Trade Union Rich List 2022: UNISON boss received remuneration of over £225,000

Embargoed: 00:01 Wednesday 19th October 2022

As the TUC Congress 2022 considers joint strike action, the TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed that the average remuneration of the top 30 public sector union bosses was £152,272 in 2021.

The annual Trade Union Rich List showed that general secretary of UNISON, Christina McAnea, took home £225,891 in total remuneration, including a £142,000 salary and nearly £10,000 in subsistence and car benefits. This was the most of any public sector union boss. Her salary put her in the top two per cent of earners in the UK. The UNISON boss has threatened health services with the largest nationwide strike by NHS workers since the early 1980s.

After a summer disrupted by industrial action, militant union bosses are planning to once again shut down the public sector. The teaching unions are threatening further strikes, despite nine senior staff at education unions taking home £1,404,252 between them. The general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, who are behind the strikes which have crippled Royal Mail, took home £142,485 in total remuneration. 

The figures also show that the former general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, which has been marred by a recent report suggesting the RCN’s governing body was ‘not fit for purpose’, received total remuneration of £181,671.

Total remuneration includes gross salary, employers’ national insurance contribution, pension contributions and other benefits, such as a car or housing allowance and health insurance.

Key findings:

• The average total remuneration of the 30 union bosses on more than £100,000 was £152,272 in 2021. This is an increase of £1,517 on the average from 2020.
• The highest remunerated public sector trade union boss was Christina McAnea, general secretary of UNISON. She received £225,891 in total remuneration. This included almost £10,000 in subsistence and car benefits. Her gross salary alone puts her in the top two per cent of earners across the UK, and is equivalent to 35 times the average amount for a recipient of universal credit.
• Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers remained the second highest remunerated trade union boss. In 2021, he had total remuneration of £222,094, an increase of £5,707 on 2020.
• There were six public sector trade unions with two senior staff on total remuneration of more than £100,000. These were; the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen; the National Education Union; the National Union of Rail; Maritime and Transport Workers; the Prison Officers’ Association; the Royal College of Nursing; and the Fire Brigades Union.
• Gill Walton, CEO/general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, received £190,742 in total remuneration, an increase of £14,591 on the previous year. Her salary alone (£138,158) was over five times what a band five midwife working in the NHS receives in 2022-23 (£27,055).
• Nine senior staff at education unions shared £1,404,252 between them. 

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:

“Taxpayers are furious at the hypocrisy of union heads lining their own pockets. 

“These public sector red barons are dooming millions to misery, but are doing very well indeed as some of Britain’s biggest earners.

“Union bosses should not be threatening to bring the country to its knees while strutting about on six-figure salaries.” 

TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)

Media contact:

Elliot Keck
Investigations Campaign Manager, TaxPayers’ Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)

Notes to editors:

1. Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
2. TaxPayers’ Alliance’s advisory council.
3. The TaxPayers’ Alliance proposals to cap trade union facility time were adopted by the previous government.
4. Further information on the remuneration of Christina McAnea, general secretary of UNISON, can be found on the research paper page.