Duties of Branch Officers

You can download a copy of the Duties of Branch Officers of the National Workers Union here.

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.

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