UAW LOCAL 4811 BYLAWS

Article 1, Name 

Section 1. This organization shall be known as Local 4811, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). 

Article 2, Constitution and Bylaws 

Section 1. These Local Union Bylaws shall in all respects be covered by and conform with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Article 3, Fiscal Year 

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Local Union shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31. 

Article 4, Membership and Membership Meetings 

Section 1. Membership in this Local Union shall be extended to all graduate students at the University of California and those employees in titles that come under the jurisdiction of this Local Union. 

Section 2. Membership shall be defined as members in good standing as defined in the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Section 3. At least one (1) regular statewide membership meeting shall be held each calendar year with additional meetings called as required, in compliance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. Notice of the meeting time and location shall be given to the membership by email, and by posting on the Local Union website at least fourteen (14) calendar days in advance for special membership meetings and thirty (30) calendar days in advance for regular membership meetings.

Section 4. A quorum for statewide membership meetings shall consist of two hundred fifty (250) members in good standing including members in good standing from at least fifty percent (50%) of the Campuses of the Local Union. 

Section 5. Members in good standing desiring to have placed before a regularly scheduled statewide membership meeting any information or resolution shall submit said materials in writing for consideration for inclusion to the Local Union Recording Secretary and the Local Union Executive Board not later than fifteen (15) calendar days before the date of that statewide membership meeting. 

Section 6. Special statewide membership meetings may be called by order of the Joint Council, order of the Executive Board, or upon petition by a number of members in good standing from each Campus at least equal in number to five percent (5%) of the in-unit members in good standing from each of the respective Campuses. The notice provisions of Article 4, Membership and Membership Meetings, Section 3 of the Local Union Bylaws shall apply. 

Section 7. The Campuses of the Local Union shall be: 

  1. Berkeley 

  2. Berkeley Lab

  3. Davis 

  4. Irvine 

  5. Los Angeles 

  6. Merced 

  7. Riverside

  8. San Diego

  9. San Francisco

  10. Santa Barbara

  11. Santa Cruz

Campuses and Bargaining Unit subsets thereof shall be used for internal organizational structure of the Local Union, such as for the apportionment of Joint Council representation. 

Section 8. Members in good standing of the Local Union shall be considered members of a Campus by satisfying at least one of the following criteria: 

  1. The member in good standing is an employee at the Campus in a title that comes under the jurisdiction of this Local Union. 

  2. The member in good standing is an employee in a title that comes under the jurisdiction of this Local Union and regularly performs work at the Campus. 

  3. The member in good standing is an enrolled graduate student at the Campus.

Section 9. Campuses shall hold Campus membership meetings each calendar month. Campuses may request an exception from the Executive Board or Joint Council. The purpose of the Campus membership meetings shall be to report and discuss the work of the Local Union and to place information before the members. Notice of these meetings shall be provided at least seven (7) calendar days in advance by email. 

Section 10. Local Union dues are payable by members who are employed in positions represented by the Local Union. Local Union dues shall be one and forty-four hundredths percent (1.44%) of gross pay per month. 

Section 11. The initiation fee shall be set at ten dollars ($10). 

Section 12. Any member employed in a title that comes under the jurisdiction of the Local Union whose dues are not paid by the end of one (1) calendar month shall automatically be suspended, consistent with Article 16 of the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. Reinstatement will be granted to members in good standing and will require a reinstatement fee equivalent to the Initiation Fee. 

Section 13. All members in good standing will be granted full voting privileges. Members in good standing of a particular Campus may vote in elections or other votes at that Campus. 

Section 14. Disclosure of Local Union documents will be provided to members in good standing in a timely manner upon request to the Local Union Executive Board, with the exception of some material pertaining to personnel information, membership lists, grievances and legal matters. For documents pertaining to bargaining, see Article 9, Bargaining Committees, Section 4 of the Local Union Bylaws. 

Section 15. Strike authorizations may only be made by a two-thirds (⅔) majority of those voting, per Article 50, Section 1a of the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Section 16. Each member in good standing of this Local Union has the right to nominate and vote; to express opinions on all subjects before the Local Union; to attend all membership meetings and express views, arguments and opinions on all matters and business, including candidates for elected positions, properly before the meeting; to meet and assemble freely with other members; and, generally, to participate in the activities of the Local Union in a responsible manner consistent with good conscience in order to present and discuss factually and honestly the issues and personalities upon which the membership must base its decisions. 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 of the International Union, UAW, the Local Union Bylaws and other official rules of the Local Union. 

