THE FOLOWING ARE THE RULES OF CWA LOCAL 7011. THE ORIGINAL RULES WERE ADOPTED BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS PRESENT AT A MEMBERSHIP MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 10, 1989.
A Replacement of the Rules was voted on at the November 13, 2001 membership meeting
General . .. .
1. New rules
2. Motions
Financial Policy ..
1. Local Financial Records .
2. Authorized Expenditures .
3. Administrative Expenditures ..
a. Bereavement : .
b. Pagers. ..
c. Cell Phones .. .
d. Retiree expenditures .
e. Strike Fund
4. Personal Expenditures . .. ..
5. Out of Town Expenses . . . .
a. Lost Wages . . . ..
b. Lodging .. .
c. Transportation . . ..
d. Per Diem . .
5.1 Responsibility for Travel .. .. .
5.2 Cash Advances for Travel .. .. .
6. In Town Expenses . ....
7. Wages, Allowances ..
DUTIES AND MEETINGS .. .
1. Area Reps and Stewards Monthly Duties ..
2. Local Meetings .. .
a. Area Reps and Stewards .. . .
b. Outlying Areas & Informational .. . .
c. Membership Meetings .
ELECTION OF LOCAL OFFICERS
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1. New rules may be adopted or the present rules may be changed by a majority of the members present at a membership meeting provided the proposed new rule was introduced at a previous membership meeting.
2. Motions (except Executive Board Recommendations), which result in a financial outlay from the Local treasury, shall automatically be referred to the Local Executive Board for study and recommendation. All such referred questions shall be put to the membership for a vote at the next scheduled regular membership meeting. In the event there is not a quorum for membership meeting, the recommendations of the Executive Board will stand.
Local financial records of expenditures shall be maintained in the local files. All expenditures that have been paid shall be separated and filed on a monthly basis. Financial records shall include monthly expenditures, journal/ledgers; check book stubs, bank statements and copies of local monthly financial report. These records shall be maintained for a period of not less than seven (7) years. All Financial Records must be maintained and remain at the Local except when taken for a formal audit by an E-Board approved CPA.
Authorized expenditures are those, which are reflected, in specific line items of the Local Budget, this Policy, or those other expenditures, which have been approved, in advance, by the membership of the Local. All transactions shall be made by check. All checks shall bear the signature of the President and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Local.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare for the Presidents approval and signature, checks that are to be drawn on the Local Treasury. All expenditures must be authorized and submitted on the appropriate voucher.
Administrative expenditures are those such as but not limited to rent, telephone, supplies, taxes, affiliation dues and which are normal and customary to the operation of the Local Union.
A. Bereavement :
1. Bibles: (All sectors excluding Broadcast)
Members shall be entitled to a gift of 2 bibles from the local in the event of a death in their immediate family. Immediate family includes: Parents, grandparents, spouse, or significant other, siblings, children, grandchildren, mother-in-law and father-in-law.
2. Assistance to Members for Deaths: (Broadcast Sector Only)
A member is entitled to fifty dollars ($50.00) bereavement aid towards the loss of a family member. Immediate family as used in the Article shall include the members legal spouse or domestic partner, child, mother, father, sister, brother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandmother, grandfather, and grandchild
B. Pagers: Pagers will be supplied to any Officer that needs one. The Local will pay no more than $15.00 per month for each pager.
C. Cell Phones: Cell phones will be supplied to each Officer that needs one. The Local will pay no more than $60.00 per month for each cell phone except for the Presidents cell phone that will not exceed more than $120.00 per month. The Local will pay the monthly plan and local calls. The Officer incurring the charge must pay for any other charges. This includes but is not limited to Long Distance, Roaming and Directory Assistance. A one-time set up fee, phone charge and activation fee will be paid for by the Local.
D. Retiree Expenditures: Each member who retires from a Company represented by this Local will be entitled to have their 1st years dues paid for membership to the Official Local 7011 Retiree Club along with a metal lifetime membership card.
E. Strike Fund: The amount of $800.00 per month will be deposited into an interest bearing account or CD designated as the strike fund.
Local representatives who have incurred personal expenses for purchasing authorized Union expenditures shall be reimbursed such expenses. These expenditures must be properly submitted on a Local Expense Voucher (H-100) with the proper receipts attached to support the expenditures.
When Local representatives are authorized to attend conventions, conferences, and meetings, only the following expenses shall be authorized to be paid:
A. Lost Wages: The representatives actual lost wages based on the representatives work schedule.
B. Lodging: The Representatives actual expense (receipt required) incurred for hotel accommodations.
C. Transportation: The representative shall receive either a personal car allowance in the amount currently allowed by the Internal Revenue Service/IRS per mile or reimbursed actual expense (receipt required) for commercial travel.
D. Per Diem: Local representatives shall receive $40.00 for meals and miscellaneous for each 24-hour period.
5.1 RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
A travel Committee established by the President shall be responsible for making all arrangements for all Representatives authorized to attend conventions, conferences and meetings. These arrangements shall include hotel or motel accommodations, the mode of transportation to be used, taking into account the reasonableness of accommodations; length of time the representative will be away from home, the distance to be traveled and economy to the Local.
