SECTION A. Introduction,
Aims and Principles
1. Branch Name
The Branch shall be called the “City of Edinburgh Local Government
and Related Sectors” Branch of UNISON.
2. Relationship to National Organisation
a) Branch rules shall always be in accordance with national rules, decisions
of the Scottish Council, and decisions of the Annual Delegate Conference
and the NEC.
b) Any member may have a copy of the current National or Branch
Rule Book.
c) The Branch shall make an audited annual return of branch
income, expenditure, assets and liabilities as prescribed by the NEC and
in accordance with national rules. (See Role of Branch Treasurer E.7)
3. Aims of the Branch
The aims of the branch shall be in accordance with the aims and values of
UNISON as set out in the Rule Book and in this section of the Branch Rules.
4. Membership
a) Eligibility for membership shall be in accordance with the Rules of the
union.
b) Applications for membership will be approved by a Branch
Meeting, the Branch Committee or in urgent or exceptional circumstances,
by the Branch Policy and Finances Committee or Branch Chairperson and Secretary.
Applications for membership will take effect after such approval and from
the date at which completed forms are received by the branch or at regional/national
level and the first contribution is made.
c) A meeting of the Branch or Branch Committee may decide
not to support a membership application but such a decision must be consistent
with the Rules and with Statute. Such a decision must be explained to the
individual in writing, together with their rights of appeal.
d) All members must comply with National and Branch Rules.
e) The NEC may terminate an individual’s membership in
accordance with the Rules.
5. Conduct of Meetings
a) All meetings will be conducted in a fair and democratic manner under
the Branch Standing Orders.
b) All meetings should be advertised widely as far in advance
as possible as provided for in Branch Standing Orders.
c) The procedures to be used at any meeting should be explained
clearly.
d) The Branch shall set a quorum for Branch Meetings, Branch
Committee Meetings and any other meetings in the Branch as it considers
appropriate.
e) The Branch will maintain records of meetings, financial
records, books of accounts and other appropriate records (as provided for
in Branch Rules and Standing Orders) to enable the branch to function.
(f) "If any member of a Branch Committee or sub-committee
or Departmental Committee has not attended for two consecutive meetings
without submitting their apologies, the lead officer of that body shall
contact them to ascertain if there is a problem. If they fail to attend
a third consecutive meeting, it shall be reported to the constituency which
elected them in order that it may consider the matter of absence and whether
any action is required."
6. Respect
All UNISON members, regardless of their direct employer, occupation or background
within the Trade Union movement, are to be valued for the skills, experience
and diversity which they can bring to the branch.
7. Empowerment
All members should be encouraged to participate in their branch and measures
must be put into place to redress the balance where there is under-representation.
No member should be prevented from participation for financial
reasons. Activists will be reimbursed by the branch on the basis of out
of pocket expenses. Creches and/or carers allowances should be available
for all meetings and for other duties.
Democratic decision making should be brought to the closest
level to the members concerned. It also involves adequate staffing and resources
to maintain an efficient membership record and distribution system.
8. Expenses
a) Rates of expenses for members attending meetings on behalf of the Branch
shall be agreed by the Branch AGM or Branch Committee via the Policy and
Finance Committee.
b) A creche will be provided for all major meetings in the
Branch and carers allowance will be available to any member who has to arrange
care for a child or adult dependant for any specific meeting.
c) Rates of expenses will be based on the rates agreed by
Scottish Council, with the following exceptions:
i) Lunch allowance within the City of Edinburgh will only
be paid on leave days, or where lunchtime is outwith the normal working
day or for education courses where no lunch is provided.
ii) Car mileage allowance will only be paid where there is prior approval
from the Branch Secretary or Treasurer
iii) Any taxi used must be with the prior approval of the Branch Secretary
or Treasurer.
iv) Out of Pocket expenses shall be paid for Conferences and Education
Courses where appropriate at rates to be decided from time to time by the
Branch AGM or Branch Committee via the Policy and Finance Committee.
v) Carer costs will be paid on the basis of actual payments to carers.
9. Lay Control/ Accountability
The branch will be based on lay control and accountability of stewards,
delegates and officers. Lay officials will control organisation, representation
and negotiation. They will be accountable to the membership through a range
of structures.
10. Partnership with Full Time Officers
The role of the full time officer will be that laid out in UNISON rules
and procedures. The relationship should be one of partnership between the
lay leadership and the professional role of the full time officer. The full
time officer should be seen as a point of reference and organisational and
professional support as and when requested by the branch.
11. Communication
a) Structures
Structures should be put in place to ensure good and regular communication
with stewards and members. While it is recognised that face to face communication
is the best way to report to and consult with members, this should be backed
up by a regular branch magazine.
b) Media Communications
Communications to the media on behalf of the Branch shall be made only by
officer(s) authorised by the Branch Committee in terms of Branch Rule E.5
(Role of Branch Secretary) and Branch Rule E.13 (Role of Branch Communications
Officer).
12. Membership/ Stewards
UNISON will be built from the membership with the emphasis on a Stewards
System.
Such a system requires to be flexible and to be supported
through access to advice and assistance from Branch Officers or more experienced
Stewards. Further support should come from Education Programmes and regular
communications from all levels of the union.
It must be emphasised the role of the Steward is fundamental
to the success of the organisation. The Steward is the link between the
members and their union and should be responsible to and for a particular
group of members and negotiate on behalf of this group and individuals within
the group.
The efficiency of each Shop Steward will be determined by
the extent to which each is prepared to commit themselves and the level
of skills and knowledge they attain. It is imperative they be provided with
access to support resources in terms of advice, assistance and training
if the Branch is to provide the best possible representation for the members.
Any structures put in place must facilitate the ready availability of the
necessary resources.
While it is preferable for a Steward to represent an occupational
group (eg Caretakers) the Stewards System must facilitate instances where
more benefits can be accrued from Stewardship on a geographical basis (eg
Decentralised Offices).
The City of Edinburgh Local Government and Related Sectors
Branch of UNISON will provide representation for members working in a wide
range of occupational groups.
There will inevitably be a great diversity in the requirements
of and demands arising from members and groups and the Branch must be organised
in a way which ensures these are addressed whilst maintaining the positive
application of the principles of democracy and accountability. At the heart
of the branch should be the principles of proportionality, fair representation
and the fostering of functioning and accountable self organisation.
The various proposals in this document provide for decision
making at the most appropriate level and ensures the co-ordinated involvement
of Branch Officers and local Shop Stewards through a series of Committees
and Branch Officer posts whose principal role will be to co-ordinate resources
to maximise benefits for the membership.
13. Affiliations
a) Affiliations to relevant constituency Labour Parties will be decided
by the APF membership.
b) Affiliations to trade councils shall be determined by the
Branch AGM or Branch Committee.
c) Affiliations may be made to other organisations whose aims
affect those of UNISON.
14. Donations/ Sponsorships
a) Donations shall be agreed by the AGM or Branch Committee in accordance
with the union’s policies and objectives and subject to the provision
of national rule.
b) Sponsorships may be agreed from time to time and will be
considered only on the basis of criteria and guidelines as set out by the
Branch Committee. (See Appendix A).
15. Annual Report
The Branch Secretary in conjunction with the Communications Officer will
produce a report annually to be distributed to members prior to the AGM.
It will include:
a) Reports on the year’s work from all branch officers
b) Financial Statement, Affiliations and Minutes of Branch
Meetings
c) Attendances at Branch Committees, Sub Committees and Scottish
Council
d) A report on Branch Committee decisions during the year | 
