SOUTH WEST WALES BRANCH
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SOUTH WEST WALES BRANCH |
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BRANCH RULES
RULE 1.
NAME
This branch of the Communication
Workers Union shall be known as the SOUTH
RULE 2.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Branch
shall be to:
1. Locally organise, recruit and maximise membership levels and to maintain accurate branch membership records.
2. Protect and promote the interests of members in accordance with the objectives as expressed in the National Rules and policies of the union.
3.
Keep members
4. Effectively consult members on local issues affecting their work.
5.
Implement the policies and directives of the
RULE
3.
MEMBERSHIP
3.1. General
The Branch shall ensure that;
1.
All applications for membership are dealt with in accordance with
national rules
2.
All members are aware of their entitlements and obligations as
defined in the national rules
3.2. Branch
Membership
The membership of the Branch shall include:
RULE
4.
BRANCH
MANAGEMENT
2.
The Branch may also adopt and operate local Branch Rules and
Standing Orders to govern any areas not specifically covered by the Branch Model
Constitution, which shall be subject to the agreement of the Branch and approval
by the
4.2.
Management
The affairs of the Branch
shall be governed by General Meetings of, which there shall be an AGM and
minimum of one other. In the
intervals between General Meetings the affairs of the Branch shall be directed
by the Branch
4.3.
Minimum Standards
The CWU is committed to
ensuring that all branches provide effective and professional representation to
all members. To achieve this it is a requirement that all branches ensure that
the following minimum standards are adhered to:
1.
All members and representatives will act in strict accordance with
the rules and policies of the CWU at all times.
2.
The Branch fully supports the CWU aim of providing all members
with equality of opportunity, dignity and respect. Therefore members and
representatives of the Branch will be encouraged, and where appropriate
supported, in participating in such events that support these aims. This
includes attendance at CWU organised/supported events such as; the various
Equality & Diversity Conferences, Retired Members and
3.
The Branch will attend and take an active part in all national,
regional and local meetings that affect the Branch membership.
4.
All representatives of the branch have a responsibility to ensure
that all issues are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
5.
The Branch Committee will put in place effective communication
channels throughout the branch area and ensure that members are kept fully
9.
The Branch Office shall - as a minimum – contain the
following basic items of essential equipment and it shall be the responsibility
of the principle Branch
§
Secure filing and storage facilities
§
Telephone (including 24 hour answer phone facility)
§
Fax
§
Computer
§
Branch e
Note: No Branch Officer
holding a position of (a), (b) or (c) may hold another post of (a), (b) or (c).
Different people must hold each of the three posts.
All candidates for the post of Political Officer must pay the
political levy and with the exception of
4.5
Branch Election Procedures
Branches shall establish rules governing the conduct of
the elections to ensure equality of treatment for all candidates. These shall be
incorporated into the branch constitution/branch rules and shall be published to
the membership.
RULE
5.
BRANCH FINANCES
1.
All
Branches shall ensure that the finances of the branch are conducted in strict
accordance with the rules and policies of the union.
2.
Every
Branch shall produce a financial plan for the following year.
3.
The
rules governing all Branch financial matters shall be detailed in the Branch
rules or attached as an appendix to the branch constitution.
a) The
Branch AGM shall elect two lay Branch Auditors who shall not be Branch Officers
or Branch Committee members. Their names shall be circulated to members and
notified to CWU HQ Finance Dept upon their election.
b) The lay
Branch Auditors shall examine and audit all Branch Accounts to ensure accuracy
and shall have the right to examine and question the Branch Finances, financial
policy, income and expenditure on behalf of the lay membership. All
vouchers, receipts, bank statements, documents, accounts books, remittance forms
and ledgers shall be examined to verify accuracy or otherwise. Lay Branch
Auditors shall also verify all cash at the Bank and shall satisfy themselves
that all Branch income and expenditure is accounted for.
c) The lay
Branch Auditors shall produce a signed statement to Branch members and copy it
to CWU HQ Finance Dept declaring they have executed their responsibilities.
RULE
6.
DELEGATION TO CONFERENCE
1.
All Conference delegations shall normally include the Branch
Secretary.
2.
The Branch Committee must ensure that all
constituency/business interests are represented.
3.
Each Branch shall
strive to ensure proportionality in its delegations
1.
Meetings:
The Branch
Committee shall normally meet monthly.
2.
Responsibilities
a) To be responsible for the proper management of the Branch.
b) To appoint such sub-committees as may be necessary from time to time.
c) To review all sub-committee and Sectional Reports, deal with all point of general policy.
d) To consider complaints, propositions and suggestions, which should be in writing from any member.
e) To review the organisation of the Branch and appoint lay members to the Finance Committee.
f) To receive a report from the Finance Committee at each meeting.
g)
To ratify all agreements.
