It’s all change at the top for UNISON in Scotland

by John Stevenson

Mike Kirby, Scotland’s leading lay activist, formally took over from Matt Smith as Scotland’s lead full time official this month.

Mike, previously a Community Worker in Glasgow, had been the lay Scottish Convener since the union was formed in 1993.

Over his many years as an activist, Mike has developed a leading role not just in Scotland but across the whole union. He has chaired the meetings of all the UK’s Regional Conveners and played a key part in the union’s domestic policies as well as its international involvement.

But he has never forgotten the grass roots and, as Chair of the Glasgow City Branch, he has not had to look far for involvement in struggles on home turf.

In the wider movement, Mike sits on the STUC General Council and has built strong links with the trade union movement in Ireland, Palestine, South Africa and more recently Venezuela. He was instrumental in the momentous bringing together of Palestinian and Israeli trade unionists at the STUC in 2006.

It is unusual for a lay activist to be appointed to such a senior full time role but not unprecedented. For example, North West Regional Secretary Frank Hont came up through the lay ranks.

Congratulations

Lilian Lilian Macer was elected to the Scottish Convener post vacated by Mike at the Scottish Council of branches on 4 December. Lilian was a hospital chef for 16 years before moving to admin and clerical.

A North Lanarkshire Health Branch activist, she is Chair of the union’s UK Health Committee. A member for 26 years, Lilian has been Scottish Vice Convener since 2006.

Scotland has two key leadership posts. The Scottish Secretary is head of the full time structure and appointed and employed by the National Executive. The Scottish Convener is the leading lay elected official. Elections for a new Vice Convener will be held at the Scottish Council AGM.

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