Janet McKenna was born in Kettering in 1966 and grew up near Corby Northamptonshire where she went to the local comprehensive school and then on to North East London Polytechnic where she studied law.
After qualifying as a barrister in 1990 she had a short legal career. Finding herself unemployed she took a temporary job with Leicester County Council in a Children's Home. She enjoyed the experience and the challenges.
Janet became a UNISON steward when staff were transferred to the City and in 1991 became a full-time Convenor for Social Care with the union. In 2020 Janet was elected Branch Secretary. She is married to a fellow trade union activist and am a proud Aunt and Great Aunt.
Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I have lived in Leicester for 30 years (this year) the longest I've lived anywhere, so Leicester is very much my home. Scotland though is my other 'home'. Where most of my family were born and live, so I try and visit as often as possible.
What are your proudest achievements?
Passing my bar exams (they were tough!); the occasions I've represented UNISON members in situations where injustice was being done and I've managed to either prevent that or at least lessen the effects. Being there for members during their most difficult times.
What inspires you?
I think what inspires me is a sense of justice. If something is wrong or unfair it needs to be tackled. Turning a blind eye to inequality or injustice may often be the easier course of action but it's never the right one. Also, the passion and determination of fellow activists to make the workplace a better one for our members
What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Short-sighted employers/managers who do the wrong thing because it's easier and quicker, failing to see that investing time to resolve a situation benefits everyone. More personally not enough time in the day to do everything that needs to be done
Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Probably my parents. My Dad - he was my biggest supporter, the person who encouraged me in my education and who allowed me to practice my advocacy skills with him (through frequent political arguments), which certainly helped me in subsequent careers. My mum, who after my Dad's death moved from a small village in the Scottish Borders to the bright lights of Edinburgh city and who shows a fearlessness and a resilience that I hope to emulate.
What is the best aspect about your current role?
Having that opportunity to try and make a difference for members and seeing on a daily basis that the support of a trade union does make a difference to people's lives and their work. That unscrupulous and simply bad employers/managers can be brought to account and that the very presence of a trade union rep is often enough to make people act differently.
And the worst?
When despite our best efforts we can't change things for members. When either the law or their contracts of employment prevent improving their situations. Also, when people don't join or join too late to get our help - that's always frustrating.
What are your long-term goals?
I am currently standing for election for UNISON's Labour Link Committee. I hope to be elected to a body which dedicates it's time to highlighting the issues that matter to our members. At Branch level I hope that we can continue to grow; that we can impress on new employees that joining a trade union is essential and that we can turn some of those members into activists for the future.
If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
That's a difficult one -there's so much! It's hard to confine my response to just one thing. Unsurprisingly I would like to see the repeal of some of the more punitive elements of employment legislation over recent years including the 2016 Trade Union Act, but I'd also like to see better investment in the forgotten service that is social care.
If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
What a difficult question! After much deliberation I'd say Oliver Sacks, the clinical neurologist and author of books such as 'The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat’, 'Seeing Voices' and 'Awakenings'. I imagine he would have some fascinating tales to talk about the people he's met as well as being an incredibly interesting man in his own right.
