General secretary election to be held

(20/01/10) There will be an election for the general secretary of UNISON this spring, the union's national executive council decided this morning.

The meeting voted to set the process in motion for a five-month election period, which will see nominations take place from 4 February to 1 April, with a ballot starting on 17 May and ending on 11 June, ahead of the union's national delegate conference later that month.

The result of the election will be announced on 22 June.

The NEC noted that current general secretary Dave Prentis was entitled to remain in office until May 2013, under trade union legislation, the union's rules and the contract of employment entered into at his last re-election in 2005.

However, Mr Prentis made it clear that he wished to submit himself for re-election this year, because "I have always believed that the democracy of our union is paramount" and because a new democratic mandate for the general secretary in "the difficult times we are now entering into" would help build "a strong united union capable of defending the interests of our members", which is needed now, more than ever.

In a letter to president Gerry Gallagher indicating his wish to seek re-election, Mr Prentis added that an early ballot would mean "we could then coalesce around an agenda on the issue which are so important to our members – fighting any cuts and defending our members".

The NEC agreed and adopted a timetable that will allow the election of a general secretary with a new mandate to meet the challenges of whichever new government is elected in the general election and take forward the policies decided at June's national delegate conference.

The meeting also voted to donate £10,000 to the Haiti earthquake appeal and called on branches to make donations via the TUC Aid appeal. Branches can donate online at www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-17424-f0.cfm

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