3.
Decision Making:
a) The Committee must ensure that all members are able to participate in the democratic process.
b) In respect of elections, the details are contained in Rule 9.
c) For National Elections, conducted on a postal basis to members’ home addresses, the committee must take recommendations that are published for the benefit of all members in advance of receipt of the ballot papers.
d) In the case of local agreements the relevant procedural agreement will determine who is entitled to vote on particular issues. In all cases the overriding principle is that only those affected can vote.
e)
Where a Branch ballot affects a widespread number of members the
branch decision will be determined by;
Either:
1. Either the convening of a series of workplace/shift meetings. The result of each individual meeting will then be aggregated (every effort must be made to ensure that each workplace/shift meeting receives the same information and any Committee recommendation).
Or:
2.
A postal vote.
f) In any case where there is ambiguity concerning which members should participate in particular ballots, advice must be obtained from the National Organising Secretary.
1.
Special General Meetings may be convened on the authority of the
Branch Central Committee or by written requisition to the Branch Chair signed by
not less than forty (40) fully paid up members of the Branch. A requisition for
a Special General Meeting shall state fully and clearly in the form of a
proposed Motion, the specific purpose for which the meeting is desired. The only
business to be considered at a Special General Meeting shall be that for which
it was convened and as stated in the notice(s) convening the meeting.
2.
All General Meetings adopt the standing orders appended to these
Rules.
3.
The quorum for a Branch General Meeting shall be twenty-one (21)
members present.
4.
Not less than fourteen (14) days prior notice shall be given to
members of any Branch General Meeting, other than for a Branch Special General
Meeting.
5.
The terms of Motions etc intended to be submitted to a meeting
shall be in the hands of the Branch Secretary seven (7) days before the meeting.
6.
The Branch Secretary shall publish the terms of Motions at least
four (4) days before the meeting.
7.
Amendments to any published Motion(s) are to be handed to the
Chair by the opening of the meeting.
1.
Nominations:
No member
shall be elected to any office without first having been nominated in writing by
two (2) members of the Branch, one as a proposer, and the other as a seconder,
and with the candidate’s written consent to the nomination on a Branch
nomination form issued by the election officer.
Such written
nomination papers shall be sent to the Branch Secretary, or other designated
Branch Officer, as determined by the Branch Central Committee which shall be
shown in the notice(s) inviting nominations. The notice(s) inviting nominations
shall clearly state the closing date by which they shall be received, which date
shall allow members twenty-one (21) clear days in which to propose nominations.
Any member on
record as owing money to the Branch Funds (SOUTH
2.
Biographical Details:
Members who consent to being
nominated for election to hold office shall also furnish biographical details
with the agreed nomination form.
3.
Voting Papers:
Voting
papers shall be issued to each member as may be appropriate for each election to
be held.
The election of Branch Officials as outlined in these rules shall be by post in a sealed envelope together with precise instructions as to ballot arrangements which shall have been decided by the Branch Committee and notified to the membership in advance at the time of calling for nominations. The Election Procedures as published must be adhered to at all times’. The scrutinisers appointed by the Branch Committee shall count the postal ballot and they shall sign a certificate declaring the results for publication to the membership.
The
election of other representatives of the Branch shall be by a RETURNING OFFICER
appointed by the Branch Committee who shall not be a member of the Committee and
who shall arrange for the provision of ballot boxes wherein the members shall
place their completed ballot forms on the day(s) and times stated in the Notice
of the Ballot. Two (2) scrutinisers under the supervision of the RETURNING
OFFICER shall count the results of the ballot and they shall each sign a
certificate declaring results for the publication to the members.
Members on
long term sick leave or annual leave will be provided with a postal vote.
4.
Canvassing:
Canvassing
is not allowed under National Rules.
5.
Positions falling vacant between AGM’s:
a)
Officers
Any
vacancies, which may arise amongst the Officers between elections, shall be
filled under the procedures detailed above.
RULE 10.
DUTIES OF BRANCH OFFICERS
1.
Branch Chair:
a)
The Chair shall preside and be responsible for the conduct of all
Branch Meetings and shall sign all minutes of Branch Meetings, and, through the
Secretary, order Special Meetings when necessary.
b)
The Chair must also ensure that the Branch has proper organised
procedures to cater for all types of Branch Ballots, whether these are
individual member or collective.
c)
To be a member of the finance committee.
2.
