BY-LAWS OF LOCAL
229
Article
1 - Name
This
organization shall be known as Local 229 National Automobile,
Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada (CAW -
Canada), Syndicat national de l’Automobile, de l’Aerospatiale, du
Transport et des autres travailleurs et travailleuses du Canada (TCA -
Canada).
Article 2 -
Jurisdiction
It will operate
as an amalgamated local in the Districts of Rainy- River, Kenora and
Thunder Bay.
Article 3 -
Constitution and By-Laws
The
constitution of the Local Union shall be the Constitution of the
National Auto Workers of Canada, CAW – TCA, and these by-laws shall be
in all respects subordinate to all said Constitution and all
applications and interpretations thereof.
Article 4 -
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year
of this Local Union shall begin on January l, and end on December 31.
Article 5 -
Purposes and Objectives
(a) To unite in one
organization regardless of religion, gender, sexual orientation,
marital status, race, creed, colour, ancestry, nationality, place of
origin, family relationship, disability, age, job classification, or
political affiliation, all workers under the jurisdiction of this
Local Union.
(b) To improve working
conditions, create a uniform system for shorter hours and higher
wages, the right to equal pay for work of equal value, and to
maintain, protect and further the interest of all workers.
(c) To educate members so that
they realize that the power of the Union rests on their collective
strength.
(d) To educate our membership in
the theory of the labour movement and to develop and maintain an
intelligent and dignified membership to vote and work for the election
of political candidates and the passage of improved legislation in the
interest of all labour.
(e)
To strive for the removal from
legislation all provisions restricting the right to bargain
freely and gain justice through all available means.
(f) To
establish and maintain the closest possible co-operation with other
CAW Locals and other Unions.
(g) Dedicated
to the realization of the legitimate aspirations of those who toil for
a living, Local 229 will not deviate from the pursuit of peace,
freedom and security for all people.
(h) Local 229
will at all times hold true to the high ideals and principles of
social justice on which the labour movement was founded.
(i) To
regulate relations between employees and employers, including but not
limited to the right to bargaining collectively on behalf of
the employees in any organization under the jurisdiction of the
Local Union.
(j) To
provide a democratic form of government within the National Union.
(k) To
promote the health and safety of the membership.
(l) To defend
the right of rank-and-file union members to ratify all agreements with
employers.
(m) To defend
the right to strike.
(n) To
organize workers into the Local Union.
(o) To
promote employment by the reduction of the work week with no loss of
pay or benefits, and the elimination of overtime.
(p) To promote
the right and freedom of Canadian workers to belong to labour
organizations that are effective, democratic and not dominated by any
element foreign to, or not in the best interests of the people of
Canada.
(q) To promote
an equitable distribution of wealth within Canadian society.
(r) To
promote co-operation and mutual support among workers of every
country.
(s) To
conduct education work among our membership in accordance with the
objectives and policies of the National Union.
(t) To oppose
racism.
(u) To defend
the union.
(v) To
promote effective environmental policies.
(w) To oppose
sexual harassment and harassment of any kind.
The objectives
of this Local Union shall be the same as those of CAW-Canada
as provided for in Article 2- Objectives of the National Union
Constitution.
Article 6 -
Membership
Section 1 - This Local union
shall be composed of workers eligible for membership in the National
Union, CAW - Canada and over whom the Amalgamated Local Union is
granted jurisdiction by the National Union.
Section 2 - Eligibility for and
acceptance into membership in the Amalgamated Local Union shall be
governed by the Constitution of the National Union.
Section 3 - A membership card
will be provided to each member.
Section 4 - The membership card
shall be shown at each meeting to the Sergeant-at-Arms/Guide to
indicate their membership.
Section 5 - It shall be the duty
of each member to conscientiously seek to understand and exemplify by
practice the intent and purpose of her/his obligation as a member of
the Amalgamated Local Union and the National Union.
Section 6 - It shall be the duty
of each member to participate in all Local, Provincial and Federal
elections through registration and balloting.
