Elections will be held for seats on UNISON’s Service Group Executives (SGE).
The nomination period opens on 8 January 2024 and closes at 5pm on 9 February 2024.
Read the SGE Election Procedures.
What is the SGE?
The SGE is made up of representative elected from all of UNISON’s service groups. Members are entitled to stand for election for their own service group executive, which oversees each service group, including matters such as national bargaining.
UNISON’s rule book says we have to elect our SGE every two years.
When is the ballot?
The ballot opens on 22 April 2024 and runs until 17 May 2024. The results will be announced on 10 June 2024.
Contested seats
The list of candidates in contested seats is available to download here.
Unopposed seats
The list of candidates in unopposed seats is available to download here.
NB unopposed candidates are not confirmed until the election results have been declared by the Returning Officer on 10 June 2024.
Voting Process
Members not on the UNISON central membership system on 22 January 2024 will not be eligible to vote in these elections. Only full members in the relevant region and service group are eligible to vote in this election.
Ballot papers
Ballot papers will be sent to members’ home or other notified address, and members with email addresses will also receive a link to vote online. Members will be provided with a pre-paid envelope for the return of the ballot paper to the Independent Scrutineer. You can either vote by post with this pack or online using the unique codes.
The despatch of ballot papers to individual members will begin on 22 April 2024.
Where members have previously requested (via the RMS) materials in a special format e.g. in large print, they will automatically receive the ballot pack in that format. Any additional requests should be made to the ballot helpline.
Ballot Helpline
If individual members have not received a paper or email by 1 May 2024, then they should contact the ballot helpline operated by UNISONdirect, on the following telephone number: 0800 0 857 857.
UNISONdirect operational hours are Monday to Friday 6am to Midnight and Saturday 9am to 4pm. Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.
Members should endeavour to have their membership number to hand when telephoning.
The latest point at which members can request a ballot paper is 12 noon on 10 May 2022.
Please note that the ballot helpline can only deal with queries from individual members. If branches believe there is a wide-scale problem with receipt of ballot papers amongst their members (for instance if whole departments or geographical areas have not received ballot papers) then the branch should contact their regional office.
Close of ballot and result
The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the Independent Scrutineer is 5pm on 17 May 2024.
The result will be available on 10 June 2024 and the successful candidates will take office at the close of National Delegate Conference 2024.
Independent Scrutineer and Returning Officer
The Scrutineer and Returning Officer for this election is Civica Election Services, the contact details for which are: Civica Election Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Email unison@cesvotes.com Fax 020 8365 7013. Tel 0208 365 8909
Complaints
Any complaint about the conduct or fairness of this election must be received no later than 5pm on 24 May 2024. Complaints must be in writing and should enclose any supporting documentation. Complaints should be sent to Civica Election Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Email unison@cesvotes.com.
Queries
Any query regarding this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit at the UNISON Centre. Direct dial 020 7121 5399. Email elections@unison.co.uk