What is the purpose of an Amicus branch?
The Amicus rulebook sets out in some detail the rules for the operation of branches, their funding and electoral arrangements. However the rules do not give much information about the actual purpose of a branch.
In order to provide a renewed focus for branches and a genuine purpose for their existence, it is recommended that Amicus branches should:
· Be the main focus for links with the local community, such as voluntary groups and local campaigns
· Provide an alternative to the industrial structure for participating in the Union and its democracy
· Help provide a resource for local recruitment
· Provide opportunities for members from different industrial sectors, former sections or previous mergers to meet together to discuss areas of common concern and interest. For members not active in the industrial structure, the only place for this to take place is within the branch - such changes will assist with the cultural change already underway in the Union.
Why change branches?
Unless a root and branch reorganisation of branches takes place, the Union will continue to have branches that consist of members entirely from one former section or union. A key objective of reorganising branches must be to obtain a consistent approach and reason for existence.
As far as the former unions are concerned, there are currently approximately 600 former AEEU and about 900 former MSF branches - of these there are over 900 branches with less than 500 members. There are also 200 UNIFI branches and 28 GPMU branches. This number (nearly 1800) of branches is not sustainable.
Given the number of paying members in the Union, a more appropriate number of branches is probably a figure of around 500.
The Union's structure is predominantly industrially based and so it may be appropriate that branches should be organised in a different way. The rules of the Union allow for branches to be organised in a variety of ways, however it is recommended that all branches should be organised largely on a geographical basis.
Some associated proposals regarding computer equipment for branches are looked at in the attached Appendix.
There may be a problem for some Craft branches with a reorganisation, because of the wording of rule 13(1), which states that there "shall be ... craft branches whose composition shall, so far as is practicable and consistent with the other provisions of these rules, be the same as the equivalent bodies in the
Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union ("MSF") immediately prior to 1 January, 2002". However, a number of changes to Craft branches have taken place recently - for example the merger of seven branches to form the London United Craft branch - and so this may not be a problem.
Other branches that may argue they should not be affected by a reorganisation are those that are referred to in transfers of engagements and have separate branches dating from their merger with one of Amicus' predecessor unions.
In addition, there are a number of effective workplace based branches that will see no reason for change as their branch meetings are well attended.
The NEC has the power, under rule, to close, merge or open branches.
It is proposed that branches be reorganised based on the following:
· Branches should be preferably geographical and cross-industry, based upon either members' workplaces or their home addresses. As most branches meet in the evening, the preferred method could be by members' home address.
· All the members of each branch should live or work within the region to which the branch is allocated.
· preferably branches should have no less than about 2000 members, unless they cover rural areas where the travel time to get to branch meetings would make it impossible for members to attend. No branch should have less than about 500 members.
· Where workplace based branches are effective, with large-scale participation in branch meetings, such branches could be left unchanged providing that this does not leave other members who live near to the workplace branch without an alternative branch within a reasonable distance.
· In total there should be preferably no more than about 500 branches across the Union as a whole. As a result of this, it might be necessary to suggest some rule amendments - for example the number of nominations required from branches in NEC or GS elections might need to be reduced.
Any change of the scale above, may take some time to complete. For a consistent approach across the Union and to ensure a timely start to the process, it is recommended that the Union's Administration complete initial proposals based on the above points for presentation in early 2005. Consultation with interested parties, such as branches and regional councils, should then follow, with a view to have completed the reorganisation by late 2005.
In the meantime, it is recommended that members be allocated to the branch nearest to their home address, except where Regional Secretaries are able to give clear information about where workplaces should be linked to specific branches. Such links can be put on the membership system to ensure that members are allocated to the correct branch.
1. Amendment to NEC Standing Orders
Following the NEC decision to consider a new standing order on Collective Responsibility a draft was circulated which it was agreed to recommend. The new standing order would read:
13.1
Each individual NEC member contributes to NEC decisions. Under Rule 25 (1) the power of the NEC is a collective, not an individual power. Once a decision has been made by the NEC collectively, the individual members of the NEC, when acting directly or by implication as a representative of or delegate from the NEC, shall accordingly support that decision and shall make no statement, nor take any action, which is likely to have the effect of undermining or repudiating that NEC decision.
Back to www.amicus.cc