The Greens won because Labour under Starmer has abandoned progressive values, imitating the far-right instead of taking the fight to them.
If the Government wants to survive it urgently needs to stand up for workers and defend the fundamental values of our movement.
Collage of photos from national women's conference
“Working‑class people have always been organisers, fighters and leaders,” said new UNISON general secretary @andreaegangs.bsky.social
An inspiring conference of powerful voices and campaigns that are changing workplaces and lives.
Thanks to every branch, region, member and speaker! 💜 #unwc26
Essex University bosses are planning to sack hundreds of staff and shut down a whole campus.
@unison.org.uk, @ucu.org.uk and @unitetheunion.bsky.social mobilised today in Southend to oppose this shameful attack on workers.
We will be organising together to defend our higher education sector ✊
Unison general secretary Andrea Egan joins SEN staff on the picket line in Essex
SEN support staff on the picket line in Essex getting support from the public passing in cars
Specialist SEN staff in schools deal daily with complex needs, yet their skills are not recognised or valued.
UNISON general secretary @andreaegangs.bsky.social joined staff from Lift academy schools in Essex on the picket line today to show our union is fully supporting them.
l to r: Jo Grady general secretary University and College Union (UCU); Andrea Egan general secretary UNISON. Rally in background
Fantastic turnout at the rally today in Southend to oppose closure of the campus ✊
UNISON general secretary @andreaegangs.bsky.social joined @ucu.org.uk @drjogrady.bsky.social and union members
“These cuts will wreck the university and gut the city of Southend,” said Andrea, calling for a rethink.
Joe, a guide at the museum, and general secretary Andrea Egan
Joe, a guide at the National Coal Mining museum, with
UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan on the picket line in Wakefield.
Bosses should have settled this dispute months ago and let these guides, many of them ex-miners, get on with their job.
@unisonyh.bsky.social @andreaegangs.bsky.social
Photo of the back of Andrea Egan with her fist up facing a large crowd from the Palestine Solidarity march in London.
In the labour movement we believe that an injury to one is an injury to all.
That’s why solidarity with the Palestinian people is a fundamental duty for trade unionists.
I was proud to address the 100,000 strong national march for Palestine in London today 🇵🇸
UNISON members, branches and regions will be mobilising to build the united march against the far-right in London on 28 March ✊
See you there: together.org.uk
National March For Palestine End the genocide Hands off Gaza Stop arming Israel 12 noon Saturday 31 January Russell Sq to Whitehall
UNISON stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We will push for Israel to be held to account for its crimes — and organise to end our government’s complicity in them.
Join us tomorrow. I’ll be speaking at the end of the march ⬇️🇵🇸
Starmer’s Control Freakery Is a Gift to Reform
My article for @tribunemagazine.bsky.social
tribunemag.co.uk/2026/01/star...
I know many, many trade unionists will be so disappointed and angry at local members not being given a say over who their candidate should be. This isn’t the way any democratic organisation should be run. Now’s the time to unite our movement not divide it.
We all have a responsibility to pull together and turn UNISON into an incredible force for change.
My message to members 👇
I’m sure all trade unionists expect a democratic process for Gorton & Denton in which local party members decide who they want to represent them. We've seen enough control-freakery in the Labour Party and it has done our movement nothing but harm.
Reform tried to shut down five care homes in Lancashire. UNISON and the community stood firm and stopped them.
We can defeat Farage and his hateful, anti-worker politics.
Huge well done to UNISON North West & local campaigners, showing the way ✊
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A huge thank you to UNISON North West for the invitation to speak at their rally today.
The Reform led Lancashire County Council must drop proposals to close or privatise care facilities.
Solidarity to the workers defending crucial public services.
“Labour has so far failed to turn this round, despite all the grand talk of national renewal. Why? Because the party refuses to govern in the interest whose name it bears: labour. Governing for labour would mean confidently governing for the working class as a whole, unafraid of the bond markets, the 'business lobby', and the right-wing rags.”
As UNISON GS, my central political priority will be defending the working class and improving our lot.
That means wages up above inflation, investment in public services not war, and proper sectoral collective bargaining.
My Sunday Mirror column ⬇️
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
My warning as the new head of Unison: never again will we prop up politicians hostile to unions
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The General Secretary election is a win for millions of workers... ...but the work doesn't stop now! If you want UNISON to be democratic, transparent and successful - a fighting union that delivers for its members, then get involved with the Time For Real Change campaign. www.timeforrealchange.uk/get-involved Time For Real Change Andrea Egan UNISON General Secretary
The General Secretary election was a momentous result, but we need to keep this energy!
