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These Rule Changes - which were all passed by the requisite two-thirds majority - resulted from a decision of the 2008 AGM and are intended to:- 1. Review the rules in light of Single Status to reflect that there will no longer be APT&C and Manual grades. 2. Update the rules in light of core branch rule changes. 3. Update the rules to reflect common practice 4. Review the duties of some Branch Officers in terms of branch development 5. Correct anomolies. The Rule Changes were agreed by a special meeting of Branch Officers but to fulfill the current rule requirement, they appear in the names of the Service Conditions Convener (APT&C) and other branch officers. Because of the number of changes, it would be the intention of the chair of the meeting to seek agreement to the Rule Changes being moved formally with only brief explanations where necessary, only moving to a debate if there is any dissent. Rule Changes1. Rule A.11 Communication Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In a) add at end "and newssheets as appropriate" 2. Rule A.13 Affiliations Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) a) Replace "APF" with "LabourLink" c) Replace "whose aims affect those of UNISON" with "consistent with the national union’s policies and rules." Note: Brings into line with national rules. 3. Rule A.15 Annual Report Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) c) Replace "Attendances at Branch Committees, Sub Committees and Scottish Council" with "Attendances at Branch Committees, Scottish Regional Council and Scottish Local Government Conference." d) Replace "A report on Branch Committee decisions during the year" with "A report on Branch activities during the year." 4. Rule B.1 Branch Structure Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) a) After "There will be an Annual General Meeting of the Branch to elect" add ", or confirm the election by ballot of" Note: Brings into line with national core branch rules. 5. Rule B.2 Branch Audits Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Renumber Para 1 as a) and delete "APT&C, Manual" and replace with "General Grade workers based on the appropriate pay spine/scale" Renumber Para 2 as b) and delete "black, lesbian and gay, disabled members" and replace with "numbers of members who wish to be identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members or black members or disabled" Renumber Para 3 as c). Note: Reflects Single Status and the new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Group. 6. Rule B.3 Proportionality Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In first paragraph, delete from "but recognises.." to "meaningful" and replace with "and to that end will promote the following measures:" In Point 1, delete "therefore" in line 1 and "new" in line 3. In Point 2 a) add "on the same basis" at the end. Note: Updates rules which were originally written in the context of the start of the new branch and clarifies proportionality applies to job-share posts. 7. Rule B.4 Quorum Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In Point 2, delete "would" in the first line and "proposed" in the fourth line. Note: Updates rules which were originally written in the context of the start of the new branch. 8. Rule B.5 Fair Representation Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In first paragraph, delete all instances of "APT&C and Manual and Craft" and replace with "all categories and terms of conditions". In Point 1, delete "At Service Conditions Convener level, there will be posts for APT&C, Manual and Craft" and replace with "To facilitate these principles Convener posts will be established to recognise both General Graded posts and Craft posts supplemented by other Convener posts as agreed by a Branch Annual General Meeting" In Point 3, delete "black, disabled and lesbian and gay" and replace with "black members, disabled members and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender" In Point 5, delete from "The triple track approach" to "at workplace level." and replace with "Activists should be encouraged to become familiar with all sets of conditions and the requirements of individual occupational groupings both within their local workplace and elsewhere in the branch" Delete Points 6 and 7 and renumber Point 8 as 6. In existing Point 8, delete from "In the meantime" to "sub-groups" and replace with "In instances where an occupational group is based in one department it will be the responsibility of that Shop Stewards Committee to ensure the members’ interests are represented and protected. Where there is more than one department involved the responsibility to coordinate the representation and protection of members will lie with the Branch Committee. At all times actions and decisions will be in accordance with union policy". Note: Reflects Single Status 9. Rule B.6 Branch Employed Staff Structures Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In Point a), delete "Convener (or nominee), Branch Treasurer and three members elected by the Branch Policy and Finance Committee" and replace with. "Coordinator (or nominee), Branch Treasurer, Equalities Officer and three members elected by the Branch Committee. - NOTE: In Recruitment and Selection processes a panel member must have evidenced they have gone through appropriate training." 