  1. A member in exercising the foregoing rights and privileges shall not take any irresponsible action which would tend to jeopardize or destroy, or be detrimental to, either this Local Union or the International Union as organizations, or their free democratic heritage, or which would interfere with the performance by this Local Union or the International Union of its legal or contractual obligations as a collective bargaining agent, or interfere with the legal or contractual obligations of this Local Union as an affiliate of the International Union. Violation or abuse of these rights and privileges of membership, or engaging in conduct prohibited by Article 4, Section 14 of the Local Union Bylaws, shall be considered conduct unbecoming a union member. 

  2. The membership shall strive to obtain the objectives set forth in the Constitution of the International Union, UAW and additional objectives as established as the policy of the International Union; to maintain free relations with other organizations; to do all in its power to strengthen and promote the labor movement; and to cooperate with its Regional Director, International Representatives and help promote organizational activities. 

Section 17. All members, including those holding elected positions, must abide by a code of conduct for the Local Union, which the Joint Council is empowered to adopt and amend. This code of conduct shall be posted on the Local Union website.

Article 5, Powers of Administration 

Section 1. The membership is the highest authority of this Local Union and shall be empowered to take or direct any action not inconsistent with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW or the Local Union Bylaws. 

Section 2. Between membership meetings or membership votes, the Joint Council shall be the highest authority of the Local Union and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the membership.

Section 3. Between meetings and votes of the Joint Council, the Executive Board shall exercise general administrative authority and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Joint Council subject to subsequent approval of the Joint Council. 

Section 4. Between meetings and votes of the Executive Board, the President, in consultation with the appropriate Local Union Officers and staff, shall exercise general administrative authority and shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Executive Board. All decisions taken by the President shall be subject to subsequent approval of the Joint Council or the Executive Board. 

Article 6, Local Union Officers 

Section 1. The elected Executive Officers of the Local Union consist of the following: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, Guide, and three (3) Trustees. The Executive Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of votes cast as defined in accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, for three-year (3-year) terms. The Executive Officers shall be elected at -large statewide.

Section 2. It shall be the duty of each elected Local Union Executive Officer to fulfill their various duties faithfully as provided in the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, and the Local Union Bylaws, and in the implementation of Campus and Local Union plans. 

Section 3. The President or elected designee is responsible for the supervision of all staff and shall be empowered to delegate whatever authority is necessary for efficient operation of the Local Union, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW or International Union policy. 

Section 4. In case of removal or resignation of the President, the Vice President will succeed to the Presidency in accordance with Article 38, Section 14 of the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Article 7, Executive Board 

Section 1. The Local Union Executive Board shall consist of the elected Local Union Executive Officers as well as two (2) Members-At-Large, called the Academic Student Employee Statewide Chair and the Postdoctoral Scholar and Academic Researcher Statewide Chair.

Section 2. The Executive Board Members-At-Large shall be elected for three-year (3-year) terms. One (1) member in good standing from the Academic Student Employee Unit shall be elected to the office of Academic Student Employee Statewide Chair by a simple majority vote as defined in accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW of the Academic Student Employee Unit members in good standing. One (1) member in good standing from either the Postdoctoral Scholar Unit or the Academic Researcher Unit shall be elected to the office of Postdoctoral Scholar and Academic Researcher Statewide Chair by a simple majority vote as defined in accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW of the Postdoctoral Scholar Unit members in good standing and Academic Researcher Unit members in good standing.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall hold regular meetings each calendar month. Additional meetings shall be held upon request of three (3) or more members of the Executive Board. Except in emergency situations, seven (7) calendar days notice of the meeting shall be posted on the Local Union website. 

Section 4. A simple majority of the Local Union Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. 

Section 5. Minutes will be taken of all Executive Board Meetings by the Local Union Recording Secretary and shall be available to the Joint Council and the membership upon request. 

Section 6. All decisions and recommendations of the Executive Board are subject to approval at the next regular Joint Council meeting, or a special Joint Council meeting held explicitly for this purpose. 

Section 7. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to see to it that all policies formulated by the membership, Joint Council or the Executive Board are duly executed, in accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW and these Local Union Bylaws. 

Section 8. The Executive Board shall decide upon request whether to advance a grievance to arbitration. 

Section 8. Every member in good standing shall be permitted to be present and observe Executive Board meetings, except the portions of those meetings regarding confidential personnel information, membership lists, grievances, and legal matters. Attendees who are not elected members of the Executive Board shall not be entitled to vote and shall have a voice only when called upon. 