Section 7 - Every person, prior
to her/his acceptance as a member, shall be given the membership oath
provided for by the Constitution of the National Union.
Section 8 - The national Union
and the Amalgamated Union shall be the exclusive representative of
each member of this Amalgamated Local Union for the purpose of
collective bargaining and execution of any contracts.
Section
9 - Each member of this Amalgamated Local Union does hereby
irrevocably designate, authorize and empower the National Union and
this Amalgamated Local Union, and each of them exclusively to appear
and act for her/him and in her/his behalf before any board, court,
committee and other tribunal in any matter affecting her/his status as
a worker or as a member of this amalgamated Union or the National
Union, and exclusively to act as her/his agent to represent and bind
her/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 purpose as she/he might or could do if personally
present.
Section 10 - 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.
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 National Unions as organizations, or their free democratic
heritage, or which would interfere with the performance by this Local
Union or the National Union of its legal or contractual obligations as
a collective bargaining agent, or interfere with the legal or
contractual obligations of this Local Union as an affiliate of the
National 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.
Section 11 - The membership shall
strive to obtain the objectives set forth in the Constitution and
additional objectives as established as the policy of the National
Union; to maintain free relations with other organizations; do all in
its power to strengthen and promote the labour movement; to co-operate
with National Board Members, the National Representatives and help
promote organizational activities.
Section 12 - The Local Union may
employ service and organizational staff. Staff who are employed by
the Local union shall be CAW Local 229 members and members of the
National Union.
Section 13 - The membership shall
have the right to disaffiliate from the CAW if the majority of its
members indicate its desire by a democratic vote after a full and open
debate and in accordance with the Constitution of CAW Canada.
Article 7 -
General Membership Meetings
Section 1 - Local Union General
Membership meetings shall be held every month in Thunder Bay. The
times, dates and place of the meeting shall be established by the
Executive Board. General membership meetings can be suspended for
July and August by a majority vote of the membership at the June
meeting.
Section 2 - For purposes of
General Membership meetings, members in attendance shall constitute
quorum.
Section 3 - The President of the
Local, upon receiving a written petition signed by the majority of the
Executive Board or at least twenty-five members in good standing,
shall call a special meeting and the petition shall mention the aim or
aims of said meeting and discussions will be restricted to these aim(s)
only.
Section 4 - Each Unit of the
Local shall hold bi-monthly membership meetings.
Section 5 - Members shall be
notified at least seven (7) days prior to all meetings by workplace
bulletins. The agenda shall be included in all notices. Any election
to be held at General Membership Meetings shall be included on the
agenda. Only members in good standing shall attend membership
meetings.
Section 6 - The membership shall
sign in at each meeting in the Sergeant-at-Arms registration book.
Section 7 - Those members who do
not have their membership card upon their person, must have another
member in good standing vouch for them.
Section 8 - It shall be the duty
of the President to preside at all membership meetings. In her/his
absence, the Vice-President shall preside.
Section 9 - Minutes shall be
taken at all General Membership Meetings by the Recording Secretary.
Section 10 - The regular order of
business shall be as follows:
1. Opening
of meeting
2. Reading of agenda
3. Minutes of previous meeting
4. Financial report
5. Recommendations of Executive Board
6. Actions taken by Executive Board
7. Correspondence
8. Reports from Officers, Committees, Delegates
9. Unfinished Business
10. New Business
11. Elections (if required)
12. Good and Welfare
13. Closing
A copy of the previous meeting
minutes, financial report and Recommendations will be distributed to
each member present at the General Membership Meeting.
Section 11 - All discussions and
debates shall be governed by Bourinot’s Rules of Order.
Section 12 - The members shall
confine their remarks to the order of business of the motion under
discussion and shall be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes. A
member shall speak only once upon the matter under discussion except
in the case of the sponsor of a motion or resolution who shall be
allowed to discussion close on the motion or resolution.