If you want UNISON to be a democratic, transparent and successful union that delivers for its members, support the Time For Real Change in UNISON campaign:
timeforrealchange.uk/get-involved
I am delighted to announce I have been elected General Secretary of UNISON. This win, above all, is a win for ordinary UNISON members. We public sector workers are on the frontlines of chronic underfunding, low pay, and outsourcing. We bear the brunt of it all. UNISON's central task is to change that reality - our reality. But that will only be possible if we recognise that an organised membership is our greatest strength, if we put faith in our collective decisions, and if we stand up to any employer or politician who acts against our interests. I would like to pay tribute to Christina, who has served our union for many years, and to thank her for fighting an energetic campaign. I will work night and day to transform this union, but I cannot do it alone. Because this isn't about me as an individual. It's about ordinary UNISON members taking charge collectively. We are going to need everyone - members, branch reps, grassroots activists, and our staff - pulling together. Then we can transform our union, and with it the lives of public sector workers across this country. Andrea Egan Andrea Egan UNISON General Secretary
🚨I am delighted to have been elected as UNISON's next General Secretary.
This is a win for ordinary UNISON members. Read my statement below:
It was a real honour to hold a rally for delegates at LGBT+ conference. I hope my LGBT+ friends had a wonderful conference!
As the General Secretary election comes to a close, I want to thank everyone that’s attended any of my rally’s across the campaign.
It’s time to win.
✉️🚨If you've not voted yet, rush to the post box before noon today. Join the thousands of members voting for real change in UNISON.
✊🏻Andrea Egan for General Secretary!
The election for UNISON General Secretary is coming to a close. If you haven't voted yet, you need to post it by NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY). Help to bring real change to our union. It's Time to Win. Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary
⏰The election for UNISON General Secretary is coming to a close.
✉️If you haven't voted yet, you need to post it by
NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
✊🏻Help to bring real change to our union.
✅It's Time to Win.
I was moved to tears with some of the powerful speeches and it serves as a reminder of how much space we have lost, and that must be placed at the foot of those in leadership that have failed our trans community. Let this be a reminder to us all to double down on our commitment to the cause.
2/2🧵
I have taken some leave to have a break and visit my friends and comrades attending LGBT+ Conference in Edinburgh.
Whilst I am here I attended the Trans Day of Remembrance vigil at Edinburgh Uni.
1/2 🧵
LGBT+ Conference Evening Fringe Meeting Quaker Meeting House - EH1 2JL Friday 21st November - 7.30 - 8:30pm We are aware this may clash with some regional meals, please speak to your regional lead about arriving late. Speakers: Eileen Best - She/Her Co-chair of the National LGBT+ Committee Micheál Duffy - They/Them Branch Secretary Somerset LG&C Branch South West LGBT+ regional Convenor Mobina Begum - She/Her Equity and Inclusion Officer Leeds Beckett UNISON Branch. Robyn Banks - They/Them/It/Its Co-chair of the Trans, Non-Binary & Gender Diverse Caucus. and Andrea Egan - She/Her
There is no place for any form of discrimination in our union. I have consistently opposed all forms of discrimination including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, ableism and ageism and I always will. I know that a commitment to equality for all is shared by the overwhelming majority of our members, particularly our self-organised groups, who have led the charge against prejudice in our union for decades. Regrettably, our union's subservience to the Labour Party has meant that our opposition to discrimination has frequently crumbled in the face of Starmer's reactionary agenda. The current Government has cracked down on the rights of transgender people. If our members' policy meant anything, our General Secretary would have used our union's substantial influence and contributions to Labour to robustly stand up for our values - but all we have seen is mealy-mouthed statements in public and subservience behind the scenes. This has to change. Either we believe in equalities or we don't. I will stand proudly and unequivocally in defence ofLGBT+ rights because equality is not negotiable and discrimination in any form has no place in our workplaces. I know that trans men are men, trans women are women and that non-binary identities exist. People have the right to live as their true authentic selves and deserve the full support of the union to do so.
🏳️🌈 I hope our UNISON LGBT+ Comrades have a wonderful conference in Edinburgh this weekend!
I will be holding a rally tonight at the Quakers Meeting house at 7:30pm with some amazing speakers!
💜Eileen Best
💜Micheál Duffy
💜Mobina Begum
💜Robyn Banks
All welcome!
✉️UNISON NEC member David Jones has sent off his ballot!
❓Have you?
Kameron & Emily, two young members from Stockton Local Government Branch, are supporting me to be UNSIONs next General Secretary!
Thank you Kameron and Emily 💜💚
We’re backing Andrea Surrey & Sussex Healthcare Stoke On Trent City UNISON Branch Stockton Local Government Andrea Egan for General Secretary
Huge thank you to Surrey & Sussex Healthcare Branch, Stoke On Trent City UNISON Branch & Stockton Local Government Branch for your nominations!
✉️Remember to send off your ballots in plenty of time for your vote to be counted.
NHS staffing levels Staffing levels are unsafe, and hard-working NHS workers like you regularly face aggression in the workplace. That's not right. If you want change, sign up to my campaign to be UNISON's General Secretary Andrea Egan for UNISON General Secretary
Staffing levels are unsafe, and hard-working NHS workers like you regularly face aggression in the workplace.
That's not right.
If you want change, sign up to my campaign to be UNISON's General Secretary.
Tom Zagoria, a young member from the Northern region is supporting my campaign to be UNISONs next General Secretary! Thank you Tom ✊🏻
