Contents
- Name
- Constitution and By-Laws
- Fiscal Year
- Membership
- Membership Meetings
- Power of Administration
- The Local Executive Committee
- The Steward System
- Election of Stewards
- The Election of Executive Officers
- Delegates
- Financial Operation
- Trustees
- Amendments
Article 1: Name
This organization shall be known as Local 415, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Faculty.
Article 2: Constitution and By-Laws
The Constitution of this organization shall be the Constitution of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and these by-laws shall be in all respects subordinate to said Constitution and all applications and interpretations thereof.
Article 3: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Local Union shall begin January 1 and end December 31.
Article 4: Membership
Section 1
The Local Union shall be composed of workers eligible for membership in the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 415.
Section 2
Each union member has the right to nominate and vote, to express opinions on all subjects before the Union, to attend all membership meetings and express views, arguments, and opinions on all matters and business properly before the meeting, to meet and assemble freely with other members, and generally to participate in the activities of the Local Union. These rights shall at all times be subject to the rules of procedure governing meetings and other uniform rules and regulations contained in the Constitution and the By-Laws.
Section 3
Themembership shall strive to obtain the objectives set forth in the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Constitution and additional objectives as established as the policy of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union; to maintain free relations with the other organizations; to do all in its power to strengthen and promote the labour movement; to co-operate with OPSEU Board members and the OPSEU staff; and to help promote organizational activities.
Article 5: Membership Meetings
Section 1
General membership meetings of all members of this Local shall be convened at least two (2) times each year. The quorum shall be at least 5% of the local membership.
Section 2
A special meeting of the membership may be called at the request of 10% of the membership. Said request shall be presented to the President who will call a meeting within fourteen (14) calendar days. No business other than that for which the special meeting is called shall be transacted. The quorum shall be 5% of the local membership.
Section 3
The President shall be the Chairperson at all general meetings, Local Executive Committee meetings, and special meetings. In the absence of the President, the First Vice-President or person designated by the Local Executive will chair such meetings.
Section 4
Ten (10) calendar days’ notice shall be given for all regular and special meetings by the circulation of a copy of the proposed agenda to members and by posting a notice of meetings at each campus.
Article 6: Power of Administration
Section 1
The membership is the highest authority of this Local Union, and it shall be empowered to take or direct any action consistent with the Constitution or By-Laws.
Section 2
Between membership meetings, the Local Executive Committee shall be the highest authority of the Local Union and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the membership to the extent that urgent business requires prompt and decisive action and this action is consistent with the Constitution, the By-Laws, and the will of the membership as expressed at general meetings.
Section 3
Between meetings of the Local Executive Committee, the President (or in his/her absence, the First Vice-President or the Second Vice-President or the Chief Steward or the Treasurer or the Secretary) shall exercise general administrative authority, and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Local Executive Committee subject to subsequent approval of the Local Executive Committee. The actions of the President shall be consistent with the Constitution, the By-Laws, and the will of the membership as expressed at general meetings.
Article 7: The Local Executive Committee
Section 1
The Local Executive Committee shall be composed of Stewards representing various working areas of the College. The Executive Officers consist of the President, the First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President, the Chief Steward, the Treasurer, and the Secretary. The immediate past president may serve on the Local Executive Committee as an ex-officio member with voice but no vote.
Section 2
Meetings of the Local Executive Committee shall be held at least five (5) times a year. At least five (5) days’ notice shall be given to LEC members. Special meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Committee members. No business other than that for which the special meeting is called for shall be transacted. All meetings are open to the membership.
Section 3
Fifty per cent of the LEC members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4
Any member of the LEC absent for three consecutive meetings without informing the Union Local Office of his/her reasons which are acceptable to the President will be considered to have vacated his/her position. The vacancy (ies) will then be filled according to Article 9, Section 4.
Article 8: The Steward System
Section 1
Members of this local shall be organized into working areas based on where they receive their pay stub. Each working area is entitled to a minimum of one steward. In larger working areas, there will be one steward per 20 members of the bargaining unit. The working areas are as follows: Woodroffe, Rideau, Perth, and Pembroke. In the event of reorganization, it is recognized that stewards who are moved to a new working area will continue to represent fellow faculty who have been similarly moved.
Section 2
The members in each working area shall elect one or more Stewards from among themselves.
Section 3
The Stewards shall constitute the Local Executive Committee for a term of two (2) years. Elections will be held in November or December of alternate years and those elected will take office January 1st within sixty days of the election.
Article 9: Election of Stewards
Section 1
Nomination notices for Local Stewards shall be sent out with the written notice of the election fourteen (14) calendar days before the close of nominations.
All nominations must be submitted to the Local Union Office in writing and signed by the nominator and the nominee.
Section 2
Elections of the Stewards shall be conducted by secret ballot in the work area of the members concerned.
