UAW Local 251 By-Laws
BYLAWS - UAW Local 251
ARTICLE 1 - NAME
This organization shall be known as Local No. 251, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).
ARTICLE 2 - CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
The Constitution of this organization shall be the Constitution of the International Union, UAW and these Bylaws shall be in all respects subordinate to said Constitution and all applications and interpretations thereof.
ARTICLE 3 - FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of this Local Union shall begin on January 1st and end on December 31st.
ARTICLE 4 - MEMBERSHIP
The Local Union shall be composed of workers eligible for membership in the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) over whom the Local Union has jurisdiction.
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 of 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 this Local Union or the International 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 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.
The membership shall strive to obtain the objectives set forth in the International Constitution and additional objectives as established as the policy of the International Union; to maintain free relations with other organizations; to do all in its power to strengthen and promote the labour movement; to cooperate with Regional Board members, the International Representatives and help promote organization activities.
ARTICLE 5 - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1
Membership meetings shall be held as required by Article 37, Section 4 of the Constitution. A general membership meeting may be called by the Local President with proper notification of all Local units.
The local may by appropriate action postpone meetings during the months of July and August and that the Executive Board shall have the power to transact all business in these months.
Section 2
Fifteen (15) members shall constitute a quorum for a membership meeting.
Section 3
In the event that a quorum is not present within fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled time for beginning a membership meeting, the Chairperson shall declare all business referred to the Executive Board and shall adjourn the meeting.
Section 4
Meetings shall begin as of time posted and shall not exceed two (2) hours except when by two-thirds majority vote of the members present shall signify their desire to extend this time.
Section 5
Admission to membership meetings shall only by upon furnishing satisfactory proof of good standing. All members must sign in a book furnished by the Local before attending a meeting.
Section 6
The agenda of the meeting will consist of the following:
1. Roll Call
Reading of minutes of previous meeting
Business arising out of previous minutes
Report of financial secretary treasurer
Report of officers, committees and delegates
Unfinished business
New business
Closing
Anything pertaining to New business to be clearly outlined on the agenda. (All questions of parliamentary nature shall be decided by Robert’s rule of order).
Section 7
A member shall confine his remarks to the order of business or the motion under discussion and shall be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes. The member shall speak only once on the matter under discussion, except in the case of the sponsor of a motion or resolution, who shall be allowed to close discussion.
Section 8
A member wishing to speak shall raise his hand and remain seated until recognized by the chair. When a member is speaking, he shall be given the undivided attention of all present. Previous to speaking from the floor, a member will announce his name and unit.
Section 9
Any member who attends a meeting in an intoxicated condition and/or creates a disturbance, or becomes unruly, shall lose voice, and their right to vote at said meeting. Where necessary to maintain order, the member may be evicted by order of the chairperson, subject to the challenge of the membership.
Flagrant or persistent violation of this section by any member shall constitute conduct unbecoming of a Union Member.
Section 10
Special meetings of the Executive Board or the General Membership may be called by a petition of five (5) on the Executive Board being presented to the President, or a special meeting may be called by the President wherever deemed necessary.
Section 11
Unit meetings shall transact only matters of business pertaining to the Union, but it shall be the privilege of the Units to discuss and present resolutions to the Executive Board.
Section 12
Local Union Executive Officers have the authority to attend and speak at all Local or Unit meetings.
ARTICLE 6 - POWERS OF ADMINSTRATION
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.
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 required prompt and decisive action, subject to subsequent membership approval, but the Executive Board may not take action affecting the vital interest of the Local Union without prior membership approval.
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 the subsequent approval of the Executive Board.
The Board of Trustees shall consist of the Trustees and shall audit the books and accounts of the Financial Secretary and all Committees, every July and January.
All Local Union business shall be channeled through the Local Union office.
All units shall have a chairperson to conduct unit meetings and a secretary to keep a record of unit business transacted.
Approval of the President, or in his absence, the Vice-President, must be obtained before any member leaves the work place on union business of any of the units of the Local Union.
ARTICLE 7 - LOCAL UNION OFFICERS
Section 1
The local union shall have the following officers:
President
Vice-President
Recording Secretary
Financial Secretary-Treasurer
Three (3) Trustees
Sergeant-at-Arms
Guide
Section 2
These officers shall serve for the period set forth in Article 38, Section 2 of the Constitution.
