National executive council

UNISON’s governing body 

The national executive council (NEC) is our governing body that oversees the delivery of UNISON’s policies, objectives and priorities. Members of the council are elected every two years by all members of UNISON and has the power to act on their behalf. 

Members vote to elect candidates to represent their region and service group. There are additional seats for Black members, young members and disabled members. As with all other UNISON elections, the union’s principles of “proportionality and fair representation” means that some seats are reserved for women and low-paid members, so that the make-up of the NEC fairly represents the wider union.

Elections take place every two years. Members receive a postal ballot paper with a prepaid envelope to return it. Ballots are sent to an independent scrutineer who checks the ballot is fair and counts the votes. Results are usually announced around one month after the voting deadline.

Once elected, NEC members take office following the end of the national delegate conference. The term of office will run until the end of national delegate conference two years later.

The next election of the national executive council will be 2027.