Article 8 -
Powers of Administration
Section l - This Bylaw inscribes
the will of the membership for democratic control of the Union,
consistent with the opportunity and responsibility of the officers to
provide effective leadership. It is the determination of the members,
in accordance with the provisions of this Bylaw, that the Bylaw guards
this principle as it relates to the operation of the Union as a whole
and as herein set out.
Section 2 - 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 3 - Between general
membership meetings, the highest authority shall be the Executive
Board of this Local, which shall meet at least once each month.
Section 4 - Between meetings of
the Executive Board, the administrative authority of the Local shall
be vested in the President of the Local.
Article 9
Executive Board
Section 1 The Executive Board
of the Union shall consist of President, Financial Secretary,
Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Sergeant at Arms/Guide, Retired
Member, Director of Outlying Area, Director of Women’s Issues, and
three trustees.
Section 2 - Executive Officers
shall serve for a period of three (3) years.
Section 3 - In
the event that the office of President becomes vacant, the
Vice-President shall assume that office for the balance of the term.
In the event any of the other offices become vacant during the regular
term of office, it will be promptly filled. The Executive Board shall
have the authority to appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the
result of such election becomes known. The election must be held
within 60 days.
Section 4 - The duties of the
Executive Officers shall be those set down in the National
Constitution, Article 37, plus others deemed necessary by the General
Membership in the administering of the local union affairs.
Section 5 -
The Executive Board shall consist of the above named Executive
Officers, plus a Retired Member from the Retiree’s Chapter.
This position is elected at the same time as the Executive
Officers and for a three (3) year term. All members of the Executive
Board shall have voice and vote.
Section 6 -
A simple majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum at
all Executive Board Meetings.
Section 7 - The Executive Board
shall meet monthly between membership meetings. Special meetings may
be called by the President. Whenever a majority of the Executive
Board requests the President, by letter or petition, to call a meeting
thereof, it shall be mandatory upon the President, to do so within
five (5) days of receipt of such letter or petition.
The Executive
Board shall exercise the Executive functions of the Local Union
between General Meetings. The Executive Board shall enforce the
Bylaws of the Local Union and its own decisions. It shall report upon
all matters which, in its judgment, require consideration by the Local
Union or which may have been committed to the Executive Board. The
Executive Board shall be further empowered to appropriate funds or
defray normal expenses that are incurred between the General
Membership meetings. All such appropriations of the Executive Board
shall be subject to the approval of the membership at the next General
Meeting.
Section 8 - The Executive Board
may recommend that the Union hire employees when they are needed. The
Executive Board shall have power, subject to the provisions of this
Constitution and Bylaws, to appoint sub-committees from its own
membership and pass upon and approve applications for membership and
reinstatement.
Section 9 - Minutes will be taken
of all Executive Board Meetings by the Recording Secretary and shall
be available to the membership at the meetings.
Section 10 -
The decisions of the Executive Board shall be decided by a majority
vote of those members present and voting.
Section 11 -
All decisions and recommendations of the Executive Board shall be
referred to the next General Membership Meeting for approval, and/or
information.
Section 12 -
The Executive Board shall appoint at least one of its members to each
of the standing committees
in a liaison advisory capacity, except, the Unit
Bargaining Committee and the Election Committee.
Section 13 - The Executive Board
shall not make any unnecessary expenditure without prior consent of
the membership. All expenses shall be referred to the next General
Membership Meeting. A financial statement reporting revenues and
expenditures shall be reported to the next General Membership Meeting.
Article 10 -
Executive Council
Section 1-
Executive Council - The Executive Council shall consist of the
Executive Board of this Union together with representation from
the Units on the following basis:
Each Unit shall consist of at least one delegate,
normally the Unit Chairperson.
For the
purpose of clarity, a Unit as defined in this Constitution shall mean
a Bargaining Unit with an employer, having a signed agreement with
this Local Union or where negotiations are proceeding for the
renewal thereof. The following formula will increase representation
for larger units:
Up to 200 will have 1 representative;
between 200 and 400 will have 2 representatives;
between 400 and 600 will have 3 representatives;
between 600 and 800 will have 4 representatives;
between 800 and l000 will have 5 representatives
etc.
