LOCAL 20729 BY-LAWS
UNION OF ENVIRONMENT WORKERS, LOCAL 20729
PUBLIC SERVICE ALLIANCE OF CANADA
Approved at Local 20729’s AGM, held on January 20, 2010
BY-LAW 1 – NAME AND HEADQUARTERS
Section 1.1
This organization shall be known as Local 20729, Union of Environment Workers.
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 Federal 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.
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 four weeks’ 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 – FORM OF ORGANIZATION
Section 5.1
The Executives of this Local consist of a President, two (2) Vice-Presidents, a Health and Safety Officer, a Communications Officer and 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.
Section 5.2
All elections shall be by secret ballot and decided by a majority of votes cast. Online voting services and absentee ballots may be used.
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, two (2) Vice-Presidents, Health and Safety Officer, 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 President. The chairperson in these positions shall be responsible to the Executive and shall perform duties as defined 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 Executive and Shop Stewards meeting, or AGM. The Executive Committee shall elect to approve or deny the nomination as per Section 5.2.
Section 5.8
The President shall:
a) preside at all meetings and shall be responsible for the efficient and proper conduct of the Local;
b) can delegate a representative of the Executive to the Union-Management Consultation Committee;
c) report on the Local’s activities at the annual general meeting to include a summary of the preceding Executive’s term;
d) liaise, guide and inform Executive members and delegate different duties to the other executive members as necessary;
e) cast deciding vote on any issue in the event of tie; and
f) inform the Regional Vice President of the Local’s activities in timely and appropriate manner.
Section 5.9
The Vice-Presidents shall:
a) perform the duties of the Local President in the event of the absence or incapacity of that officer or upon the delegation of such duties by the Local President;
b) be directly responsible to the Local President and ensure Local President is informed of member concerns brought to the Local’s attention;
c) advise Shop Stewards and members in the areas of problem solving, grievance presentations and transmittals, collective agreements, etc;
d) co-ordinate, arrange and promote union education within the Local; and
e) ensure that all new members of Union of Environment Workers bargaining units are provided the opportunity to access a union orientation presentation.
Section 5.10
The Health and Safety Officer shall:
a) sit as the Co-chair of the Regional Health and Safety Committee in their workplace and shall ensure that the other Local workplaces have active Health and Safety Committees and/or Health and Safety Representatives;
b) address Health and Safety issues, representing the interests of the Local membership on Local Health and Safety issues; and
c) be the chief contact for Health and Safety issues with the Local.
Section 5.11
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 Executive on all correspondence before a meeting; and
e) prepare correspondence as directed by the President of the Local.
Section 5.12
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 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; and
g) prepare relevant correspondence as directed by the President of the Local.
Section 5.13
The Shop Stewards shall:
a) attend the Steward Training Programs offered by the PSAC or Union of Environment Workers or other labour organizations in order to effectively carry out their role within the Local;
b) attempt to resolve problems, provide representation on grievances, organize the members in their work areas and provide representation at workplace Union Management Consultation Committees;
c) attend Executive and Shop Steward meetings within the Local, when necessary;
d) report at Executive and Shop Steward meetings on all shop steward activities; and
e) perform other tasks as assigned by the Executive.
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 two-thirds of the members at an annual general meeting or a special Meeting.
Section 6.3
Signing officers of this Local shall be the President, Vice Presidents and Treasurer. All cheques must be signed by the two of the four signing officers.
BY-LAW 7 – HONORARIA
Section 7.1
Meeting honoraria of $25.00 payable to the Executives and Shop Stewards when attending quarterly meetings for Executives and Shop Stewards can be included in the main budget.
Section 7.2
Member honoraria in amounts not to exceed $25.00 may be recommended by the Executive and if approved by the President, will be granted to the member of the Local.
Section 7.3
Educational honoraria of $25.00 per day will be paid to any member in good standing attending a PSAC course, providing the member obtains prior written approval by the President, submits a record of participation upon completion and is not collecting wages.
BY-LAW 8 – MEETINGS
Section 8.1
Special meetings may be called by the President, or by the majority of the Executive Officers of the Local, or upon petition of ten (10) or more members.
Section 8.2
Any member 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 Executive.
Section 8.3
Executive and Shop Steward Meetings, Special Meetings and the Annual General Meetings shall be attended in person, or by teleconference, and shall be scheduled by the President.
BY-LAW 9 – QUORUM
Section 9.1
The quorum annual general meetings (AGM), general or special meetings shall be ten (10) members including the Executives.
Section 9.2
The quorum for Executive and Shop Steward meetings shall be four (4) and this shall include the President, a Vice President, an Executive Officer and a Shop Steward.
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 four weeks prior to the meeting.
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