UNISON is the UK’s largest union with around 1.3 million members, organised into seven service groups, led by executive committees:
- Health
- Local government
- Higher education
- Police and justice
- Community
- Water, environment, and transport
- Energy
The Higher Education Service Group represents over 50,000 members working in universities across the UK. Irvin’s role will focus on ensuring a safe working environment for its members including protecting pay and preventing members from being outsourced to private companies.
On this new role, Irvin said: “It’s an opportunity for me to raise issues and concerns that members in our region may have. I will have the ability to influence strategies and policies developed for our sector. For the University, this means I can raise local issues at a national level.”
In addition to being elected to the Service Group committee, he has also been selected for the UNISON East Midlands Leadership School 2022/23. This is a new initiative and has been set up to develop the next generation of leaders within the union.
Irvin added: “I would to express my gratitude to my Department and team for the support they have provided. I look forward to this new and exciting challenge.”