I was elected to the Executive Council in November 2024 on a mandate of campaigning to defend pensioners’ rights from attack, and this is what I have done.

Last year we successfully forced a government u-turn on Winter Fuel Payments. That campaign began when I was National Retired Members Chair and grew after I was elected to the EC.

This Labour government has been hostile to pensioners. We should expect more attacks on our hard-won entitlements, from the bus pass to the state pension, the triple lock and the NHS. We need to be ready and have someone on the EC able to get continued support for our campaigns.

I will ensure our union continues to defend pensioners’ rights, and I would be honoured to have your vote.

If you elect me again I will continue to do this.

I have been EC member for Retired Members for over a year, and before that I was Chair of the National Retired Members’ Committee for 5 years, the first woman in that role.  I’m proud that under my leadership we have taken a strong stand on winter fuel and Unite is now the leading voice defending pensioners.

In my time as EC member, this is what I have done:

• Led the high-profile Winter Fuel Campaign alongside our general secretary Sharon Graham

• Won continued support for retired members’ campaigns

• Shared regular reports from the EC to all retired members, via the quarterly newsletter

I have represented workers at every level, from shop steward in a multinational company to representing the trade union movement on the European Economic and Social Committee. 

In the last ten years of my working life I became the first black woman elected to the EC.  I was instrumental in drawing up the first Rule Book of Unite and also in helping equalities committees to become fully constitutional.

Fifty years ago I worked at Lucas Automotive. My colleagues elected me as shop steward, but the T&G blocked it because I was black.  In response, the factory downed tools and demanded they be represented by me.  This was my introduction to the union and I have remained a fighter ever since.

I support the leadership of our general secretary, Sharon Graham.  Under her leadership we have: 

• Forced a government u-turn on Winter Fuel Payments.

• Won over half a billion as a result of successful disputes.  

• No more blank cheques for Labour.  

• Challenged government over employment rights.

• Cleaned up Unite.

I am standing as part of the Workers Unite slate of candidates.

backtotheworkplace.org/executive-council-candidates/

View the full slate and read the statements of all the Back to the Workplace Executive Council candidates.