5.2 CASH ADVANCES FOR TRAVEL:
Checks covering anticipated expenses excluding lost wages shall be provided to Local representatives authorized to conduct Union business. All advances for expenses must be submitted on a Voucher and the proper receipts shall be given to the Secretary-Treasurer at the conclusion of the Union business.
When Local representatives are authorized to attend conventions, conferences and meetings, only the following expenses shall be authorized to be paid:
A. Lost Wages: The Representatives actual lost wages based on the Representatives work schedule.
President $215.00
Executive VP $182.00
Secretary-Treasurer $182.00
Vice President (s) $182.00
Area Representatives $45.00
Stewards $22.50
1. Since this allowance is intended to offset expenses incurred during the performance of their duties, the Executive Board may withhold allowances from the individual representatives when it is determined that their duties are not being performed.
2. All allowance vouchers must be current as there will be no reimbursement for allowances over 90 days old.
B. LOST WAGES WILL BE PAID IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER BASED ON THE EMPLOYEES NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE
1. Local Officers:
Shall be allowed up to 5 days per month for the purpose of performing duties as outlined in the Local Bylaws. This includes the day set aside to meet as the Executive Board. Additional time may only be granted upon prior approval of the President. No local officer will become full-time.
May be granted paid Union time only with prior approval from the President.
3. Committees:
a. The Audit Committee may be allowed up to 4 hours per month for the purpose of auditing the financial records. The President must approve any other time in advance.
b. The Election Committee will be reimbursed actual lost wages according to their normal work schedule. The President must approve all time in advance.
c. All other Committees should meet on their own time. However, if the circumstances warrant paid time, the President must approve any paid time in advance.
Work location lists should be handed in every month. Lists are due by the General Meeting every second Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm. If there are no changes, lists should still be turned in with the current date entered. Please, put an asterisk (*) by the new changes. These lists should include: Name of Stewards, members, non-members, supervisor, work location, titles, addresses and phone numbers.
2. Enlist New Members:
If there is a new employee or non-member in your work area, it is your responsibility to check their membership and dues status. If they are not a member or paying dues, you need to educate them on Union Membership and have them fill out a dues deduction card and membership application, If the person refuses, the Vice President of your group should be notified immediately.
3. Other Duties:
To work with the Stewards in your area, (if any) and ensure the Stewards duties are covered. The President or your Vice-President may assigned other duties.
4. Union Programs:
In order to build the Union and promote Solidarity among our members, it is imperative that each representative promote the Union and Local programs. This would include Mobilization activities like: Red T-Shirt Thursday, Get Out the Vote, etc.
C. Job Stewards
1. Work Location Lists:
Update work locations lists monthly and turn them in to your Area Representative prior to monthly meetings.
2. Bulletin Boards:
Make sure the bulletin boards in you area or building are kept current with all information from the Local.
3. Forms:
It is your responsibility to have all on hand for the people in your area. These would include, but not limited to, grievance forms, record requests, membership forms, COPE forms and blue sheets.
4. Union Programs:
In order to build the Union and promote Solidarity among our members, it is imperative that each representative promote the Union and Local programs. This would include Mobilization activities such as: Red T-Shirt Day, Get Out the Vote, etc.
2. MEETINGS AND GRIEVANCES:
Area Representatives and Stewards
Must keep their Vice President informed about all meetings they are attending on behalf of the Local. They are also responsible for letting the Vice President know about any work group issues within their department.
Area Representatives and Stewards
In the event you are ill and need to be excused, you must contact your VP PRIOR TO THE MEETING ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH. No one will be excused after the fact.
1. Stewards Meetings may be held each month with their Vice President.
1. At the discretion of the Executive Board and upon request of the members in the Outlying Areas, informational meetings may be held in various outlying towns.
1. No one will be allowed to attend Union meetings other than Local 7011 members, their family, and special guests such as political or other speakers.
2. The Local President may appoint a Sergeant-At-Arms to assist him/her in maintaining decorum at each regular or special meeting.
3. No alcoholic beverages shall be allowed anywhere on the premises during meetings. Members not complying or acting in a disorderly manner will be removed from the hall.
4. There will be no smoking in the Union Hall during membership meetings.
1. Elections shall be held in the month of October of each election year by a mailed secret ballot referendum of the membership
2. Only members in good standing, with a signed membership card, may vote. Those members names will appear on the Voter Eligibility List. The list shall be furnished by the Secretary-Treasurer.
3. A majority of votes cast for a candidate in any office shall determine the winner. Should no candidate receive a majority of the votes cast, a run-off election shall be held in the month of November by a mailed secret ballot referendum of the membership. The names of the candidates appearing on the run-off ballot shall be only those who placed first and second in receiving the highest number of votes.