Section 9. The Executive Board shall review each communication issued on behalf of the Local Union, and the Local Union website, and where necessary shall take steps to bring the contents and policy of the messages and website into conformity with the policy of the International Union and the Local Union, as per Article 29, Section 7 of the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Section 10. It shall be the duty of each member of the Local Union Executive Board to fulfill their various duties faithfully as provided in the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, and the Local Union Bylaws, and in the implementation of Campus and Local Union plans. 

Article 8, Joint Council 

Section 1. The Local Union Joint Council shall consist of the Executive Board members of this Local Union, as well as the Head Stewards elected from each Campus. 

Section 2. Each Campus Academic Student Employee Unit will elect one (1) more than one (1) Head Steward for each three hundred (300) in-unit members in good standing in the Campus Academic Student Employee Unit, or major fraction thereof, with a maximum of the number of Head Stewards to which the Campus Academic Student Employee Unit would be entitled if all individuals employed at the Campus in Academic Student Employee titles that come under the jurisdiction of the Local Union were members in good standing, and a minimum of two (2). Each Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit will elect one (1) more than one (1) Head Steward for each one hundred fifty (150) in-unit members in good standing in the Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit, or major fraction thereof, with a maximum of the number of Head Stewards to which the Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit would be entitled if all individuals employed at the Campus in Postdoctoral Scholar titles that come under the jurisdiction of the Local Union were members in good standing, and a minimum of two (2). Each Campus Academic Researcher Unit will elect one (1) more than one (1) Head Steward for each one hundred fifty (150) in-unit members in good standing in the Campus Academic Researcher Unit, or major fraction thereof, with a maximum of the number of Head Stewards to which the Campus Academic Researcher Unit would be entitled if all individuals employed at the Campus in Academic Researcher titles that come under the jurisdiction of the Local Union were members in good standing, and a minimum of two.

  1. Each Campus Academic Student Employee Unit will elect a Campus Academic Student Employee Unit Chair and a Campus Academic Student Employee Unit Recording Secretary, who will serve as Joint Council Officers and shall count towards the Head Steward apportionment for that Campus Academic Student Employee Unit. Each Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit will elect a Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit Chair and a Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit Recording Secretary, who will serve as Joint Council Officers and shall count towards the Head Steward apportionment for that Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit. Each Campus Academic Researcher Unit will elect a Campus Academic Researcher Unit Chair and a Campus Academic Researcher Unit Recording Secretary who will serve as Joint Council Officers and shall count towards the Head Steward apportionment for that Campus Academic Researcher Unit. 

  2. Head Stewards will be elected by a simple majority of votes cast as defined in accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW in each Campus Academic Student Employee Unit, Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit, and Campus Academic Researcher Unit. Head Stewards will serve as Joint Council Officers for the Campus. 

Section 3. The Campus Academic Student Employee Unit Chair and Campus Academic Student Employee Unit Recording Secretary will be the first two (2) Joint Council Officers for the Campus Academic Student Employee Unit. The Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit Chair and Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit Recording Secretary will be the first two (2) Joint Council Officers for the Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit. The Campus Academic Researcher Unit Chair and Campus Academic Researcher Unit Recording Secretary will be the first two (2) Joint Council Officers for the Campus Academic Researcher Unit. In addition to the duties of a Head Steward, the Campus Unit Chairs shall have general administrative responsibility for the Campus. In addition to the duties of a Head Steward, the Campus Unit Recording Secretaries shall take minutes at Campus membership meetings. 

Section 4. Campus Unit Chairs, Campus Unit Recording Secretaries, and other Head Stewards will serve three-year (3-year) terms. 

Section 5. The membership of each Bargaining Unit, on a statewide and Campus basis, shall be computed once a year as of the end of the month of December. This computation is for the purpose of determining Campus representation to the Joint Council and apportionment of Stewards. In the event that the computation would reduce the number of Joint Council Officers from a Campus, that reduction will not take place until there is a Joint Council vacancy from that Campus. 

Section 6. The Officers of the Joint Council shall be the regularly elected Officers of the Local Union. 

Section 7. It shall be the duty of each member of the Joint Council to fulfill their various duties faithfully as provided in the Constitution of the International Union, UAW and the Local Union Bylaws, and in the implementation of Campus and Local Union plans. 