10. Rule C.1 Preamble Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In second paragraph, delete "The Committee will elect from its body a Shop Stewards Convener and two Vice Conveners, one representing APT&C members and the other Manual members. Where a department consists entirely of APT&C, Manual or Craft workers, only one Vice Convener will be necessary." and replace with "The Committee will elect from its body a Shop Stewards Convener and a Vice Convener." In seventh paragraph, delete "(eg Community Education, Residential Care etc)" Note: Reflects Single Status 11. Rule C.2 Shop Stewards Committee Meetings Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In Point 5 b), delete "Guide negotiations with Departmental management, in consultation with Branch Co-Ordinator and Conveners, SC Officers and other Shop Stewards Committees where necessary" and replace within "Guide negotiations with departmental management having sought, where appropriate, advice/participation from Branch Officers and /or other committees involved in the subject matter." 12. Rule C.4 Election of Shop Stewards Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Add new point 3 as follows and renumber following points. "3. In the event of a workplace meeting or ballot not taking place, details of any nominees along with an explanation should be forwarded to the Branch Secretary by the Departmental Convener. Such instances will be referred to the Branch Committee for their consideration and decision" In existing Point 3, after the word "for" in the first line, add "representation purposes". Delete "and have returned the duplicate to the branch office" and replace with ", returned the duplicate to the Branch Office and have undergone any statutory training requirements." Note: Reflects legal situation. 13. Rule D Branch Organisation Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius(Children & Families) Delete first paragraph beginning "Separate structures..." Note: Reflects Single Status 14. Rule D.2 Branch Committee - Structure Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius(Children & Families) 2 d) In first line Delete "Lesbian and Gay" and replace with "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Group" In fourth line, Delete "Lesbian and Gay group" and replace with "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Group" 15. Rule D.4 Service Conditions Team Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 4 d) Delete "(prior to the Service Conditions Committee)" Note: Allows flexibility when team meeting is held. 16. Rule D.5 Equalities Sub-Committee Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 5.4 Delete "within the authority" Note: Reflects that Branch organises in more than one employer. 17. Rule D.6 Health & Safety Sub-Committee Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 6.1 b) Delete "(1 APT&C and 1 Manual or Craft)" Note: Reflects Single Status. 18. Rule D.7 Education & Communications Sub-Committee Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 7.3 e) Delete "10 times a year is the guideline" and replace with "supplemented by newssheets as appropriate" 19. Rule D.10 Self Organised Group Structures Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 10.1 Delete "lesbian and gay" and replace with "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender" 10.4 Delete "without reference to the Branch Committee" and replace with "through mechanisms put in place by the Branch Equalities Officer on behalf of the Policy and Finance Committee," 20. Rule D.13 Self Organised Group Structures Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 10.1 Delete "lesbian and gay" and replace with "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender" 10.4 Delete "without reference to the Branch Committee" and replace with "through mechanisms put in place by the Branch Equalities Officer on behalf of the Policy and Finance Committee," 21. Rule D.14 Retired Members Section Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete "D.5" at end. 22. Rule E.1 Branch Officers Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 1a) Delete "19, 20 and 21" and replace with "19-22" 1b) Delete "14, 19, 20 and 21" and change "E20" to "E21". Delete all instances of "APF" and replace with "LabourLink". 23. Rule E.2 Role of Branch President Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 1. Delete "more hands on branch role" and replace with "direct involvement in branch affairs as required" 2 h) Delete "and" and replace with "and/or". 4. Delete all and replace with "He/She will be a member of the Service Conditions Team and will chair relevant meetings. He/She will convene meetings as required of the Team outwith their regular meetings" 24. Rule E.8 Role of Branch Equalities Officer Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 3. Delete "Will convene and attend monthly meetings of the Equalities Sub Committee" and replace with "Will convene and attend bi-monthly meetings of the Equalities Sub Committee" . NOTE: Rectifies error from last reprint. Changes to Service Conditions Structures to reflect Single Status 25. Rule E.10 Role of Branch Service Conditions Coordinator Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In third paragraph delete "Conveners" and replace with, "Convener" . 26. Rule E.11 Role of Branch Service Conditions Conveners (3) Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Rename Rule as "Role of Branch Service Conditions Convener" Delete Point 1 and replace with "The Service Conditions Convener will work in conjunction with the Branch Service Conditions Coordinator as well as addressing general Service Conditions demands.The postholders’ activities will include the following: in addition to substituting for the duties of the Service Conditions Coordinator as required:-" . Delete Point 2. 