RETIRED MEMBERS – A VALUABLE RESOURCE

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Conference
2016 National Retired Members Conference
Date
14 June 2016
Decision
Carried as Amended

Conference notes that under National Rule C.2.6.3 retired members are excluded from holding office within a branch, other than within the retired members’ organisation.

When branch officers retire, at present, their “stewardship” retires with them.

Many retired members have a wealth of information and experience and, in this age when people are living longer, branches should be utilising retired members’ expertise in order to service their membership fully. Retired members are usually readily available, often have the necessary experience and, above all, do not require facility time. And of course, YOU CAN’T SACK A RETIRED MEMBER FOR SPEAKING OUT.

UNISON is a progressive union and it is time for this rule to be amended in order that as a union we move with the times. We are assured that retired members are important to UNISON: indeed, on our own national website under the “retired members” heading it states that retired members are “a valuable part of UNISON campaigns” and help to provide “that solidarity between generations which is so important to everyone” and “we value your experience”.

Conference, therefore, calls on the National Retired Members’ Committee to work with the National Executive Council to bring forward to the 2018 National Delegate Conference an amendment to this rule (to allow retired members to hold office within a branch) in order that UNISON may remain an efficient union with its members’ interests at the forefront.