Section 3
Nominations and elections for Local Union officers and installation of the newly elected officers shall take place as provided for in Article 38, Section 2 of the Constitution.
Section 4
In the event of 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 vacation, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held as promptly as possible, provided, however, that the President shall have the right to appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the result of such election shall become known.
ARTICLE 8 - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1
The Executive Board shall be composed of the Executive Officers of the Local Union and the unit chairperson of all units affiliated with this Local Union.
Section 2
The election of unit chairpersons as members of the Executive Board shall be by the same procedure as provided for in Article 38, Section 2 of the Constitution.
Section 3
A simply majority of the Local Union Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. With the exception, that when the Executive exceeds nineteen (19) in number. Then ten (10) members in attendance shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4
Minutes will be taken of all Executive Board meetings by the Recording Secretary, and shall be available to the membership at meetings.
Section 5
All decisions and recommendations of the Executive Board shall be referred to the next regular membership meeting.
Section 6
The Executive Board shall appoint at least one of its members to each of the standing committees in a liaison or advisory capacity, except, however, the unit bargaining committees, Election Committee or any trial committee.
ARTICLE 9 - STEWARDS AND COMMITTEEPERSONS
Section 1
All Shop Stewards (or Shop Committeepersons) shall be democratically elected, and they may be recalled by a two-thirds vote of the members electing them, at any meeting called for that purpose, with due notification of such meeting given the members involved. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the members represented by the Steward and/or the Committeeperson is necessary for a recall petition and twenty-five percent (25%) are required to constitute a quorum at a recall meeting in accordance with Article 45, Section 3 of the International Constitution.
Section 2
All such elections shall take place as provided in Article 45, Section 2 of the Constitution.
Section 3
All units shall meet regularly. The date and time of meetings shall be determined by the unit involved and all meetings shall be held whenever possible in the Local Union Hall.
Section 4
It shall be the duty of any or all Executive Officers to attend unit meetings to render any assistance possible if so requested by officers of the unit.
ARTICLE 10 - STEWARDS COUNCILS AND BARGAINING COMMITTEES
Units may establish stewards councils who shall exclusively perform advisory functions and shall be a non-legislative body within the Local Union Structure.
ARTICLE 11 - COMMITTEES
Section 1
The standing committees of the Local Union shall be as provided for in Article 44 of the Constitution.
Section 2
All other committees shall be considered as sub-committees of the above mentioned.
Section 3
The election committee shall be elected at the membership meeting held for the nomination of officers.
Section 4
All other standing committees and delegates to District Council shall be nominated and their election completed at the same time as the election of Local Union officers.
Section 5
The President shall convene such committee as soon after their election as practical for the purpose of electing a chairperson and secretary.
Section 6
A simple majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE 12 - ELECTIONS
Section 1
All elective positions or office in the Local Union shall be decided by secret ballot.
Section 2
All elections shall be under the supervision of the Election Committee. Where the membership has approved, the rules of the Election Committee may permit the Financial Secretary of the Local to be present at the poll at the time of voting for the purpose of guarding the records and books for which his office is responsible. And this is unobjectable even though the Financial Secretary is a candidate for re-election.
Section 3
Whenever there are unopposed candidates for Local Union Executive Office, such candidates shall be considered elected without the necessity of an election. Where runoff elections are necessary because a candidate for Local Union Executive Office fails to receive a majority vote, the runoff shall be confined to the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the office involved.
Section 4
Where alternate delegates etc., are required, these shall be selected from the order in which they polled in the election.
ARTICLE 13 - FINANCES
Section 1
Initiation fees, dues and reinstatement fees shall be the maximum as set forth in Article 16 of the Constitution.
Section 2
All expense accounts of the Local shall be approved by the Executive Board. The Financial Secretary-Treasurer shall pay current bills on order of the President. Bills involving time lost on union business shall be approved by the Executive Board.
Section 3
No contributions or donations shall be made either by the Local Union or the membership to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) should there be less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) in the Union treasury as shown in the current month’s bank balance.
Section 4
No contributions or donations shall be made in any one month without the recommendation of the Executive body to the membership at a membership meeting.