27. Rule E.12 Role of Branch Service Conditions Officers (4) Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete "(4)" in title and replace with "(5)" 28. New Rule E.13 Role of Branch Service Conditions Convener, Craft Workers Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Add new Rule E.13 "Role of Branch Service Conditions Convener, Craft Workers. The postholder will fulfil the same role as a Branch Service Conditions Officer but will take a lead role in all matters relating to members contracted to Craft Workers Terms and Conditions of Service." 29. Rule E.13 Role of Branch Communications Officer Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) 2 a) Delete "(10 issues are recommended and at least not less than 6 times a year)" and replace with "supplemented by targeted newssheets" 30. Rule E.16 Role of Branch Education Officer Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Add new point "h) providing support for shop stewards and shop stewards’ organisation in the Branch" 31. Rule E.21 Role of APF Officer Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete "APF" in title and throughout and replace with "LabourLink" 32. Rule F.21 Representation of members in Service Conditions Issues Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In Point 4 delete "the Authority’s" and replace with "an Employer’s" NOTE: Branch covers more than one employer. In Point 6 delete "Conditions of Service Convener" and insert "Service Conditions Coordinator" 33. Rule G.6 Branch Meetings Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete first paragraph and replace with "There will be an Annual General Meeting of the Branch" STANDING ORDERS 34. Rule H.4 Order of Business Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete H.4.6 (h) and (i) and replace with "(h) Branch Service Conditions Convener" and renumber following paragraphs. In existing Rule H.4.6 (k) delete "(4)" and insert "(5)" and delete "at least two" and insert "at least three" 35. Rule H.8 Notices of Motion Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Add at beginning "Motions may be proposed by any two members, the branch committee or a properly constituted shop stewards committee or self organised group." 36. Rule H.9 Amendment to a Motion Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete all and insert "9.1 Amendments may be proposed by any two members, the branch committee or a properly constituted shop stewards committee or self organised group. An amendment to a motion shall be submitted, in writing, to the Branch Secretary not less than 3 days prior to the start of the meeting and will be moved, provided the amendment:- a) is relevant, competent and intelligible as regards the proposal it is intended to amend; b) does not alter the motion in such a way as to make it virtually a new motion; c) does not imply mere negation; 9.2 When an amendment to a motion is moved, no further amendment may be moved until the first one is disposed of, subject to 9.3 below. a) When an amendment is defeated, a further amendment may be moved to the original motion. b) When an amendment to a motion is carried, the motion, as so amended, shall become the substantive motion, to which a further amendment may be moved. c) A member shall not move more than one amendment to any one motion, nor shall the mover of a motion move any amendment to such motion. GROUPED DEBATE 9.3. Where, in the view of the Chairperson of the meeting, separate debates on specified motions and/or amendments dealing with the same subject matter would lead to undue repetition in the debates, a grouped debate and/or sequential voting may be adopted by the meeting. The following procedure will be followed: a) The Chairperson will advise the meeting of the order of business and of the sequence in which motions and amendments will be moved and voted on following a general debate, and of the effect of certain proposals on others. b) All motions and amendments included in the debate shall be moved. c) The general debate shall take place. d) The Chairperson shall again state the order of voting and shall advise the meeting which, if any, motions or amendments will fall if others are carried. e) Voting will take place on motions, preceded by relevant amendments, in the order in which they were moved." Note: Reflects current practice and national rules 37. Rule H.19 Elections Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete all and insert "*19 Nominations for Office-Bearer posts must be made by any two members or a properly constituted shop stewards committee and, except in the case of job-share nominations, they may make only one nomination for any individual post. Nominations must be submitted at least 21 days (11 days in respect of Departmental elections) before the meeting and should carry the signature of the two nominators or, in the case of a nomination from a shop stewards committee, the signature of the convener of that committee with a copy of the relevant minute. All nominations shall be confirmed by the Branch Secretary with the nominated individual(s). *19.1 Any Branch Officer vacancies following or arising after the AGM may be filled by the Branch Committee. In such case the 11 day timescale for nominations will apply." 38. New Rule H.20 Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Insert new Rule 20 as follows: "*20. Job-share nominations may only be made with the prior agreement of the candidates concerned and, if a vote is required, they will be voted upon as if they were one candidate." and renumber following paragraphs. 39. Existing Rule H.23 Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) In 23(2) add "and the terms of the motion to be debated." at end. 40. Existing Rule H.25 Proposed by John Ross (SFC), Agnes Petkevicius (Children & Families) Delete "23 (2)" and replace with "24 (2)"
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