How We Work

General Political Fund

The General Political Fund (GPF) was set up to allow the union to collect money from members specifically to fund political campaigning work.

It is not affiliated to any political party, but the money in the fund is used to support local campaigns, to give a boost to our big national political campaigns, and to pay for political advertising.

The GPF was originally set up as the old partner union NALGO's political fund after two union members went to court to complain about money spent on political advertising. The court ruled that the union needed to set up a specific political fund.

What does the GPF do for UNISON members? Much of the high profile political campaign work you see from UNISON is paid for by the GPF. The GPF funded a TV recruitment advert 'You're one in a million', launched in October 2004.

In the run-up to the local elections in May 2004, the GPF funded a number of adverts in local areas where the BNP were standing as well as adverts in national newspapers.

When people join UNISON they are asked if they wish to pay into either the General Political Fund, the Affiliated Political Fund, both or neither. Their contributions to the fund they choose are then deducted from their normal subscriptions payments - so you don't pay anything extra, you simply choose how your money is spent.

GPF enquiries should be directed to c.rixon@unison.co.uk or 020 7551 1575.