NEC Report, meeting held on 18 February 2026
1. Political Fund Rule Changes
The NEC received proposals two days in advance of the NEC meeting to implement changes to the Rulebook governing our political funds. This was, at least in part, due to tight deadlines set by the Certification Officer (CO) following the passing of the Employment Rights Act.
Officers presenting admitted the rule changes were complex (running to several pages), not of our making, and urgent for the NEC to pass. NEC members did not however receive an adequate written commentary to accompany the lengthy rule changes so the rule changes had to be explained on the day, verbally, which was not ideal. One NEC member called for more detailed explanation to be provided in future to match the importance of the issues at hand.
Due to the extraordinary circumstances imposed by the CO, the NEC passed the rule changes which will be referred to National Delegate Conference for endorsement.
2. General Secretary report
UNISON’s new General Secretary, Andrea Egan, our first ever lay member General Secretary, presented her first report to the NEC.
Andrea made a few introductory remarks thanking members for their support and noting the significance of her being the first lay member elected to the role. Andrea called for unity around a purpose of improving the livelihoods of our members. She spoke about an open and transparent culture for our union and how this would be central to progress.
Andrea’s report included information about the Year of Green Activity, government consultations on regulations arising from the Employment Rights Act, responding to Welfare Reform proposals, action on tackling the far right (including encouraging people to attend the Together Alliance march in London on 28th March), immigration campaigning, work on protecting the right to protest including us joining a civil society coalition led by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, international activity regarding Palestine, Cuba, Turkey and Venezuela and other matters.
Many NEC members started their questions by acknowledging the General Secretary election result and the remarkable achievement and change of direction for our Union, and congratulated Andrea on her victory.
Matters raised from the floor included the following.
Andrea’s commitment to members in Higher Education and her attendance at their recent conference was welcomed.
UNISON’s ongoing work to get the government to repeal the strike ballot thresholds.
The employment implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the unlawfulness of the proscription of Palestine Action. The Director of Legal Services replied that this decision was pending a possible government appeal, but that there were good grounds for calling on employers to suspend any current ongoing proceedings pending such an appeal.
How we would take forward work on reviewing links with the Labour Party. Andrea had been in post less than one month but work was underway to consider how manifesto commitments would be implemented.
Reputational damage arising from a news item about UNISON officers taking ‘jollies’ in a branch in Scotland and a request that this be investigated, which Andrea agreed to take away.
Positive changes for Police staff because of UNISON lobbying and a request of Andrea for her support in dealing with some challenges presented with the government White Paper, which was given.
Support for our NEC member Tom Barker who is facing ‘union busting victimisation’ by his employer.
3. Presidential Team report
The welcome support and donations towards the President’s charity, the Women of Hebron Cooperative was referenced. The team also highlighted in their written report activity around the Year of Green Activity, the recent Migrant Workers lobby of Parliament, Cymru Regional Council, a Holocaust Memorial Event in Paisley, Women’s and Higher Education conferences and the private contractors’ seminar.
An NEC member questioned progress made on the Conference priority motion at NDC 2025 for the Union to create a “Public Services Bailout campaign”. Seemingly no progress has been made on this since June 2025 and the Vice-President (who also chairs the Policy and Campaigns committee) was not able to report any, highlighting UNISON’s current inertia and difficulty it has to take on urgent campaigning.
4. National Delegate Conference 2026
Twelve motions were brought to the NEC from its Committees for approval.
Justice for Migrant Workers
AI and Digitalisation: a priority for 2026
Building on the Employment Rights Act
Prioritise Safety. Prevent Harm. Transform Occupational Health
Tackling Reform UK
2026 Year of Green Activity – turning activity into activism
Improve living standard for low-paid workers to build an economy that works for all
Reviewing our subscription bands: securing a sustainable future
Organising to win
Trade union education provision is vital
Taking a Stand to Protect International Law and Global Justice
Palestine
A number of these motions were amended by NEC members to improve them, through a consensual debate and process, leading to amendments and the motions themselves being ratified unanimously.
