Deputy Union Rep - not an elected position

[mattick]

So I've been having an argument with my branch since local elections were held on the 23rd December. My local office were all informed this that the position of deputy union rep ('substitute' the official title) would be up for election. Electoral procedures as explained by the branch secretary, required 2 nominations to stand as a candidate. Which was easily obtained.

Some time passed, and no election. When I eventually got the opportunity to enquire with the branch secretary as to what was going on. I was told that there would be no election, and that I had been given the position of deputy deputy union rep. I mean you couldn't make this up (clearly they did).
It's a position the clearly been made up to completely side line me from any decision making within my office.

I complained about this issue with the branch chairman and requested if it could be discussed with the branch committee.

The response I received from the branch chair was this. Deputy Union Reps are not elected position (so why the nominations?) and that it was up to the branches sole discretion for who they would pick to hold that position. Shocked - I ask for this to put in writing, I was told it would, never happened.

So there's your democratic union respecting members rights. What else are the union doing illegally?

[Sugar]

and that it was up to the branches sole discretion for who they would pick to hold that position.

Really!

I used to be sub rep and it was the office rep that sorted it all out.

[Woody Guthrie]

It is nothing to do with the branch who the union rep or deputy rep are, that is a decision for the office.

It is not an appointed position nor does the Branch have the power to appoint this or any other position on an office.

There is no such position as deputy-deputy rep.

1) Demand an explanation in writing from the branch.
2) Get on the phone to HQ.

[mattick]

It is nothing to do with the branch who the union rep or deputy rep are, that is a decision for the office.

It is not an appointed position nor does the Branch have the power to appoint this or any other position on an office.

There is no such position as deputy-deputy rep.

1) Demand an explanation in writing from the branch.
2) Get on the phone to HQ.

Yeah I have contacted HQ via email about this issue. Their response was to raise the issue with the branch chair.

Failing to get the satisfactory response with them. I am advised to raise the issue with my regional secretary, which I have done, and still no response. Failing this, I take the issue to the general secretary.

I was promised via phone from my branch chair that I would receive in writing their decisions. This failed to happen, even with me sending an email requesting for this to happen.

I don’t plan given up that easily