Branch Secretary:
a)
To enrol members and to keep a record containing necessary
particulars regarding them, in co-operation with the Branch Treasurer
b)
To conduct the general correspondence of the Branch
c)
To convene the meetings of the Branch Central Committee in
consultation with the Branch Chair and to provide a report to each meeting.
d) To prepare all documents, memorials, circulars etc; ordered by the General Meeting of the members or by the Branch Central Committee, and to forward, publish or present them in accordance with instructions by the same authorities.
f)
To ensure that those responsible within the Branch keep the
members informed of any agreements negotiations and decisions which affect them.
g)
To make arrangements for the Branch office to be staffed on a
daily basis and to ensure the prompt opening of mail and circulation of
publications.
h)
To collect and keep readily available all information and data
likely to be of service to the Branch.
i)
To forward to the General Secretary by such dates as are provided
for in the
j)
To report briefly to each Branch General Meeting, the proceedings
of the Branch Central Committee.
k)
To prepare and present to the membership an Annual Report of the
work of the Branch, such report to be supplied to the membership seven (7) days
before the Annual General Meeting.
l)
To be a member of the finance committee and any sub-committee.
m)
To arrange the preparation, under the direction of the Chair, any
ballot papers required for Branch Elections under Branch Rule 9 and ensure that
these are provided to the election officer.
n)
To ensure that autonomous workplaces/sections and areas within the
Branch operate effectively.
o)
To ensure that regular reports are made by autonomous
workplaces/sections and areas to the Branch Central Committee to ensure
co-ordination of policy and that all agreements and disagreements are ratified
by the Branch Central Committee.
p)
To be responsible for the legal and medical work in the Branch in
co-operation with other Branch Officers and representatives.
q)
To conduct all legal and medical correspondence with members, the
Union legal and medical department and the
3.
Deputy Branch Secretary
To assist
and deputise for the Branch Secretary as required
4.
Branch Treasurer/Organiser:
a)
To keep separate accounts for each funds of the Branch.
b)
To control the collection of subscriptions and levies.
c)
To receive all monies collected on behalf of the Branch.
d)
To remit to the General Treasurer any monies due to
e)
To deposit all funds in the Unity Trust Bank.
f)
To pay all proper claims on the Branch as they become due.
g)
To present an audited balance sheet at the Branch Annual General
Meeting for each account held by the Branch.
h)
To exhibit to the members a copy of the Balance Sheet(s) and
audited accounts not less than seven (7) days prior to the Annual General
Meeting.
i)
To have cash, bank statements and account books available at each
Branch Central Committee Meeting.
j) To retain all financial vouchers for at least two (2) years from the date of the annual audit.
k)
To keep all statements of accounts and balance sheets for a period
of seven (7) years.
l)
To ensure that the Branch accounts are submitted to CWU
Headquarters no later than the 31st January together with the
completed Branch Financial Report (BFR).
m)
To attend the monthly finance committee meetings and to provide
all relevant documentation to the committee.
n)
To be responsible for the work of recruiting and maintaining the
Branch membership in co-operation with the Branch Secretary.
o)
To prepare an Annual Report for presentation to membership.
5.
Equality Officer:
a)
To ensure the Branch promotes the Equal Opportunities statements
and policies agreed from time to time by the
b)
To establish a liaison with properly constituted local groups
within the geographical area in the Equal Opportunities field (e.g. Community
Relations can be aware of any concerns in respect of recruitment and other
external matters).
c)
To advise other Union Officers on Equal Opportunities issues
arising in negotiations and representations.
d)
To prepare reports to the Branch covering Equal Opportunities work
and on issues the Officer wishes to bring to the attention of the Branch.
e)
To prepare an Annual Report for presentation to the membership.
6.
Women’s Officer
a)
To ensure the Branch promotes Women’s issues and policies agreed
from time to time by the
b) To prepare reports to the Branch covering Women’s issues (including an annual report for presentation to the membership).
7.
Youth
Officer
The primary role of Branch
Branch
They therefore:
There are no specific agreements
on facilities for Branch
Inevitably Branch
Branch
CWU Head Office recognises that
Branch
This guidance is subject to annual review.
8. Political
Officer
a)
To ensure that the Branch is affiliated to all Constituency Labour
Parties within its geographic boundaries, and to regularly liase with the CWU
Branch delegates to each CLP
b)
To recruit as many CWU members as possible to the Labour Party
through organising events (i.e. meetings with CWU sponsored MP’s, etc),
producing local literature etc.
c)
To liase and communicate with CWU Regional Secretaries, CLP
Secretaries/Trade Unionists for Labour Officers and Regional Labour Party office
over election and CLP campaigns, local CWU political concerns (e.g. Crown
Office/MLO closures/Post Office Privatisation) and general political activity.
