The UNITE special Rules

Executive Council

The Yorkshire, North East and Humberside regional headquarters are in Leeds

As part of the merger process, a Joint Executive Council (formed of the executives of both the predecessor unions) took office on the vesting day. In March 2008, a new Executive Council for the expanded Union was elected, taking office on 1 May 2008 and having a three year term.The Executive Council was tasked with putting a new Unite rulebook to a postal ballot of members during July 2008. The rule book was accepted by a majority of members and will not be subject to amendment until a Rules Conference is held.

The Unite Executive Council consists of 40 seats elected by former Amicus members and 40 seats elected by former TGWU members.

The 40 "Amicus seats" comprised one seat for each of the 10 UNITE regions, four women's seats and one seat for each of the 26 industrial sectors.

Within both the Amicus and T&G sections, the majority of victorious candidates were from the broad left slate, and a number of positions were uncontested. The first EC meeting took place 21-22 May 2008.

The UNITE special Rules Conference in 2010 agreed a rule change including a formula for how seats will be allocated on the UNITE Executive Council which takes office in 2011. The process for electing this new EC began on 10th January 2011 when nominations opened. There are a number of factions within UNITE which are supporting particular candidates in the election, including:
Unite Now, a growing progressive broad left movement with close links to possible future General Secretary candidate Simon Dubbins - Unite the Union International Director
United Left, the group behind the election of Len McCluskey as General Secretary
Grass Roots Left, a group around Jerry Hicks
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