Bernadette Gallagher request for nomination to UNISON NEC - North West female seat

Dear Branch Secretary National Executive Council Elections 2011 I am writing to seek your branch nomination for the North West Region Women's Seat. Nominations open on 11th January and close 5pm,.18th February 2011. Nominations must be made at a quorate meeting held between these dates. I have been privileged to represent the North West Region on the NEC since 2007. I firmly believe in the accountability of elected representatives and throughout my period on the NEC I have regularly reported back to my constituent branches. I have always been outspoken and prepared to criticise the union leadership when necessary and appropriate. However I do not believe it is productive to be oppositionist for the sake of it and now more than ever I believe it is vital that we all work together in the huge battle to defend public services, terms and conditions and pensions. We need to ensure that the tough rhetoric of the public sector union leadership is turned into direct action. Our members are facing unprecedented attacks, the trade union movement should respond with a united resistance co-ordinated at the highest level. UNISON should use its influential position on the General Council of the TUC to ensure that resistance to public sector cuts involves the whole of the trade union movement. For too long individual branches and individual unions have been left to fight battles on their own. I believe that I have the necessary experience to represent members on the NEC; I am the branch secretary of one of the largest local government branches in the North West, with a proven track record of defending terms and conditions. Resistance to attacks by the employer on either a branch or national level can only be achieved by good union organisation. I pride myself on setting high standards within my own branch and lead by example in relation to commitment, dedication and hard work. I would very much like to serve on the NEC for a further term of office and would welcome your branch nomination.   Yours Sincerely   Bernadette Gallagher