Unison Leader Andrea Egan Warns Labour of Reform Threat Over Unfulfilled Promises
Andrea Egan, who recently assumed leadership of the UK's largest trade union, Unison, has asserted that Labour's current trajectory could pave the way for a Reform UK government. Egan, whose election last December was seen as a repudiation of the previous, more 'subservient' union approach, declared that her membership felt 'left wanting' by Labour's performance in government.
"It isn't us that will hand the keys to No. 10 to Reform – it's them, unless they change course. And drastically," Egan stated, emphasising the widespread disillusionment amongst working-class communities.
Unison's Stance on Labour and Progressive Policies
Egan called for Labour to implement "progressive policies," including increased infrastructure investment, pay restoration for workers, improved public services, and insourcing. She characterised Unison's previous relationship with the Labour Party as "dysfunctional," arguing that members were "handing money over to the Labour Party and getting absolutely nothing in return."
While Unison's 1,300 delegates will debate the union's relationship with Labour at their Brighton conference this week, Egan confirmed that disaffiliation – severing formal and financial ties – would not be on the agenda. She firmly rejected any suggestion of affiliating with Reform UK, dismissing Nigel Farage's overtures as a "tactical move" and asserting that Reform's actions demonstrate they are not on the side of workers.
Egan, who was previously expelled from Labour for reposting messages from a proscribed Marxist group, expressed disappointment that the public's disillusionment with Labour is now being channelled through Reform UK, rather than left-wing alternatives like Your Party, established by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
Immigration Policy and Industrial Action
Egan also criticised Labour's stance on immigration, particularly the government's intention to make migrant care workers wait up to 15 years for permanent settlement. Despite comments from figures like Andy Burnham, who welcomed the "broad thrust" of the Home Secretary's immigration changes, Egan stated her message would remain consistent: the policy must be scrapped immediately.
Under her leadership, Egan pledged a more assertive Unison, ready to engage in increased campaigning and industrial action. Characterising previous union leadership as "risk averse," she indicated a willingness to ballot local government workers for strikes if a 3.3% pay offer is not improved. "Strike action is our way of saying to employers we won't just accept crumbs from the table," she affirmed.
Egan, a qualified social worker, confirmed she is taking a considerably reduced salary from the General Secretary's package, donating the surplus to the union's industrial fund and a charity, stating, "when your pay rises, so will mine."
