The branch is run by the branch committee and supported by skilled staff, locally, regionally and nationally. The committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting held in February each year. 2013 Branch Committee
2013 AGM
This year's AGM was a lively meeting at the House of Commons on 12 February. The speaker was Shadow Pensions Minister Gregg McClymont MP. The debates on the motions were informed with many members contributing to the discussions. Several members spoke against the proposal to have a single Equalities Officer, and the motion was withdrawn. All other motions were passed. A new branch committee was elected with several first time Branch Officers, there are still vacancies for workplace representatives and we hope that stewards will come forward to fill these.
Shadow Pensions Minister Gregg McClymont at the AGM
The committee consists of the Branch Officers:
Branch Chair
Branch Secretary
Assistant Branch Secretary
Treasurer
Health & Safety Officer
Communications Officer*
International Officer
Training Officer
Membership Officer
Welfare Officer
Young Members Officer
Retired Members Officer
Labour Link Officer
Equalities Officers: Women, Black Members, Anti-Ageism*, Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Members*.
Workplace representatives*: 5 from organisations with over 100 members and 5 from organisations with fewer than 100 members*.
Workgroup representatives*eg Caretakers, Sheltered Scheme Managers
If all the posts are not filled at the AGM, members can come forward and be co-opted onto the committee at any time during the year.
Current vacant posts are marked*
All these posts are voluntary, there are job descriptions for the branch officer posts.
UNISON Conference Delegates
UNISON National Delegate Conference will be held in Liverpool this year, it takes place from Tuesday 18 June to Friday 21 June. The branch sends four delegates; one should be a young member (under 27) and one seat is reserved for a low paid female member. Delegates have now been registered. The branch committee meeting on 23 April will be discussing which motions it wants to put forward as priorities for debate at conference.
NEC nominations and elections
The National Executive Council (NEC) decides on issues and campaigns between conferences and works with UNISON staff to support members. NEC members also represent UNISON and its membership to the wider world.
Elections are held every two years for the NEC. The branch can nominate members for the London region delegates seats, to the Community Sector seats and to national black and young member seats. Candidates send in requests for nomination, then branch members make proposals for nomination which are decided at the branch AGM.
The actual election is carried out by a postal vote sent to all members. This starts on 22 April. Voting ends on 24 May and the results will be publicised on 10 June. There will be a help line for members who have not received their ballot paper. Elections
Branch Committee
The branch committee meets 7 times during the year and is responsible for developing and implementing the branch's development and organising plan. The committee makes sure that branch members can participate in the union and are represented at national and regional policy making bodies.
If you have an item you would like put on the agenda talk to your steward or call the branch office.
All members of the Housing Associations Branch can attend branch meetings, vote and stand in branch elections and get involved in our campaigns and activities.
2012 AGM
The 2012 AGM was held on Thursday 16 February at UNISON Centre in Euston Road, NW1. The speaker was Sean Bean from Equality Trust and the branch motion "Why Income Equality at Work is Better for Everyone" was subsequently passed as a motion at UNISON National Delegate Conference in June 2012.
Download Branch 2011 Annual Report [PDF]
