, BN1 2JF
Speakers include:
Andrea Egan - General Secretary of UNISON
John McDonnell MP
John Hendy KC
Kath Owen, UNISON NEC
Caroline Hayhurst, Gloucestershire phlebotomist, UNISON
Jed Murray, UNISON South East Convenor
Update: 80% of TFRC candidates successful in SGE Elections!! A fantastic endorsement from members.
NJC Pay - No More Déjà vu!!
Council and school workers have been failed for too long by our union not learning from the many mistakes made in pay negotiations, ballots and messaging. This year can be radically different, underpinned and fully backed by our General Secretary with a radical organising approach that shifts resources, collectivises responsibility and action to ensure greater participation.
Time For Real Change activists have played a key role on the NJC shifting the committee to stop repeating past mistakes. A targeted ballot of over 200,000 members in around 500 employers (in contrast to the previous disastrous ballot of around 300,000 members in over 4,000 employers that led to only 3% of members beating the 50%) is radically different. Whilst there are real challenges to this strategy, it provides a real chance for key employers to face threshold busting ballot results.
Additional resources of organisers going into workplaces, additional training webinars, additional messages from our General Secretary; additional training for pay activists and a brand new Pledge link for pay activists to get easily involved and, most importantly, an organising to win approach in the ballot that is systematic, monitored and managed entirely differently. It is bold and all TFRC NJC activists are asked to get involved, sign and share the pledge link that will be provided throughout conference.
It really is time for real change in pay!
Migrant Care Workers Deserve Better
They are the fastest-growing sector in UNISON, playing a vital role in sustaining an overstretched social care system. Yet too many are repaid with exploitation, insecurity and fear. Some arrive in the UK burdened with heavy recruitment debts and feel unable to challenge mistreatment for fear of losing their job, housing or immigration status.
Many are trapped in poor accommodation, work long hours for low pay, tied to unfair contracts. This reflects a care system that has long been fragmented, privatised and underfunded. When immigration status is tied to employment, employers can hold excessive power over workers seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
Time for Real Change believes migrant workers must never be treated as cheap labour. They deserve dignity, fair pay, and full rights and protections. Threats of dismissal, deportation, unfair wage deductions and exploitative repayment clauses have no place in the modern care sector.
We must oppose proposals to extend the route to Indefinite Leave to Remain from five years to 15 or even 20. Migrant care workers support our most vulnerable every day; it is wrong to deny them the security and stability of settlement.
If these proposals are introduced, many workers may leave, risking a severe workforce crisis across the care sector. At a time of intense pressure on services, the consequences could be devastating.
The solution requires stronger organisation, enforcement and political pressure. End employer-tied visas, retain a fair five-year settlement route, scrap punitive immigration changes, introduce sector-wide visas, improve pay through Fair Pay Agreements, and recognise migrant care workers as essential.
A care system built on fear and exploitation is unsustainable. Time for Real Change stands for fairness, dignity, equality and justice.
Reject the EHRC Guidance - Time For Real Change
UNISON has rightly raised serious concerns about the revised Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance issued following the Supreme Court judgment. It is confusing, contradictory and, in many respects, completely unworkable. It creates uncertainty for employers, service providers and workers alike, while placing the rights and dignity of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people at risk.
Trade unionists understand that good policies bring clarity, fairness and inclusion. This guidance does the opposite, vague and inconsistent, with the potential for increased conflict in workplaces, and risks discriminatory practices under the guise of compliance. Questions around toilet provision, workplace facilities, participation in workplace activities, confidentiality, privacy and harassment are left unresolved or addressed in impractical ways that are simply impractical.
Most importantly, behind every legal argument and policy are real people. Our trans, non-binary and gender-diverse comrades are colleagues, friends, union activists, members. They deserve the same respect, dignity and protection that every worker expects. They should be able to live their lives as their authentic selves. There is an urgent need for wider legislative reform. Equality law must provide clear protections, promote inclusion and support human rights, not create confusion and division.
Time For Real Change believes that solidarity standing with those whose rights are under attack. At this National Delegate Conference, we send a clear message: reject this unworkable guidance, defend trans rights, and campaign for laws that uphold equality, dignity and respect for all.
An injury to one remains an injury to all.
Key Motions
Motion 9 - Increasing Participation of Low Paid Women in UNISON
This motion must be seen in the context of our organising agenda. TFRC supporters in many areas have driven this forward, with real benefits for low paid women, - by improving pay conditions AND increasing activist levels.
Composite A -Justice for Migrant Workers
This is an area of work that has been strengthened since Andrea became General Secretary. We must continue to pressure Labour – whether led by Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham or anyone else.
Motion 1 – Organising to Win
No-one in our union currently opposes the Organising agenda – in words at least. But there is still passive resistance and a failure to embed real organising principles as a priority in day-to-day work. We need to deepen organising
Motion 4 - Oppose & Fight Trade Union Victimisation – Protect Organising Reps!
Too often UNISON has been too cautious in acting on TU victimisation. We must be bolder, and fully supporting those fighting against victimisation.
Solidarity to Leicester and Salford Branches, and Tom Barker and Ameen Hadi, facing current victimisation
Motion 62 - Organise for Legal Protection for Gender Identity and Trans Rights
We must stand firm against the attack on trans rights, and push for positive legal change. This should be uncontroversial, but there are some, including those around the Communist Party / Morning Star, seeking to water down our principled stance
On Friday there is a chance to reprioritise motions. We highlight the following:
Support Re-Prioritisation
Motion 41 - Campaigning for a Bailout for Public Services - Action Please!
This is a follow up to a motion from the motion overwhelmingly passed last year, yet little if anything has been done to take the motion forward. It is important for our democracy that motions that are passed are implemented.
Motion 6 - Support for Branches as Employers
An increasing number of Branches employ staff and many are considering it. But the framework to support branches (and Branch Secretaries) is not there.
Oppose Reprioritisation
Motion 15 - Speaking in a Personal Capacity
This motion was brought to conference in 2024 & 2025; it was debated and lost on both occasions. – let’s not waste any time on a motion resoundingly defeated twice.
Get involved - Sign up to the Time For Real Change mailing list.
We are rank and file UNISON activists who want a fighting union delivering for members. We fully support Andrea Egan and her programme and want to help her transform our union. We will need yourhelp to nominate and elect a strong NEC in 2027
We stand for:
UNISON members first: not the Labour Party
A democratic and transparent lay member led union
A genuine organising and campaigning approach unionism