NABET Local 18 - By-laws

LOCAL BY-LAWS
Local No. 18
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
BY-LAWS

Submitted:_______________
Approved: November 16, 1995
/s/John S. Clark
John S. Clark
Sector President

ARTICLE II
1.1
The name of the Local shall be Local #18 of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians - the Broadcasting and Cable Television Workers Sector of the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, CIO.

1.2
The jurisdiction of the Local shall be prescribed by the charter.

ARTICLE II
2.1
The Local shall be composed of workers eligible for membership in the International Union, National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians - the Broadcasting and Cable Television Workers Sector of the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, CLC over whom the Local is granted jurisdiction by the International Union.

2.2
Eligibility for and acceptance into the Local Union shall be governed as set forth in Article II of the International Constitution.

2.3
New member applications shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the Local Executive Board. Full payment of the International dues for the current quarter year shall accompany each application. Payment of initiation fee and other fees shall be as stated in Article IV.

2.4
The rights and duties of members of the Local shall be as outlined in Article II, Section 2.4 and 2.5 of the International Constitution.

2.5
A membership card shall be provided to each member of the Local as long as he or she is a member '~in good standing' in accordance with these By-Laws.

2.6
No member of this Local shall be in good standing who is:
    (a) Under penalties of the International Union or Local #18.
    (b) In arrears of dues, or in performance of duties, as set forth in Article XV of the International Constitution.

2.7
A member not in good standing shall not be deemed eligible to attend meetings, to hold office or to be a candidate for office as set forth in Article XV of the International Constitution.

2.8
When a member is accepted into NABET-CWA, the Secretary and Treasurer, together with the Steward involved, shall see that the member is supplied with, as soon as possible, a current copy of the International Constitution, the Local By-Laws and the applicable contract, and his or her NABET-CWA Membership Card.

2.9
It shall be the duty of all members to be familiar with the International Constitution and Local By-Laws, particularly those portions dealing with dues and penalties.

2.10
Inactive membership shall be available as provided in Section 2.10 of the International Constitution.

2.11
Any member, who shall violate any provision of the International Constitution or the Local Bylaws, or who shall be guilty of conduct detrimental to the advancement and purpose of the Union, or reflects discredit upon it, shall be subject to expulsion, fines or reprimand in the manner provided in Article X of the International Constitution.

2.12
Shop Stewards - The Local shall be composed of the following groups:
    (a) The WGBH and WGBX TV Engineers.
    (b) The WGBH FM Engineers.
    (c) Freelance Engineers and Technicians.

The WGBH and WGBX-TV Engineers shall be entitled to two (2) Stewards who will hold the office of Steward both within the group and on the Local Executive Board. Freelance Engineers and Technicians shall be entitled to one (1) Steward who will hold the office of Steward both within the group and on the Local Executive Board.

In the event that other groups are formed into the membership of Local #18 or in the event that the existing groups become reclassified, the Local Executive Board shall be obligated to recommend to the general membership necessary changes and/or additions to amend this Article in order to maintain group representation consistent with the spirit of this Article.

ARTICLE III
3.1
A GENERAL MEMBERSHIP meeting shall be held at least twice a year. The time and place of the meetings shall be posted at least thirty (30) days prior to the meetings. ALL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND, except those members actually working or those members with a valid excuse for non-attendance. Those members absent without a valid excuse may be fined the sum of up to ten dollars ($10.00). Validity of excuse shall be determined by a majority vote of the Local Executive Board.

3.2
A quorum for a general membership meeting shall be considered:
(a) For a meeting called with thirty (30) days notice, those members in good standing, who are present.
(b) For a meeting called with forty-eight (48) hours notice, twenty percent (20%) of those members eligible to vote.

3.3
Special meeting may be called at the discretion of the Local President, or by a majority of the Local Executive Board, or upon the presentation of a petition signed by no less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the Local in good standing, provided, however that at least forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be given to the membership of such a meeting. It is also provided further that no business shall be acted upon at any special meeting except that concerning which the membership has received notice.

3.4
All meetings shall be conducted under Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised.

ARTICLE IV
4.1
(a) The initiation fee may be waived by vote of the Local Executive Board, when a new group enters Local #18.
(b) The Local initiation fee shall be equivalent to one (I) week's salary paid at the highest regular rate (top scale) for each contract.

By request to the Local Treasurer, up to six (6) months may be used for payment. The Local Executive Board shall have final approval of all extended payments.

4.2
International dues shall be levied in conformance with Article XII, Section 2 of the International Constitution.

4.3
Dues to the International office shall be one and two-thirds percent (1 2/3%) of gross earnings per member, per month. Payments to the International shall be under the Dues Rebate System. Payments to the International Defense Fund shall be in the amount set forth in the International By-Laws. The Local Treasury shall operate on monies refunded by the International under the Dues Rebate System as well as other income such as initiation fees, fines and special assessments as they may occur. Any changes in the dues structure shall be made only after the approval of such changes by a majority vote by secret ballot of the Local membership. All such monies shall be retained by the Local Treasury and shall be handled as directed by the Local Executive Board.

