Service group executives election 2026

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.

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 eg in large print, they will automatically receive the ballot pack in that format. Any additional requests should be made via the ballot helpline.

If individual members have not received a paper by 8 April 2026, 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.

The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the independent scrutineer is 5pm, 13 May 2026.

The result will be available 10 June 2026 and the successful candidates will take office at the close of national delegate conference 2026.

The scrutineer and returning officer for this election is Civica Election Services. Contact details for which are: Civica Election Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW.

Email: [email protected] 

Tel: 0208 365 8909

Any complaint about the conduct or fairness of this election must be received no later than 5pm, 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 [email protected] 

Any query regarding this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit at the UNISON Centre.

Email [email protected] 

Tel: 020 7121 5399

The service group executive (SGE) is elected by our members every two years.

The election timetable and procedures were agreed 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.

Branches and other nominating bodies made nominations for candidates in this election. The nomination period ran from 6 January 2026 to 5pm on 11 February 2026.

All full members who were 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.

The member ballot will open on 1 April 2026 and closes at 5pm on 13 May 2026. The results will be announced on 10 June 2026.

The Member liaison unit runs the election. Civica Election Services (CES) is the returning officer and the independent scrutineer.

Email: [email protected]

UNISON is run for and by its members through its democratic and lay structures.

All of our elections are important, as they allow the union to function in the best interests of our members.

The SGEs you elect will make important decisions about the future of our union, so it’s important that as many members as possible have their say.

As our activists, you have a role in encouraging participation in our elections – this is not about supporting particular candidates, but providing general information about the ballot, when it opens, why it matters and encouraging members to vote

The more people who vote, the better for our democracy, and the better the union can serve our members.

Please note, it’s not about promoting one or more candidates. There are strict rules to ensure that UNISON branches or other nominating bodies don’t use any funds, property or resources to campaign for any particular candidate in the election.

The exception to this is if a nominating body has nominated a candidate. In this case,

Nominating bodies can advise their members of this nomination via their usual channel(s) of communications. You can find our more information on our election procedures.

Any complaint about the conduct 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.

Email: [email protected] 

Any queries on this information or this election should be directed to the member liaison unit.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 020 7121 5399