Section 2-
Executive Council - The Executive Council is established to provide
broad representation to all units of the Local.
The Executive Council shall be responsible to keep
the Executive
Board informed of problems and progress of the various areas of the
Local Union.
It shall review the work of the Executive Board
annually. The Council members shall be responsible
to keep their Units informed of the work of the
Executive Board.
The Executive Council shall make any
recommendations they deem necessary for
consideration and action of the Executive Board.
The Executive Council shall meet
annually to conduct the business of the Local and attend education
sessions.
Executive council decisions shall be decided by a
majority vote of those members present and
voting.
Article 11 -
Delegates from the Local
Section 1- All delegates from
the Local shall be elected by a single plurality vote and by secret
ballot.
Section 2 - A member to be
eligible for nomination as a delegate, to all councils and conventions
shall be a member in continuous good standing in accordance with the
National Constitution.
Section 3 - Alternate delegates
will replace regular delegates unable to attend and shall have
preference according to the amount of vote received in the election.
Section 4 - All delegates must
give a written report at the next general membership meetings.
Section 5 - All delegates shall
be elected at a properly advertised General Membership meeting except
where otherwise specified in the Constitution or these by-laws.
Section 6 - CAW Council shall be
elected at the same time as the Executive Board elections. All
conditions in Section 1 will apply.
Section 7 - The President and the
Financial Secretary will be automatic observer to CAW Council, if not
elected as delegates.
Section 8 - CAW Convention
Delegates will be elected as per the National Constitution Article 9,
prior to the Convention
Article l2 -
Establishment and Governing of Units
Section 1 - Each bargaining unit
of the Local Union shall be known as a Unit of the Local Union. Where
a workplace has a full-time and a part-time work force with bargaining
unit descriptions which are, to all intents and purposes, identical,
the full-time and part-time employees in that workplace shall
constitute a single bargaining unit for the purpose of this section.
Section 2 - All Units will elect
workplace representatives in accordance with Article 17, Section 3, of
the Bylaws.
Section 3 - Unit Meetings shall
be held at least once every two months in accordance with the By-Laws
of this Local Union. A Unit may, by membership vote, suspend meetings
during the months of July and August.
Section 4 - The meeting shall be
presided over by the Unit Chairperson and minutes be shall be recorded
by the Unit Recording Secretary.
Section 5 - Resolves of all Unit
Meetings which affect the policy of the Union as a whole shall be
subject to the approval of the Local Union as a whole. Copies of the
minutes shall be submitted to the Local Union Recording Secretary
within a week of the Unit Meeting
Article
13 - Stewards and Committee Persons
Section 1 - The duties of
Stewards and Committee persons shall be as follows:
1.
To attend all steward and unit meetings.
2. To attend all general
membership meetings; unless the Executive Board permits the member to
be absent with cause (e.g. - outlying areas).
3. To become completely
familiar with all of the provisions of the collective agreement and to
investigate all grievances.
4. To be completely familiar
with the grievance procedure.
5. To receive complaints and
grievances of their department or unit and make every effort to
conform with the grievance procedure to satisfactorily adjust and
settle all grievances.
6. To call a special meeting
of their department or unit upon written request of at least
twenty-five (25) per cent of the members in good standing in their
area.
7. To see that all the workers
under their jurisdiction become members and remain in good standing.
8. To assist and co-operate
fully with health and safety committee in the prevention and
investigation of accidents.
9. To carry out to the best of
their ability in harmony with the other committees of the local and
the Executive Board the decisions of the union.
10. To turn over all papers,
documents funds and/or other union property at the conclusion of their
office to their successor and to assist her/him in all ways possible.
11.
To support campaigns of
the Local and National Union within there area of representation.
