REF: GS18.9.1/LTB 664/16 – REVISED BRANCH MODEL CONSTITUTION

I write in relation to the above and to seek some clarity around the recent decision of the NEC.

I have to say from the outset that the instruction contained within the LTB came as a surprise and has not been well received by members of our Retired Members Section.

The Branch has a small but active Retired Members Section. They are good people who continue to do a job of work on behalf of the Union. They have always received a Vote on non-industrial roles within the Branch. This is the established position and has caused us not one solitary problem over the years.

Having spoken to a number of our Retired Members, there is a genuine feeling of disappointment and a perception that their Branch Membership status has been diminished. It is difficult to disagree with them – it would seem to make little sense that they would receive a vote for the General Secretary, for example, but not for their own Branch Secretary.

In work members have a whole raft of options – Local Rep, Area Rep, Divisional Officers and the Branch Office. The first and only port of call for Retired Members is the Branch Office and now we’re telling them that they don’t have a say on who represents them at that level.

In short, at the present time, our Retired Members are not supportive of the changes and I doubt very much whether the Branch would be able to convince them otherwise without some clarity on the need for any such rule change.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

DAVE KENNEDY

Branch Secretary