The EMC meeting held on 15th January 2026 agreed the following timeline for the election of a new General Secretary and Regional Secretary to be elected at the NEC meeting on 18th April 2026.
The successful candidate to the post of General Secretary will assume the role of General Secretary Designate until the current General Secretary retires in November 2026. The successful candidate to the post of Regional Secretary Region 3 will take up the position when the current Regional Secretary retires in September 2026.
The election schedule is set out below. Schedule of specially convened Branch meetings to follow. Relevant rules below.
Paddy Kavanagh, General Secretary.
16th January 2026.
Section 8FULL TIME OFFICIALS
98 Nominations for Full Time Officials shall be sought from the membership of the Union, and elected by a meeting of the N.E.C. Should there in the opinion of the N.E.C. be no suitable successful candidate from within the Union membership covered by the relevant rules in this section, then the position shall be advertised outside. In the event of a candidate being elected by the N.E.C. to any full-time position such election shall be deemed to be valid in accordance with these Rules.
- Notwithstanding anything in these rules where in the opinion of the N.E.C. conditions would warrant it, the N.E.C. may appoint full time officials with any other title, duties and conditions than those contained under rules and would be deemed to be valid within these rules. On the vacation of a full time office the continuance of or addition to these offices shall be at the discretion of the N.E.C.
Section 8(i) – General Secretary/General Treasurer
100.If the position of General Secretary becomes vacant, the N.E.C. or E.M.C. shall ask the Branches for nominations, for the vacancy. The nominations for the post of General Secretary, within the Union, shall be taken at specially convened Branch meetings held for that purpose. The closing date for receipt of nominations shall be fixed by the N.E.C. or E.M.C. and shall not be altered.
- Nominees for the post of General Secretary shall have been 3 years a Full Time Official or have been 10 years successively in the benefit section of the Union or shall have held office for at least 3 years on the N.E.C. or E.M.C. or Branch Committee and be in benefit under any of these Rules.
102.Nominees for the post must be nominated by two benefit members of the Union, who themselves are in good standing, at the meeting of the Branch convened for the purpose of receiving nominations. Election of the General Secretary shall take place at a N.E.C. meeting from the list of candidates put forward by the Branches. Election to be by secret ballot on an elimination basis, after which the N.E.C. shall be empowered to declare the nominee appointed, to act in office for a probationary period of 6 months and if having proved to have given satisfaction and acted in accordance with these Rules his/her appointment shall be confirmed in writing.
103.If any nominee elected as General Secretary is proved, within six (6) months from the date of his/her election or appointment to the satisfaction of the N.E.C. not to have had the necessary qualifications or to have been elected by fraudulent proceedings, or not to have fully complied with the Rules of the Union, on any subject connected with the Union’s business, the N.E.C. may declare the election or appointment void. After the expiration of the said six (6) months no election or appointment of General Secretary shall be disputed, except in cases of fraud.
104.The General Secretary shall be a full-time official of the Union and shall receive a salary. The salary, terms and conditions will be as determined by the EMC/NEC.
105.The General Secretary, who shall also be the General Treasurer, shall be under the control and obey the orders of the Governing Authorities, and shall keep all accounts, documents, books, and papers belonging to his/her office, and shall print the reports in such manner and place as the N.E.C. or E.M.C. shall direct.
He/she shall also be empowered to visit the various jobs where members are employed, inspect cards and work, and generally carry out such orders as may from time to time be given by the N.E.C. Unless absent through illness, or on the business of the Union, he/she shall attend all meetings of the E.M.C. and N.E.C. and shall be responsible for the minuting of the business transacted thereat and the vote given, etc. He/she shall at all such meetings, have a free expression of opinion, but shall not vote.
He/she shall be responsible for seeing that all orders issued by the Executive Council are carried out, and shall report any officer neglecting his /her duties.
He/she may attend all conferences with the employers whenever possible and shall prepare and present the case for the Union at such conferences. He/she shall be sent to any Branch/I.C.C. where in the opinion of the N.E.C. or E.M.C. his/her services are required, to hold meetings for organising purposes, or to interview employers when necessary or expedient, but he/she shall not, on his/her own authority, conclude any arrangement that will alter or affect the recognised working conditions within the area in which he/she may be acting.
He/she shall keep the General Register in which the names of members of the Union shall be entered within twenty-eight (28) days from the date of their election, and when they are admitted, or re-admitted, with a statement of their ages. If any member be transferred from one Branch to another, or receive any Mortality Benefit, a memorandum of such receipt of this Benefit shall be entered in the General Registration Book.
