WGGB AGM 2019 - motions - Writers' Guild of Great Britain

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS CARRIED

Equality and Diversity representative

This AGM resolves to change the rules so that a new seat on the Executive Council (EC) is created for an Equality and Diversity representative, all terms of appointment to be the same as those for EC Craft Sector representatives.

To insert after paragraph 13.1(ii) the following:
“(iii) A representative for Equality and Diversity matters, to be elected in a ballot of all members entitled to vote. This representative will also serve as the Chair of the Equality and Diversity Committee.” and to renumber all of the following paragraphs accordingly.

THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED MOTION WAS CARRIED AS AN AMENDED MOTION

Proposed motion: Proposed new membership criteria rules

The current rules for becoming a Full Member of the WGGB are confusing and difficult for staff to implement. This AGM resolves to clarify and simplify the rules for becoming a Full Member.

To delete sections 5.1 (a) and 5.1 (b) and insert the following in their place:

“5.1 (i) A Full Member shall be any person 18 years of age and over who has achieved one or more of the following statuses, subject to the discretion of the Executive Council

(a) Has written one or more pieces of work under contract for which payment has been received at or above the minimum rates as defined by the current agreements negotiated by the WGGB.

(b) Has received a gross income from non-journalistic writing in any single year which totals more than £5,000

Amended motion: Proposed new membership criteria rules

The current rules for becoming a Full Member of the WGGB are confusing and difficult for staff to implement. This AGM resolves to clarify and simplify the rules for becoming a Full Member.

To delete sections 5.1 (a) and 5.1 (b) and insert the following in their place:

“5.1 (i) A Full Member shall be any person 18 years of age and over who has achieved one or more of the following statuses, subject to the discretion of the Executive Council

(a) Has written one or more pieces of work under contract for which payment has been received at or above the minimum rates as defined by the current agreements negotiated by the WGGB.

(b) Has received a gross income from non-journalistic writing in any single year which totals more than the amount defined in Appendix F.

(c) Under exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the relevant Craft Committee as approved by the Executive Council

The (carried) amended motion, included the insertion of a new Appendix F in the WGGB Rulebook, the new Appendix F to read, “The amount defined in section 5.1 (b) shall be £5,000.

THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED MOTION WAS CARRIED AS AN AMENDED MOTION

Proposed motion: Introduction of new membership level, Student membership

WGGB is regularly asked why we don’t offer student membership when most other unions which are part of the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) do. Historically, WGGB ceased student membership as the cost of supporting the members outstripped the membership fee. This new proposal is for a reduced package for students which excludes contract vetting and external legal advice, with the hope of retaining them in membership as their careers progress.

To insert after paragraph 5.1 (v) the following: “(vi) A Student Member shall be any person 18 years of age or over studying for a course at BA level or below who has never previously been a member of WGGB.”

To replace the words “Candidate/Group Membership” in the title of section 23.12 with the words “Other Membership Categories” and to insert the words “Student Members, “ between the words “Candidate Members” and “Group members” in the paragraph so that it reads “The level of subscription payable by Candidate Members, Student Members, Group Members and Affiliate Members shall be decided annually at the discretion of the Executive Council.

Amended motion: Introduction of new membership level, Student membership

To insert after paragraph 5.4 (iv) the following: “(v) A Student Member who is in benefit shall be entitled to attend General Meetings of the Guild and may speak on any matter but may not vote; and shall be entitled to services and benefits of the Guild at the discretion of the Executive Council, with the exception of contract vetting, legal advice and casework. Student Members asking for these services must transfer to an appropriate level of membership.

THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED MOTION WAS CARRIED AS A FRIENDLY AMENDED MOTION

Proposed motion: Clarification on eligibility criteria for General Secretary seat on the Executive Council (EC) compared with other EC seats

The General Secretary holds a non-voting seat on the EC, but the way in which they are appointed to the EC is different from all other EC seats. This is unclear under Rule 13.2 and this motion seeks to clarify this.

To insert at the end of Rule 13.2 the words “The eligibility criteria for the General Secretary are different and are covered under Rule 21.”

So new Rule 13.2 reads “No member of the Guild shall be eligible for election to the Executive Council unless he/she has been a Full Member of the Guild for at least two years continuously prior to the date on which nominations for election close. The eligibility criteria for the General Secretary are different and are covered under rule 21.”

Friendly amended motion: Clarification on eligibility criteria for General Secretary seat on the Executive Council (EC) compared with other EC seats

To insert at the end of Rule 13.2 the words “The eligibility criteria for the General Secretary are different and are covered under Rule 21.”

So new Rule 13.2 reads “No member of the Guild shall be eligible for election to the Executive Council unless they have been a Full Member of the Guild for at least two years continuously prior to the date on which nominations for election close. The eligibility criteria for the General Secretary are different and are covered under rule 21.”

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS CARRIED

Clarification on election and term for General Secretary compared with other EC seats

The General Secretary holds a non-voting seat on the Executive Council, and the rules governing election and the length of term of office for the General Secretary are different from all other EC seats. This is unclear under Rule 13.3 and this motion seeks to clarify this.

To insert the words “(except for the General Secretary)” after the words ‘Each member of the Executive Council” in Rule 13.3, and to insert the words “The election and term for the General Secretary is different and is covered under Rule 21” at the end of Rule 13.3

So new Rule 13.3 reads “Each member of the Executive Council (except for the General Secretary) shall be elected for a term of three years and shall be eligible for re-election. After six years, no member of the Executive shall be eligible for re-election to the Executive Council for a period of one year except in the case of a member seeking election as an Officer of the Guild in accordance with Rule 11. (For the purposes of this Rule, a year shall mean the period from the end of one Annual General Meeting to the end of the next.) The election and term for the General Secretary is different and is covered under Rule 21.”

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS CARRIED

Lobbying Government to establish minimum terms and conditions for those in receipt of public funding

This AGM resolves to work alongside Equity and other willing members of the FEU in lobbying government to make the use of recognised industry minimum terms and conditions be obligatory for theatre producers who are in receipt of public funding through such schemes as Theatre Tax Relief or Arts Council funding.

THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED MOTION WAS CARRIED AS A FRIENDLY AMENDED MOTION

Proposed motion: Support the young people’s climate crisis strike on 20 September

This AGM resolves to stand in support of the young people who have called for adults to join them in a general strike on the 20th September. They have called this strike to bring attention to the climate crisis and the UN’s climate emergency summit, which takes place on the 23rd September. This AGM will hear the young people’s call for action and we will strike with them.

Friendly amended motion: Support the young people’s climate crisis strike on 20 September

THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED MOTION WAS CARRIED AS AN AMENDED MOTION

Proposed motion: Call for WGGB to declare a climate emergency and publish a statement
This AGM resolves to declare a climate emergency and the WGGB will put a ‘Culture Declares Emergency’ statement on its website in line with other culture creators. From now on, we will work to put the climate crisis at the heart of all we do. In doing this we recognise the existential threat that climate breakdown threatens. We recognise that a hospitable / liveable climate is a basic / primary need that all humans (whether writers or not) need to live, work and play.

Amended motion: Call for WGGB to declare a climate emergency and publish a statement
This AGM resolves to declare a climate emergency and the WGGB will put a ‘Culture Declares Emergency’ statement on its website in line with other culture creators subject to approval from the Executive Council.