Section 5
Any member who is duly authorized to represent the Local Union at any convention etc., or to do any other Union business shall be compensated for and to the extent of actual lost time and wages. In the event that such member is not entitled to lost time, they will receive per diem and mileage where applicable.
Section 6
Such members shall further be allowed transportation expenses to and from the place of meeting and daily or other expenses as determined from time to time by the Local Union.
Section 7
Any member furnishing his car for the use of the Local Union shall be compensated for an amount not to exceed the current International policy, which at present is twenty-two cents per mile. Expenses for transportation is to be paid for the actual mode of transportation used. Mileage expense can only be paid to the driver of the automobile. The best means of transportation shall be decided by the Executive Board of the Local but the delegate has the right to use his automobile, if he so desires, with no extra cost involved for the Local. The actual cost of air fare NOT to exceed coach fare, or current mileage policy, whichever is more economical.
Section 8
Per diem expenses shall be hotel/motel … single room occupancy rate or ½ of a double room rate if shared with another member … plus UAW policy (plus exchange) for meals per day in Canada. In the event of travel in the U.S.A. the UAW policy for meals will be in effect.
Any member on union business which requires him to be away from home overnight shall be reimbursed for one telephone call to a maximum average of five minutes per day. Receipts must be submitted when applying for reimbursement.
Section 9
Any member required to perform duties for the Local Union for the day only will be paid in accordance with U.A.W. policy (plus exchange) for the day’s meals. For out of pocket expenses the following compensation will be paid monthly:
President - twenty dollars ($20.00) per week
Recording Secretary - twenty dollars ($20.00) per week
Financial Secretary - twenty dollars ($20.00) per week
Vice-President - twenty dollars ($20.00) per week
Unit Chairpersons - twenty dollars ($20.00) per month
This will be paid provided they attend the Executive Board meeting or are excused under Article 15, or on official union business at the time of the meeting.
The office of the President of U.A.W. Local 251 shall be a full time position. His salary will be $55,000 per year with a 3% increase on his salary starting in 1992 and a 3% increase on his salary every year after that. All benefits shall be maintained equal to those negotiated with the unit he originally came from, no gain, no loss.
Vacation Pay: Any full time officer who does not use up their vacation entitlement, on an annual basis will be paid in lieu of all unused vacation entitlement as per their Collective Agreement, June 30, of each year.
Section 10
Worker’s Compensation shall be provided to cover any Local 251 member who is on authorized Union business and such policy to cover any loss of earnings incurred trough an accident.
Section 11
All Executive Board members and all Committees performing Local Union business during a calendar day shall be exonerated from performing a regular day’s work in their respective place of employment. This shall apply only if the meeting lasts for four (4) hours in duration and this extends into an eight (8) hour period before their shift begins.
ARTICLE 14 - ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE
No member shall be eligible for election to any elective position in the Local Union until he has been in continuous good standing in the Local Union for one year immediately prior to nominations.
ARTICLE 15 - ATTENDANCE RULES
Section 1
All Executive Officers and other members of the Executive Board must attend two out of every three membership meetings and two out of every three Executive Board meetings, unless properly excused in order to continue to hold the respective office or position. The Local Union Executive committee shall constitute an excuse committee.
Section 2
All members of the Bargaining Committee (or Stewards Council) must attend two out of every three-membership meetings and two out of every three Bargaining Committee (or Stewards Council) Meetings, unless properly excused in order to continue to hold the respective office or position. The Unit Shop Committee shall constitute an excuse committee.
ARTICLE 16 - DELEGATE FROM LOCAL
Delegates to International and National conventions and District Council, shall be chosen in accordance with the provisions of the International Constitution. Units shall democratically elect delegates to Council, Conferences, etc.
ARTICLE 17 - ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business shall be in accordance with Article 42 of the Constitution.
ARTICLE 18 - APPEALS
Section 1
All charges against a member of the Union with the violation of any of the provisions of the Constitution of the International Union, or with conduct unbecoming a member of the Union, must be made in writing and signed by the member making the charges.
Section 2
Charges against members and the trial of such members shall be made in conformity with the Constitution of the International Union.
ARTICLE 19 - STRIKES
All strikes shall be called or terminated only in strict conformance with Article 50 of the International Constitution.