Section 3
Where more than one (1) steward is to be elected in a given working area, each voter may vote up to the maximum number of positions to be filled.
Section 4
Where a vacancy occurs (or is deemed to have occurred under Article 7, Section 4), then an electoral officer designated by the LEC will call for nominations. Once a nomination has been received, then the electoral officer will publicize the fact that a nomination has been received and will call for further nominations. If further nominations are received, then a by-election will be held. However, if no further nominations are received, then the sole nominee will be deemed to have been elected by acclamation. The terms for those elected in a by-election expire at the same time as the terms for those stewards elected in a general election.
Article 10: The Election of Executive Officers
Section 1
The members of Local 415 shall elect, from among the Stewards, the Executive Officers referred to in Article 7.
Section 2
The election of Executive Officers shall be conducted by secret ballot of all the membership in the workplace. Written notice will be given fourteen (14) calendar days in advance to all members when an election is to take place. Any election of Officers shall be based on the principle of winning a clear majority, with run-off ballots, if necessary.
Section 3
Nomination notices for Local Executive Officers shall be sent out, with the list of eligible Stewards elected and the written notice of the election, fourteen (14) calendar days in advance in order that nomination forms may be returned to the Local Union Office seven (7) calendar days prior to the election date. All nominations must be submitted to the Local Union Office in writing and signed by the nominator and the nominee. In the event that two or more stewards are nominated for a given position, then an election will be held. The election will be conducted by an electoral sub-committee appointed by the LEC. No nominee for a position as an executive officer may serve on the sub-committee.
Section 4
Where a vacancy occurs (or is deemed to have occurred under Article 7, Section 4), then an electoral officer designated by the LEC will call for nominations. Once a nomination has been received, then the electoral officer will publicize the fact that a nomination has been received and will call for further nominations. If further nominations are received within two weeks, then a by-election will be held. If no further nominations are received, then the sole nominee will be deemed to have been elected by acclamation. The terms for those elected in a by-election expire at the same time as the terms for those officers elected in a general election.
Article 11: Delegates
Section 1
Any member may be nominated to stand as a delegate to the Annual OPSEU Convention, CAAT Division meetings, Region 4 meetings, and the Ottawa-Carleton Area Council.
Section 2
The President of the Local shall be an automatic delegate to the above, where stipulated by the Constitution of OPSEU. If the President is unable to attend, the First Vice-President becomes the automatic delegate.
Section 3
The delegates and alternates, not including the President, will be elected at the first general meeting of the academic year. These delegates will serve as representatives for all the meetings specified in Article 11, Section 1 held during the academic year.
Article 12: Financial Operation
Section 1
All funds of Local 415shall be used only for legitimate trade union purposes. Accounting for revenue and disbursements shall be done in a proper and business-like manner. Except for reasonable amounts in petty cash, all expenditures shall be by cheque and shall be properly supported by vouchers. The signing officers of Local 415 will be any two of the President, First Vice-President and Treasurer.
Section 2
Financial control of Local 415shall rest with the Local Executive Committee subject to ratification of the general membership.
Section 3
No individual officer of Local 415 shall have the power to incur any indebtedness on its behalf or appropriate any money without authority from these by-laws or from the general membership.
Section 4
The financial affairs of the local will be managed as required by law and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for not-for-profit organizations in Canada.
Section 5
The Treasurer will, subject to the ratification of the LEC, establish wages, working conditions, and terms of employment for employees employed by Local 415.
Section 6
The Treasurer will present a financial report in writing at every general meeting and at every second LEC meeting.
Section 7
No assessment of the membership to increase revenue may belevied by the LEC unless the assessment has been approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Local who vote in a referendum or two-thirds of those voting at a general membership meeting after having received at least ten (10) days’ notice of such meeting. The notice of meeting shall include a statement of intent to increase or decrease the local assessment and by what amount.
Article 13: Trustees
Section 1
Trustees shall be elected at a general membership meeting and may not hold any other position in the Local. Nothing, however, shall prevent a trustee from being elected as a delegate to any union event or meeting. Elections for Trustees shall be held every two years.
Section 2
The trustees shall be responsible for examining all the books, records, and properties of their Local at least twice a year. All Executive Officers of the Local are required to make available all necessary documents to the Trustees on reasonable notice. The Trustees shall make a report to the general membership following each audit.
Article 14: Amendments
Section 1
These By-Laws may be amended or supplemented (including additions or deletions) by presenting the amendments in writing to the LEC at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to a general membership meeting. The amendments must be placed in full on the agenda of the general meeting and publicized at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the meeting. If approved by two-thirds of the membership present and voting, the amendments will be considered adopted.
Section 2
These By-Laws and any amendments, supplements, additions, or deletions to these By-Laws shall become effective upon approval by the President of the Union in accordance with Article 11.5.2 of the Constitution.