… The Independent. In January 2021, she was elected as general secretary of Unison, and succeeds Dave Prentis, who is retiring after 20 years. The expectation is that one of the assistant general secretaries, Christina McAnea, will prevail and become the first woman to lead the union. Christina McAnea, one of the union’s assistant general secretaries, faces a challenge from counterpart Roger McKenzie, who has been backed by Corbyn. But, Mr Mackenzie's campaign was given a fillip when Mr Corbyn was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, giving him a defining rallying cry. Starmer and the union “barons” were all on the same side. Christina McAnea is currently an Assistant General Secretary for UNISON and previously the head of its NHS division. “Not all of our members are low-paid, but a large group of them are. Next week, I'm told, a new grouping in the union will be formed - Workers' Unite. “And whenever there’s an economic crisis, it feels like the Westminster government will always look to squeeze the public sector and public service workers when they’re trying to make cuts.”. Unison, the UK's biggest trade union, will have a woman at its helm for the first time. Christina McAnea, who was an assistant general secretary at the union, took 47 per cent of the vote in the race to succeed Dave Prentis, defeating candidates backed by former party leader Jeremy Corbyn and ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell. Christina McAnea has won the Unison election and becomes Unison’s first female General Secretary. The disaster that has been the care sector must surely be a warning that this can’t go and something drastic has to be done about the care service.”. Under its outgoing leader Dave Prentis, the union backed Sir Keir And she argues that Ms Graham's willingness not just to negotiate with big employers - such as British Airways - but to stand on picket lines in local disputes will help build solid support among grassroots activists. Starmer said he would work with whoever won the Scottish Labour leadership election and insisted the party would be “utterly focused” on May’s Holyrood contest despite the internal battle. She has faced a strong challenge from another assistant general secretary - Roger Mackenzie - who has the backing of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He hopes to be the first candidate from a BAME background to take the top job. © 2021 BBC. His chances of victory may be undermined by the fact that two other candidates - Paul Holmes and Hugo Pierre - have also been competing for the Left vote. Paddy Lillis, USDAW. McAnea was previously one of the assistant general secretaries (and responsible for collective bargaining and negotiation). “What has been so obvious to me, and I hope it has been for others and politicians, is that without public service workers we would never get through something as drastic as this. She takes up the post on 22 January. And recent changes to how the membership elects its nine representatives to the committee are guaranteed to further weaken the Labour left’s hold. The candidate Len McCluskey beat in the Unite leadership election in 2017 - Gerard Coyne - has thrown his hat in the ring again. Shamefully, Keir Starmer refused to back the NEU until given the go-ahead by Boris Johnson, giving Starmer the dubious accolade of being one of the few Labour leaders to have been outflanked on the left by the Tories on workers’ rights. She told the BBC that Sharon Graham "would be a breath of fresh air" at the top of the union. ... Christina McAnea, assistant general secretary, has notched up more than 100 nominations so far. “Keeping the rest of us safe is putting these workers at greater risk. The last time our members and executive in Scotland decided to remain neutral and we supported that. We have a charity at Unison called There For You, which gives grants to members who need it for things like school uniforms or have a major crisis on their hands. On Monday, the new general secretary of the UK's biggest union - Unison - will be announced. My campaign was ‘vote for me because of my experience and what I bring to the job’, which is I’ve been the lead negotiator for the union for many years. In the care sector, most of them will be earning less than £10 an hour. Christina McAnea is the favourite to succeed Dave Prentis, and to become the first woman to lead the union. But if the Left territory in the union is going to be fought over, Mr Coyne seems to have calculated that he could - in a first-past-the-post contest - prevail. A friendly set of union general secretaries could be a major boost for Starmer as he seeks to develop his leadership this year. Sit Keir Starmer says it "should not have taken social media to shame the PM into action" over free school meals. It was entirely their decision. ... which resulted in a split vote and a victory for Christina McAnea. Starmer