He/she shall produce all books, papers and documents of every kind belonging to his/her office to the Auditors, or any Branch deputation which has been sanctioned by the Executive Council. He/she shall issue a report to all Branches/I.C.C. which shall contain an abstract report of the proceedings and decisions of the N.E.C. and E.M.C.
He/she shall cause to be printed an annual report, and shall send to the Secretary of every Branch a number of copies as directed by the N.E.C. He/she shall be responsible for the office staff as appointed by the N.E.C.
As to notices and documents of all kinds sent by Branch officers or members to the General Secretary, he/she shall file and keep the same for such time as the N.E.C. think necessary. He/she shall send all books, notices, voting papers, and all other documents, and all kinds of stationery and goods required by these Rules to be sent from the General Office, to Branch Officers and members, and shall keep accounts thereof to the satisfaction of the Auditors.
He/she shall remain a member of the Union and in good standing.
106.When on the business of the Union and away from the office he/she shall be paid expenses and allowances as laid down by the Executive Council from time to time.
- Should the General Secretary, in the opinion of the N.E.C., mismanage or neglect the affairs of the Union relating to his/her office, the N.E.C. on a majority vote of the whole N.E.C., shall be empowered to suspend him/her with pay from his/her duties, this suspension to go into effect immediately, and the N.E.C. shall within six weeks after such suspension lay full particulars of the offence in a printed circular, and send a copy to the Branches, when the votes of the members shall be taken on the question, and the majority of the votes shall be binding on all parties and be final and he/she shall be reinstated or removed from his/her office accordingly. The General Secretary shall have the right to publish his/her defence in the same printed circular within the alleged offence and in the event of the N.E.C. failing or refusing, to place the facts of the offence with the General Secretary’s reply before the whole of the Branches within six weeks of the General Secretary’s suspension, the General Secretary shall resume his/her office as if no charge had been made against him/her.
108.In the event of the General Secretary wishing to resign he/she shall give three (3) months’ notice of his/her intention to the N.E.C.
109.By virtue of his/her Office, the General Secretary shall be entitled to a retiral pension in accordance with the appropriate Union Pension Scheme. S/he may remain in office for as long as the N.E.C. consider him/her is capable of carrying out his/her duties. In cases of ill health s/he shall receive a pension and/or lump sum of such an amount as the value of the policy covering his/her pension will provide at the time of such early retirement. Such ill health may be required to be certified by a Doctor appointed by the Union.
- He/she shall be entitled to a gratuity of one week’s pay at Christmas. After one full year in office the General Secretary shall be entitled to six months full pay in any one year while absent due to illness, thereafter at the discretion of the N.E.C. Such illness shall be certified by the production of a certificate from a Doctor after an absence of two days.
Section 8(ii) – Assistant General Secretary and Other Designated Officials.
111. Candidates for a vacancy of Assistant General Secretary, or a vacancy of any Other Designated Official, within the Union, shall have been 3 years as a Full Time Official or have been five (5) years successively in the Benefit Section of the Union, or shall have held office at least two years on the N.E.C., E.M.C. or Branch Committee and be in benefit under any of these Rules.
112. Candidates for any vacancy must be proposed and seconded by two Benefit members who themselves are in good standing, at a meeting of the Branches convened for the purpose of receiving nominations for the vacancy. The final date for the receipt of nominations shall be fixed by the N.E.C. or E.M.C. and shall not be altered.
- Election of the Assistant General Secretary, or Other Designated Official, shall take place at a N.E.C. meeting from the list of candidates put forward by the Branches. Election to be by secret ballot on an elimination basis, after which the N.E.C. shall be empowered to declare the nominee appointed, to act in office for a probationary period of six (6) months, and if proven satisfactory to the E.M.C. and approved by the N.E.C. shall have his/her appointment confirmed in writing.
- If any nominee elected as an Assistant General Secretary, or Other Designated Official, within six (6) months from the date he/she commenced employment, is proven to the satisfaction of the E.M.C. not to have the necessary qualifications or to have been elected by fraudulent proceedings, or not to have fully complied with the Rules of the Union, on any subject connected with the Union’s business, the N.E.C. or E.M.C. may declare the election or appointment void. After the expiration of the said six (6) months, no election or appointment of an Assistant General Secretary, or Other Designated Official, shall be disputed except in cases of fraud.
- The Assistant General Secretary and Other Designated Officials shall be Full Time Officials of the Union and shall be Salaried. The appropriate Salary, Terms and Conditions for an appointment will be determined by the EMC/NEC.