Section 2 - All vacancies shall
be filled by an election within sixty(60) days where possible. The
alternate (runner-up in the election) will assume the duties of the
Committee Person or Steward until the results of the elections are
known. In the event the election committee for the unit cannot find a
replacement, the Unit Chair shall be empowered to appoint a Committee
Person or Steward until an election can be held.
Section 3- Recall Procedure
A Steward, Committee Person, or Unit
Chairperson may be recalled by the members they represent for failure
to perform the duties of their office. A valid petition, setting
forth specific complaints of the shop steward’s, committee person’s or
Unit Chairperson’s failure to perform the duties of their office,
shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) per cent of the members
in good standing they represent.
The Unit will notify the workplace
representative of the specific complaints and will give due notice to
the member of a special meeting for recall. Twenty-five percent (25%)
of the current members working under the jurisdiction of the Steward
or the Committee Person must be present at the recall meeting to
establish a quorum.
A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting
is necessary to recall.
Article 14 -
Bargaining Committees
The Bargaining Committee of each unit
shall consist of the, Unit Chairperson, Committee Members, the
President of designated representative of the Local, and a National
Representative.
Article l5 - Standing Committees
Section 1 - This Local Union
shall have the following standing committees:
1. Constitution and Bylaws
2. Political Action/Union in
Politics Committee
3. Health, Safety and Environment
and WSIB
4. Recreation
5. Community Services
6. Civil, Peace and Human Rights
7. Women’s
8. Newspaper and Communications
9. Organizing
10.
Health Care Committee
11.
Licensed Professionals and Skilled Trades
12.
Retired Members
13.
Election
14.
Finance
15.
Union Label
16.
Education
17. Attendance and Excuse
Section 2 - All other committees
shall be considered a sub-committee of the above committees.
Section 3- There shall be a
Chairperson and a Secretary for each committee and also a Treasurer
when deemed necessary, to be elected by the members of the committee.
Section 4 - All committees shall
be elected by secret ballot vote at a properly advertised membership
meeting. Members will serve for a three (3) year term.
Section 5 - The dates of
elections of all committees shall be placed on the bulletin boards, at
least seven (7) days prior to the election. Members from outlying
units may submit their names in writing.
Section 6 - All standing
committees shall perform all duties assigned to them by the
Constitution and By-laws and such additional duties as they may be
directed to perform from time to time by the Executive Board or the
Membership.
Section 7 - All standing
committees shall have the power to appoint new members to their
committees, with Executive Board approval.
Section 8 - Each committee shall
hold a regular meeting once a month unless it’s deemed unnecessary.
Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson and must be called
when requested by a majority of the members of the committee or when
ordered by the Local Executive Board or the General Membership. A
simple majority of the committee members shall constitute a quorum for
the conducting of business at all committee meetings.
Section 9 - The duties of the
officers and members of each committee shall include:
Chairperson:
1. Call and preside at all
committee meetings
2. Shall direct the activities
of the committee in accordance with these bylaws and the National
Constitution.
3. Shall have authority only
to the extent of carrying out the decisions of the committee that have
been approved by the membership.
4. Shall submit a written
report of their activities to the Executive Board Meetings, and to the
General Membership Meetings.
5. Shall be responsible for
the functioning of all sub-committees established by her/his
particular committee.
Secretary:
1. Shall keep minutes of
all committee meetings and shall furnish the Recording Secretary of
the Local with a copy of the same.
2. Shall collect and file
reports of their committee members.
3. Shall notify all
members of the committee as to the time, date and place of all regular
or special meetings, sufficiently in advance to enable them to attend
and shall keep the members informed between meetings.
4. Shall devise a reporting
system when deemed necessary with the stewards and committee
persons of the Local so that all matters receive immediate and
rightful attention.
Committee
Member:
1. Shall attend all meetings
of their respective committee and all General Membership Meetings.
2. Shall co-operate with each
member of their committee and shall work for
benefit of all the members of the Local Union.
3. Shall carry out all assignments directed
by the General Membership to the best of their ability.
