13 Branches

13.1 A Branch of the organisation shall consist of an organised group of at least ten (10) members employed at a campus or, group of campuses, of an institution of tertiary education as defined in Section 24 below, who have constituted themselves as a Branch or, previously joined or formed a staff association which elects to apply to become a Branch of NTESU. The latter shall be considered new members in terms of Section 12 above.

13.2 A group of individuals as defined in paragraph 13.1 shall apply to the National Executive Committee for admission as a Branch of the organisation.

13.3 The National Executive Committee, after satisfying themselves that any conditions for Branch acceptance and formation have been met and the aims and objectives of this Constitution have been accepted, shall instruct the General Secretary to issue a Certificate of Compliance to the Branch certifying the acceptance of that Branch into NTESU.

13.4.1 Branch Structure and Control shall be exercised through the following in this order from highest to lowest precedence:

Branch Annual General Meeting

Branch Office Bearers

Trade Union Representatives Council (where established in terms of NTESU's Bye-laws)

13.4.2 The Branch shall within one (1) month of receipt of the Certificate of Compliance arrange for an inaugural meeting at which the Branch Committee will be elected and this NTESU Constitution and its associated Bye-Laws will be formally adopted and will establish when the Branch's Annual General Meetings will be held.

13.4.3 The Branch committee shall consist of, at least:

a Branch Chairperson;

13.4.4 Voting for these positions at a Branch level shall reflect the same procedures as in 7.4 above.

13.4.5 The nomination and election of the Branch Executive Committee, Trade Union Representatives and any other structures introduced, shall be governed by the procedures contained in the Standard Branch Rules and as they relate to the provisions of this Constitution.

13.5 If in the opinion of the National Executive Committee a Branch persists in behaviour inconsistent with the aims and objectives of this Constitution that Branch may be declared to be not in good standing.

13.5.1 That Branch shall be suspended from right and privilege in the organisation until the next National Congress, or Special Congress, at which the National Executive Committee shall, through the National Office Bearers, introduce a motion of censure to be voted upon according to the voting procedures in section 5.

13.5.2 Should the motion of censure gain the support of the National Congress, which must have heard the arguments of both sides, that Branch shall lose its certification as member Branch, cede its assets to the National Executive Committee and give up its Certificate of Compliance for cancellation.

13.7 Branches shall be free to form cooperative structures with such other Branches as might be formed within their province or region to enhance the aims and objectives of NTESU, or to co-ordinate negotiations and information exchange within the province or region.

13.8 Any Branch may enter into negotiations with the management of the institution employing its members on any matters which are not negotiated at a national level. This includes, though is not restricted to, negotiations on recognition agreements and, local conditions of service, salary and other workplace matters relevant to that particular workplace.

13.9 A Branch seeking to withdraw from NTESU shall first ballot all its members in good standing and provided a 67 percentage poll is achieved and 75 percent of those who voted agree with the motion to withdraw, the National Executive Committee shall cancel the Certificate of Compliance of that Branch and the Branch shall return the Certificate for cancellation. Such Branch shall cede its assets to the National Administrative Office.

13.10 A ballot under 13.9 shall be conducted under the guidance of the Registrar (Labour Relations) of the Department of Labour and shall be independently scrutineered.