The general secretary is elected by members every five years.
The union’s NEC, at a meeting on15 July 2025, agreed a timetable for the election.
Full details and procedures are available:
Nomination period
Branches and other nominating bodies may make nominations for candidates in this election.
The nomination period runs from 20 August to 26 September 2025.
Voting Process
Members not on the UNISON membership system on 28 July 2025 will not be eligible to vote in this election.
Ballot paper(s) will be sent to members’ home or other notified address in writing. Members will be provided with a pre-paid envelope for the return of the ballot paper to the independent scrutineer. By law all voting must be by post.
Ballot Papers
The despatch of ballot paper(s) to individual members will begin on 28 October 2025.
The ballot pack will consist of:
- a covering letter from the union
- a booklet containing the candidates’ election addresses and a full list of nominating bodies
- ballot paper(s)
- a return envelope.
Where members have previously requested materials in a special format (for example 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 11 November 2025, they should contact the ballot helpline via UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.
If callers can have their membership number to hand when calling, that would help.
The latest that members can request a ballot paper is 19 November 2025 in order to ensure members have the opportunity to vote in time.
Please note that the ballot helpline can only deal with queries from individual members. If branches believe there is a widescale 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 the Member Liaison Unit via elections@unison.co.uk.
Result and close of ballot
The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the scrutineer is 5pm on 25 November 2025.
The result of this election will be announced on 17 December 2025.
Eligibility to vote
All full members who are on the union’s membership register as of 28 July 2025, will be entitled to vote in this election.
Members not on the membership register on 28 July 2025 will not be able to vote.
Returning Officer and Scrutineer
The returning officer and scrutineer for this election is Civica Election Services.
Email: unison@cesvotes.com
Complaints
Any complaint about the conduct of this election must be received no later than 5pm on 12 December 2025. Complaints must be in writing and should enclose any supporting documentation. Complaints should be sent to Civica Election Services.
Email unison@cesvotes.com
Queries
Any queries on this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit.
Email: elections@unison.co.uk
Tel: 020 7121 5399