Section 11 - All members interested
in serving on a committee who are unable to attend the General
Membership Meeting when the election is held for the committee may
stand nominated for the committee if she/he is nominated at the
meeting by a member in good standing and she/he has stated her/his
desire to serve in writing before the meeting.
Article 16 -
Sections
Section 1- The Union may
establish sections as determined by the Local. Such sections
may be added to from time to time, as becomes necessary to serve the
best interest of the Union and its membership as a whole.
Section 2 -
Sections established are the following:
(a) Hospital section
(b) Long Term Care section
(c) Office and Clerical section
(d) Homemaker section
(e) Private Sector section
(f) Schools, Colleges, Universities, and
Municipalities section.
Article 17 -
Local Union Elections
Section 2 - Subject to Article
17, Section 4(e) of these Bylaws, all members in good standing of
Local 229 shall be eligible to run for any office or position in the
Local Union except where the Constitution or these by-laws specifies
more restrictions. A member’s right to vote begins on the first day
of the month for which dues are paid.
Section 2- (a) The Local Union
Election Committee shall be a Standing Committee elected a General
Membership Meeting in every third year by a single plurality vote and
by secret ballot, prior to the General Election of the Executive
Board.
(b) The Election Committee shall be
elected for a three (3) year term and shall have a membership up to a
maximum of ten.
(c) They shall draft rules and
regulations for the conducting of elections which shall not be
inconsistent with these by-laws or the National Constitution and which
must have the prior approval of the General membership before they are
put into practice.
Section 3- The nominating and
election of Stewards, Committee Persons and Unit Chairpersons shall be
as follows:
(a) All members in good standing
shall be automatically nominated for each office for which they are
eligible if they accept the nomination in writing within five (5) days
of the notice of nominations being posted.
(b) Following the closing of
nominations, a notice containing both the time and place of elections
and the time and place of any possible run-off election, shall be
given at least ten (l0) days in advance of the election.
(c) Stewards, Unit Chairpersons, and
Committee Persons shall be elected by a single plurality vote and
Secret ballot
(d) All Units will elect such other
shop stewards and committee people as may be necessary to conduct the
business of the unit. All workplace representatives, including unit
chairpersons, shall be elected by secret ballot as soon as possible
after being certified CAW Unit for a three (3) year
term.
(e) Voting hours shall be arranged so as to provide
the maximum opportunity for the eligible voters to
conveniently cast their ballots.
Section 4 - The nominating and
electing of Executive Officers shall take place in the following
manner:
(a) A notice of Nominations shall
be posted for a period of seven (7) days. There shall be at least
seven (7) days between the closing of nominations and the election,
and at least fifteen (15) days notice of any run-off elections.
(b) Executive Officers and
Bargaining/Grievance Arbitration Chairs shall be elected by simple
majority of the votes cast for the office.
(c) The election of Executive
Officers shall take place every three (3) years during the months of
May or June.
(d) Voting shall take place in the same manner as
Section 3(e) of this Article.
Section 5 - The election of all
other standing committees shall be held at the General Membership
Meetings when they are deemed necessary. When one of these elections
is necessary, it shall be placed on the agenda of the meeting and
shall be posted at least (7) days prior to the election.
Section 6 -
There shall be no proxy voting.
Article 18 -
Finances
Section 1 - The initiation fee of
this Local Union for newly organized members shall be twenty dollars
($20.00). One dollar ($1.00) of each initiation fee received by the
Local Union shall be forwarded to the National Secretary-Treasurer.
Five dollars ($5.00) will be set aside for New Member Orientation in
accordance with Article 17, Section 1 of the CAW Constitution.
Newly
organized units will pay an initiation fee as per the CAW-Canada
National Constitution, Article 6.
