Why wait 40 years?
HOW MANY members have noticed that the rule on Life Membership has been changed? Up to 2007, Rule 2 (d) (iv) said qualification for Life Membership was 15 consecutive years or 20 years accumulated membership at retirement, or for 40 years continuous membership and still working.
The rule now states that the qualification is 40 years of continuous membership, with the exception that members with less than 40 years can qualify “because of caring responsibilities”.
I noticed the change when I saw the rule book online early this year. It seemed to have happened in 2007, but there was no mention in the Journalist reports of the Birmingham ADM. I was informed by head office that the rule had indeed been changed by Motion 139 in 2007. This was an NEC motion, amended by themselves to include the exception clause.
On behalf of Edinburgh Branch, I asked the General Secretary for the NEC’s reasons. He replied that the old rule was outdated as many people were working on well beyond 60 and 65. A significant and growing number of people were therefore needing to use union services whilst not paying subscriptions, and this put a strain on union resources. Secondly, he explained, life membership was intended to signify an achievement, and there was a belief it had become devalued.
“By maintaining the discretion around those with caring responsibilities we recognise the major hurdle to members reaching the 40-year qualifying limit whilst also preserving the status of life membership,” he said.
Edinburgh Branch has taken the view that the reasons given are weak, and that quite a number of active members will never reach 40 years of membership and will lose out.
My opinion is that the new rule is restrictive and makes it harder to obtain Life Membership. No-one disputes it is an honour, but the phrase “caring responsibilities” appears to me to be vague. It seems to mean someone having to look after a relative but not someone who has to retire through ill health. There is no provision for an active member retiring early.
I wonder what other members think on this matter?
Chris Reekie
Edinburgh Branch