UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BIRMINGHAM
UNISON BRANCH RULES
1. Branch Name
The Branch shall be called University Hospital Birmingham Unison Branch.
2. Relationship to National Organisation
a) Branch rules shall be in accordance with national rules, decisions of the Annual Delegate Conference and the NEC.
b) Any member may have a copy of the current 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.
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.
4 Membership
Eligibility for membership shall be in accordance with the Rules of the Union.
Applications for membership take effect from the date at which completed forms are received by the branch or at regional/national level and the first contribution is made.
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.
All members must comply with the Rules.
The NEC may terminate an individual’s membership in accordance with the Rules.
5 Branch Structure
There will be an Annual General Meeting of the branch to elect branch officers and members of the branch committee.
Other general meetings may be called by the branch committee or by 20 members of the branch or 5% of the membership whichever is greater.
The AGM will determine the basis of representation in the branch and the number of stewards to be elected in each work group or workplace.
Each branch shall keep a bank/building society account in the name of the branch.
6 Branch Officers
a) The branch shall elect the following officers annually;
¬ Chairperson
¬ Secretary
¬ Treasurer
¬ APF Officer
¬ Equality Officer
¬ Health and Safety Officer
Others to be determined as necessary for the effective operation of the branch.
b) Branch officers may be nominated by the branch committee or any two members, with the exception of the APF officer who will be elected by the APF members only.
c) All nominations must be received in writing at least two weeks before the AGM.
d) Each nominee will be notified and given the right to withdraw not later than seven days before the AGM.
e) If there is more than one candidate a vote will be held.
f) The vote may be conducted by a show of hands or by a ballot.
g) In the event of a ballot, official papers will be supplied and each member of the branch shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each post to be filled Arrangements may be made for a postal ballot if appropriate.
7 Branch Committee
a) Representation on the branch committee will be agreed by the AGM and will
include;
Branch Officers
Representatives of self organised groups
Stewards from each work group or workplace
b) The branch committee shall administer branch business in accordance with the national rules and guidance.
c) The quorum for the branch committee shall be 33% (one third) of the members of the committee.
d) The branch committee will establish arrangements for representation of members and any difficulties will be referred to the regional organiser in the first instance.
8) Conduct of Meetings
All meetings will be conducted in a fair and democratic manner.
All meetings should be advertised widely as far in advance as possible.
The procedures to be used at the meeting should be clearly explained.
Branches shall set a quorum for branch meetings and branch committees meetings
Branches must maintain records of meetings, financial records, books of accounts, and other appropriate records to enable the branch to function.
9) Media Communications
Communications to the media on behalf of the branch shall be made only by officers authorised by the branch committee.
10) Affiliations
Affiliations to relevant constituency Labour Parties will be decided by the APF membership.
Affiliations to Trade Councils shall be determined by the AGM or Branch Committee.
11) Donations
Donations shall be agreed by the AGM or branch committee in accordance with the Union’s policies and objectives and subject to provisions of national rule.
12) Honoraria
An honorarium is a discretionary one-off payment, made annually by the Branch to a lay member in recognition of the voluntary work they undertake for the branch.
The AGM will approve a scheme for the payment of honoraria for Branch Officer and/or Stewards as appropriate
14) Expenses
Rates of expenses for members attending meetings on behalf of the branch shall be agreed by the AGM or Branch Committee.
15) Approval/Alterations to Branch Rules
a) Branch rules must be agreed by two thirds of members present and voting at a quorate branch meeting.
b) Branch rules must be approved in accordance with UNISON’s procedures.
c) Any changes to branch rules must be agreed and approved in the same way.
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