SGE by-elections - Local Government ballots notice

(21/09/09) Ballots are being held for vacant Local Government General seats in Greater London and Yorkshire & Humberside regions.

The candidates in these elections are:

Greater London region

Peter Daley and John McLoughlin

Yorkshire and Humberside region

Christopher Nykiel, Linda Crowther and James Board

Voting Process

Members not on the UNISON central membership system on 12 July 2009 will not be eligible to vote in this election. Only full members in the Local Government service group, either Greater London or Yorkshire and Humberside regions, are eligible to vote in this election.

Ballot papers

Ballot papers will be sent to members’ home or other notified address. Members will be provided with a pre-paid envelope for the return of the ballot paper to the Independent Scrutineer. All voting will be by post.

The despatch of ballot papers to individual members will begin on 12 October 2009.

Where members have previously requested (via the RMS) materials in a special format e.g. in large print, they will automatically receive the ballot pack in that format. Any additional requests should be made to the ballot helpline.

Ballot Helpline

If individual members have not received a paper by 19 October 2009 then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect on the following telephone number: 0845 355 0845

Lines are open from 6am to midnight Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.

Members should endeavour to have their membership number to hand when telephoning.

The latest point at which members can request a ballot paper is 12 noon on 3 November 2009.

Please note that the ballot helpline can only deal with queries from individual members. If branches believe there is a wide-scale problem with receipt of ballot papers amongst their members (for instance if whole departments or geographical areas have not received ballot papers) then the branch should contact their regional office.

Close of Ballot and Result

The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the Independent Scrutineer is 5pm on Friday 6 November 2009.

The result will be available on 2 December 2009 and the successful candidates will take office immediately.

Independent Scrutineer and Returning Officer

The Scrutineer and Returning Officer for this election is Electoral Reform Services, the contact details for which are: Electoral Reform Services The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Tel 020 8365 8909. Fax 020 8365 7013. Email unison@electoralreform.co.uk">unison@electoralreform.co.uk

Queries

In the first instance any query regarding this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit at the union’s national office in Mabledon Place. Direct dial 020 7551 1312. Fax 0207 551 1196. Email elections@unison.co.uk

Complaints

Any complaint about the conduct or fairness of this election must be received no later than 5pm on 13 November 2009. Complaints must be in writing and should enclose any supporting documentation. Complaints should be sent to Electoral Reform Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Email unison@electoralreform.co.uk">unison@electoralreform.co.uk Fax 020 8365 7013.