Section 8. The Joint Council shall hold a regular meeting each January, April, July and October at a location and specific calendar date determined by the Joint Council. Notice of the meetings shall be posted on the Local Union website at least seven (7) calendar days in advance of the meeting. 

  1. In order to initiate the meeting, at least forty percent (40%) of all elected Joint Council Officers, not counting vacancies, must be in attendance, without regard to whether absences are excused. 

  2. Quorum for Joint Council meetings shall be defined as two-thirds (⅔) of elected Joint Council Officers present at the meeting, or forty percent (40%) of all elected Joint Council Officers, whichever is lower. Elected Joint Council Officers who arrive late and are recorded as being present shall be included in computing quorum. 

Section 9. A special Joint Council meeting may be called by the Executive Board, by petition of at least forty percent (40%) of the Joint Council, or by petition of a number of members in good standing equal in number to at least ten percent (10%) of the in-unit members in good standing. A petition for a special Joint Council meeting must clearly state the purpose of the special Joint Council meeting. A special Joint Council meeting will be held within thirty (30) calendar days of the delivery of a successful membership petition to the Local Union Recording Secretary and Local Union Executive Board, unless a later date or time period to hold the meeting is specified in the petition. The meeting initiation and quorum requirements, as well as the noticing requirements except in emergency situations, for the special Joint Council meeting shall follow the requirements of Article 8, Joint Council, Section 8 of the Local Union Bylaws.

Section 10. The Local Union membership is guaranteed the right to appeal any decision of the Joint Council by a referendum vote of the membership. See Article 16, Referendum, of the Local Union Bylaws.

Section 11. Minutes will be taken of all Joint Council meetings by the Local Union Recording Secretary and shall be available to the Joint Council and the membership upon request. 

Section 12. In no case shall any member of the Joint Council cast more than one (1) vote. 

Section 13. Specific updates will be provided to the membership following Joint Council meetings. Such updates shall include a summary of resolutions, issues, campaigns, or other affairs relevant to the interests of the membership that were discussed at the associated Joint Council meeting. These updates shall be prepared and/or reviewed by the Local Union Recording Secretary, or by designees chosen by the Local Union Recording Secretary who were in attendance. 

Section 14. Every member in good standing shall be permitted to be present and observe Joint Council meetings, except the portions of those meetings regarding confidential personnel information, membership lists, grievances and legal matters. Attendees who are not elected members of the Joint Council shall not be entitled to vote and shall have a voice only when called upon. 

Section 15. The Joint Council shall develop and vote on initiatives to guide the policy of the Local Union, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the International Union, UAW and the Local Union Bylaws. Members in good standing desiring to have the Local Union adopt an initiative or resolution shall submit said materials in writing for consideration for inclusion on the agenda of a Joint Council meeting to the Local Union Recording Secretary and the Local Union Executive Board not later than fifteen (15) calendar days before the date of a regularly scheduled Joint Council meeting. 

Article 9, Bargaining Committees 

Section 1. The Campus Academic Student Employee Unit Chairs, the Campus Academic Student Employee Unit Recording Secretaries, the Local Union President, and the Academic Student Employee Statewide Chair will constitute the Local Union Academic Student Employee Bargaining Committee. The Campus Postdoctoral Scholar Unit Chairs, the Local Union President, and the Postdoctoral Scholar and Academic Researcher Statewide Chair will constitute the Local Union Postdoctoral Scholar Bargaining Committee. The Campus Academic Researcher Unit Chairs, the Local Union President, and the Postdoctoral Scholar and Academic Researcher Statewide Chair will constitute the Local Union Academic Researcher Bargaining Committee. 

Section 2. The Bargaining Committee for a Bargaining Unit must present initial bargaining demands and the final contract to the Bargaining Unit membership for ratification by simple majority of those voting. 

Section 3. Specific bargaining updates will be provided to the membership of a Bargaining Unit by the Bargaining Committee for that Bargaining Unit following bargaining sessions. Such updates shall include a summary of any tentative agreements and issues still outstanding.

Section 4. Upon request, the Bargaining Committee for a Bargaining Unit will decide by simple majority vote whether to release additional information and documents pertaining to bargaining for that Bargaining Unit. 

Section 5. In the event that a Bargaining Committee member representing a Campus resigns from their position or is on a defined long-term leave of a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days which prevents them from discharging their duties as a Bargaining Committee member, their Campus shall hold a special election to select a member in good standing from the appropriate Bargaining Unit to serve as Bargaining Committee Alternate until the vacancy is filled at the next regularly scheduled or vacancy election, or the long-term leave of the Bargaining Committee member is elapsed. The special election will be held according to the terms of Article 14, Local Union Elections of the Local Union Bylaws, except that the election shall be held no sooner than seven (7) calendar days after the close of nominations. 

