Duties of Branch Officers

All Branch Officers must adhere to the Rules and policies of the Union and the Union's Code of Good Practice in undertaking their duties.

Branch Secretary/Treasurer

The duties of the Branch Secretary/Treasurer are to:

• convene and attend all meetings of the Branch and Branch Committee;

• arrange for the minutes to be kept in a proper manner;

• arrange for Branch records to be kept in a proper manner;

• co-operate with the Union's Head Office in keeping accurate and up-to-date records of membership, Branch Officers and Union Stewards;

• communicate with the members of the Branch;

• communicate with Head Office on behalf of the Branch and ensure that Head Office is advised of all industrial relations developments in the Branch;

• ensure that the Branch is aware of opportunities to participate in the activities of the wider Union;

• support and encourage the Union Stewards in the Branch on an individual and collective basis;

• ensure that members and Union Stewards are aware, and take advantage of education and training opportunities within the Union;

• ensure that appropriate publicity activities are developed and coordinated by the Branch;

• keep accounts in accordance with the Financial Regulations of the Union;

• provide reports on the financial position of the Branch to the Branch, Branch Committee and Head Office.
  

Branch Chairperson

The duties of the Branch Chairperson are to:

• preside at all meetings of the Branch and Branch Committee;

• ensure that business is properly conducted;

• advise the Branch Officers and Branch Committee in respect of matters relating to procedure and interpretation of Rules.
  

Branch Equality Officer

The duties of the Branch Equality Officer are to:

• increase awareness of Branch Officers, Union Stewards and members about equality issues and the avoidance of harassment and discrimination on any grounds;

• organise the information held by the Branch on equality issues;

• co-ordinate the activities of the Union Stewards in relation to equality issues;

• advise and support Branch Officers and the Branch Committee in respect of equal opportunities matters and related collective bargaining issues;

• co-operate with the National Equality Officer.
  

Branch Health and Safety Officer

The duties of the Branch Health and Safety Officer are to:

• increase awareness of Branch Officers, Union Stewards and members of health and safety issues;

• organise the information held by the Branch on health and safety issues;

• co-ordinate the activities of the Union Stewards in relation to health and safety issues;

• advise and support Branch Officers and the Branch Committee in respect of health and safety matters and related collective bargaining issues;

• co-operate with the National Health and Safety Officer.
  

Branch Education Officer

The duties of the Branch Education Officer are to:

• ensure that all new Union Stewards receive whatever initial information about their duties and the Branch is available;

• ensure that untrained Branch Officers and Union Stewards have an appropriate introductory training course;

• co-operate with the National Education and Research Officer on organising training within the Branch;

• ensuring that the National Education and Research Officer puts on training sessions for the Branch.
  

Union Steward

The duties of the Union Steward are to:

• be the first line of service to the members and the immediate representative of the Union;

• play a key role in informing members of the work of the Union;

• recruit new members at the earliest opportunity;

• motivate and encourage members to support Union activities;

• represent members with the employer;

• represent the views of their members within the Branch Committee;

• be answerable to the members they represent;

• take part in Branch and Branch Committee meetings and co-operate with Branch Officers in carrying out their duties;

• meet with employers to represent members both individually and collectively and to report back to their members regularly;

• undertake the role of a Safety Representative within their work group;

• involve members in identifying and achieving solutions to problems to the benefits of the membership.

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Version 1 – Issued: 15^th August 2004

Recommended by the National Executive Committee on: 8^th May 2005

Endorsed by the General Council on: [insert date]

Agreed by the National Conference on: [insert date]

Registered with the Registrar of Trade Unions on: 15^th October 2004

Union Registration Number: 501