Reserved (low pay) seat threshold for 2025

The cut-off wage for election to reserved (low pay) seats in the union rises to £13.56 an hour

UNISON centre sign

UNISON’s principles of proportionality and fair representation mean that some seats on elected bodies are reserved for women and low-paid members, so that the make-up fairly represents the wider union. This includes the national executive council (NEC).

The definition of low-paid reflects the median gross weekly earnings for all jobs – full time or part time – and is revised each year.

The median gross weekly earnings figure for 2024 has been calculated in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings at £613.30, which represents a 6.7% increase on 2023.

This means that the cut-off wage for election to reserved (low pay) seats in the union rises to £13.56 an hour.