As General Secretary there’s always a huge amount to do – especially when faced with a government determined to cut jobs, freeze pay and attack our members rights.
But one of the greatest pleasures is spending time with UNISON members in their branches and talking to them about their struggles and their successes.
So it was a huge pleasure to visit my local hospital earlier this week to speak to activists at the Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital branch AGM.
Branch secretary Darren Burton and Branch chair Annette Heslop both spoke passionately and inspirationally about how being UNISON members has changed their lives and improved conditions for their colleagues and friends in the hospital.
As I visit branches around the country, I never cease to be impressed by the great work our local reps do. Whether it’s negotiating with their employers or representing individual members, they make a tangible and vital difference in their workplaces all year round.
It’s an honour to represent members like that – and listening to the stories of their hard work (and, I’m sure, sacrifice) made me proud to be part of the same union, fighting together for the better jobs, better opportunities and better public services that our country needs and deserves.