1. TITLE
1.1  The name of the branch shall be UNISON East Lothian Council Branch.
2.    ACCEPTANCE OF CONSTITUTION
2.1  The Branch accepts the Constitution and Rules of UNISON (hereinafter called "The National      Rules"), together with any subsequent alterations or additions thereto made by the National Delegate Conference, to the intent that the Branch Constitution and Rules shall always be consistent with those of UNISON.
2.2 Any member may have a copy of the Rules of the Union and any Regulations made by the National Executive Council (NEC) if s/he so requests.
2.3 The Branch shall make an audited return of Branch income, expenditure, assets and liabilities as prescribed by the NEC and in accordance with The National Rules.
2.4 The Branch shall keep a Bank/Building Society account in the name of the Branch. All accounts shall be in accordance with UNISON Accountancy practices.
3. AIMS OF THE BRANCH
3.1 To organise within the Branch all the eligible staff within East Lothian Council and other employers providing related services within East Lothian.
3.2 To organise within the Branch and engage in bona fide Trade Union activities.
3.3 To advance and protect the interests of all its members and to promote fair representation.
3.4 To make representations to the East Lothian Council and other employers providing related services in East Lothian, on questions having general application to salaries and service conditions, and on any other matters relevant to the objects of the Union.
3.5 To submit motions, or amendments to motions, to Local, Regional and National relevant bodies in accordance with the National Rules.
3.6 To advance and protect the interests of all members within the Branch and to promote proportionality and fair representation.
3.7. To establish, to foster, and to maintain schemes for the promotion of the physical and the social welfare of the members by the organisation of activities as may from time to time be thought desirable.
3.8 To promote Health and Safety at Work.
3.9 To promote and maintain educational facilities.
3.10 To seek to ensure equality of treatment for all members and to work for the elimination of discrimination on grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any other cause.
3.11 To uphold all other aims and values of UNISON as set out in the Rule Book.
4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Eligibility for membership shall be in accordance with the National Rules.
4.2 A candidate for membership shall only be deemed elected if approved by the vote of' the majority of the members present and voting at either a meeting of the Branch Executive Committee or a general meeting of the Branch. Membership shall then take effect from the date that the first contribution is made.
4.3 A meeting of the Branch or Branch Committee may decide not to support a membership