Getting involved increasing participation

1

Getting involved - increasing participation
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Background

• A year of ballots - GS PF NEC
• A rolling programme of opportunities to be
  counted
• Democracy is a key value for UNISON

3
General Secretary Ballot

• 10 Dec 2004 - close of nomination period
• 25 January - despatch of ballot papers
• 28 February - close of ballot period
• 9 March 2004 - result announced

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General Political Fund

• 9 - 11 February - Despatch of ballot papers
• 11 March - close of ballot period
• 14 March - result announced

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NEC elections

• 13 December nomination papers to branches
• 3 January - start of nominations
• 11 Feb - close of nominations
• 4 April 2005 - start of ballot
• 16 May - close of ballot
• 3 June - results announced

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Yikes! Ballot overload!

• and thats before the general election
• ERS - average union ballot turnout of 20
• GMB executive council - 17 per cent
• TG political fund - 20 per cent
• A4C ballot - 26.7 per cent.
• BUT - Last round of NEC/SGE elections average
  turnout of 5.2 and 6.1

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Why bother?

• Women less likely to vote than men
• Part-time workers less likely than full-time
• UNISON needs to hear these voices

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Supported by the members

• One of unions key objectives - increasing
  member participation and reviewing effectiveness
  of democratic structures
• Pilot e-voting in Health Service Group - only
  3.9 per cent of voters used it. Total turnout of
  6.1 per cent is lower than 2002 fig of 8.1 per
  cent.

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What works?

• Information to members
• Involving activists in branches and regions
• co-ordinated campaigning
• Constant reminders
• Using every communications channel
• Engaging with the arguments
• Members see it is important

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Getting the vote out

• Talk to members
• Use the campaign materials
• Highlight why the ballots matter
• Ensure that members know what will be lost if we
  lose the ballot
• Follow up with members to make sure they have
  voted