ARTICLE 20 - ELECTION OF UNION STEWARDS AND COMMITTEEPERSONS AND DELEGATES
Section 1
An election committee shall be elected by the local union at a regular or a specially called meeting for that purpose not later than the day on which nominations will be held. A list of nominees shall be available to the membership.
Section 2
Notice to all members containing the time and place of nominations and elections shall be posted seven (7) days in advance of the date of such unit meeting.
Section 3
At least fifteen (15) days shall elapse between the notice of nomination and date of the election.
Section 4
Any member nominated to a position as a unit officer, committeeperson or steward must accept in writing and return this acceptance to the Election Committee by acceptance deadline, three (3) regular scheduled work days, before his name can appear on the official ballot unless acceptance is acknowledged at the nomination meeting.
Section 5 (see above)
The unit chairperson or the committee chairperson must be elected by the unit membership, subject to the terms of their collective agreement and unit bylaws.
Section 6
Polling places must be open a sufficient number of hours on one (1) or more days to allow all members to vote.
Section 7
No member shall be eligible for election as a unit officer or steward or committeeperson until he has become a member in good standing in his unit prior to nominations, except in the case of a newly organized unit of this local union.
Section 8
Unit officers, stewards and committeepersons shall be elected by a majority of votes cast for the respective office.
Section 9
The appointment of delegates to the U.A.W. Convention and their voting strength and the manner of their election shall be as provided for the International Constitution.
Section 10
Any unit of this local union who affiliates with a National of Corporate or Joint Council will nominate and elect delegates as outlined for the nomination and election of unit officers in this Article.
Section 11
The President, of this Local Union 251, U.A.W., by virtue of his office, shall be a delegate to all conventions and conferences, and may attend as observer at all U.A.W. International Conventions.
ARTICLE 21 - GENERAL
Section 1
All Local Union officers, committees, stewards and other members handling funds or other property of the Union shall, at the completion of their duties, turn over all paper, documents, funds and/or Union property to the proper constituted Local Union officers.
Section 2
Wherever in this Bylaws a pronoun is used, it refers equally, where the reference is applicable, to both men and women in the singular and in the plural.
ARTICLE 22 - WELFARE
Section 1
The following services shall be provided by the Welfare Committee:
If a member or a member of his immediate family dies the Local will bear the expense of a bible.
For the purpose of clarification, immediate family as referred to in (a) shall mean current spouse, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, children, brother, sister, step-parents, step-children, step-brother, step-sister, grandparents, and grandchildren of the member.
ARTICLE 23 - PRESIDENT’S POWER TO ENTERTAIN
The Local President shall have the authority to spend an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the purpose of affording hospitality to any International Officer or Officer of the Union, or members of the International Union from any District, and Unions within the area of Wallaceburg who are here on official Union business.
This grant is made and can only be allowed if the Executive Board of the Local does not have a chance to meet before such an occasion.
However if the Executive Board does have an opportunity to meet, it shall set the amount to be allowed, which may be more or less than the figures mentioned herein. Any amounts spend shall be presented to the membership in a completely itemized form by the Financial Secretary of the Local, as submitted to him by the Local President.
ARTICLE 24 - AMENDMENTS
Section 1
These Bylaws and all amendments thereto shall be submitted to the International Secretary for presentation to the International Executive Board for approval.
Section 2
These Bylaws shall be amended, altered or revised only if conformity with the following procedure:
A resolution or motion in writing, calling for amendment, alteration or revision, shall be presented and read to a regular membership meeting. It must be seconded by a member other than the mover.
The resolution or motion shall then be referred to the Bylaws Committee and shall be read out at the next regular membership meeting, together with the recommendation of the committee.
A vote shall then be taken on the recommendations of the Bylaws Committee, and it shall require a two thirds (2/3) vote of those voting for adoption.
Section 3
The Bylaws of the Local Union shall at all times be subordinate and subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the International Union as it now exists, or may from time to time hereafter be altered or amended, and in the event of any conflict, the Constitution of the International Union shall govern.
ARTICLE 25 - LEASES & LONG TERM AGREEMENTS
No agent or official of the Local Union is authorized to execute a real estate lease, deed, service or maintenance contract or other long-term agreement unless the proposed agreement has been reviewed by an outside expert or attorney and approved by the Local Union Executive Board.