Campaign Manifesto
NIPSA stands at a crossroads. Serious challenges face our Members with pressure on pay, jobs, and conditions; while public services are stretched and workplace challenges are growing more complex. At the same time, too many of our Members feel disconnected from how decisions are made and how leadership operates. Members want a Union that is more responsive, transparent, and effective.
We don't need more of the same. My platform is about changing that.
We need a modern, stronger, more democratic, and more effective union, that is better organised, confident, and focused on outcomes for Members and not rhetoric. A Union that listens to members, supports activists, and delivers real outcomes in workplaces across Northern Ireland.
Under my leadership I will bring forward plans for a Union that empowers its members, ensures absolute transparency, and builds workplace strength from the ground up.
Together, we will create a stronger, more resilient NIPSA for every member.
Why NIPSA Needs Change?
NIPSA has a proud history of standing up for Members. But pride in the past is not enough to meet today's challenges
Members deserve:
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Leadership that is visible, accessible, and accountable
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a Union that communicates clearly and honestly
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Strong organisation at branch level
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Decisions that are rooted in Members' priorities, not internal structures
Positive change is not about tearing down NIPSA - its about renewing it, so NIPSA is fit for the future and trusted by you, its Members
Delivery on Pay, Conditions, and Services
Principles matter, but delivery matters more
My platform is rooted in:
Defending and improving pay and conditions
Protecting public services and the workers who deliver them
Using the full range of Union tools strategically and responsibly
Ensuring Members are informed and involved in key decisions
Strong
evidence-based negotiations
Strategic industrial action on long running pay disputes
Members First: Strength within Branches
A strong NIPSA is built within the Branches
As General Secretary, I will priortise
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Supporting and valuing workplace reps
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Strengthening organising capacity
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Ensuring Branches are properly supported
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Making it easier for members to engage with the Union
A Transformed Union
As General Secretary, my focus will be on modernising how NIPSA works, while staying true to its core purpose: defending and advancing Members' interests.
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a Union that is Member-led, not top-down
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Clear lines of accountability and responsibility
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Better use of communication and engagement
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A culture that values openness, respect, and debate
That means:
Transformation must be practical, not rhetorical. Members should feel the difference in how NIPSA operates and responds.
New Leadership, New Culture
Leadership matters - not just in what is said, but in how decisions are taken and how members are treated.
I believe NIPSA needs leadership that:
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Listens before it acts
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Communicates clearly, even when issues are difficult
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Respects the role of Branches, Reps, and Activists
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Is prepared to take responsibility and provide strategic direction
A healthier internal culture will strengthen NIPSA externally and rebuild confidence among members.
Building a Stronger NIPSA
Accountability and Transparency
Members have the right to understand how NIPSA is run and how decisions are made.
I will work to:
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Improve transparency in leadership and decision-making
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Strengthen accountability to Members and Branches
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Encourage open discussion and debate
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Ensure the General Secretary role serves the membership, not the other way round
Trust is built through openness - and trust is essential for a strong Union
A Union Fit for the Future
My campaign is not about personalities or factions.
It is about:
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The future direction of NIPSA
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The kind of leadership you, our Members, deserve
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Building a Union that is confident, democratic, and effective
I am standing for General Secretary because I believe NIPSA can be better - and because Members deserve a Union that puts them first.
Leadership Pledges
Total Accountability and Transparency
I pledge to open up decision-making processes, providing regular, detailed reports to branches on all major decisions and expenditure.
Empowering Local Branch Reps
I will increase our investment in Branch-level training and resources, ensuring our frontline representatives have the support they need to win for members.
A Fair and Strong Pay Agenda
I pledge to lead a unified pay campaign that actually delivers, moving beyond rhetoric to strategic industrial action where necessary to protect our livelihoods.
Modernising Our Communications
I will implement fresh digital communication tools to ensure every member can participate in consultations and stay informed about union activities in real-time.
Join the Campaign
Stand with Dáire Hamilton-Toner for a stronger, transformed, more accountable NIPSA. Every member's support is vital for renewal and empowerment. Get involved today to help build a union that truly represents you.