This consensus was unfortunately not possible for the motion, “Reviewing our subscription bands: securing a sustainable future.” The NEC in 2025 had passed a motion seeking to review subscription bands, focussing on congestion now arising in Band K, our highest subs band, which now produces an iniquitous situation where all members earning over 35K pay the same rate. That 2025 motion also acknowledged the risk inherent in reviewing subs bands, as if the Union gets this wrong it will damage our membership levels and financial base. The 2025 motion was not prioritised by Conference, indicating that branches were content to let the NEC get on with a review scheduled to report back to NDC 2026. The Chair of Finance did not wish to use this motion to instigate a Review but tabled a different motion which would lead instead to a more wide-ranging Review, giving the impression that there is a view we should increase subs across the board, and not just for higher earners. Concern was also raised about the possible impact on lower-paid members at the lower end of the subscription scale. The Chair did not accept the friendly amendments and the NEC backed him in passing the new, wide-ranging motion in its original content, though opposition was recorded in the vote.
The NEC agreed proposed Rule changes to go to NDC as follows:
To permit extensions to suspension during Rule I disciplinary investigations where harassment or discrimination is alleged, once it was accepted that UNISON should adhere to a legal definition of ‘harassment’
Removing reference to postal ballots in elections in light of electronic balloting
Removing reference to postal ballots in General Secretary elections in light of electronic balloting
Increasing the number of Service Group panellists available for disciplinary appeals
Removing reference to Environmental Officers as ‘Green reps’, which are to be a separate role
Adding workplace ‘Green reps’
There was also a discussion about conference arrangements including speakers and other matters. It was hoped to secure a high-profile speaker on the environment and a speaker on Palestine. There was a discussion on what kind of politician, if any, we would wish to invite. The Presidential Team said it would reflect on the discussion and report back proposals at the next NEC meeting.
The Presidential Team mooted printing NEC meeting attendance rates of NEC members in the NDC papers. This was welcomed, though one member rightly pointed out that some members do not get prompt release from their employer to attend for a number of reasons. These include the slowness of the Union to reimburse employers where they refuse to fund release. It is hoped these efforts for transparency can be extended to include other factors relating to NEC member release and participation, such as cost to the NEC and Committee memberships.
5. Organising Report
Year to date membership growth is 1.7%, ahead of our 1% target though less than last year and other recent years. Greater London and the South East have led regional growth and Health and Social Care are the leading sector and service groups.
6. Finance Report
It was reported that we are currently ahead of budget leading to a surplus of £2.1 million, due to higher than forecast subscription income. This is not yet the final end of year figure which will be finalised at the NEC’s next meeting.
Concerns about Mole were raised by a number of NEC members, including concerns about non-payment of advance expenses for recent conferences. Concerns continued to be raised that Mole was deemed to be ‘mandatory’ but without Rulebook provision for this being so. The Chair of Finance relied upon the wording of Motion 72 at Special NDC 2021 for deeming Mole to be mandatory, however the wording of the motion passed does not give any indication that Mole was to be mandatory. Motion 72 also passed a ‘branch procurement system’, which has been implemented but is not mandatory. The Chair of Finance did admit that there is ‘no sanction’ available to him to apply to branches who do not use his ‘mandatory’ system.
One NEC member called on the Union to think again, now we have a new General Secretary elected on a mandate to change and improve the Union, about tying up £7-8 million of members money in Unity Bank shares which would be very hard or impossible to liquidate. They stated that UNISON was not a bank and its approach to managing its resources should reflect that it is a trade union, with the best strategy to secure financial security being to improve and grow the Union.
7. Staffing report
One NEC member asked about the progress of the NEC’s Staffing Review and when the NEC would receive a report on it. The Chair of the Staffing Committee confirmed the NEC would receive a full report in due course.
8. Bargaining report
The NEC received is usual report from across the sectors of various collective bargaining issues.
9. Date of next meeting
This was notified to be Wednesday 8 April 2026.