UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Union members have elected Andrea Egan as general secretary, replacing Christina McAnea and marking a leadership change that could affect the union’s ties with Labour.
As reported by Peter Walker of The Guardian, Britain’s largest trade union, Unison, could face tensions with Labour after electing a leftwing figure previously expelled from the party to replace the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer’s ally.
How many votes did Andrea Egan receive from Unison members to win leadership?
In an unexpected result, Andrea Egan defeated Christina McAnea, who had led Unison since 2021, and will start her five-year term representing public service workers next month.
Ms Egan secured 58,579 votes against Christina McAnea’s 39,353. A left-leaning figure within the Labour movement, she has been critical of the government since it took office last year.
When Ms Egan takes charge, Unison may follow Unite in scaling back donations and even exploring formal disaffiliation from the Labour Party.
The newly elected general secretary, a social worker with extensive union experience and a left-leaning Labour background, was expelled in 2022 after the party said she had shared posts from Socialist Appeal, a group banned by Labour.
The move sparked accusations of a witch-hunt, but Ms Egan insisted it “does nothing to support” unity between Labour and the unions.
In a statement, Ms Egan said,
“This result means ordinary Unison members are at long last taking charge of our union. We will put faith in members’ decisions and stand up to any employer, politician or cabinet minister who acts against our interests.”
She added,
“Together, we will turn Unison into the remarkable force for change it should be. That journey has begun today.”
According to her manifesto, Ms Egan intends to start
“a comprehensive review of our relationship with the Labour party to ensure we get value for money and use our influence to advance our union’s democratically agreed policies.”
During the campaign, she told LabourList that although Unison has a connection to Labour,
“that doesn’t mean we should continue to be subservient,”
and criticized Ms McAnea for her close links to Sir Keir Starmer, which hindered proper oversight.
Ms Egan accused the government of showing “absolute disregard for working-class people,” highlighting changes to welfare, curbs on immigration, and reductions to the winter fuel allowance, and asked,
“Why are they doing that? Is it because they think they’re the only party?”
How did Keir Starmer praise Andrea Egan after her Unison election win?
Sir Keir Starmer said,
“Congratulations to Andrea Egan on her election as general secretary of Unison. I look forward to working with her. A huge thank you to Christina McAnea for her outstanding contribution to the Labour and trade union movement.”
“She played an important role in securing the landmark Employment Rights Bill and her work has ensured this Labour government will bring in a fair pay agreement to boost the wages of social care workers,”
the Labour leader added.
What did Mainstream say about Andrea Egan’s election as Unison leader?
Mainstream, a recently formed Labour lobby group connected to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, said,
“This result shows clearly that vast swathes of Labour’s historic coalition feel the Government has fallen out of step with its mainstream. By working hand in hand with our partners in the trade union movement, the Labour Party has ushered in huge advances for working people before and it can do so again – but only if the party rediscovers its progressive instincts.”
It added,
“We look forward to working with Andrea and all those who share our commitment to a more open Labour Party with the energy and ideas to transform the country. 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.”
How did Hollie Ridley praise Christina McAnea and Andrea Egan?
Hollie Ridley, general secretary of the Labour Party, said,
“I would like to pay tribute to Christina McAnea for the immeasurable work she has done to stand up for workers across the country and help us deliver on our Labour values in government.”
She stated,
“Yesterday, our landmark Employment Rights Bill passed its final Parliamentary hurdle, meaning we are now delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This historic legislation wouldn’t have been possible without Christina’s steely determination to change our country for the better.”
Ms Ridley stated,
“Yesterday, our landmark Employment Rights Bill passed its final Parliamentary hurdle, meaning we are now delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This historic legislation wouldn’t have been possible without Christina’s steely determination to change our country for the better.”
She said,
“Millions of workers across Britain will benefit from what she has delivered as the first woman to lead the UK’s largest trade union. Her passionate campaigning on social care in particular ensured our Labour Government can bring in a fair pay agreement for hardworking social care workers across the country.”
“All of us across the Labour movement wish Christina all the very best in the future – we look forward to continuing campaigning shoulder-to-shoulder with her as we deliver the fairer future Britain needs.
I would also like to pass on my congratulations and best wishes to Andrea Egan on her election as the next general secretary of Unison – I look forward to working with her as the Labour Government continues to deliver the change people voted for last year,”
Ms Ridley added.
What did Your Party say about Andrea Egan’s election as Unison leader?
A Your Party spokesperson said,
“Andrea’s victory on an anti-austerity ticket shows that working-class people won’t take more cuts and more decline.”
They added,
“Unison members have said no to Starmer’s crumbs off the table, no to chronic low pay, no to underfunding and no to privatisation.”
What are the duties of Unison?
Unison is a major trade union in the UK representing over 1.3 million public service workers. Its primary duties involve advocating for members’ rights, improving working conditions, and influencing public policy.
The union provides trained workplace representatives to support members during disciplinary hearings, grievance meetings, and disputes with management.
The UK’s largest union works to identify and challenge discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation, ensuring fair treatment for all members. It also offers free or subsidized training courses, professional qualifications, and literacy/numeracy support through its Unison College.
