BYLAWS CORRECTIONS
PREAMBLEWe hold these truths to be self-evident, expressive of the ideals and hopes of the workers who come under the jurisdiction of Local 317, U. A. W.; that all men are created equal and should enjoy to the full extent the wealth created by their labor. We hold that the demands of the times, with the changing of industrial conditions and the enormous growth of capital in the hands of a few, it is possible for those who toil to obtain their full reward only through united action. We believe that those who toil should use their rights of citizenship intelligently along cooperative and political lines to insure their inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Now therefore, we, the members of Local 317, U. A. W., pledge ourselves to labor united in behalf of the principles set forth herein, and in the preamble of the Constitution of the United States, to work based on solidarity and justice, and consistently labor to bring about a higher standard of living.
OBJECTS
To improve working conditions, create a uniform system of shorter hours and higher wages; to maintain and protect the interest of the workers under the jurisdiction of the Local 317, to unite into one Union regardless of religion, race, creed, color, sex, age, political affiliation, or nationality all employees under the jurisdiction of Local 317, U. A. W.
To educate our membership in the history of the movement, and to develop and maintain an intelligent and dignified membership.
To enforce existing laws; to work for repeal of those which are unjust to labor; to work for legislation on a national scale having as its object the establishment of real social and employment insurance, the expense of which is to be borne by the employer and the government.
To work as an autonomous Local Union affiliated with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Together with other Local Unions of this International Union for the solidification of the labor movement.
ARTICLE 1
NAME
This organization shall be known as Office Workers Local 317, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (U. A. W.).
ARTICLE 2
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The Local Union shall be composed of workers eligible for membership in the International Implement Workers of America (U. A. W.), and over whom Local 317 is granted jurisdiction by the International Union.
Section 2. Eligibility for acceptance into the Local Union shall be governed as set forth in Article 6, Section 2 of the International Constitution.
Section 3. A membership card shall be provided and given to each member.
Section 4. The membership card shall be punched at each meeting by the guide or sergeant-at-arms to indicate that such member has attended such meeting.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of each member to conscientiously seek to understand and exemplify by practice the intent and purpose of his obligation as a member of the Local Union and the International Union.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of each member to participate in all local, state, and federal elections through registration and balloting.
Section 7. Any member who attends a meeting in an intoxicated condition and creates a disturbance shall lose voice and his rights to vote at said meeting, and, at the discretion of the chairman, may be evicted from said meeting.
Section 8. Every person present at the membership meeting subsequent to his acceptance as a new member shall be given the membership oath provided for in Article 43 of the International Constitution.
Section 9. The International Union and the Local Union shall be the exclusive representative of each member of this Local Union for the purpose of collective bargaining in respect to rates of pay, wages, house of employment or other conditions of employment, and for the negotiation and execution of any contracts with the employers covering all such matters, including contracts requiring his membership or the continuance of his membership in the Union as a condition of his employment or continued employment and contracts requiring the employer to deduct, collect, or assist in collecting from his wages any dues, initiation fees, reinstatement fees, or fines payable to the International Union or his Local Union.
Section 10. Each member of this local union does hereby irrevocably designate, authorize and empower the International Union and this Local Union, and each of them exclusively to appear and act for him and in his behalf before any board, court, committee or other tribunal in any manner affecting his status as an employee or as a member of this Local Union or the International Union, and exclusively to act as his agent to represent and bind him in the presentation prosecution, adjustment, and settlement of all grievances, complaints, or disputes of any kind or character arising out of the employer-employee relationship, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present.
Section 11. Each member in good standing of this Local Union has the right to nominate and vote, express opinions on all subjects before the Local Union, to attend all membership meetings and express views, arguments and opinions on all matters and business, including candidates for office, properly before the meeting, to meet and assemble freely with other members and generally to participate in the activities of the Local Union in a responsible manner consistent with good conscience in order to present and discuss factually and honestly the issues and personalities upon which the membership must base its decisions. These rights shall at all times be subject to the rules and procedure governing meetings and other uniform rules and regulations contained in the Constitution, Bylaws and other official rules of the Local Union.
A member in exercising the foregoing rights and privileges shall not take any irresponsible action which would tend to jeopardize or destroy, or be detrimental to, either the Local or International Unions as organizations, or their free democratic heritage, or which would interfere with the performance by the Local Union or the International Union of its legal or contractual obligations of this Local Union as an affiliate of the International Union.