Section 2 - The Union dues of
Local 229 shall be the minimum as set down in Article l7, Section 2 of
the CAW Constitution, plus any additional dues that may be levied by
membership action by secret ballot vote in accordance with Article 44,
Sections l and 2 of the CAW Constitution. There shall be no dues
increase under Article 17, Section 3 of the CAW Constitution without a
majority of the affected members who cast ballots approving the
increase in a secret ballot vote called in accordance with the
provisions of Article 44, Sections 1 & 2 of the CAW Constitution.
Section 3 - The compensation of
any member of this amalgamated Local Union shall be approved
lost time only when that representative or member is performing
necessary duties for and on behalf of the Local Union during the time
for which she/he would otherwise be compensated by the employer. The
amount which the Local Union representative or member would otherwise
have received from her/his employer for the same period of time for
which she/he is being compensated by the Local Union. The Local Union
will not be responsible for the payment of lost time at overtime
rates or premium rates.
Section 4 - The signing officers
of the Local shall be the President and the Financial Secretary. In
the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall be the
alternate and, in the absence of the Financial Secretary, the a
designated trustee shall be the alternate.
Section 5 - Members’ expenses
will be paid in accordance with the Members Travel and Expense Policy
approved by the General Membership.
Article 19 -
Attendance Rules
Section 1 - (a)
All members of the Executive Board must attend two out of every three
Membership meetings and two out of every three Executive Board
meetings, plus two out of every three Committee meetings and two out
of every three Unit meetings to which they have been appointed to in
an advisory position unless properly excused.
(b) All members of the
Bargaining Committee must attend two out of every three membership
meetings and two out of every three Bargaining Committee meetings plus
two out of every three Unit Meetings unless properly excused.
(c) All stewards must attend
two out of every three membership meetings and two out of every three
steward meetings unless properly excused.
(d) All delegates to Councils
and/or Conventions must attend two out of every three membership
meetings unless properly excused.
(e) All members of all other
standing committees must attend two out of every three Membership
meetings, unless properly excused.
Section 2 - When education
programs are arranged for the membership or smaller groups, all union
representatives affected must attend two (2) out of three (3)
consecutive education classes provided that the courses are for a
prescribed and reasonable length of time.
Section 3 - Failure of any
elected official to comply with the above attendance rules shall
result in automatic removal from their respective office or position
and they shall not be permitted to run for any elective office for the
balance of the term of the office from which they were removed, except
for delegate(s) to our National Convention.
Section 4 - The President of
Local 229, along with the Chairperson of each Standing committee shall
comprise the Attendance and Excuse Committee with the President as the
Chairperson of the Committee.
Section 5 - The Attendance and
Excuse Committee shall determine the validity of excuses given for
failure to attend the required number of meetings by any elected or
appointed official.
Section 6 - Any affected member
may appeal the decision of the Attendance and Excuse Committee at the
next Membership Meeting.
Section 7 - In order to minimize
the possibility of any controversy over whether or not a member
actually attended a meeting which she/he is required to attend, a
Registration Book will be given to each Committee Secretary to be
signed by the members attending such meetings. For General Membership
Meetings the Sergeant-at-arms will have a registration book which all
elected committee members will be required to sign.
Section 8 - Any member appointed
to a Committee shall be subject to the same attendance rules as the
elected representatives.
Section 9 - All applications for
excuse must be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of the
committee prior to the meeting or in the case of an emergency within
24 hours of the conclusion of the meeting or the member will
automatically be considered to be absent without excuse.
Article 20-
Strikes and Strike Committees
Section 1 -
All strikes shall be called or terminated only in strict conformance
with Article 46 of the CAW Constitution.
Section 2 - A Strike Committee
shall be established in each Unit when required.
Article 21 -
Amendments
These Bylaws
may be amended by presenting a motion in writing setting forth the
amendments sought to a membership meeting. The motion shall be read
to that meeting and referred to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee
which will report to the succeeding membership meeting, the notice of
which must contain a notice of the particular bylaw amendments that
will be considered. If approved by two-thirds of the membership vote
thereon at this succeeding meeting, the amendment shall be considered
adopted by the membership.