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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 Shop Stewards 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
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