For the first time in the region’s history, our Regional Council AGM elected an all women Convenors Group.
The fantastically well-attended meeting took place on 11 February in London, and as well as electing the Convenors, the AGM discussed regional policy, and campaign priorities and conducted many other elections.
As UNISON embarks on its Year of Black Workers, it was also a first that two of the three members of the Convenors Group – the most senior elected regional officials in the union – were Black women.
UNISON Regional Convenor Rosita Ellis said: “I’m immensely proud to have been re-elected as Convenor for the second year. Thank you to everyone for continuing to put their faith in me and I will continue representing members in this region to the best of my ability.
“I have a great team around me and it’s truly a historic moment to have an all-women Convenors Team and absolutely right that during UNISON’s Year of Black Workers we have chosen two Black members to help lead our region.”
As well as conducting the important AGM business, the meeting presented Peter Price from the Gravesham Borough branch with an honorary life membership of UNISON.
Regional Convenor Rosita Ellis and Regional Secretary Steve Torrance presented the award. Peter had been a regional council member and active in the union for well over 40 years, helping lead the merger of two regions in the early 2000’s and representing countless members during his time.
The meeting thanked Peter for his extraordinary contribution to UNISON with a round of applause and wished him all the best for a long healthy and happy retirement.
Find out more about how democracy works in UNISON South East
