Andrea Egan UNISON General Secretary

Starmer’s Control Freakery Is a Gift to Reform Keir Starmer’s decision to block Andy Burnham shows a prime minister more concerned with factional control than stopping Farage — and it’s working people who will pay the price.

Starmer’s Control Freakery Is a Gift to Reform

My article for @tribunemagazine.bsky.social

tribunemag.co.uk/2026/01/star...

I know many, many trade unionists will be so disappointed and angry at local members not being given a say over who their candidate should be. This isn’t the way any democratic organisation should be run. Now’s the time to unite our movement not divide it.

We all have a responsibility to pull together and turn UNISON into an incredible force for change.

My message to members 👇

I’m sure all trade unionists expect a democratic process for Gorton & Denton in which local party members decide who they want to represent them. We've seen enough control-freakery in the Labour Party and it has done our movement nothing but harm.

Lancashire care homes will not shut, Reform UK says - BBC News Protests had been held over the future of the five care homes that were under review in Lancashire.

Reform tried to shut down five care homes in Lancashire. UNISON and the community stood firm and stopped them.

We can defeat Farage and his hateful, anti-worker politics.

Huge well done to UNISON North West & local campaigners, showing the way ✊

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A huge thank you to UNISON North West for the invitation to speak at their rally today.

The Reform led Lancashire County Council must drop proposals to close or privatise care facilities.

Solidarity to the workers defending crucial public services.

“Labour has so far failed to turn this round, despite all the grand talk of national renewal. Why? Because the party refuses to govern in the interest whose name it bears: labour. Governing for labour would mean confidently governing for the working class as a whole, unafraid of the bond markets, the 'business lobby', and the right-wing rags.”

As UNISON GS, my central political priority will be defending the working class and improving our lot.

That means wages up above inflation, investment in public services not war, and proper sectoral collective bargaining.

My Sunday Mirror column ⬇️

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

My warning as the new head of Unison: never again will we prop up politicians hostile to unions | Andrea Egan I have been appalled by Wes Streeting’s attacks on resident doctors. The destructive right wing of the Labour party should know that this is a new era, says the general secretary-elect of Unison, Andrea...

My warning as the new head of Unison: never again will we prop up politicians hostile to unions

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The General Secretary election is a win for millions of workers... ...but the work doesn't stop now! If you want UNISON to be democratic, transparent and successful - a fighting union that delivers for its members, then get involved with the Time For Real Change campaign. www.timeforrealchange.uk/get-involved Time For Real Change Andrea Egan UNISON General Secretary

The General Secretary election was a momentous result, but we need to keep this energy!

If you want UNISON to be a democratic, transparent and successful union that delivers for its members, support the Time For Real Change in UNISON campaign:

timeforrealchange.uk/get-involved

I am delighted to announce I have been elected General Secretary of UNISON. This win, above all, is a win for ordinary UNISON members. We public sector workers are on the frontlines of chronic underfunding, low pay, and outsourcing. We bear the brunt of it all. UNISON's central task is to change that reality - our reality. But that will only be possible if we recognise that an organised membership is our greatest strength, if we put faith in our collective decisions, and if we stand up to any employer or politician who acts against our interests. I would like to pay tribute to Christina, who has served our union for many years, and to thank her for fighting an energetic campaign. I will work night and day to transform this union, but I cannot do it alone. Because this isn't about me as an individual. It's about ordinary UNISON members taking charge collectively. We are going to need everyone - members, branch reps, grassroots activists, and our staff - pulling together. Then we can transform our union, and with it the lives of public sector workers across this country. Andrea Egan Andrea Egan UNISON General Secretary

🚨I am delighted to have been elected as UNISON's next General Secretary.

This is a win for ordinary UNISON members. Read my statement below:

It was a real honour to hold a rally for delegates at LGBT+ conference. I hope my LGBT+ friends had a wonderful conference!

As the General Secretary election comes to a close, I want to thank everyone that’s attended any of my rally’s across the campaign.

It’s time to win.

✉️🚨If you've not voted yet, rush to the post box before noon today. Join the thousands of members voting for real change in UNISON.

✊🏻Andrea Egan for General Secretary!

The election for UNISON General Secretary is coming to a close. If you haven't voted yet, you need to post it by NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY). Help to bring real change to our union. It's Time to Win. Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary

⏰The election for UNISON General Secretary is coming to a close.

✉️If you haven't voted yet, you need to post it by
NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

✊🏻Help to bring real change to our union.

✅It's Time to Win.

I was moved to tears with some of the powerful speeches and it serves as a reminder of how much space we have lost, and that must be placed at the foot of those in leadership that have failed our trans community. Let this be a reminder to us all to double down on our commitment to the cause.

2/2🧵

I have taken some leave to have a break and visit my friends and comrades attending LGBT+ Conference in Edinburgh.

Whilst I am here I attended the Trans Day of Remembrance vigil at Edinburgh Uni.

