The AEU Branch Council has voted on several changes to the Tasmanian Branch Rules. These changes affect:
- Rule 6 – Meetings of Branch Council;
- Rule 8 – Meetings of Branch Executive;
- Rule 25 – Branch Employees; and
- Rule 32 – Election – General Provisions
Why have these rules been changed?
Branch Council – Quorum Requirements: Due to the number of casual vacancies on Branch Council (see above), reaching the quorum required for us to make important decisions about our union can be difficult. Changing this rule will allow the late notice of proxies and prevent the convening of Branch Council meetings that do not reach a quorum due to last minute absenteeism.
Branch Executive – Meeting Flexibility: This change affects the minimum, not a maximum number of Branch Executive meetings in a year. The minimum number of meetings will ensure the accountability measures are taken to monitor and maintain the running of the union. Extraordinary meetings can, will and are currently called to deal with timely issues such as employment, negotiations and arising issues that need to be dealt with swiftly.
Hiring – Project Officers: The current rule hinders the proactive and flexible reactions of the union to issues. Although it is important to maintain good governance, we must also enable our elected members to take on projects within their field of expertise and interest. This change endeavours to maintain good governance while enabling the union to respond to issues, such as the current TAFE transition, in an effective and responsive way without disrupting the representation of members at Branch Council levels. It is important that we can use the expertise, experience, and knowledge of our elected members to further the aim of the union.
21st century language: Facsimiles don’t exist anymore. We need to bring the rule into the digital age.
Branch Executive – Meeting Flexibility: This change affects the minimum, not a maximum number of Branch Executive meetings in a year. The minimum number of meetings will ensure the accountability measures are taken to monitor and maintain the running of the union. Extraordinary meetings can, will and are currently called to deal with timely issues such as employment, negotiations and arising issues that need to be dealt with swiftly.
Hiring – Project Officers: The current rule hinders the proactive and flexible reactions of the union to issues. Although it is important to maintain good governance, we must also enable our elected members to take on projects within their field of expertise and interest. This change endeavours to maintain good governance while enabling the union to respond to issues, such as the current TAFE transition, in an effective and responsive way without disrupting the representation of members at Branch Council levels. It is important that we can use the expertise, experience, and knowledge of our elected members to further the aim of the union.
21st century language: Facsimiles don’t exist anymore. We need to bring the rule into the digital age.
What are the changes?
Alterations have been made to rules 6, 8 and 32 to allow additional time for a proxy notice prior to a Branch Council meeting to reach the State Manager; replacing “facsimile” with “video conference, phone and email”; reducing frequency of Branch Executive meetings from 11 to 8 times a year (8 weekly instead of 6 weekly) and changing the nomination opening time for Branch and Federal elections to “the first day of school Term 3″ (previously: on approximately week 8 of Term 3).”
Rule 25 permits elected office holders to be employed in Project Officer rules, subject to conditions (see 25(7-9):
– Branch Council delegates, with the exception of AEU Branch Executive members, will be eligible to apply
– Project roles will be of no more than one year duration (i.e., fixed-term contract)
– Where a Branch Council member is the preferred candidate for a role, the Branch President will meet with senior officer and the State Manager to assess the appropriateness of the appointment.
– The office holder may only work in a project officer role for a maximum of 12 months between AEU Branch elections (conducted every 3 years).
Rule 25 permits elected office holders to be employed in Project Officer rules, subject to conditions (see 25(7-9):
– Branch Council delegates, with the exception of AEU Branch Executive members, will be eligible to apply
– Project roles will be of no more than one year duration (i.e., fixed-term contract)
– Where a Branch Council member is the preferred candidate for a role, the Branch President will meet with senior officer and the State Manager to assess the appropriateness of the appointment.
– The office holder may only work in a project officer role for a maximum of 12 months between AEU Branch elections (conducted every 3 years).
Click Here to see the updated AEU Rules and Fair Work Commission decision on the latest changes, including the AEU Branch Council discussion paper and vote tally.
