Dear
Branch Secretary,
I
am seeking your branch nomination for the National
Local Government (Female Seat) on UNISON’s NEC. There are 2 Female seats. I believe that I have the experience, commitment and energy which are
all pre requisites for this important role.
I am standing because I want to make a
difference. I am in a branch were members have experienced; cuts,
privatisation, excess workloads, worse hours, pay freezes, downgrading,
reorganisations and worse pensions rights, some of these impacts could have
been worse but we have been an organised campaigning branch. Supporting and
facilitating members to fight back using the union as a collective voice.
To deal with the increasing challenges we face,
it is essential that we have the full involvement of activists and members and
officials at every level. Accountability and commitment is vital. I always
ensure that I represent member’s views, visiting workplaces and talking to
members about their day to day concerns. I have always believed that members
must have balanced information alongside strong leadership.
We must ensure that our union is organised and
ready, from the bottom right up to the top. I believe our union has to change,
my experience over the last few years, in particular on the issue of pay, is that
full time officers have had too much influence. That has to change; we are a
member lead trade union. Decisions should be based on the views of
members.
Experience
·
I
have been an active UNISON member for the last 28 years, and held various
officer positions during this time. I currently
hold the post of Assistant Branch Secretary of Bolton Local Government Branch (6,000
members), a post I have held for the last 8 years. This involves being part of the negotiating
team for the core employer, Bolton Council. I played a key role in negotiating
Single Status at a local level and managed to maintain unsocial hours and bank
holiday payments. I also played a part in the local application of the National
Job Evaluation scheme.
·
I led the first UNISON strike against academies in
Bolton. And whilst the action failed to stop the conversion I was able to
negotiate first class union recognition agreements which are still in place
today.
·
I lead on Education within the branch, including
Schools, Academies Further Education
and Sixth Form Colleges.
·
I was elected last year to the Local Government
Service Group Executive where I hold the North West Female seat.
·
I am a Delegate to Local Government Service Group,
Regional Council and Regional Committee. I have been an active delegate to National and Local Government conference for many years.
·
I believe in mentoring and supporting stewards and
have organised a steward development weekend for later this year.
I feel I have the skills and experience to
help with the challenge facing the union and our members: Together with a team
of branch officers I work tirelessly on recruitment and retention initiatives
to maintain union density and consequently recognition rights.
Recruitment and retention is only effective if
the union is relevant to members. Defending terms and conditions and resisting
the worst aspects of privatisation are key. As a
Union we must be proactive in organising campaigns and programmes of opposition
to cuts and privatisation now. We can't afford to wait until 2020.
I
would ask you to consider also giving your vote to Jane Doolan for the
National Local Government (Female Seat)
on UNISON’s NEC UNISON RMS number 1179349.
Yours Faithfully
Andrea Egan
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