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Andrea Egan is preparing to attend her first conference as the newly elected leader of Unison, the largest trade union in the country. Having campaigned at the grassroots level for over three decades, her unexpected victory over the sitting general secretary, Christina McAnea, last December sent a clear message about the direction members want the union to take. Egan has criticized Unison’s previous approach as that of “a sleeping giant” that was overly “subservient” to the Labour Party leadership.
In an exclusive interview, Egan expressed a strong dissatisfaction among Unison members with the current government. She said, “I have been very frank with the government. When Labour came into power there was a sense of relief. But sadly we’ve been left wanting.” Highlighting the struggles faced by communities, she noted, “They [Labour] haven’t delivered and my election demonstrated that members were desperate to have their voices heard.” Egan warned that failing to address these concerns could cost Labour politically, emphasizing that Reform UK poses a serious threat unless there is a dramatic change in policy direction.
Egan outlined what she believes the government should do differently, urging the introduction of progressive policies including investment in infrastructure, restoring fair pay, improving public services, and insourcing work. She described the relationship between Unison and Labour as “dysfunctional,” criticizing the union’s historic financial support for the party with little in return for members. The dissatisfaction within Unison reflects a broader shift seen in other unions; for example, Unite’s leader Sharon Graham also prioritizes members’ interests over political maneuvering, and her union is currently reconsidering its formal ties with Labour.
When questioned about Unison’s affiliation status, Egan emphasized that the union remains officially affiliated with Labour, and any change would depend on decisions made regionally by members. Despite having been expelled from the Labour Party over social media activity, she insists she has only ever been a Labour supporter. Egan also rejected Nigel Farage’s invitation for unions to join Reform UK, criticizing the party’s track record on workers’ rights and warning they would likely undermine pensions and workplace protections if they gained power. She acknowledged the creation of Your Party as a left-wing alternative but noted it made little impact in recent local elections, reflecting that disillusionment with Labour is being expressed in different ways—sometimes, unfortunately, through support for Reform UK
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