Union of Environment Workers Local 20729

BY-LAWS LOCAL 20729 (2008)

BY-LAW 1 – NAME AND HEADQUARTERS

Section 1.1

This organization shall be known as Local 20729, Union of Environment Workers (UEW), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

BY-LAW 2 – AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Section 2.1

It shall be the objective of this Local to protect, maintain and advance the interests of the employees of the Government of Canada coming under its jurisdiction.

Section 2.2

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, Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Section 2.3

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 Federal Government.

BY-LAW 3 – MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.1

Those eligible for membership shall be employees of the Department of Environment in the jurisdiction of the Local which is eligible for membership in the Union of Environment Workers. The jurisdiction of the Local may be assigned from time to time by the Union of Environment Workers.

BY-LAW 4 – MEMBERSHIP DUES

Section 4.1

The membership dues for the Local shall be not less than the amount of the 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 4.2

The Local may change the amount of dues to be deducted as authorized by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership in attendance at an annual meeting or special 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 Union of Environment Workers By-Laws, providing three weeks notice of such intent has been given to the general membership. Such additional dues shall be rebated by Union of Environment Workers to the Local.

BY-LAW 5 – FORM OF ORGANIZATION

Section 5.1

The Executives of this Local consist of a President, four (4) Vice-President a Communications Officer and a Treasurer, and such officers shall be elected annually at a general membership meeting (AGM) of the Local and their duties shall be consistent with By-Law 6 Section 9 of the  Union of Environment Workers  By-Laws.

5.1(a) All positions shall be gender neutral.

Section 5.2

Whenever possible, all elections shall be by secret ballot and decided by a majority of votes cast.

Section 5.3

In the event of more than two candidates for the same office, the candidates receiving the fewest number of votes shall be dropped from the ballot whenever a majority of the votes cast is not accorded any candidate. This procedure shall continue on each succeeding ballot for the position until a candidate receives a majority.

Section 5.4

Elections shall proceed in the order of:  President, Vice-Presidents, Communications Officer and Treasurer.

Section 5.5

The President shall appoint Shop Stewards as needed, having regard to the plan of organization, distribution of employees at the workplace, and the administrative structure implied by the grievance procedure.

Section 5.6

For the efficient operation of the Local, Supplementary positions to Co-Developmental and/or Standing Committees may be appointed by the Executive.

Section 5.7

The President may nominate a candidate in good standing from the local’s membership to fill a vacant position on the Executive committee, to be served until the next AGM. The Executive committee shall elect to approve or deny the nomination as per section 5.2.

Section 5.8

The President shall preside at all meetings and shall be responsible for the efficient and proper conduct of the Local, but can delegate the representative to the Union-Management Consultation Committee.

Section 5.9

The Executives, as appointed by the President, in the 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.

Section 5.10

The Communications Officer shall:
(a) Be responsible for notifying all members of meetings of the Local.
(b) Record the proceedings of all meetings and be responsible for the proper maintenance and distribution of all documents and correspondence.
(c) Compile and maintain a register of all members of the Local on a monthly basis.
(d) Brief the Executives on all correspondence before a meeting.
(e) Prepare correspondence as directed by the President of the Local.

Section 5.11

The Treasurer shall:
a) Deposit all monies accruing to the Local in the bank or credit union and dispense payments as required.
b) Submit financial statement audited by two other members in good standing of the UEW Local 20729 appointed by the President of the Local to the Executives no later than six weeks into the new calendar year and which reflect the previous calendar year’s financials and a proposed budget for the new calendar year.
c) At the Annual General Meeting, present the Year End Financial Statement for the calendar year preceding the Annual General Meeting and the proposed budget for the current calendar year to the membership for approval.
d) Submit the approved Year End Financial Statement and the New Year Budget to the National Office of the Union of Environmental Workers after the AGM.
e) Maintain a cash book and submit a financial statement at all general meetings of the Local.
f) Preside as Chairperson of the Annual Budget Committee should the need of such a committee be determined.
g) Prepare relevant correspondence as directed by the President of the Local.

Section 5.12

The Vice-Presidents shall:
(a) Be assigned duties pertaining to the efficient operation of the local as defined by the President

Section 5.13

The President shall:
(a) The President to oversee and manage the operation of the Local (see sections 5.5, 5.7, 5.8)

BY-LAW 6 – FINANCES

Section 6.1

No Executive shall enter into any financial contractual understanding or agreement without prior approval by the National Executive of the Union of Environment Workers.

Section 6.2

No expense on behalf of the Local in excess of $300.00 shall be incurred without prior approval of 2/3 of members at an annual general meeting or a special meeting.

Section 6.3

Signing officers of this Local shall be the Treasurer, President and one other Executive. All cheques must be signed by two of the three signing officers.

BY-LAW 7 – HONORARIA

Section 7.1

Provision for an Annual Executive Honoraria payable to the Executives at quarterly intervals during the year can be included in the main budget.  The Annual Executive Honorarium will be pro-rated according to
7.1(a) The period that the Executive is appointed for or
7.1(b) The Executive has served on the position, whichever is lesser.

Section 7.2

Member Honoraria in amounts not to exceed $25 may be recommended by the Executives and if approved by the President, will be granted to the member of the Local.

Section 7.3

Educational Honorarium of $25 will be paid daily to any member in good standing, attending a PSAC course for the duration of the course, providing the member submit proof of participation and/or certificate and who will not receive wage reimbursement from the Union or the Local or any other honoraria from the PSAC or the Union of Environment Workers with the exception of per diem. The member must obtain written approval from an Executive other than the Treasurer prior to attending any course in order to qualify for the Educational Honoraria.

Section 7.4

At every Annual General Meeting (AGM), members of good standing and who attends the AGM shall receive an honorarium of $20 per person. (Motion Carried at AGM Feb 2006)

BY-LAW 8 – MEETINGS

Section 8.1

(a) Special meetings may be called by the President, or by the majority of the Executives of the Local, or upon petition of ten (10) or more members.
(b) Any members of the Local may attend Executive meetings to address specific concerns to the Executive.  A response to those concerns will be in writing from the Executives.

BY-LAW 9 – QUORUM

Section 9.1

The quorum for Annual General Meeting (AGM), general or special meetings shall be ten (10) members including the Executives.

Section 9.2

The quorum for Executive meetings shall four (4).

The President may nominate a candidate in good standing from the local’s membership to fill a vacant position on the Executive committee, to be served until the next AGM.  The Executive committee shall elect to approve or deny the nomination as per section 5.2. Be assigned duties pertaining to the efficient operation of the local as defined by the President

BY-LAW 10 – AMENDMENTS

Section 10.1

These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at an AGM, general or special meeting providing notice of the motion has been given to all members three weeks prior to the meeting.

BY-LAW 11 – VOTE

Section 11.1

In the event of a tie vote, the President can cast 1 extra vote.