There was a fantastic UNISON presence at this year’s Trades Union Congress Yorkshire and the Humber Conference in Leeds over the weekend.
Activists from branches across the region as well as staff from the UNISON regional centre were in attendance.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional convenor Wendy Nichols delivered a speech to conference, as did regional council officer Pam Sian, and UNISON regional managers Trevor Johnston and Tony Pearson.
Other speakers at conference includes Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard, and the Labour MP for Leeds East, Richard Burgon.
A number of UNISON activists were nominated awards for their contributions to trade unionism. They include:
Helena Fletcher, from UNISON Sheffield Community Health branch, for the Bill Ronkesley Award for Young Trade Union Representative of the Year 2024.
After becoming the branch’s young members officer in her first year, Helena has campaigned for young members and worked to set up a young members self-organised group in the region, for young members from across Yorkshire and Humberside.
Gill Garnett, from UNISON Rotherham Health branch, for the TUC Woman of the Year Award.
Gill was nominated in recognition of her work with the regional UNISON women’s self-organised group, including her work on the WASPI pension campaign.
Anne Cherry, from UNISON Northern Health and Community branch, for the Long Standing / Outstanding Achievement Award.
Anne has been a steward for over 22 years, and has delivered training both in her branch and in the region – something she plans to continue with as she’s training to become a lay tutor.
John Campbell, from UNISON Sheffield Teaching Hospitals branch, for the Racial Justice Award.
John has been leading the branch’s international solidarity work through charitable missions to Zambia, as well as being instrumental in delivering a highly successful Black History Month Awards event in October 2023.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary Karen Loughlin said: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work of UNISON activists to trade unionists from across the region.
“I’m delighted to see the hard work of activists being recognised. Long may it continue!”
