Rules 2002
Rule 24
Discipline
(a) If after
due inquiry, in accordance with the procedures and time
constraints laid down in Appendix D, the NEC is of the opinion
that a member has been guilty of conduct which is detrimental
to the interests of the union or of the profession of journalism,
or is in breach of the union’s code of conduct or working
practices, it may:
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(i)
impose on that member a fine not exceeding £1,000;
(ii) suspend that member for a period not exceeding
12 months;
(iii) express its censure in such terms as it deems
appropriate;
(iv) impose more than one of these penalties, or
(v) expel him/her from the union. |
(b) The Ethics
Council shall be empowered to receive from branches, and
union members, complaints about the work or behaviour of
union members or about the conduct of candidates in union
elections which, in the complainants’ view, contravenes
the code of conduct. If after due inquiry, in accordance
with the procedures and time constraints laid down in Appendix
D, the Ethics Council is of the opinion that a member has
been guilty of a breach of the union’s code of conduct,
it may reprimand the member or refer the matter to the NEC
with a recommendation to impose one or more of the penalties
outlined in clause (a) of this rule.
(c) Any person
suspended under this rule shall continue to pay his/her
usual contributions to the union. That member shall not
be eligible for any of the financial benefits of the union
or to hold office in the union or to vote in the union until
the suspension has come to an end.
(d) The records
of such findings of guilt and penalties, whether they be
imposed by the NEC or the Appeals Tribunal, other than expulsions,
shall be removed from the member’s union records after
10 years’ continuous membership without a finding of
guilt under this rule. The 10-year period should start from
the date of the offence.
(e) The NEC,
or in emergency the General Secretary in agreement with
either the General Treasurer or any one of the trustees,
shall have power to prevent from handling any union funds
or books any member or officer of the union who is suspected
of stealing or misapplying the funds or falsifying the books
or accounts of the union. The NEC may institute legal proceedings
in the name of the union against any member or officer so
suspected. The NEC may appoint auditors to examine the books
or accounts of any branch or other union agency and to investigate
its workings.
(f) Conduct
detrimental to the interest of the union shall be deemed
to include:
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(i) Maintenance
of membership of the Institute of Journalists while
a member of the union.
(ii) The acceptance of voluntary redundancy or redundancy
by a member while his/her job is the subject of a dispute
between the union and his/her employer.
(iii) The unauthorised disclosure of the confidential
business of the union, branch, chapel or other agency
of the union;
(iv) Any breach of the rules of the union or of the
principles laid down in the union’s code of working
practices (Appendix B).
(v) Taking up of membership of any other organisation
the object or purported object of which is the furtherance
of the interests of working journalists by the regulation
of their conditions of employment.
(vi) Failure, without reasonable cause, to comply with
an instruction of the NEC, or an instruction of the
General Secretary (or, in his/her absence, his/her deputy)
to withdraw from employment. |
(g) The outcome
of all complaints dealt with by the NEC or the Appeals Tribunal
shall be reported in the union’s journal. Such reports
shall include details of any penalties imposed.
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