Your
Union Constitution
Governance
is a system of rights, responsibility and authority for establishing
the policies of the union. It rests upon a contract between the
membership and the leadership that is codified in the union’s
constitution and bylaws. In essence, governance is how the union
decides to set goals, objectives and policies.
The
A&R Constitution
Online
Version Table of Contents
ARTICLE X
RECALL
Section One.
Recall procedures
against any officer, Member Representative, or delegate or
representative to an affiliated labor organization or convention shall
be instituted upon filing of a valid petition with the Secretary of
the Union, who shall give a receipt for such petition.
Section Two.
The petition must be on
a form which shall be prescribed by the Secretary and which shall
include a statement of cause. Cause will be defined as:
- having engaged in
conduct or a course of activity hostile or contrary to the best
interests of the Union;
- violation of the
Constitution;
- misappropriation of
funds; or
- malfeasance in
office or neglect of duty.
Section Three.
Any active member may
file a petition for recall. It must be signed by at least 10% of the
active membership as of the time of filing of such petition.
Section Four.
Upon receipt of the
properly filed charges, the Secretary shall present them to the
Representative Assembly. The Representative Assembly shall determine by
a majority vote whether or not the charges merit a hearing.
Section Five.
The Representative
Assembly may take appropriate disciplinary action, including the
suspension or expulsion of any officer, Member Representative, or any
delegate or representative to an affiliated labor organization or
convention found guilty of the charges by a two-thirds (2/3) of the
entire membership of the Representative Assembly, excluding any
vacancies, following a hearing, of which the accused shall have been
notified and furnished with a copy of the charges not less than thirty
(30) days in advance of the hearing. Both the accused and the charging
party shall be accorded full opportunity to be heard and to present
evidence.
Section Six.
The decision of the
Representative Assembly shall be final and binding unless appealed to
the members by the Special Convention process. See Article VII, Section
15.
ARTICLE XI
COMMITTEES
Section One.
The following
committees shall be standing committees of this Union, and each
chairperson shall make a report at each Representative Assembly meeting
and Annual Convention.
- Arbitration Review
Committee - shall decide which grievances will be taken to
arbitration by the Union. The grievant may appeal the decision of
the Committee to the Representative Assembly whose decision shall be
final. The President, Chief Negotiator, the Chief Steward, and two
(2) stewards shall constitute the committee.
- Budget Committee -
shall prepare a budget and perform other duties as specified in
Article VIII. The Treasurer shall be the chairperson.
- Communications and
Publicity Committee - shall prepare and distribute the Union
publications, news releases and other items of interest to the
membership and the general public.
- Negotiating
Committee - shall prepare and negotiate the contract proposals. The
Chief Negotiator shall be the chairperson.
- Committee on
Political Education - shall propose and advocate legislation for the
benefit of, and shall study and respond to proposed legislation
affecting members and other workers; and shall develop programs of
political activity for the benefit of members and other workers.
- Professional
Development Committee - shall draft guidelines for the usage of
funds as may be appropriated to the professional development and
conference fund, and shall be responsible for planning, conducting
and/or informing the membership of programs which contribute to
their professional development.
- Retiree Council -
shall serve to communicate to the Representative Assembly those
matters of concern affecting persons holding retiree membership in
the Union. This council shall be formed from the list of current
retiree members. A member of the Representative Assembly may serve
as a liaison to the Executive Board of the Retiree Council. Said
council shall be the only committee consisting of persons not
holding active membership, except that retirees may serve on
committees as non-voting members.
- Social Committee -
shall arrange social activities and entertainment for the benefit of
the membership.
- Health and Safety
Committee – shall educate members and other committees on Job
Health and Safety, and coordinate with other committees on Job
Health and Safety issues.
Section Two.
Any special committee
may be established as the Representative Assembly deems necessary.
Section Three.
Except as specified
elsewhere in the Constitution, the chairperson of each committee shall
be appointed by the President with the consent of the Representative
Assembly. No member may chair more than one committee simultaneously.
Section Four.
Except as specified
elsewhere in this Constitution, members of each committee shall be
appointed by the respective committee chairperson with the approval of
the Representative Assembly.
Section Five.
Every effort shall be
made to secure the broadest representation on all committees. Whenever
possible, appointments pursuant to Section Four shall be made from a
list of those who volunteer for that committee.
Section Six.
The Representative
Assembly shall charge each committee with its duties and shall receive
and consider all recommendations forwarded by committees.
ARTICLE XII
AFFILIATION/DISAFFILIATION PROCEDURE
Section One.
A vote to affiliate or
disaffiliate with another labor organization may be called by a vote of
two-thirds (2/3) of the entire membership of the Representative
Assembly. or by a petition signed by 20% of A&R Union members.
Section Two.
When the threshold
requirements for a disaffiliation or affiliation vote are met, the vote
will be scheduled to take place not less than 45 days and not more than
90 days later.
Section Three.
Once the requirements
for a disaffiliation or affiliation vote have been met, all procedures
pertaining to said vote will be supervised by the American Arbitration
Association or the State Labor Board.
Section Four.
As soon as possible,
but not later than twenty (20) days after the call for a vote, a notice
will be mailed to all P-5 bargaining unit members detailing the methods
and the scheduling of such vote, and informing non-members that they
must join the A&R Employees Union to be eligible to vote.
Section Five.
The Representative
Assembly shall schedule at least one general membership meeting, and, if
possible, additional regional or agency meetings to provide the fullest
possible discussion of the respective issues.
Section Six.
There shall be a
general mailing or newsletter, which shall include both viewpoints
regarding the affiliation or disaffiliation issue not later than twenty
(20) days prior to the election.
Section Seven.
The prevailing side
shall have received at least one vote more than 50% of the total number
of valid votes cast.
ARTICLE XIII
CONCERTED ACTIVITIES
Section One.
Upon the approval of
the Representative Assembly by a two-thirds (2/3) vote and a two-thirds
(2/3) affirmative vote of active members, by referendum, the President
shall be empowered to call for any concerted activities to obtain
improved salaries, working conditions, fringe benefits, or to protect
and promote the principles of collective bargaining.
