The Service Group Executives are elected by members every two years.
This procedure and timetable was approved by the National Executive Council’s (NEC) Development and Organisation Committee of UNISON on 19 November 2025 and by the NEC on 10 December 2025.
Full details and procedures are available here.
Voting Process
All full members who are on the union’s membership register as of 1 January 2026, will be entitled to vote in this election. Members will be sent ballot papers for any election(s) they are eligible to vote in.
Ballot papers and the method of voting
Online ballot codes will be emailed to all eligible members for whom the union holds an email address on the union’s membership system. These will be emailed by Civica Election Services (CES).
All other eligible members will be sent ballot papers to their home address (or any other address they have given in writing) as shown on the union’s membership system.
Members will have the option to vote online or by post. The ballot pack will include a prepaid envelope for returning the ballot paper(s) to the scrutineer, and unique security identifiers for voting online.
The despatch of ballot papers via email and post to individual members will begin from 1 April 2026.
Where members have previously requested 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 via the ballot helpline.
Ballot Helpline
If individual members have not received a paper by 8 April 2026, then they should contact the ballot helpline at UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
Lines are open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4pm Saturday. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.
Members should endeavour to have their membership number to hand when calling.
The latest point at which members can request a replacement ballot paper is 12 noon on 6 May 2026.
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 13 May 2026.
The result will be available on 10 June 2026 and the successful candidates will take office at the close of National Delegate Conference 2026.
Independent Scrutineer and Returning Officer
The Scrutineer and Returning Officer for this election is Civica Election Services. The contact details for which are: Civica Election Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW.
Email: unison@cesvotes.com
Tel: 0208 365 8909
Complaints
Any complaint about the conduct or fairness of this election must be received no later than 5pm on 27 May 2026. Complaints must be in writing and should enclose any supporting documentation. Complaints should be sent to Civica Election Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW.
Email unison@cesvotes.com
Queries
Any query regarding this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit at the UNISON Centre.
Email elections@unison.co.uk
Tel: 020 7121 5399