Violation, or abuse of these rights and privileges of membership, or engaging in conduct prohibited by this section, shall be considered conduct unbecoming a union member.
ARTICLE 3
POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. The membership is the highest authority of this Local Union and shall be empowered to take or direct any action not inconsistent with the Constitution or Bylaws.
Section 2. Between membership meetings, the Executive Board shall be the highest authority of the Local Union and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the membership to the extent urgent business requires prompt action, subject to subsequent membership approval, but the Executive Board may not take action affecting the vital interests of the Local Union without proper membership approval or authorization. Executive Board meetings may be called by the president or a majority of the Executive Board members.
Section 3. Between meetings of the Executive Board, the president shall exercise general administrative authority and shall be empowered to act on behalf of and take action permitted to the Executive Board subject to subsequent approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE 4
LOCAL UNION OFFICERS
Section 1. The Local Union shall have the following executive officers: president, vice president, recording secretary, financial secretary and treasurer, three trustees, sergeant-at-arms and guide.
Section 2. The election of Local Union Executive Officers shall take place by secret ballot during May and June as provided in Article 38 of the Constitution of the International Union and guided by the “U. A. W. Guide for Local Union Election Committee.”
Section 3. These officers and all other officials elected to a full term in the Local Union shall serve for a period of three (3) years.
Section 4. Financial officers (including the president) of this Local Union shall be bonded by such methods and agencies as the International Executive Board may determine. It shall be mandatory that such financial officers be bonded in an amount, which shall cover at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the funds available to them and in no case for less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), full cost of the bond to be paid by the Local Union.
Section 5. All vacancies in Local Union offices, except of the office of president, shall be promptly filled by election provided that the Local Union Executive Board may make a temporary appointment for the period pending the holing of the election. In the case of a vacancy in the office of president, the vice president shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
Section 6. Proper notice shall be given to all members at least seven (7) days in advance of the last day of nominations to fill the vacancy in an executive office. Said notice shall state that nominations will be accepted according to Article 7, of the Bylaws to fill the vacancy or vacancies in the Local Union office or offices, naming them. At least seven (7) days shall elapse between the closing of nominations and the date of the election.
The Election Committee shall supervise the election, distribute the ballots, conduct the counting and tabulation of the same in accordance with these Bylaws and the International Constitution, apply and invoke the rules provided by these Bylaws and International Constitution governing elections as may be applicable, and shall, in accordance with these Bylaws and the International Constitution, preserve the ballots and certify the results of the election.
Section 7. Where a vacancy occurs on or after sixty (60) days before the date upon which the regular elections are to be held, no election shall take place to fill such vacancy, and said office shall be filled by a member in good standing appointed by the president and approved by the Executive Board.
Section 8. All members elected to serve as delegates to any meeting of any U. A. W. body shall attend regular meetings regularly or be replaced unless sufficient reasons are given for failure to attend. The delegates shall elect a chairperson who shall report to the membership monthly.
ARTICLE 5
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. It shall be the duty of the financial secretary and treasurer to distribute a written report to the membership at each regular meeting giving the Union’s income and expenditures for the preceding month and the amount of money remaining on deposit. This report will give an accounting of such funds as general, education, recreation, family education; and any other fund, which the membership may deem necessary. Each type of expense will be listed and totaled, with a grand total being made of all expenditures. The amount in the International Strike Fund will be shown on thisstatement.
Section 2. The financial secretary and treasurer will make a written report each month giving a breakdown on all such items as wages, lost time, per diem, and travel expenses, which are indicated on the monthly financial report, showing who received the remuneration and for what specific purpose it was used. A copy of this report will be given to any member upon request.
Section 3. The duties of the Local Union officers shall be as provided for in Article 40 of the Constitution of the International Union, as it now exists or hereinafter be amended.
ARTICLE 6
COMPENSATION FOR UNION BUSINESS
Section 1. Local Union 317 will pay its members $45.00 per day for expenses while out of TarrantCounty on Union business within the State of Texas, and $50.00 per day while out of the state on behalf of the Union, and travel expenses, when they are required to furnish overnight accommodations. Whenever members leave TarrantCounty on Union business, but do not have to remain away from home overnight, they will be paid $10.00 and travel expenses.
