A massive opportunity for change

Speaking for the first time as general secretary at this year’s national conference, Andrea Egan generated passion and excitement amongst the packed hall of 1,300 delegates as she set out her vision for the union over the next five years. 

“We have a massive opportunity in front of us, right here in this hall. The chance to make UNISON the powerhouse it should be: Britain's most powerful working-class organisation, finally packing a punch that's worth our weight. At last, posing a threat to employers and politicians equal to our size. Winning, not only for members, but for the whole working class. This is the task in front of us, and it is incredibly exciting. Changing UNISON so that we can win for our members, and our communities, and then transform the country.

And that is a huge challenge, but it is at our fingertips. And it's up to us to do it together.”

An attack on one is an attack on all

Sending a very strong message to the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, the general secretary said that her 'shameful proposals' must be dropped immediately. 

“I’m not sure whether politicians like the home secretary realised what would happen when they decided to come for our migrants. Stripping away rights, deepening exploitation, and dangerously scapegoating them. I’m not sure whether they somehow expected we’d just look away. Well, if they did, they couldn’t have been more wrong.

“They wouldn’t understand solidarity. The most basic trade union principle. But we do. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. It doesn’t matter where we come from or what we look like. Workers stick together.  

Andrea continued: “This campaign has shown the way for UNISON. It was started by our migrant workers, and it has been led by them: members setting the union’s agenda, not being told what’s best for them. And it has put our union at the front of the struggle against racism in this country, making us a thorn in the side of the so-called Labour politicians who want to pander to it. We've shown that attacks on migrants are attacks on the entire working class.” 

The conference hall erupted into applause for migrant workers in the union.

“Defending our members from discrimination at work and in society at large is top of UNISON's agenda.”

Andrea added that freedom from discrimination and genuine equality of opportunity are not negotiable add-ons. “Defending our members from discrimination at work and in society at large is top of UNISON's agenda,” she said. 

Referring to disabled members, she said that reasonable adjustments, genuine equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination are not negotiable 'add-ons', but human rights that the union will always prioritise protecting.”

She then moved on to address the 'tsunami of hatred facing trans people.'

“I am so proud of our support for our trans community and it will not change, no matter how much some try to shout us down or bully us out of it, I’m in no doubt about this: the Supreme Court ruling was wrong. And the recent EHRC guidance is wrong all over again. 

We have to ensure that we lobby MPs hard to reject it. And we will keep fighting to change the unworkable, unjust legislation. Our movement has never just sat down and accepted unjust laws. We fight them. And that's what we're going to do with this” 

Organising to Win 

Moving onto the subject of organising, and the union's Organising to Win strategy, Andrea laid out the power and strength of UNISON. “We’re the biggest and best resourced union in Britain. We’re the largest public service union in Europe. Winning major ballots needs to become our bread and butter. We’ve already seen the fruits of Organising to Win in industrial disputes across the country.

“Our Pay fair for patient care campaign has put millions back in workers' pockets,” she said.

Moving forward 

Moving on to talk about building the movement to tackle inequality, Andrea said: “We need to be identifying people who are already leaders in their workplaces. Building strong networks, within and between workplaces. We need to be building networks based on worker-to-worker conversations: those with new members, newly enthused members. 

“Ballots and disputes won’t be won from this podium. They’ll be won by each and every one of you. Stepping up in your workplaces. Redoubling your commitment to organising colleagues. And by all of us – collectively, as a union  

“Becoming bolder, taking more risks and being confident in those risks. It’s up to us to turn UNISON into an industrial force to be reckoned with. I truly believe we can do it, together.”

Political power

Addressing the rise of the far right, Andrea said: “The threat of a far-right government is looming. But actually that threat is already here for our members. Working in the 24 local councils which are now controlled by Reform. They’re facing it every morning when they turn up at work. And it’s already clear what Farage in power would mean. From our friends and neighbours being deported, to our movement coming under unprecedented attack from the state.

“That’s how serious this is and what awaits us when the Labour is failing so badly in government. The distance people are feeling from working class communities, the trashing of progressive and trade union values. This isn’t just a disappointment. It’s a total disaster. So we need to start standing on our own two feet politically. 

“For too long our union was subservient to the Labour Party. But our members have spoken clearly. That era must end. From now on, if politicians want our backing, they'll have to back us: back UNISON members, back UNISON policies, not just with warm words but with actions.”

Speaking about the Labour party, Andrea said, “Acting in our interests is in their interests. Whoever the next Labour leader is will crash and burn unless they have the confidence to break completely with the establishment consensus. 

“And I’m clear about what that means. And what UNISON needs to see from the next prime minister. Repairing our broken public services through massive public investment and everything brought back in-house. Major sectors back under national public ownership, not just publicly “controlled” or regulated a bit more actively. Standing up for progressive values. 

“By ending the attacks on migrants and protecting our hard-won freedoms  And last but not least: investing in our people. Our schools, hospitals, councils, transport, our communities. Not spending any more money on American weapons and wars abroad.”

International support 

“We will never waver in our solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Andrea said. 

“Our Palestinian brothers and sisters set an example to us all. Decades of displacement, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid. The last three years of genocide. Day after day, torture and terror. Disaster upon disaster at the hands of Israel. And yet still they keep struggling for their freedom. Proud. Steadfast. Never defeated.

Andrea embraced Shaher Saed, the secretary-general of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions as conference delegates stood, cheered and clapped in solidarity.

Andrea also expressed soldiarity with the Cuban people. 

“Internationalism and opposition to imperialism is core trade union business. We will never abandon our comrades around the world.”

United and determined

“We in UNISON can be at the forefront of changing the UK. That’s partly because we are the country’s lifeblood. We keep it running in every way imaginable, carrying our communities along the way. We are the majority. 

“When UNISON members stand up for ourselves. We are standing up, at the same time, for the whole working class. Home and abroad. We have all the ingredients to make history. We’re transforming this union together not for the sake of it, but to build the power of the working class. Power not just to improve things for ourselves in the here and now. But to win a more equal, peaceful world for everyone. 

“Change won't come easy in UNISON. Not everyone wants to see the changes we need as fast as we need it. I can’t do this alone – I need your support on this journey. Together, we need to get to work: we’ve got a union to transform together. A country to change together. 

“I want us to leave this hall feeling united, determined, with hope. We have a world to win. 

“Solidarity.”

Watch Andrea's full speech on YouTube