warns of council tax ‘bombshell’ facing families PA Media ... Unison union elects Christina McAnea as its first female leader The Guardian. “In an effort to drive down costs, you slash and burn pay and conditions for staff, which means you end up with huge vacancy levels and a huge turnover of staff. She has said she would stand when there is a vacancy. Christina McAnea, who was an assistant general secretary at the union, won 47% of the vote, seeing off three challengers from the left of the Labour movement. Sarà a capo di Unison, la federazione con 1,4 milioni di iscritti nel settore pubblico. Christina McAnea elected Unison general secretary in boost for Keir Starmer 11 Jan 2021, noon Most analysis of Sir Keir Starmer’s relationship with the trade unions that fund, staff and to a large extent control the Labour Party focuses on the moods of Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite. “You end up with a workforce that has had no investment and therefore no training. Christina McAnea assumes the role as general secretary after winning 47.7% of the vote. Who's behind the recent killings in Iraq? Read about our approach to external linking. Ms McAnea said: “I think Keir has had a good first year. “The momentum is behind her. And Sir Keir can currently rely on support from the union's representatives on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC). Unison assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Coronavirus is putting untold pressures on the NHS but the health and well-being of staff is a major concern. She has a strong background as a negotiator and has shown little interest in internal Labour politics, but is expected to be broadly supportive of the party's current leadership. She said: “All we have to do is look to see what’s happened in the care sector. Christina McAnea (born 1958) is a British trade union leader. Video. Unison, one of Labour’s biggest donors, was the first union to back Sir Keir Starmer’s campaign to become the party’s leader after Jeremy Corbyn stepped down last year. The pharmaceutical company is under pressure as production delays limit its supplies to the EU. Unite is the biggest trade union funder of the Labour Party so whoever succeeds Len McCluskey as general secretary could determine how generous, or otherwise, it is in its contributions. VideoWho's behind the recent killings in Iraq? Not contemplating our belly buttons.". One of the leading figures behind Workers' Unite is Kathy Smith, a member of the union's executive representing local government workers. Today, Christina McAnea makes history. There’s a different dynamic because most of the unions that we deal with are still fairly male-dominated. Time will tell.”. By Andrew Woodcock, Andrew Woodcock. Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica. This unacceptable situation must end.” RMT has called for transport workers to be a priority for vaccination. 3h. Christina McAnea is the favourite to succeed Dave Prentis, and to become the first woman to lead the union. By Iain WatsonPolitical correspondent, BBC News. Ms McAnea said it would be up to their union’s members how they voted on independence. That is likely to be met with relief by those around Sir Keir. ... Christina McAnea, will prevail and become the first woman to lead the union. While the potential successors have agreed not to campaign openly, insiders say there has been something of a "phoney war" going on. Keir Starmer will put forward a motion saying "all existing employment rights and protections must be maintained, ... Christina McAnea, Unison. While Christina McAnea, the candidate supported by outgoing general secretary Dave Prentis, has won, the potential has been shown for the union's right wing to be defeated. Many are still exhausted from the first wave and are going through it all over again. Seen as an anti-Corbyn candidate by many members of Labour's parliamentary party last time round, he unsuccessfully challenged the union's internal electoral processes following his defeat in what was a particularly bitter contest. There will be no central diktat. Christina McAnea was last week elected as the new general secretary of Unison, the first woman to head one of Britain’s big four industrial unions. The former head of health and assistant general secretary at UNISON tells union-news.co.uk : “I’m slightly bemused that we’re still at that stage. Under its outgoing leader Dave Prentis, the union backed Sir Keir Starmer's successful Labour leadership bid. Another assistant general secretary - Howard Beckett - complained that there were irregularities in the United Left ballot which backed Mr Turner and he will challenge for the top job from the Left. “Keeping the rest of us safe is putting these workers at greater risk. Get a round-up of stories from The Sunday Post every week. She said: “We lived a hand-to-mouth existence, as my mother described