Composite Motion B (Better Support for Overworked Branch Secretaries and Activists) opened the afternoon session. This motion concerned levels of support for branches from UNISON and a demand to update the ACAS Code of Practice on time off for union duties (to include more general union “activities” which do not currently have such a clear entitlement). Duties covered by law now might include accompanying a member to a hearing but many other union activities such as recruitment do not have a clear legal entitlement to time off from work. In addition branch, regional and national union activities beyond the workplace are not usually covered by an entitlement to time off.
This motion was submitted by a local government branch and is based on the assumption that Branch Secretaries have facility time for their branch activities (if not regional or national activities). Housing Associations Branch delegate Mary Powell sought to speak on this motion, explaining the difficulties faced by Branches with zero facility time for branch activities. Our Branch officers carry out all of their non-statutory activities in their own time using evenings, weekends and annual leave. This is due to our status as a multi-employer Branch with no one employer to negotiate the Branch’s facility time with. However the debate was cut short and the vote taken before she could speak. The motion was carried and had NEC support.
