The sub-branch

Each workplace is an AEU sub-branch and should be an active, influential and supportive body.

Members in sub-branches should meet regularly to provide a forum to raise workplace issues, learn about rights and entitlements, receive the latest about campaigns and have the opportunity to influence decision-making in the workplace and within the union itself.

Sub-branches influence workplace decisions through representation on the local consultative structures and help make AEU policy through sub-branch resolutions and attendance at regional meetings and other union forums.

Organising your sub-branch

Active sub-branches are crucial to the effectiveness of your union.

A strong workplace sub-branch ensures the implementation of employment agreements, represents the view of members on issues and helps develop policy — building your union’s relevancy and legitimacy.

An active workplace instils confidence in members and helps recruit new members. Active sub-branches also organise members to respond to campaigns through individual and local action.

In multi-campus workplaces you will need more than one AEU contact to ensure effective communication and organisation. 

Union Functions

Reps are encouraged to hold union functions twice within a financial year at their work-place such as a school, TasTAFE campus or LINC to raise the profile of their union.

Functions offer an opportunity for potential members to find out about the benefits of joining the AEU. Existing members have the opportunity to receive the latest union news and events, and network with like-minded individuals.

A union function allowance can be used in a variety of ways including covering admin-istrative costs, running social events or purchasing sub-branch material such as banners.

For member events, you can claim $3 per member twice per year to cover the cost of food and drinks. If your workplace has 11 members, or less, your function allowance is $35. Non-members, sessional, casual and fixed-term contract employees are also welcome to attend.

Union Function Allowance forms are on the AEU website.

Sub-branch meetings

An AEU sub-branch should meet regularly and be included in workplace annual meeting planners. Meetings should lead to decisions and outcomes

Meeting tips

• General reports about union matters can be presented at staff meetings but these meetings are not the forum to deal with workplace or individual member issues.
• Try to ensure you set your meeting time when all or most members can attend and don’t forget Support Staff or part-time staff.
• Participants should be given relevant background reading beforehand and be clear about the purpose and expected outcomes of the meeting.
• Ensure that those who couldn’t attend the meeting are updated on outcomes and decisions. 

Meeting agendas

• Meeting declared open
  • New members should be wel-comed and apologies noted.
  • Attendance book, if kept, may be signed during meeting.
• Confirmation of minutes
  • Minutes of the previous meet-ing are considered. Preferably these have been circulated to members prior to the meet-ing.
  • Motion proposed: “That min-utes as read be confirmed”.
  • Moved …
  • Seconded …
• Business arising from minutes
  • Comments …
• Correspondence
  • Correspondence read out.
  • Motion proposed: “That the correspondence be received”.
  • Moved …
  • Seconded …
• Further reports
  • For example, report from consultative committee.
• General business
  • Where possible these resolu-tions should be written out and presented by members before the meeting or at a time determined by the meeting.
  • Motion moved …
  • Seconded …
  • Amendment moved …
  • Seconded …
  • (Other amendments are noted and taken in their turn.)
  • Comments …
• Next meeting
  • To be held at … on … 

Branch Council motions

Branch Council is the supreme decision making body of your union and represent-atives are elected by members.A motion to Branch Council allows members to put an issue directly to the key decision-making body of the union for discussion and action. A sub-branch should discuss and decide upon motions to Council at their workplace meetings and then provide the AEU with the follow-ing information:

• Name of sub-branch
• Date of meeting
• Mover and seconder of motion
• Motion
• Decision (e.g. was the motion carried unanimously?)
• A few points outlining the reason for the motion
• Email the motion to support@aeutas.org.au