- Full-Time Officials shall be under the control and obey the orders of the General Secretary. They shall keep all books, documents and papers belonging to their office, and shall submit their reports in such manner and place as the N.E.C./E.M.C. shall direct.
They will be subject to direction by the General Secretary and will be delegated duties on a Regional or National basis with responsibilities to, and for, designated Branches/I.C.C’s. Their duties on a National basis will involve assignment on various National/Industrial Consultative Committees. All Full-Time Officials will be brought together at least once a year, or whenever deemed necessary by the General Secretary, for general appraisal of Union Activities.
They will be ex-officio, the Senior Officer of their designated Branches/I.C.C’s. They will be responsible through the General Secretary to the E.M.C./N.E.C. for the conducting of negotiations on behalf of the members in their designated Branches/I.C.C’s, Regions and/or National Forums.
They will be responsible for dealing with all industrial matters and will undertake and carry out duties referred to them by their designated Branches/I.C.C.’s.
Within those designated Branches/I.C.C.’s, Regions or National Forums: Shop Stewards, Branch/I.C.C. Secretaries, or any member nominated to carry out negotiations, should do so in consultation with the designated responsible Full-Time Official.
The Full-Time Officials, in consultation with their designated Branches, will work out and agree a schedule of regular attendance at Branch Meetings.
They shall be empowered to visit the various jobs where members are employed, inspect cards, work, and report any member who does not hold a current card.
They shall carry out such orders as may from time to time be given by the N.E.C. or E.M.C.
They may attend all Branch and Committee meetings. At all such meetings they shall have a free expression of opinion but shall not vote. They may carry out Branch business as required, provided such is not in conflict with N.E.C./E.M.C. policy.
They shall be required to assist in the general work of the Union. They shall attend where possible all delegations and conferences on behalf of the Union.
They shall organise an Annual Regional Conference in their respective regions between January and March each year. They shall make the necessary arrangements to invite the appropriate delegates to the conference, set out the agenda and make the necessary reports to the conference as provided for elsewhere in these rules. A report on outcomes of the conference shall be submitted before the end of April of that year to the E.M.C.
They shall inform any Branch of any member who does not hold a current card.
Every Full-Time Official shall remain a member of the Union and in good standing.
117.Should any Full-Time Official, in the opinion of the N.E.C., mismanage or neglect the affairs of the Union relating to his/her office, the N.E.C., on a majority vote of the N.E.C., shall be empowered to suspend him/her with pay, from his/her duties, this suspension to go into effect immediately after the N.E.C.’s decision, and the N.E.C. shall within six weeks after such suspension, lay full particulars of the offence in a printed circular and send a copy to the Branches, and the votes of the members shall be taken on the question, and the majority of the votes shall be binding on all parties and be final, and he/she shall be re-instated or removed from office accordingly. The Full-Time Official shall have the right to publish his/her defence on the same printed circular within the alleged offence, and in the event of the N.E.C. failing or refusing to place the facts of the offence with the Full-Time Official’s reply before the whole of the Branches, within six weeks of the Full-Time Official’s suspension, the Full-Time Official shall resume his/her office as if no charge had been made against him/her.
- In the event of a Full-Time Official wishing to resign he/she shall give three (3) months’ notice of his/her intention to the N.E.C./E.M.C.
119.By virtue of his/her Office, a Full-Time Official shall be entitled to a retirement pension in accordance with the appropriate Union Pension Scheme. He/she may remain in office for as long as the N.E.C. consider he/she is capable of carrying out his/her duties. In cases of ill health, he/she shall receive a pension and/or lump sum of such an amount as the value of the policy covering his/her pension will provide at the time of such early retirement. Such ill health may be required to be certified by a Doctor appointed by the Union.
120.When required to attend night meetings of the Branches/I.C.C.’s, or E.M.C. in excess of one a week, he/she shall be compensated by an additional payment as decided from time to time by the N.E.C. The hours of attendance shall not extend beyond 10:30 p.m.
- When on the business of the Union and away from his/her office he/she shall be paid expenses and allowances as laid down by the Executive Council from time to time.
- A Full-Time Official shall be entitled to a gratuity of one week’s pay at Christmas. After one full year in office a Full-Time Official shall be entitled to six months full pay in any one year while absent due to illness; thereafter at the discretion of the N.E.C. Such illness shall be certified by the production of a certificate from a Doctor after an absence of two days.
- If during a period of paid employment any Full Time Official is in receipt of fees and/or expenses from any third party for work undertaken within normal working hours and for which the official concerned is already being paid by Connect Trade Union, the official concerned shall ensure that such fees and/or expenses are submitted to the union.
