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Branch Secretary

The branch secretary is responsible for ensuring the proper completion of the following tasks. It is not expected that, especially in larger branches, the branch secretary will personally undertake all these functions but will act as the strategic lead officer and co-ordinator within the branch.

The secretary will encourage partnership working within the branch committee and the development of new representatives, will be the manager of branch staff and will manage the delegation of work to other branch officers and branch staff as appropriate, whilst providing support and guidance.

Tasks relating to the office of branch secretary:

to guide the branch’s development through the preparation and implementation of a
branch organisation and development plan
to ensure the representation of members within the branch in accordance with national
guidance and that case forms and applications for services forwarded to UNISON
offices are properly completed and authorised
to convene and attend all meetings of the branch and branch committee.
to arrange for the minutes of meetings to be kept in a proper manner and circulated to
all branch officers and stewards
to arrange for branch records to be kept in a proper manner
to ensure the branch, speedily and accurately, processes applications for membership
and maintains records in accordance with UNISON’s systems
to ensure regular communication with the members of the branch with news of
campaigns, negotiations, issues, branch developments and activities
to communicate with the union’s regional and head offices on behalf of the branch
to ensure that branch members are aware of opportunities to participate in the
activities of the wider union, or within self-organisation if appropriate
to support, mentor and encourage the stewards in the branch on an individual and
collective basis. The branch secretary should seek to meet with each steward on a
one-to-one basis, to discuss issues and workplace organisation, on a six-monthly basis
to ensure that members and stewards are aware, and take advantage, of educational
and training opportunities within UNISON
to ensure that appropriate publicity activities are developed and co-ordinated by the
branch
to act as spokesperson for the branch when in contact with other levels of the union
and external organisations
to ensure that members receive the benefits, rights and services to which they are
entitled
to co-ordinate all branch negotiations and industrial relations matters
to ensure, in conjunction with the branch committee, that the branch observes the
union’s rules, supports UNISON campaigns and works towards achieving UNISON’s
objectives
to ensure the proper management and direction of any branch employed staff.

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