TfL no.1 branch Standing Orders

1. Branch Meetings

1.1 Ordinary branch meetings shall be held at the Old Star public house Broadway LONDON SW1H, on every third Tuesday of each month, but this may be varied from time to time as circumstances demand. The meeting shall open at 17:30 and close at 20:30.

[Note: The branch now meets on the second Monday of the month at 17:30 at the Blue Eyed Maid, Borough High Street]

1.2 Special meetings to deal with important matters may be called by a resolution passed by the branch committee or requested at an ordinary meeting, or on a signed request by 12 members who are not in arrears with their subscriptions.

1.3 The branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held at the last meeting of the calendar year, where all officers and members of the branch committee shall be elected and serve for one year. Retiring officers shall be eligible for re-election.

2. Branch officials

2.1 The branch shall have for its officers a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Vice-Secretary, three Trustees and two Auditors. In addition this branch shall also promote and attempt to fill the posts of Health & Safety Officer, Membership & Recruitment Officer, Political Officer, Black & Minority Ethnic Champion, Disability Champion, Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual & Transgender (LGBT) Champion, Pensions & Benefits Champion, Womens’ Champion, Age Discrimination Champion and a Young Members Champion.

2.2 Nominations for branch officials must be notified in writing to the secretary prior to the AGM. They can be include email format up to 21.00 the evening previous and texts up to 17.00 on the night. If nominations are not received for any particular post, such may be filled by nomination and election at the AGM. If no nominations are received and the present incumbent so wishes, they may be retuned to post for one year as “elected un-opposed”.

2.3 Candidates for office must not be in arrears with their subscriptions and must be proposed and seconded by two like members. No member who is in arrears shall continue to hold office. A member who does not contribute to the General Fund of the union is ineligible for election as a branch officer.

2.4 All candidates for office shall be present at the time of nomination or submit in writing their consent to stand.

2.5 Elected officials of the branch shall be required to attend as many meetings as possible with a minimum target of Officers attending 75%, Champions and Representatives 50%.

2.6 An official who is considered by the branch to be incompetent or who fails to perform their duty, or acts contrary to the rules of the union shall be removed by majority vote at a special meeting of the branch committee, where the member may state his/her case to appeal. The branch shall then conduct a further election to fill the vacancy. The official who has been removed will be ineligible to participate as a candidate for office for a period of one year from the date of removal.

3. Branch committee

There shall be a branch committee formed by the 13 officers and champion posts who shall superintend the business of the branch. The committee shall meet as often as required, or as ordered by the Chairperson through the Secretary. Three members in addition to the Chairperson and Secretary shall constitute a quorum. The Secretary shall not have a vote and the Chairperson only a casting vote but both shall have the right to speak.

4. Branch meeting conduct

4.1 The business of the branch shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the union, the decisions of the governing bodies and the standing orders of the branch.

4.2 The branch meetings are open to all members of the RMT and invited guests. Requests to invite guests outside the RMT should be made to the Chairperson or Secretary in advance of the branch meeting.

4.3 All attendees at the meetings shall be expected to conduct themselves in a manner fitting to the proper facilitation of debate and open democracy. All questions and comments, etc, must be addressed through the Chairperson.

4.4 This branch is committed to equal treatment of gender, religion, disability, age, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Attendees should listen to what others have to say and avoid being dismissive of others contributions. They should respect others by not interrupting or heckling speakers who have the floor and should not use language or gestures that will offend others. The Chairperson reserves the right to censure any person in breach of this standing order and may request a ballot to remove that person from the meeting, if a two thirds majority of those attending agree.

4.5 The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson shall formally open the meeting according to these standing orders, subject to there being a quorum of eight members present, including a minute taker.

4.6 The following shall be the order of business at ordinary meetings of this branch;

i) Introductions & Apologies
ii) Minutes of the last meeting & Matters arising
iii) Correspondence
iv) Reports from Officers, Champions & Representatives
v) Members Forum
vi) Resolutions
vii) Any Other Business

4.7 Should a guest speaker be in attendance, they will follow item (ii) and all other items will follow in the stated order.

4.8 All business not disposed of at any meeting shall be referred to the Branch Committee or, placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

5. Resolutions (Motions)

5.1 Only members of the branch shall be allowed to raise resolutions. Other invited guests may be permitted to speak at the Chairpersons discretion.

5.2 A resolution (motion) or amendment must be proposed and seconded before it can be discussed. The mover of a resolution shall be limited to ten minutes on each subject and all other speakers to five minutes. A member shall not speak twice on the same motion, except that the mover of an original motion shall have the right to reply. Asking or answering questions by permission of the Chairperson shall not be considered as a speech.

5.3 All resolutions shall be handed in, in writing to the Chairperson. Notice of seconding and of any amendments must be given before the vote is taken on the original motion.

5.4 A decision on any item under discussion at a meeting may only be postponed (unless the meeting is adjourned) by a motion of “Next business” or “Previous question” being carried in accordance with the customary rules of debate.

5.5 No resolution passed at any one meeting shall be rescinded at another within three months and then only on notice of the resolution being given at a Branch meeting prior to the one at which it is to be discussed. A two-thirds majority vote of all members present shall be required before a resolution can be rescinded.

5.6 A member giving notice of a resolution must attend the meeting at which it is tabled to move it or, if unable to attend indicate their wishes in writing to the Chairperson, or arrange for another member to move it on their behalf; otherwise the resolution is considered to be withdrawn.

6.Voting

6.1 Only members of this branch shall be allowed to take part in any voting. All voting shall be undertaken on a one member, one vote basis.

6.2 Proxy votes will be accepted, but they must be presented in writing to the Secretary, and signed by the submitting member.

6.3 If a member is elected to more than one branch post, that shall not entitle that member to any aggregation of voting rights.

7.Finance

7.1 All branch funds received from RMT Head Office are the responsibility of the Branch Secretary. All outgoings must be agreed by the Branch or, in special circumstances the Branch Committee, at which any decision will be reached by majority vote.

7.2 The books will be inspected by the elected auditors at least twice a year.

7.3 Expenses to Conferences/Trips

Branch members’ expenses for Conferences and all other Branch mandated trips will be paid out of the TfL No.1 Branch Management Fund, subject to availability, on the following basis:
All travel costs by the most reasonable route available and by union affiliated public transport were possible, No 1st class unless the cost is less than standard class. If a taxi is essential to/from the station this may also be included. No payment will be made if a member chooses to fly Ryan Air.
Bed and breakfast hotel accommodation. This should be the most reasonable priced hotel in the vicinity to the conference venue, for the minimum amount of nights. No bar or lunch/evening meal costs.
The Branch will provide £30 per person per trip as a gesture of thanks.
We will cover any additional costs for any special needs as long as they were approved by the Branch prior to the trip or agreed by Branch Sec in an emergency.
All receipts (train, taxi, hotel etc) must be provided to the Branch Secretary.
We ask that a report of the Conference/trip/day taken be provided to the branch at the following meeting.

7.4 Unpaid leave payments
A set amount of £90 per day £45 per half day will be paid out of the TFL No.1 Branch Management Fund, subject to availability, to any member that has taken unpaid leave to represent a member or actively takes part in a RMT Recruitment day, as approved by the Branch.

8.Review or suspension of standing orders

8.1 The suspension of standing orders must be moved and carried by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present in order to alter the order of business; deal with any business other than that before the meeting; extend the time allowed to a speaker; receive deputations.

8.2 These standing orders when approved and signed shall immediately become operative and previous Standing Orders shall cease to be operative. All officials and members of the branch and visitors will be bound by the operative standing orders, until suspended, rescinded or replaced.