4.4
Expenses - Local Officers
The following Local Officers shall receive payment of miscellaneous unaccountable expense monies according to the following formula:

Local President . . . . . .$225.00 per month
Local Vice President. . . . . . 100.00 per month
Local Treasurer . . . . . . 225.00 per month
Local Secretary . . . . . . 100.00 per month
Local Steward . . . . . . .50.00 per month

Local Officers, as well as all Local members, shall be reimbursed for all expenses undertaken in the course of their duties in Local #18, as approved by the minutes of the Executive Board.

4.5
The rate of fees, dues, and assessments other than those provided in Sections 4.3 and 4.4 above shall not be changed except by majority vote, by secret ballot, of those members in good standing at a general or special membership meeting after notice of the intention to vote upon such a question has been issued by the Local Secretary.

4.6
Penalties may be imposed on members found disloyal to the Local or to the International Union. Disloyalty such as strike breaking, violation of contract, Union ethics, and violations of Local or International By-Laws shall be dealt with in accordance with Article X of the International Constitution.

4.7
A fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be assessed against any NABET-CWA member of Local #18, or any other penalty deemed necessary by the Executive Board, each time he/she crosses a sanctioned NABET-CWA Picket Line, without permission of the Local President.

ARTICLE V
5.1
The Local Union shall have the following Executive Officers:

President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary

5.2
The duties and powers of the Local Executive Officers shall be outlined in Article VIII, Section 8.11 of the NABET-CWA Bylaws, in addition to any other duties listed in the Local By-Laws.

5.3
In the event of a prolonged illness, disqualification, or resignation of the President, the Vice President shall assume the office and duties of the President for the remainder of the Presidential term or until such time as the President is again able to fulfill the office.

5.4
(a) No one holds an Executive Board position on another Labor Organization with similar jurisdiction to NABET-CWA shall hold office on the Executive Board.
(b) No one who is a member of the management of an organization under contract to NABET-CWA shall hold office in Local #18.

ARTICLE VI
6.1
The Local Executive Board shall be composed of: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Stewards.

6.2
No alternates may be appointed for Executive Board members.

6.3
Regular Executive Board meeting shall be held monthly upon the call of the Local President or a majority of the members of the Executive Board, with one (1) week's written notice given. The Local President or a simple majority of the Local Executive Board may call a special emergency meeting of the Executive Board to cover a specific agenda with twenty-four (24) hours notice.

6.4
Minutes shall be taken of all Executive Board meetings and a copy of the minutes shall be given or mailed to each member of the Local Executive Board within fourteen (14) days of the meeting, then upon approval forwarded to the International President, the International Secretary/Treasurer, and the Regional Vice President.

6.5
A quorum for the Executive Board shall be defined as being a simple majority of the members of the Board. There shall be no individual polling of the Executive Board members in arriving at a decision apart from an Executive Board meeting.

6.6
The alternate Stewards are invited to all Local Executive Board meetings, where they may speak but have no vote.

ARTICLE VII
7.1
The Local Executive Board shall decide on the composition of each shop. The shop shall elect its own Steward(s) and alternate Steward(s) at the annual election. Within ten (10) days of the election the Stewards shall elect one (1) of themselves as Chief Steward.

7.2
The Shop Stewards may not hold any other Executive Board positions while serving as Stewards.

7.3
In the event of the resignation, inability to act or extended absence of the elected Steward, the alternate shall succeed to the office of regular Steward for the shop he or she represents and a successor to the alternate Steward position shall be appointed by the Local Executive Board. An appointed or assistant Steward shall be replaced by election to be held within thirty (30) days of the original vacancy.

The duties of a Steward shall be as follows:
    (a) To become thoroughly familiar with all of the provisions of the shop's contract and to thoroughly investigate all grievances.
    (b) To be completely familiar with grievance procedures.
    (c) To receive complaints and grievances of the shop members and to make every effort in conformity with the grievance procedures to satisfactorily adjust and settle all grievances.
    (d) To see that all Local members under his/her jurisdiction remain in good standing with the Union.
    (e) To investigate all accidents and injuries in the shop and make a written report to the Executive Board.
    (f) To accompany and/or represent a shop member in a meeting with management, if requested by that member.

7.5
On remotes involving more than four (4) persons the shop's Chief Steward shall appoint a temporary Steward.

ARTICLE VIII
8.1
Elections
Elections for Local President, Local Treasurer, Freelance Shop Steward and one FM Shop Steward shall be held by October 15th of each year which is not divisible by two (2)(odd years).

Elections for Local Vice President, Local Secretary, and two TV Engineering Shop Stewards shall be held by October 15th of each year which is divisible by two (2)(even years).

All Local Officers shall take office on November 1st immediately following their election or as soon thereafter as they may be certified by the Official Ballot Committee and the Local Executive Board.