In doing so to assist in the distribution of Labour Party literature to the
membership.
d)
To provide an Annual Report to be submitted to the Branch, CWU
Regional Secretary and the Deputy General Secretary detailing the Political
Officers activities, those of the CLP’s and the CWU Branch delegates to them.
e)
To provide and maintain a local Branch Political Bulletin (based
on the National Branch Political Bulletin in the BOB), which will inform Branch
members of political issues and activities of relevant interest to them. Copies
to be provided to CWU Regional Secretaries and the Deputy General Secretary.
f)
To assist in the political training and education of the Branch
membership.
g)
To co-ordinate any CWU political campaigns throughout the Branch
membership (e.g. the political fund review ballot).
RULE 11.
BRANCH OFFICIALS HONORARIA
Officials shall be paid such
honoraria as is agreed upon by the Branch Annual General Meeting. The total paid
shall be not less than 1% and not more then 5% of the Branch rebate.
RULE
12.
AFFILIATIONS & LOCAL
DELEGATIONS
1.
The Branch may affiliate to organisations in accordance with
National Rules.
2.
Local delegations shall normally be appointed by and from
members of the Branch Committee and whenever possible the Branch Secretary shall
lead the delegation.
3.
Each Branch shall strive to ensure proportionality in its
delegations.
RULE 13.
MEMBERS APPROACHING UNION HEADQUARTERS
The normal channel for communication between lay members
and CWU Headquarters is via the Branch Secretary.
RULE 14.
INTERPRETATIONS OF RULES
Should any point arise on which these Rules are vague or
silent, such points shall be decided by the Chair and submitted to the next
General Meeting. Should any dispute arise between any member and group of
members of the Branch, such disputes should be considered by the Branch
Committee and report made to the next General Meeting.
RULE 15.
ALTERATIONS TO BRANCH RULES & STANDING ORDERS
1.
No Branch Rule or Standing Order shall be amended without the
consent of a majority of those present at the Annual General Meeting or a
Special General Meeting called on the instruction of the National Organising
Secretary, at which any proposed amendments have been duly and properly
notified.
2.
Any amendments carried shall not be implemented until submitted to
and approved by the
RULE 16.
INDUSTRIAL ACTION
The procedures to be followed
must be in accordance with the prevailing National Rule and relevant
legislation.
RULE 17.
SECTION COMMITTEES
1.
A Section committee shall be comprised of the Section Officers as
listed in Rule 22.1.
2.
The Section shall elect lay members of the Section, in accordance
with the procedures set out in Rule 9., the following:
a)
Royal Mail Section:
1) A Unit/ Workplace Representative from each of the Delivery Units/Workplaces within the Delivery Area.
2) Three (3) Processing Unit/Workplace Representatives from the Mail Centre.
3) One (1) Unit/Workplace Representative from the LA’s grade.
4) One (1) Unit/Workplace Representative form Quadrant.
5) One (1) Unit/Workplace Representative from the Cleaners grade.
6) Three (3) Distribution Unit/Workplace Representatives from the Mail Centre.
7)
One (1) Unit/Workplace Representative from CASHCO.
a)
Parcelforce Section:
1)
A workplace committee of four (4) members.
b)
POCL Section:
1)
One (1) Unit/Workplace Representative from each of the
Units/Workplaces within the POCL Area.
1.
The Royal Mail Section shall comprise of four (4) sub-committees
to deal with issues solely appropriate to their function.
They shall
be:
a) Admin
b) Delivery
c) Distribution
d)
Processing
2.
Each Unit/Workplace under Rule 23.2.a may elect a Unit/Workplace
Committee.
RULE 18.
POWERS OF SECTIONS
1.
Each of the Sections shall be responsible for the maintenance of
Union membership in the offices departments and grades covered by the Section
and for carrying out of Branch policy within the Section. Each Section shall
have power to make representations on all matters relating solely to members of
the Section.
2.
Matters affecting the membership of more than one Section shall be
referred to the Branch Central Committee.
3.
All communications between the Sections and Union Headquarters
must pass through the Branch Secretary.
RULE 19.
SECTION MEETINGS
1.
The Sections shall hold not less than one (1) meeting each year,
to be held during the month of January.
2.
Special Meetings of the Section shall be convened as necessary by
the Section Committees or upon the receipt of a written requisition signed by
ten (10) members of the Section. The requisition shall state fully and clearly
the purpose for which the meeting is desired, and the only business to be
transacted at such meetings shall be that announced on the notices convening the
meeting.
