(Revised December 2008)
Download Word version of UEW 20147 Bylaws.
BY-LAW 1 Name and Headquarters
Section 1: This organisation shall be known as Local 20147, Union of Environment Workers.
Section 2: Headquarters shall be Vancouver, B.C.
BY-LAW 2 Aims and Objectives
Section 1: It shall be the objective of this Local to protect, maintain and advance the interests of the employees of the Government of Canada under its jurisdiction.
Section 2: This Local shall unconditionally subscribe to, and accept as its governing documents, the constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the By-laws of the Union of Environment Workers (also referred to as “the Component”).
Section 3: This Local shall support fully the Public Service Alliance of Canada in the furthering of its constitutional responsibility for the improvements and protection of wages, salaries and other terms of employment of all employees of the Government of Canada.
BY-LAW 3 Membership
Those eligible for membership shall be employees of Fisheries and Oceans Canada who are eligible for membership in the Union of Environment Workers (UEW). The jurisdiction of the Local may be assigned from time to time by the Union of Environment Workers.
BY-LAW 4 Membership Dues
Section 1: Membership dues for the Local shall not be less than the amount per capita fee and dues required by the constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the By-laws of the Union of Environment Workers as determined by the National Convention.
Section 2: The Local may increase the amount for dues to be deducted as authorized by a two- thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership in attendance at an annual meeting called for that purpose, and collected by the Union of Environment Workers in the manner prescribed by section 3 of By-Law 5 of the Component By-laws, providing one month notice of such intent has been given to the general membership. Such additional dues shall be rebated by the Component to the Local.
BY-LAW 5 Membership Responsibility
The By-laws affecting membership responsibility shall be as set forth in Component By-law 4.
BY-LAW 6 Local Officers
Section 1: The officers of this Local shall consist of a President, Vice-President (CO), Vice-President (CP), Vice-President (PA), Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Safety Officer, Safety Officer and the past President. The term of office for all officers shall be two years. The Vice-President (CO), Vice-President (PA), Safety Officer, and Recording Secretary shall be elected bi-annually by elections held in even years. The President, Vice-President (PA), Treasurer, Chief Safety and Health Officer, and Secretary shall be elected bi-annually by elections held in odd years. Such officers shall be elected at general membership meetings of the Local.
Section 2: The Local shall elect Shop Stewards having regard to the plan of organisation, distribution of employees at the workplace, and the administrative structure implied by the grievance procedure.
Section 3: Vacancies on the Executive of the Local shall be filled by appointment through a simple majority vote at a special or regular general meeting of the membership.
Section 4: The President shall preside at all meetings and shall be responsible for the efficient and proper conduct of the Local.
Section 5: Any of the three Vice-Presidents, in the temporary absence of the President, shall carry out the duties of the President and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President. Should the President be unable to function in their role for an extended period, a vote will be taken among the executive to elect an interim president. The interim President shall serve until the return of the President-elect or until the next Annual General Meeting where an election shall be held among the membership.
Section 6: The Vice-President (Coastal Operations) shall be responsible for the membership concerns of the Local engaged in field operations work including Hatcheries and SEP projects. The Vice-President (CO) shall assist stewards or represent in grievances and cases involving members involved in field and coastal operations work.
Section 7: The Vice-President (Conservation & Protection) shall be responsible for the membership concerns of the Local employed as Fishery Officers. The Vice-President (CP) shall assist stewards or represent in grievances and cases involving members in a law enforcement capacity.
Section 8: The Vice-President (Program & Administration) shall be responsible for the membership concerns of the Local engaged in program and administrative work, including administrators in the field offices. The Vice-President (PA) shall assist stewards or represent in grievances and cases involving members in program and administrative roles.
The Vice-President (PA) shall further be responsible for the Equal Opportunities portfolio for the Local and will assist stewards or represent members in grievances and cases related to women’s issues, equal opportunities, harassment and human rights.
Section 9: The Membership Secretary shall:
(a) Be responsible for notifying all members of regular, executive, special and annual meetings of the Local;
(b) Be responsible for the maintenance and distribution of documents and correspondence;
(c) Compile and maintain a register of all members in the Local;
(d) Ensure Local website is updated following each meeting with synopsis and next meeting dates.
Section 10: The Recording Secretary shall:
(a) Compile the agenda for general and annual general meetings.
(b) Record the proceedings of all meetings;
(c) Distribute these proceedings;
Section 11: The Treasurer shall:
(a) Deposit all monies accruing to the Local in the bank or credit union;
(b) Submit a financial statement at the end of each fiscal year. Said statement to be audited by two other members appointed at a general meeting of the Local, and then submitted to the national office of the Component before March 1st;
(c) Submit a financial statement to all regular meetings of the Local.
Section 12: The Chief Safety Officer shall:
(a) Attend Regional Occupational Health & Safety Committee (RHSC) meetings and serve as co-chairperson if elected;
(b) Discuss the health & safety concerns of Local members with management and union representatives on the RHSC;
(c) Assist stewards or represent members in safety related grievances.
(d) Ensure management meets requirements defined in the Occupational Health & Safety Manual and all other relevant policies;
(e) Direct the activities of the Safety Officer as required to assist in the completion of the duties of the Chief Safety Officer;
Section 13: The Safety Officer shall:
(a) Assist the Chief Safety Officer to complete the duties as outlined in Section 12 ;
(b) Act for the Chief Safety Officer in his/her absence;
Section 14: The Past President shall advise the President and the other executive members in matters of the Local;
Section 15: The executive officers shall have the power to administer the affairs of the Local between general membership meetings;
BY-LAW 7 Finances
Section 1: No officer or officers shall enter into any financial, contractual understanding or agreement without prior approval by the Executive of the Local.
Section 2: No expense on behalf of the Local in excess of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), for equipment and supplies and Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), for emergency travel shall be incurred without prior approval of a majority of the members present at a regular or special meeting general meeting of the membership.
Section 3: Signing officers of this Local shall be any two of the following: President, any of the three Vice-Presidents, Secretary, or Treasurer.
Section 4: By-laws affecting finances of the Local shall conform to By-law 12 of the UEW By-laws.
BY-LAW 8 Meetings
Section 1: An Annual General Meeting of the membership shall be held in January or February in accordance with By-law 9 of the Component By-laws for the purpose of receiving annual reports, the consideration of business, and the election of officers.
Section 2: General meetings of this Local shall be held three times per year. The Local will endeavour to hold one in each of the following geographic areas annually: Northern British Columbia, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. The members shall receive written or electronic notice of meetings 15 days prior to all general meetings except for emergency meetings. With the exception of the Annual General Meeting a conference call shall be considered a general meeting.
Section 3: Special meetings may be called by the President, the majority of the executive officers of the Local, or upon petition of ten (10) members in good standing.
Section 4: Elected officers of the Local shall hold executive meetings before each general meeting.
BY-LAW 9 Quorum
Section 1: The quorum for annual meetings, general or special, shall be six (6) members in good standing, including the Executive
Section 2: The quorum for executive officers meetings shall be three (3).
Section 3: A conference call by executive officers shall be recognized as part of this quorum.
BY-LAW 10 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this Local shall be the calendar year.
BY-LAW 11 Amendments
These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members in good standing present at an annual, general or special meeting providing notice of motion has been given at a previous annual, general, or special meeting.
BY-LAW 12 Order of Business
1) Meeting called to order;
2) Introductions;
3) Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting;
4) Reading of Executive report;
5) Treasurer’s report;
6) Committee reports
7) Unfinished business
8) Nominations and election of officers;
9) New business;
10) Next meeting;
11) Adjournment;