1/2 🧵

LGBT+ Conference Evening Fringe Meeting Quaker Meeting House - EH1 2JL Friday 21st November - 7.30 - 8:30pm We are aware this may clash with some regional meals, please speak to your regional lead about arriving late. Speakers: Eileen Best - She/Her Co-chair of the National LGBT+ Committee Micheál Duffy - They/Them Branch Secretary Somerset LG&C Branch South West LGBT+ regional Convenor Mobina Begum - She/Her Equity and Inclusion Officer Leeds Beckett UNISON Branch. Robyn Banks - They/Them/It/Its Co-chair of the Trans, Non-Binary & Gender Diverse Caucus. and Andrea Egan - She/Her

There is no place for any form of discrimination in our union. I have consistently opposed all forms of discrimination including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, ableism and ageism and I always will. I know that a commitment to equality for all is shared by the overwhelming majority of our members, particularly our self-organised groups, who have led the charge against prejudice in our union for decades. Regrettably, our union's subservience to the Labour Party has meant that our opposition to discrimination has frequently crumbled in the face of Starmer's reactionary agenda. The current Government has cracked down on the rights of transgender people. If our members' policy meant anything, our General Secretary would have used our union's substantial influence and contributions to Labour to robustly stand up for our values - but all we have seen is mealy-mouthed statements in public and subservience behind the scenes. This has to change. Either we believe in equalities or we don't. I will stand proudly and unequivocally in defence ofLGBT+ rights because equality is not negotiable and discrimination in any form has no place in our workplaces. I know that trans men are men, trans women are women and that non-binary identities exist. People have the right to live as their true authentic selves and deserve the full support of the union to do so.

🏳️‍🌈 I hope our UNISON LGBT+ Comrades have a wonderful conference in Edinburgh this weekend!

I will be holding a rally tonight at the Quakers Meeting house at 7:30pm with some amazing speakers!

💜Eileen Best
💜Micheál Duffy
💜Mobina Begum
💜Robyn Banks

All welcome!

✉️UNISON NEC member David Jones has sent off his ballot!

❓Have you?

Kameron & Emily, two young members from Stockton Local Government Branch, are supporting me to be UNSIONs next General Secretary!

Thank you Kameron and Emily 💜💚

We’re backing Andrea Surrey & Sussex Healthcare Stoke On Trent City UNISON Branch Stockton Local Government Andrea Egan for General Secretary

Huge thank you to Surrey & Sussex Healthcare Branch, Stoke On Trent City UNISON Branch & Stockton Local Government Branch for your nominations!

✉️Remember to send off your ballots in plenty of time for your vote to be counted.

NHS staffing levels Staffing levels are unsafe, and hard-working NHS workers like you regularly face aggression in the workplace. That's not right. If you want change, sign up to my campaign to be UNISON's General Secretary Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary

Staffing levels are unsafe, and hard-working NHS workers like you regularly face aggression in the workplace.

That's not right.

If you want change, sign up to my campaign to be UNISON's General Secretary.

Tom Zagoria, a young member from the Northern region is supporting my campaign to be UNISONs next General Secretary! Thank you Tom ✊🏻

UNISON is the biggest union in the NHS, but recently it hasn't felt like it.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️I will stand proudly and unequivocally in defence of LGBT+ rights because equality is not negotiable and discrimination in any form has no place in our workplaces.

Thank you Robyn for your support and all you do for our members!

Background: transgender flag colours “transgender day of of remembrance” “November 20, 2024” Under is a white graphic of three candles.

On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we commemorate so many who've lost their lives to violence, we must all stand together 🏳️‍⚧️❤️

Huge thank you to Swansea Bay Healthcare Branch, Surrey County Branch & Swindon LG Branch for their nominations ✊🏻

Don't forget to post your vote this week; make change happen. Elect a General Secretary that WILL DELIVER for UNISON members ✊🏻

Make sure you vote this week. UNISON members deserve better, but I need your vote if we are to start winning for you.

We’re backing Andrea Telford UNISON Branch Tandridge District Tameside Health Tameside Andrea Egan for General Secretary

Telford UNISON Branch, Tandridge District Branch, Tameside Health Branch & Tameside Branch are putting their faith in me! It's Time To Win! ✊🏻

Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary My Pay will go up when your pay goes up! Instead of taking the £181,000 pay package the current General Secretary receives, I will take the wage of a social worker. My pay will go up when your pay goes up! Sign up if you agree!

💸 Instead of taking the £181,000 salary package the current General Secretary receives, I will take the wage of a social worker.

💜 I will make sure the rest of the money goes to the Industrial Action Fund and There For You.

📈 My pay will go up when yours goes up!

We’re backing Andrea Southampton District Southampton Hospitals Southend On Sea B.C.Unison Southern Counties Water Andrea Egan for General Secretary

Southampton District Branch, Southampton Hospitals Branch, Southend On Sea B.C.UNISON Branch & Southern Counties Water Branch nominated me to be UNISONs next General Secretary! Thank you✊🏻