it. McAnea was elected with 47% of the vote, with the remaining 53% of the vote being split across 3 differing left-wing candidates. She said: “I’m astonished that in 2021 we’re still starting sentences ‘the first woman to…’ I feel we should be past that by now, but clearly we’re not. Starmer has his preferred general secretary, David Evans, in office and a majority on the ruling National Executive Committee. © DC Thomson Co Ltd 2021. Keir Starmer is Ignoring the Few Lessons He Could Learn From Joe Biden by Aaron Bastani Report ... Christina McAnea’s Unison Victory is a Lesson for the Left by Charlie Macnamara Opinion ‘Starmerism’ is Failing on Its Own Terms – And Members Need to Lead the Way by Callum Cant Christina McAnea was last week elected as the new general secretary of Unison, the first woman to head one of Britain’s big four industrial unions. This unacceptable situation must end.” RMT has called for transport workers to be a priority for vaccination. Unison’s Scottish council last year backed calls for a second independence referendum. This grouping - made up of grassroots activists - is likely to morph in to a campaign to support Sharon Graham when a formal contest gets under way. McAnea, una donne eletta nel maggior sindacato inglese . And developments are expected soon in the country's second biggest union - Unite. Christina McAnea elected first woman to lead UK's biggest trade union Unison. Victory in Unison: Starmer and Labour moderates celebrate Christina McAnea win - The Hound for Reaction The UK’s largest trade union has elected its first female leader, handing a significant victory to the forces of moderation … The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. “Whenever there is a major crisis in this country, it is always the public service workers who rise to the occasion, turning up, going into work and putting themselves at risk. Unison union elects first female leader, in boost for Keir Starmer. Starmer l’ha appoggiata per tutta la sua campagna, resasi necessaria dopo le dimissioni dell’ex leader della union, Dave Prentis, che aveva appoggiato Sir Keir nella corsa alla leadership del Partito. The United Left faction is backing Steve Turner, an assistant general secretary who has declared he does not want "a war of attrition" with the Labour leadership. The outcome of the contest could have consequences for that support. It is crucial that the left in the union stand a united slate of candidates on a fighting programme as members work on the front line in the pandemic. Sharon Graham and supporter Kathy Smith are both on the Left. This result will come as a relief to Prentis fans, as well as those of Keir Starmer as McAnea is expected to follow a similar political line to Prentis who endorsed Starmer and voted in his favour on the national executive committee. The new leader of the UK’s largest trade union said the disaster that unfolded in care homes during the pandemic highlights the need for more investment in public services. Keir Starmer calls for immediate lockdown in England as Covid cases soar ... Unison union elects Christina McAnea as its first female leader. That’s what happens, I think, when you leave what is essentially a public service almost entirely up to the market. The Glasgow-born negotiator has shown little interest in internal Labour machinations but is expected to be broadly supportive of Sir Keir Starmer, the party leader. Ms McAnea has represented health and social care workers during the pandemic and said the crisis had only underlined the importance of public services and the need to protect them. Christina McAnea, who has represented health and social care workers during the Covid-19 crisis, is the first woman to lead Unison, the public sector workers union. She said: “This is a decision for our members in Scotland. Breaking news headlines about Chris Whitty, linking to 1,000s of sources around the world, on NewsNow: the one-stop shop for breaking news Holocaust Memorial Day 2021: 'It's sad when I sit there alone' VideoHolocaust Memorial Day 2021: 'It's sad when I sit there alone', The child environmentalist receiving death threats, ‘It was a major women’s revolution’ Video‘It was a major women’s revolution’. She said: “We want to see continued investment in public services and we want to see public sector workers recognised and rewarded fairly for what they’re doing. Mr McCluskey still has not announced exactly when he will stand down and can stay in office until next year, but the election contest to succeed him is expected to take place this year. Will it make a difference? McAnea, the frontrunner who is understood to have the support of the current union leadership, secured 29 votes on the union’s governing body compared to 26 for her closest challenger Paul Holmes. Read about our approach to external linking. Beware of scam emails offering coronavirus vaccine and claiming to be from the NHS, Government gives go-ahead for the first research into rollout as clinicians criticise decision to delay the second dose of vaccine, Chiefs refuse to ban use of ‘unapproved’ force to restrain prisoners despite inmate’s violent death, Daughter of comic icon Chic Murray backs Sunday Post campaign for statue of Billy Connolly to sit alongside Big Yin’s lifelong hero, What have they got to hide? Under its outgoing leader Dave Prentis, the union backed Sir Keir Starmer's successful Labour leadership bid. You can’t save money when you’re earning £10 an hour. 