Public and Commercial Services Union

Branch secretary

The branch secretary performs the main administrative functions of the Branch and is the main contact point for members, PCS group/ headquarters, and the employer.

The branch secretary's main responsibilities are:

• dealing with correspondence
• dealing with personal casework
• playing a major role in negotiations with management
• liaising with branch chair on agenda items
• preparing reports and up-dates for BEC and general members'
• meetings
• minuting and circulating minutes of meetings
• producing annual report for AGM

Branch chair

The branch chair is responsible for:

• the overall running of the Branch (including finances)
• drawing up agendas for meetings (in conjunction with branch secretary)
• chairing BEC and general members' meetings
• checking minutes are agreed and accurate
• taking the lead role in negotiations with management
• making sure branch rules/ constitution are followed
• updating rules in line with decisions of the national president
• using a casting vote

Branch treasurer

The branch treasurer is responsible for:

• day to day running of branch finances
• preparing up-dated accounts for BEC
• checking accuracy of pay invoices and expenses claims
• keeping accurate records
• banking any monies received
• submitting claims for additional funding from HQ when necessary
• producing audited accounts for the AGM
• ensuring end of year accounts are submitted to HQ

Branch organiser

The branch organiser is responsible for:

• ensuring the branch produces and updates a branch organising and recruitment plan to build a strong branch that reflects the diversity of the workforce
• developing branch communications with workplace reps/distributors to ensure all members receive communications
• ensuring workplace meetings are taking place
• co-ordinating branch campaigns
• maintaining and up-dating a membership database for the branch
• co-ordinating branch recruitment
   

Health and safety officer

The functions of trade union safety reps are laid down by the 1977 Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations (SRSC Regs.). The law also gives health and safety reps paid time off to fulfil their duties.

A properly appointed health and safety rep's functions are:

• investigating potential hazards and dangerous occurrences
• investigating complaints by members
• investigating the causes of accidents
• inspecting the workplace
• inspecting documents relevant to safety in the workplace
• making representations to the employer
• representing members' interests in meetings with enforcement inspectors
• receiving information from the employer
• receiving information from enforcement inspectors
• being consulted by the employer about issues relating to health and safety in the workplace
• attending meetings of safety committees
   

Equalities officer

Branch equalities officers duties include:

• keeping up to date with their awareness of equality legislation through the PCS Equality network
• working with the branch to ensure there is no discriminatory impact to new and existing policies/projects
• organising events to keep people informed of equality issues
• being available to speak to members on a confidential basis about Equality issues
• producing branch equality bulletins

Learning rep

A learning rep is a trained union member who promotes learning in the workplace.

Like the health and safety rep, legislation gives learning reps a statutory right to time off to undertake training and to carry out their duties.

The learning rep's role involves:

• informing members about learning initiatives - eg. courses developed by PCS organising and learning services or online learning through Learndirect
• advising members on where to find out about courses and sources of funding
• acting as a link between members and PCS organising and learning services and advising about the learning interests of members
• raising issues at the BEC relating to learning that need to be discussed with management.