8.2
All Local Executive Board members shall hold office for two (2) years. But, in each case, they shall hold office unless removed from office by recall under the provisions of Article VIII, Section 8.16 of the International Constitution, resign, or until. their successors are elected and certified.

8.3
Nominating Committee
    (a) The Local Executive Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee by September 1st of each year.
    (b) A Nominating Committee shall solicit nominees and check on their willingness to serve if elected to Local office. Candidates' names may be submitted to the Nominating Committee by the candidates themselves or by any other member of Local #18 or by the Nominating Committee.

8.4
Election Rules
    (a) If a candidate receives a simple majority of the votes cast on the first (1st) ballot, he or she shall be declared elected." If no candidate has been elected on the first (1st) ballot, then a second (2nd) ballot shall be issued. This second (2nd) ballot shall bear the names of the two (2) candidates who received the greatest number of the votes, cast in the first (1st) ballot. The candidate receiving the majority of the votes cast on this second (2nd) ballot shall be declared elected. Should the second (2nd) ballot end in a tie, then a third (3rd) ballot shall be issued. If the third (3rd) ballot should end in a tie also, then the election shall be determined by lot in a manner to be determined by the Local Executive Board. In the event, that any Local Executive Board Officer is up for election uncontested, the single nominee, or incumbent as the case may be, shall be declared elected and there shall be no secret ballot.

8.5
The elections shall be held by secret ballot. The secret ballot shall consist of a ballot, a plain marked envelope and a second envelope, which is addressed to either the Local secretary or to the Chairperson of the Election Committee, and which bears the name and address of the person casting the ballot in the upper left hand corner of the envelope. Upon receipt of the ballot, the person who is. an eligible voter shall mark the ballot, seal it in the unmarked envelope and then place this inside the envelope, which has the voter's name and address on it and seal the same. The envelope may be turned over to the Shop Steward or mailed to the person named for receipt in the ballot instructions. Each ballot shall show the issuing date, directions for including the name and address of the person to whom the ballot is to be delivered or mailed, as well as any other pertinent information.

8.6
The ballots must be counted and the results posted within five (5) days of the due date of the ballot. Before opening any ballots, the Election Committee shall verify the names on the upper left hand corner of the outside envelopes and check each name with the eligibility list, provided by the Local Treasurer, to ascertain that only qualified members in good standing have voted. Also before opening the ballots, the Election Committee shall use all possible diligence to determine if all members eligible to vote have returned their ballots, and to check with any members whose vote is not received by the due date, to make certain that the member had an opportunity to vote.

8.7
Any member in good standing may challenge the eligibility of any election, by making a written complaint, to the Executive Board within thirty (30) days of the due date of the ballots. The Executive Board shall act with dispatch on any such complaint and shall make a full investigation of the charges and report to the Local membership in writing.

8.8
The Election Committee or the Local Secretary, shall retain all ballots and the envelopes pertaining thereto, separately, for a period of one (1) year, minimum, after the due date of the election ballots. If no written complaints pertaining to the election have been filed, within this time, then all the ballots shall be destroyed, along with the envelopes. Current labor laws determine the holding time for ballots and envelopes in any case.

ARTICLE IX
9.1
Every Local Officer or any other elected official or appointed person who may handle Local funds, dues, fees, or fines, shall be bonded by at least ten percent (10%) of the total funds handled by his/her predecessor(s), if any, during the preceding fiscal year. No bond shall be placed through an agent, broker, or surety company, in which any labor organization or any Officer, Agent, Steward, or other representative or a labor organization has any direct or indirect interest. Such surety company shall be a corporate surety, which holds a grant of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury.

9.2
All Local By-Laws are subject to any applicable legislation.

9.3
Annual Audit
Local #18, during the month of July each year shall have an annual audit of books, records, and accounts as of the close of the fiscal year on the preceding June 30th, and such audit shall be certified by a Public Accountant.

9.4
Purchases
    (a) The Local Executive Board shall approve all bills for payment.
    (b) All checks drawn on the Local #18 Treasury shall be signed by the Local President, Vice President or Secretary and countersigned by the Local Treasurer.
    (c) The Executive Board may submit for approval at the annual meeting immediately following elections an annual budget.

9.5
An observer may be sent to the Union Convention by Local #18 and the Local Treasury shall bear such expense.

9.6
It shall be an additional duty of the Local President and the Local Secretary to see that the following items are available at all general membership and executive board meetings.
    (a) A copy of the International Constitution and By-Laws.
    (b) A copy of the Local By-Laws.
    (c) Copies of all contracts in force in the Local.
    (d) A copy of Roberts' Rules of Order, newly revised.

9.7
Business shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts' Rules of Order, newly revised, except where superseded by the International Constitution and By-Laws.

9.8
For removal of any Officers, refer to Article VIII, Section 8.16 of the International Constitution and By-Laws.

9.9
The Local Executive Board shall investigate fully, when an Officer of Local #18 is considered unable to act in his or her office. The Local Executive Board shall determine the facts and recommend to the general membership the disposition of the said investigation.