Purposed Bylaws LOCAL UNION 640 UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA Affiliated with AFL-CIO ARTICLE I ARTICLE II ARTICLE III ARTICLE IV ARTICLE V ARTICLE VI ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VIII ARTICLE IX ARTICLE X ARTICLE XI ARTICLE XII ARTICLE XIII NAME AND AFFILIATION OBJECTS MEMBERSHIP OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, AND VOTING PROCEDURES DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS MEETINGS COMMITTEES SALARIES AND EXPENSES CHARGES AND TRIALS OATHS AMENDMENTS ORDER OF BUSINESS PAGE 2 PAGE 2 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 6 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 7 PAGE 7 ARTICLE I NAME AND AFFILIATION Section 1. This organization shall be known as Local #640 of the Utility Workers Union of American, AFL-CIO (thereinafter known as the Local). ARTICLE II OBJECTS Section 1. To unite in this Local, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin, all workers eligible for membership except members of the Communist party or any organization subversive to the United States or sympathizers thereof. Section 2. Through united action, to protect, maintain, and advance the common interests of the members, to create better working conditions, to promote higher standards of living, and to secure legislation favorate to the members. Section 3. To secuire legislation safeguarding the economic security and social welfare of the workers in the industry, to protect and extend our democratic institutions and civil rights and liberties and thus to perpetuate the cherished traditions of our democracy. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1. The membership of this Local shall be comprised of employees who are engages in work in the territory over which this Local has been granted jurisdiction and who are eligible for membership under the Constitution of the Utility Workers of American, AFL-CIO. Section 2. All applicants for membership will be required to sign an application for membership card; pay any initiation fee or dues as established. Upon being received into the Local, membership shall be effective retroactive to the date the application was received by the Local. In order to facilitate the collection of dues, it shall be the policy of the Local to have all members subscribe to the practise of having their dues deducted from their paychecks. The initiation fee shall be $10.00. Dues shall be $6.00 per week. Section 3. In order that the Local may be governed by the democratic rule of the members, it shall be the duty of each member to attend, if possible, all of the regular and special meetings of the Local. Section 4. The membership of the Local shall vote on the question of ratification of any contract or contract renewal in the following manor: When the Bargaining Committe has an offer they determine warrants reporting to the members, a meeting of the membership shall be called as soon as practicable for the purpose of explanation. Voting upon ratification of the offer shall be by secret ballot; it shall take a majority to accept and ratify a contract offer. Section 5. The Local shall not call a strike unless the members have been notified of the consideration of such strike action at a special or regular meeting and the members at such meeting by a majority vote, approves strike action. No strike shall be called until the National Office is notified and the National President has given his sanction. The Local Officers, before requesting strike approval from the National President, are required to have membership approval of such strike action. Membership approval of strike authority may be taken prior to such negotiations. On being notified of a desire to strike, the National President or his representative shall immediately attempt to adjust the dispute between the Company and the Local and shall give further recommendation on procedure. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES Section 1. The officers of the Local shall be: a President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and three (3) Trustees. The foregoing shall constitute the Local Executive Board and shall be highest body of authority between Local meetings. Section 2. The termof office shall be a three year period for the President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and Trustees. Section 3. Stewards shall be elected by secret ballot by the members within their respective work groups for a two-year term. ARTICLE V NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, AND VOTING PROCEDURES Section 1. Any member in good standing is eligible for office unless excluded by these Bylaws, the National Constitution, or by federal or state laws. Members may not accept nomination for and/or hold more than one office. Section 2. Nominations for any aforementioned offices are to be made at the April meetings in the year the Office is to be filled, and the election will take place at the May meeting. Candidates for nominations must be present at the nomination meeting to accept nomination or must submit written notice of acceptance of nomination for one specific office within one week from the date of nomination. Section 3. Elections at the May meeting shall be by secret ballot; it shall require a plurality to elect. In the event of a tie vote, the election shall be decided by a flip of a coin. Section 4. Before the balloting begins, the President shall appoint two (2) tellers to distribute, pick up, and count the ballots cast in each election; they shall be charged with safe guarding the secrecy and honesty of the election process. Section 5. Absentee ballots shal be accepted from members in good standing who are unable to attend due to legitimate and acceptable reasons. Absentee ballots will be presented by the individual's Department Steward, with the name of the absent member on an outside envelope also stating the reason for this absence; the actual ballot shall be enclosed within a second envelope, which shall be unmarked and shall