Welcome to UNISON South East
UNISON represents and acts for members working in a range of public services and utilities. We represent members, negotiate and bargain on their behalf, campaign for better working conditions and pay and for public services.
UNISON is member led through our democracy at branch, regional and national level. UNISON is passionate about eliminating discrimination and inequality from the workplace and in society through our equality organising.
UNISON members work in all parts of the public sector and private sector from local government, health, education, police and justice, community, environment and energy across the South East.
Our members can play an active part in UNISON ensuring that we are member led and we give our members the education and skills to lead. Our members are proud to be in UNISON, if you are not a member why not join us.
Democracy is at the heart of everything we do in UNISON, from what we campaign on, to the rules governing membership of our organisation.
All members in UNISON belong to a local branch. Over 100,000 members in over 90 local branches form UNISON South East. Our members are our strength and our democracy is how members can make their voices heard!
We coordinate our activities across the South East with a number of different regional committees and groups. These are normally elected annually and play a key role in the union’s decision making and help to plan our activity.
If you’d like to find out more about the democratic structures across UNISON South East, why they’re so important for members, and how to get involved, read our regional democracy leaflet.
Self-organised groups
Self-organised groups (SOGs) operate at all levels of the union. If you’re in one or more of the SOGs, this can be a great way to get involved in UNISON and start making a difference in your workplace.
In the region we have committees for each SOG that are elected annually from its membership.
UNISON members in the South East set the priorities for the campaigns and education work of our regional self-organised groups, as well as making sure we are living up to our values as a union.
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Jo Galloway, UNISON South East Regional Secretary
Jo Galloway became UNISON South East regional secretary in January 2026.
She was previously regional secretary in London where she led major campaigns to improve pay and conditions for low-paid NHS staff.
These included successful strike action by healthcare assistants in Greenwich over pay gaps affecting black and female workers. Jo also oversaw the return of the largest group of outsourced workers back into direct employment at Barts Health NHS Trust.
Jo previously worked in the region as head of equalities. In that role, Jo was instrumental in improving representation and tackling discrimination in workplaces.
Jo also led a race equality campaign that secured commitments from more than 15 employers to sign up to UNISON’s anti-racism charter.
The charter was drawn up to challenge racial discrimination in the workplace.
Regional Structures
Find out more about UNISON South East's regional structures and democracy
The Regional Committee is the operational body of the Regional Council. The Regional Committee exercises the functions of the Regional Council between meetings.
Our Regional Council meets three times a year and is the main democratic forum in the region. All branches are invited to send delegates to the council and UNISON rules ensure delegations reflect the diversity of the union and new people are particularly welcomed.
In the South East Region, there are 4 self-organised groups (SOGs).
They are listed alphabetically:
- Black members
- Disabled members
- LGBT+ members
- Women
They are member-led communities designed to give a voice to underrepresented groups facing discrimination. These groups operate at the branch, regional, and national levels to campaign for equality, advocate for fair representation, and combat workplace prejudice.
In addition, UNISON South East also have two member groups with active committees:
- Retired members
- Young members
Leading the region’s work with the Labour Party is a regional committee.
Any UNISON member who pays into the Affiliated Political Fund and is also a Labour member is eligible to be on this committee.
Branches may elect a Labour Link officer who is responsible for working with the local Labour Parties.
Each UNISON branch is affiliated to a number of Constituency Labour Parties and can send delegates. If you would like to attend your CLP as a UNISON delegate, get in touch with us.
The UNISON Migrant Worker Network is an informal network of UNISON members with a first generation immigrant background including overseas and migrant workers, EU settled status workers and workers who have subsequently naturalised as British citizens or who have indefinite leave to remain.
The goals of the network include:
- Support members to uphold existing rights
- Encourage union participation, activism and leadership
- Share organising key lessons and best practice
- Build solidarity across the union
- Campaign for fairer visa rules
Joining the network will enable UNISON to target advice, support and information more effectively for migrant worker members. UNISON will not share your information with any other organisation
Challenging discrimination and inequality
Equality is at the heart of UNISON.
Find out more about the different members groups you can get involved in.
More from UNISON South East
Get help
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 6am to midnight, and Saturday 9am to 4pm.