Christina McAnea grew up in a council estate in Glasgow. Her mother was a cleaner and her father a labourer. She left school at 16 and had various jobs before going to university at 22. Christina started working for the trade union movement in her 20s in Glasgow and a few years later moved to London. She has worked for UNISON for over 25 years as a national negotiator and is currently Assistant General Secretary, leading the union's bargaining and equalities work. Unison is Britain’s largest union with hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority workers. As one of the most powerful women in the trade union movement Christina has negotiated national agreements in schools, colleges and universities and was chief negotiator for the NHS workforce for over 7 years. She is married and has 2 children - a daughter aged 28 and a son aged 24.
1. Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I consider myself a Scottish Londoner and love both Glasgow and London. They're diverse, lively and friendly cities. There's a river running through both cities and I always feel my heart lift when I cross the Thames or arrive in Glasgow by train and cross the Clyde into Central Station.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
Having two amazing, bright, kind children. My daughter, Natasha and son, Michael. Being able to do a job I love for so many years. Leading the first strike in the NHS in over 20 years and getting more money from the Government for low paid workers.
3. What inspires you?
UNISON members who do stressful and difficult jobs for not much money and still manage to support others. I'm hugely impressed by the insight, humour and passion they bring to the union.
4. What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Politicians and employers who are narrow-minded and prejudiced and make assumptions about unions and working people. Of course there are sometimes similar people in unions but thankfully they're not usually in power.
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My mother was a low paid worker and one of the cleverest and best read people I ever knew. It was the principles she passed on to me about speaking up for yourself, but more importantly, standing up for others that have stayed with me throughout my life.
6. What is the best aspect about your current role?
UNISON and its members have a great reputation and as the lead negotiator for the union when I'm in talks with government ministers and departments or with national employers, I know they know I have the backing of 1.3 million members!
7. And the worst?
Hearing some of the appalling stories about the way some groups of workers are treated e.g. in the care sector and knowing that there are so many who aren't in a union and that it's probably even worse for them.
8. What are your long-term goals?
I want to help change the way society views and rewards the jobs and skills that really make a difference. Looking after children, the vulnerable, disabled or elderly should be seen as among the most important jobs you can do.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would make quality childcare free for everyone - it's the single biggest way to improve equality and the life chances of the most disadvantaged children and brings long term benefits to everyone.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Fred Astaire - he could reminisce about his career and hopefully teach me how to dance.
