- Conference
- 2024 National Retired Members Conference
- Date
- 4 June 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Conference is concerned that certain phrases in UNISON Rules and the Code of Good Branch Practice may be subject to unduly restrictive application in some branches and may prevent retired members making a contribution.
Examples include but may not be confined to:
A)Rule D7.5 uses the phrase “may attend and speak … and may vote (on certain matters)” to describe, uniquely, the Branch Retired Members’ Secretary’s participation at branch committee. The code, at paragraph 11.3.14 only says “attend” (not speak or vote) and paragraph 11.3.1.1 restricts participation to the committee’s “normal” meetings whereas rule D7.5 has “all meetings”; and,
B)While the branch retired members’ secretary’s status as a branch officer and therefore membership of the branch committee is covered in rules G4.1.1 and G2.1.4, rule G2.1.3 leaves the retired members’ section’s representation on branch committee to be determined by the branch, and core branch rules are silent on any representation except for the branch retired members’ secretary.
Conference instructs the National Retired Members’ Committee to raise with the National Executive Council the need to avoid doubt, conflict or dispute concerning retired members taking part in branches and to exercise its power to do so under rule D2.11.3