Due to COVID-19, the NEC agreed that nominating bodies can hold virtual nomination meetings for the duration of this election if their rules allow online meetings, and with a member of regional staff present if they do not. This is stated in paragraphs 38c and 38d of the election procedures.
Where branch rules do not provide for hybrid or online meetings, there are two additional requirements in these paragraphs –
1 that nominating bodies are required to give regions seven days’ notice of their nomination meeting.
2 that a member of UNISON staff will attend all meetings as an Independent Observer to ensure due process is followed.
With these requirements in mind, once nominating bodies have decided a date for a nomination meeting (remember that this must be held between 10 January 2022 and 11 February 2022), they should contact the region giving at least seven days’ notice. Please note deadline for receiving nominations is 5pm on 11 February 2022.
Please include the following details:
- Date
- Time
- Venue
- Link to virtual meeting
The role of UNISON staff acting as Independent Observers
The role of the member of staff is to attend the meeting and act as an Independent Observer:
- This means their role is to act as an impartial witness if any complaints were to be submitted.
- The Independent Observer will complete a form for each meeting detailing factual information about the meeting (number of members present, quorum, candidates nominated etc.). This will be submitted to the Regional Secretary/national officer as a matter of record to have an audit trail in case any complaints are submitted.
- It is not the role of the Independent Observer to intervene unless due process is not being followed. Details of any intervention will be recorded in the aforementioned form.
Any queries relating to the nominating process or Independent Observer role must be referred to the election mailbox (elections:@unison.co.uk)