in no way reveal the identity of the voting member. All absentee ballots shall first be removed from the outer envelopes as a group. The unidentified second envelopes shall then be opened and the ballots counted with the reglar ballots. Section 6. The membership of the Local, in accordance with the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Acti of 1959 as amended, shall be notified of the pending nominations and elections of officers by mail at their last known address at least fifteen (15) days prior to the nominations and lections, and by posting on all approved bulletin board in the work places of all members at least fifteen (15) days prior to the nominations and elections. Section 7. In the event of a permanent vacancy in any office, it will be the duty of the Executive Board to order an election by the members to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term, provided that at the time more than ninety (90) days remain of the vacated term of office, otherwise, the office shall remain vacant until the next regular election. Section 8. The officers of the Local service as President, Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer when elected to office shall also be elected as Delegate to the National Union convention, and, in accordance with the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended, the nomination and election process for officer, including the notice of nominations and election and the voting ballots shall include "UWUA National Convention Delegate." Additonal Delegates and Alternatives shall be nominated and elected in the manner prescribed in the National Constitution. ARTICLE VI DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS Section 1. The President shall preside and preserve order at all meetings of the Local, enforce the rules, appoint special committees and Sergeant-at-Arms, and transact such other duties as are usual to the Office of President or that may be required of her/him by the Local. In the absence of the Secretary-Treasurer, he/shall be empowered to negotiate Local funds. He/She shall coordinate the work of all Committees and be an Ex-Officio member thereof, except the Nominations and Election Committee in the event he/she is a candidate for office or delegate. Section 2. The Vice President shall act as President in the absence of that Officer or in the event that a vacancy occurs in that Office until the vacancy is filled by election as provided in this Constitution and shall transact such other duties as are usual to the Office of Vice President or that may be required of her/him by the Local. Section 3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a true record of all Local meetings, he/she shall receive, receipt and account for all money passing through the Local. He/She shall furnish all supplies petaining to the Local, pay all bills authorized by the Local. He/She shall pay all per capita taxes to the National Union and all other federation affiliations. He/She shall deposit all monies in the bank within five (5) business days of receipt, and shall transact such other duties as are usual to the Office of Secretary-Treasurer or that may be required of her/him by the Local. Performance bonds shall be obtained to protect funds and performance in office. He/She shall keep a complete financial record and make a monthly report as to the Local's current financial condition. All dispursemets whenever practical shall be made by ceck. He/She shall have the audit of the financial books performed by the Trustees every six (6) months sent to the National Union Secretary-Treasurer. He/She shall cause to have filed with the Department of Labor the reports and information required by law. Section 4. The trustees shall audit the financial books and accounts of the Secretary-Treasurer semi-annually, verify the bank accounts of the Union, and report their findings at a Local meeting. Section 5. Any Officer, Executive Board Member or Steward who misses more than 3 general or special meetings of the Local in a calendar year, without an acceptable excuse, shall be removed from office and the vacancy filled in accordance with these Bylaws. ARTICLE VII MEETINGS Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The meetings of June, July, and August shall be waived and the necessary business of the Local will be conducted by the Executive Board; regular meetings will resume each year with the regular September monthly meeting. Section 2. Meetings will be called to order at 7:30p.m. and no business shall be transacted unless a quorum is present. A quorum shall consist of 15 members. Section 3. Notices of meetings shall be posted on approved bulletin boards of the various work locations. Section 4. Special meetings may be called by the President or by petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership. The call for a special meeting must state the business for which it is called and no business shall be transacted except for that which the meeting is called. Notices of sepcial meetings must be posted on approved bulletin boards at least three (3) business days prior to the date of that meeting. ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES Section 1. The standing committees shall consist of: A. Bargaining Committee B. Grievance Committee C. Organizing Committee D. Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee E. Nominations and Elections Committee The members of standing committees shall be appointed and may be removed by the President subject to the approval of the membership. The members of each standing committee shall elect a Chairman and a Secretary and report to the President and Executive Board and membership on their activities. The Bargaining Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer. The Grievance Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary Treasure and Steward of the Grievant's Department No candidates for office may service on the Nominations and Election Committee. ARTICLE IX SALARIES AND EXPENSES Section 1. The Local will compensate any member authorized to represent it on Union business for any lost time wages, meals, lodgings and transportation, including mileage for use of his/her personal vehicle. Lost time wages shall be limited to the standard eight (8) hour day, no overtime premiums shall be paid. Salaries and expenses shall be set by the General Membership. ARTICLE X CHARGES AND TRIALS Section 1. All charges and trials relative to members, officers, or elections shall be conducted in accordance with the National Constitution. ARTICLE XI OATHS Section 1. New members, before being admitted to full membership, shall make the following affirmation: "I, ________________, sincerly promise on my honor, that I will abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, and Local #640, and that I will protect and promote the interests of the Union and bear true and faithful allegiance to these principles at all times. I promise, on my honor, to faithfully live up to these promises as long as I remain a member of the Union." Section 2. Before entering upon the duties of their respective Offices, all newly elected officers shall make the following pledge: "I, ________________, do herby sincerely pledge, upon my honor, to perform the duties of my Office as required by the Constitution and Bylaws of this Local and the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO. I will deliver to my successor in office all books, papers, records, and other property of Local 640 that may be in my possession at the close of my official term." ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended at a propertly called meeting by a two-thirds vote at a properly annouced meeting, providing that the proposed amendments have been clearly read aloud and the preceding meeting. Section 2. These Bylaws and all amendments shall be sent to the National President for approval and shall note be in conflict with the National Constitution. ARTICLE XIII ORDER OF BUSINESS Section 1. The meeting shall be called to order by the Chairman and the order of business shall be as follows: A. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. B. Observation of a moment of silent prayer for past deceased members. C. Roll call of Officers. D. Reading of the previous meeting's minutes. E. Financial report. F. Reception of new members. G. Reading of communications. H. Report of Officers, Committees, and Delegates. I. Unfinished business. J. New business. K. Nominations, elections and obligations of Officers. L. Good and welfare of the Local. M. Adjournment. Section 2. The regular order of business may be suspended by two-thirds (2/3) vote at any time to dispose of anything urgent. Section 3. The following standing rules shall prevail at membership meetings, and may be suspended by a two-thirds vote. A. The maker of a motion shall, prior to stating the motion, identify him/herself by name. B. All substantive motions shall be submitted in writing, prior to their being made, and shall be signed by the maker. C. The maker of a motion shall be given the first opportunity to speak on that motion. D. After a motion has been made and seconded, and prior to debate, the motion must be restated by the chair. E. No member shall speak in debate longer than five minutes at one time, unless permission is granted by a majority of those voting. F. No member shall speak in a debate a second time unless all who wish to speak on the question have spoken. G. No member shall speak in debate more than twice to the same question during the same meeting, unless permission is granted by a majority of those voting. H. After debate has been closed and prior to voting, the motion must be restated by the chair. I. All votes shall be by a show of hands, except as provided for herein. J. A roll call vote shall be taken only after approval of a majority of those voting. The motion for a roll vall vote shall be out of order when a motion for a secret ballot is pending or has been adopted. K. A secret ballot vote shall be taken only after approval of a majority of those voting. L. A Division may be called for by one member or by the Chair; once called for, a new vote must be taken by the Chair. M. The Chair may call for a teller count if uncertain about the vote. A motion by a member for a teller count shall require a second and a majority of those voting. N. The motion to Reconsider any motion which may be reconsidered, must be made at the same meeting at which the original motion was made anda cted upon, any may only be made by a person who voted on the prevailing side. O. New business items shall be submitted in writing prior to the opening of New Business. P. New business items not acted upon or referred prior to the adjournment adjournment of the meeting will be the first items of New Business at the next regular meeting. Q. The Order of Business may be amended by a two-thirds vote. R. These Standing Rules may be suspended by a two-thirds vote. S. Non-voting members of guest shall be seated separately from voting members at meetings. T. Executive Session may be called by a majority of those voting. U. Points of Order may be made by any member, when appropriate, and the Chair shall make a ruling on the Point of Order. V. Appeals from the Decision of the Chair may be made by any member, when appropriate; the decision of the chair shall be upheld by a majority or a tie vote. Section 4. The rules contained in the current edition of Robet's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of the Local in all cases to which they are applicable provided they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws. CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE 1. ___________________________________ s/ 2. ___________________________________ s/ 3. ___________________________________ s/ 4. ___________________________________ s/ 5. ___________________________________ s/ Date ____________________________________ APROVED BY: _______________________________________ s/ National President _______________________________________ s/ Date