PART VIISECRET BALLOTS FOR TRADE UNION ELECTIONS
Exemptions for certain persons nearing retirement55
1
Article 47(1)(b) does not apply to any member of the principal executive committee of a trade union at any time when the conditions mentioned in paragraph (2) are satisfied in relation to him.
2
The conditions are that—
a
he holds his position as such a member by virtue of having been elected (whether as such a member or as the holder of another position in the union) at an election in relation to which Articles 48, 49 and 50 have been satisfied;
b
he is—
i
in the case of a person who has been elected as such a member, a full-time employee of the union by virtue of being such a member; or
ii
in the case of a person who has been elected as the holder of another position in the union by virtue of which he is such a member, a full-time employee of the union by virtue of holding that other position;
c
he will reach retirement age within five years;
d
he is entitled under the rules of the union to continue as the holder of the position in question until retirement age without standing for re-election;
e
he has been a full-time employee of the union for a period (which need not be continuous) of at least ten years; and
f
the period between the day on which the election referred to in sub-paragraph (a) took place and the day immediately preceding that on which sub-paragraph (c) is first satisfied does not exceed five years.
3
For the purposes of this Article “retirement age”, in relation to any person, means the earlier of—
a
the age fixed by, or in accordance with, the rules of the union for him to retire from the position in question; or
b
the age which is for the time being pensionable age for the purpose of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 197523.
4
Where the election referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (2) was held before the coming into operation of this Part, that paragraph shall apply as if it did not require Articles 48, 49 and 50 to be satisfied in relation to that election.