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Christina McAnea, one of the union’s assistant general secretaries, faces a challenge from counterpart Roger McKenzie, who has been backed by Corbyn. But in a low-turnout vote, Roger McKenzie, a … This must be the message ahead of the NEC elections, which are due to begin at the start of February. Christina McAnea, who was an as­sis­tant gen­eral sec­re­tary at the union, took 47 per cent of the vote in the race to suc­ceed Dave Pren­tis, de­feat­ing can­di­dates backed by for­mer party leader Jeremy Cor­byn and exshadow chan­cel­lor John Mc­Don­nell. “But I didn’t campaign specifically on ‘vote for me because I’m a woman’ as I thought it was obvious that’s what I am. What happens to your body in extreme heat? Shamefully, Keir Starmer refused to back the NEU until given the go-ahead by Boris Johnson, giving Starmer the dubious accolade of being one of the few Labour leaders to have been outflanked on the left by the Tories on workers’ rights. We never had holidays or things like that. The fact that we’ve had so many deaths, that it was so difficult to get PPE. It’s been good to see an effective opposition against Boris Johnson at Westminster. Warren Kenny, GMB. Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “It’s shocking to see that care and NHS staff are paying such a tragic price for doing their jobs. “And today many of our members are in the same position. Early life and education. Ms McAnea, who was brought up in Glasgow, the daughter of a labourer and a dinner lady, said the pandemic had also highlighted under-investment in public services. Campaigning father asks why ministers have redacted key report into the working hours of doctors, Arlene Foster criticises police and Sinn Fein over republican funeral scenes, The NHS and care workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic, Union urges £2,000 pay rise for NHS workers, Spurs duo Ben Davies and Matt Doherty struggling for Liverpool clash, Man sought over abusive comments to hospital staff, People to light candles as royals and footballers among those marking Holocaust, Stuart Hogg looking forward to ‘tasty’ Six Nations opener with England, Jim Allister: Northern Ireland should freeze co-operation with Republic. Her mother Chrissie was a school cleaner and dinner lady, and her father William, a labourer, left when she was 11. He led a left-wing walkout (or a zoom 'switch off') from the NEC in November, denouncing what he called "Keir Starmer's factionalism". But in a low-turnout vote, Roger McKenzie, a … This is more important than ever, in order to challenge the new general secretary Christina McAnea. AstraZeneca-EU row escalates over vaccine shortage1, Gymnast's 'black excellence' routine goes viral2, Arrivals from Covid hotspots face hotel quarantine3, Juno actor Elliot Page to divorce Emma Portner4, Why convicting Trump just got a lot harder5, England's schools will not reopen before March6, Biden raises election meddling in call with Putin7, Boeing 737 Max cleared to fly in Europe after crashes8, Vaccine plant evacuated over suspicious package9, Bank boss gets $10m pay cut for Malaysia scandal10. Unlike Mr Turner, he has been an outspoken critic of Sir Keir and is one of the union's representatives on Labour's NEC. She won almost half the votes in a ballot of members, beating three other candidates. 11:07am, Mon 11 Jan 2021 ... Starmer urges Government to negotiate with Biden to remove whisky tariffs Thu 21 Jan. What the papers say – January 21 Poverty is still very real in this country.”. It feels to me that we have been behind the curve the whole time with the pandemic, with governments – particularly the Westminster government – reacting slowing to things. Holocaust Memorial Day 2021: 'It's sad when I sit there alone' Video, Holocaust Memorial Day 2021: 'It's sad when I sit there alone', ‘It was a major women’s revolution’ Video, ‘It was a major women’s revolution’, Gymnast's 'black excellence' routine goes viral, Arrivals from Covid hotspots face hotel quarantine, Juno actor Elliot Page to divorce Emma Portner, England's schools will not reopen before March, Biden raises election meddling in call with Putin, Vaccine plant evacuated over suspicious package, Bank boss gets $10m pay cut for Malaysia scandal. 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