Section 2. Members using their automobiles on Union business shall be paid based on the maximum allowable by the International Union mileage guidelines. The membership will decide how many automobiles shall be authorized to be paid for mileage for any given trip. (the maximum transportation pay shall not exceed air coach fare where air travel is available).
Section 3. Any member using coach air travel will be allowed $10.00 per day for ground transportation and communication not to exceed $40.00 for any single trip.
Section 4. Salaries paid to Local Union officers shall be paid in the following amounts: financial secretary and treasurer shall be paid a salary of $275.00 per month. Recording secretary shall be paid $15.00 per meeting.
Section 5. The Local Union shall pay a representative or a member lost straight time only when that representative or member is performing necessary duties for and on behalf of the Local Union during a time for which the employer would otherwise compensate him. The amount of lost time shall never exceed the amount which the Local Union representative or member would otherwise have received from his employer for the same period of straight time for which he is being compensated by the Local Union, not to exceed 40 hours per week. No premium time will be authorized.
ARTICLE 7
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DELEGATES TO U. A. W. CONSTITUTION CONVENTION
Section 1. Nomination and election of Delegates to the Constitution Convention shall be held in accordance with Article 8 of the U. A. W. Constitution, as amended 6-6-74. The time will be determined by the issuance of the convention call by the International Secretary Treasurer.
Section 2. Nomination and election of Local Union Executive officers and committee persons shall be held in accordance with Article 38, Section 2 and
Article 45, Section 2 of the U. A. W. Constitution as amended 6-6-74. All officers shall be elected for a three (3) year term.
Section 3. Any member shall be eligible as a nominee and candidate for any office of the Local Union who has been a member in continuous good standing for one year immediately prior to the date of nominations.
Section 4. All members are automatically nominated for all offices. Members wishing to accept nomination will obtain a Union nomination form, and state thereon in writing the office for which they wish to be a candidate. The Local Union may elect to use the standard nomination procedure.
Section 5. Notices of nominations for the triennial election of Local Union Executive officer and committeeperson will be posted on all Union bulletin boards.
These notices will announce that all members are automatically nominated for all offices and state that those who wish to accept nomination will fill in the Union nomination form indicating the office for which they wish to be a candidate. These notices will say that nomination forms may be obtained from any Union officer and inform the membership that acceptances of nominations must be on file with the Chairman of the Election Committee or in the possession of a Union officer by or on the seventh day following the posting of the notices of nominations. Twelve o’clock midnight will be considered the ending of one day and the beginning of another. These notices will also state that in the event a union member is unable to secure a nomination form and execute it in person to the proper authorities said union member may give notice of his acceptance of nomination in a letter to the Local Union’s mailing address. This letter must be postmarked before the deadline on accepting nominations. These election notices shall include the places and dates of the election and the times when the polls will be open. These notices shall also contain the same information for a run-off election. In addition to the posted notices, a notice containing the places and dates of the election and the times when the polls will be open shall be mailed to the last-known home address of each eligible member in good standing in the Local Union at least 15 days in advance of the election. This mailed notice shall also include the same information for a run-off election. It shall not be necessary to send the 15 day mailed notice for a special election to fill a vacancy in an executive office for an unexpired term.
Section 6. The nomination form shall be in duplicate, a copy of which may be signed by a Union officer or the chairperson of the Election Committee, and retained by the nominee. If a properly signed and dated acceptance of nomination is given to a Union officer, it will be his responsibility to see that it is filed with the chairperson of the Election Committee.
Section 7. The nomination form will generally appear as follows:
I wish to accept nomination for ______.
I have been a member of Local 317 U. A. W. in continuous good standing for one year. I have read or will read the International Constitution and the Local Union Bylaws, and if elected, will attend Union meetings, and faithfully perform the duties of my office.
Signed ______Date ______
(To Appear on Ballot)
Signed ______
(Officer receiving acceptance of nomination)
Section 8. Once the time set for accepting nominations has expired no election of so-called “sticker” or “write-in” candidates shall be considered legal.
Section 9. After the deadline for accepting nominations, the Election Committee will check the membership records of all nominees in order to determine whether the nominee was in continuous good standing for one year immediately preceding the nomination.