4. Write-in voting shall not be permitted.
5. The names of candidates on the ballot shall appear in alphabetical order.
6. Duplicate ballots shall be issued only when requested by the
member by contacting the Local by telephone or appearing in
person. A list of members requesting duplicate ballots, with their
social security number and address shall be maintained by the
Local secretary and provided to the Election Committee. Duplicate
ballot envelopes shall be stamped as such. A member of the
election committee will mail the requested duplicate ballot.
C. BALLOT COUNTING PROCEDURES:
1. The Local Union will have made arrangements with the United State Post Office for receipt of membership ballots. On the designated day, at least two (2) members of the Election Committee shall obtain the ballots from the Post Office and return to the place for which the counting of ballots was determined.
2. The Election Committee shall first place in alphabetical order all ballot envelopes it has received and check off each against the voter eligibility list. Where a member has returned more than one ballot, the ballot bearing Duplicate shall be counted.
3. The Election Committee will then open all returned envelopes.
4. The Election Committee will then open and remove all ballot envelopes from the returned envelopes and separate these so that ballot envelopes may not be associated with the outer envelopes.
5. The Election Committee shall then open the ballot envelopes and begin counting. This election process shall be completed without recess.
6. After the ballots for all offices have been counted, the Election Committee shall place the results of the election on forms provided for this purpose after which the Local shall cause a tentative certification of results to be posted on all bulletin boards of the Local the following day.
7. Absent a challenge to the election, the tentative certification shall become final ten (10) days thereafter.
8. Any challenge to the conduct of an election must be filed in writing with the Election Committee within ten (10) days of the tentative certification of the results.
9. The Election Committee shall rule on any such challenges and shall, within twenty (20) days of the tentative certification of the results, make a final determination of certification, which it shall cause to be published on all Local bulletin boards.
10. The Election Committee shall turn over to the Local Secretary-Treasurer all records, including eligibility lists, used and unused ballots, tally sheets, etc. These materials shall be sealed and safeguarded for a period of one (1) year from the date of the election after which the Secretary-Treasurer and the Chair of the Election Committee shall destroy the entire record.
11. Each candidate may observe the election counting process or may designate another member in his/her place or seat.
CWA Local 7011 Campaign Rules For Union Office
1. Campaigning must only be done on your personal time. All Company excused
time, whether paid or unpaid including UANN is allowed. ALL time spent
campaigning must be recorded by each individual and submitted weekly to the
Secretary-Treasurer by voucher with the dates and times.
2. Union/Employer funds and resources of any type may not be used to support
the candidacy of any person in a Union officer election (including campaigning
on Union Time by Union officials).
3. The voter eligibility list may be inspected by a candidate, one time only, prior
to the mail out of the ballots, while accompanied by a member of the election
committee. The list may not be copied, removed from the hall, or compared to
any other list.
4. Campaigning is only permitted on public property. Campaigning, including the
distribution of campaign literature, within any structure where Union members
are employed is strictly prohibited.
5. Campaign literature mail-out: The use of the CWA, NABET logo on campaign
literature is permitted and is available at the hall. Upon request, each candidate
is entitled to have their campaign literature distributed to the membership by the
Union at the candidates expense (postage, cost of labels, and local union
secretarys expense). Please consult the time line for the deadline, as there will
be no exceptions.
Candidates may send their flyers together to save on expenses.
The candidates are to have their flyers printed prior to arriving at the hall. The
flyers must be prepared for delivery, the postage pre-paid while in the presence
of a member of the Election Committee and remain at the hall. A member of the
Election Committee will be responsible for delivering the flyers to the Post
Office.
Any candidate desiring the assistance of the Locals secretary must schedule a
time to work with her outside normal business hours, presently Monday-Friday
9AM-3PM. Each candidate will be required to reimburse the secretary for her
assistance at her current hourly rate and any other miscellaneous expenses.
6. Candidates are entitled to have no more than two observers at the ballot mail out
or ballot counting. Candidates are required to notify the Election Committee of
the identity of their observers prior to the counting of the ballots.
7. If you have any questions that require a ruling, an interpretation or desire a
clarification during the campaign you must contact a member of the election
committee from the phone list. Upon receipt of your question, you will receive a
verbal answer within 24 hours, followed by a written response in the mail. A
letter with your question and our response will be sent to all other candidates.
8. If you desire to file a challenge, please contact a member of the election
committee. A challenge must have in writing: allegations, specific dates, times,
and witnesses.
Verbal challenges are not acceptable. Arrangements to personally receive your
challenge will be made. Do not fax it to the hall.
The above rules are not all inclusive. The Election Committee, with the approval of the Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management, may change them as the need arises.
AMENDED 02-12-92
AMENDED 08-13-92
AMENDED 11-10-92
AMENDED 02-08-94
AMENDED 06-14-94
AMENDED 08-08-95
AMENDED 01-09-97
AMENDED 11-13-2001
AMENDED 04-16-2003
AMENDED 06-10-2003
AMENDED 07-08-2003
AMENDED 10-14-2003