Statement: Steve North

The removal of Steve North from his elected roles of UNISON President and Chair of the NEC’s Staffing Committee is a politically-motivated effort to influence the NEC elections and the General Secretary election later this year.

The decision stems from a complaint made almost two years ago relating to how Steve carried out his role as Chair of Staffing. In the interim period the Union had not suspended Steve or placed any restrictions on his activities of any kind. The sanction comes during the first week of the NEC elections and only weeks in advance of UNISON's National Delegate Conference.

Steve has proven to be a popular and principled President and a diligent Chair of Staffing, who has stood up for UNISON members and been willing to challenge unelected officers on behalf of members.

For too long UNISON's senior paid officer leadership – its General Secretariat led by Christina McAnea – has dealt with disagreements over how our union should be run through politically-motivated disciplinary action against elected lay members. There has been ample evidence of this in the last two NEC terms since 2021 when Time For Real Change first achieved a majority.

Steve remains a member of UNISON and has made it clear he intends to challenge the decision against him. We send our solidarity to Steve, his family and his branch in Salford. UNISON needs real change and we are determined to deliver that change this year in the NEC and General Secretary elections.