3.
All Section Meetings
shall adopt the Standing Orders appended to the Rules.
4.
The quorum of a Section Meeting shall be nine (9) members present.
5.
Not less than fourteen (14) days’ prior notice shall be given to
members of any Section General Meeting other than for a Special Section General
Meeting.
6.
The terms of Motions intended to be submitted to a meeting shall
be in the hands of the Section Secretary seven (7) days before the meeting.
7.
The Section Secretary shall publish the terms of motions at least
four (4) days before the meeting.
8.
Amendments to any published motions must be handed to the Section
Chair by the opening of the meeting.
RULE 20.
DISCIPLINE
All matters of a disciplinary nature arising from the rules and
regulations of the
BRANCH
STANDING ORDERS
STANDING
ORDER No 1.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business shall be
read to the meeting by the Branch Chair at the commencement of the meeting and
shall be as follows:
(i) Minutes of the previous meeting.
(ii) Matters arising therefrom.
(iii) Officer’s reports.
(iv)
Motions.
STANDING
ORDER No 2.
RULES OF DEBATE
1.
A member who speaks shall address the Chair and direct his speech
strictly to the subject under discussion.
2. Every motion must be moved and seconded before it can be discussed or put to the vote. In the absence of either or both the proposer and/or seconder the motion shall fall. In exceptional circumstances, and at the sole discretion of the Chair, a member present at the meeting may deputise for either the proposer or the seconder and the motion may then be put. No speech shall occupy more than six (6) minutes without the consent of the meeting.
4.
No member, except the mover of an original motion, or the mover of
an amendment which, having been carried becomes the substantive motion, shall
address the meeting more than once on any subject.
The mover
of an original motion shall have the right of reply, but such reply shall be
confined to answering points raised by previous speakers and shall not include
any new matter.
After the
reply the vote shall be taken.
5.
Any member shall be entitled, with the permission of the Chair, to
rise to a point of order. A member so rising shall be entitled to be heard
forthwith.
6.
The ruling of the Chair upon all questions of order and of matters
arising in debate shall be final, and not open to discussion unless challenged
as defined in Standing Order No 7.
7. A motion or amendment may be withdrawn by the mover and seconder with the consent of the meeting, which shall be signified without debate as to the reasons of the withdrawal or content of the motion or amendment. Should permission be refused, the debate shall continue. The mover and seconder without the consent of the meeting may withdraw any motion or amendment that has not been moved or seconded.
Any member may formally second a motion or amendment reserving his or her
right to speak later in the debate.
9.
Motions; that the question be put on a particular item; move to
next business or to close debate may be moved and seconded only by members who
have not previously spoken at any time during the debate. There can be no debate
on such motions.
STANDING
ORDER No 3.
VOTING
Tellers shall be appointed for
the meeting. The method of voting shall be by a show of hands; if the count be
challenged the Chair may order a re-count. The Chair shall not vote unless the
votes for and against are equally divided; in which case s/he shall exercise
his/her casting vote.
STANDING
ORDER No 4.
DECISIONS
Every decision at a meeting
shall be decided by a majority of the members who vote on such questions and
whatever decision is reached shall be binding on all members.
STANDING
ORDER No 5.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
In the event of any matter of
urgency, the Chair may accept a motion for the suspension of Standing Orders.
The member moving such suspension must clearly state the nature and urgency of
his/her business, and the number or numbers of Standing Orders affected. No
suspension of Standing Orders may last more then thirty (30) minutes unless by
the vote of the meeting, an extension is allowed. No suspension or extension of
Standing Orders shall take place except by majority of at least two-thirds of
the members present.
STANDING
ORDER No 6.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
It shall be permissible under
these Standing Orders for any member of the Branch to raise on the Secretary’s
report any question not dealt with in that report, providing that such question
relates to any matter germane to the work of the Branch in the interim period
between General Meetings.
STANDING
ORDER No 7.
CHAIR’S DECISION
The Chair’s decision on the construction of the Standing Orders and on any question of order not provided for by them, shall be final, unless challenged in the appropriate way, and the motion “that the Chair do leave the chair” must be supported by at least two-thirds of the members present at the meeting.
Printed
and Published by the
Communication Workers
South
Tel: 01639 813146. Email: cwusww@btconnect.com
General Secretary – Billy Hayes
Communication Workers Union 150 The Broadway Wimbledon
Tel: 020 8971 7200 Fax: 020 8971 7300
Copyright © CWU South West Wales Branch 2007