Article 10, Stewards 

Section 1. All members in good standing under the jurisdiction to be represented by the Steward shall be eligible to vote for the Steward. 

Section 2. Each Campus shall elect at least one (1) Steward for each relevant program or department. Each Campus will determine the apportionment of its Stewards. 

Section 3. The membership at each Campus may determine its own election procedures for Stewards, consistent with the elections rules established by these Local Union Bylaws and the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Section 4. It shall be the duty of each elected Steward to fulfill their various duties faithfully as provided in the Constitution of the International Union, UAW and the Local Union Bylaws, and in implementation of Campus and Local Union plans. Stewards will be coordinated by Head Stewards. 

Article 11, Standing Committees 

Section 1. The Local Union shall have the following standing committees: 

  1. Constitution and Bylaws Committee

  2. Citizenship and Legislative Committee 

  3. Civil Rights and Human Rights Committee 

  4. Community Services Committee 

  5. Conservation and Recreation Committee 

  6. Consumer Affairs Committee 

  7. Union Label Committee

  8. Education Committee 

  9. Health and Safety Committee 

  10. Women’s Committee 

  11. Veterans Committee 

  12. Organizing Committee

  13. Personnel Committee 

  14. Contract Enforcement Committee 

Other committees shall be established as needed by the Joint Council. 

Section 2. Except for the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, the Chair of each committee is elected by the members of that committee. Committee meetings are open to all members, with the exception of committee meetings involving confidential personnel information, membership lists, grievances and legal matters. 

Section 3. These committees and the members thereof shall faithfully perform all duties assigned to them by the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, the Local Union Bylaws, and such additional duties pertinent to the committee as they may be directed to perform by the Joint Council. 

Section 4. All committees shall have attendance records and written minutes. 

Section 5. Each Campus may establish Campus committees as needed. 

Article 12, Attendance 

Section 1. Any member of the Joint Council, Executive Board, Bargaining Committee, Stewards or any committees or delegations of the Local Union will be removed from their position if they miss two (2) out of three (3) consecutive meetings of the same body, unless excused for cause by the Local Union. The terms for cause will be determined by the Local Union. Where a member is removed from their position for failure to comply with the established attendance rules, they shall not be eligible to run for any elected position from which they were so removed for the remainder of their term except as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of the International Union, UAW; if that decision is overturned through the appeals process, the member shall be reinstated to their position if their term has not expired. 

Article 13, Election Committee 

Section 1. All Local Union Officer elections, Bargaining Committee Alternate elections, elections for delegates to conventions of the Local Union and International Union, UAW, strike votes, and contract ratification votes shall be held under the supervision of a democratically elected Election Committee. The Election Committee shall be responsible for the publication of notice for nominations and elections, the verification of eligibility for candidates, the organization and supervision of election proceedings, and the counting of ballots.

Section 2. The Election Committee shall consist of one (1) member in good standing elected from each Campus. The term for the Election Committee member shall be for one (1) year. The Chair of the Election Committee is elected by the members of the Election Committee. 

Section 3. Nominations and elections for members of the Local Union Election Committee shall occur at Campus membership meetings. Notice of Campus membership meetings at which nominations and elections for this purpose will be held shall be distributed at least seven (7) calendar days in advance by email. 

Section 4. All members in good standing shall be nominated automatically for the Election Committee member position at their Campus. Any member in good standing may accept nomination at a Campus membership meeting for which the election of an Election Committee member has been duly noticed and agendized. 

Section 5. The election of Election Committee members at each Campus shall be held immediately on the close of nominations. One (1) Election Committee member from each Campus shall be elected by plurality of votes cast and one (1) alternate Election Committee member from each Campus may be elected by plurality of votes cast. 

Section 6. A vacancy on the Election Committee from a Campus shall be filled by the alternate member of the Election Committee from that Campus, if the position of alternate member is filled. If the position of alternate member of the Election Committee from that Campus is not filled, a subsequent election for the Election Committee member from that Campus shall be held to fill the vacancy from that Campus in a Campus membership meeting for that Campus. 

Section 7. Alternate members of the Election Committee shall assist in the conduct of the election as needed. As needed, the Election Committee may also recruit and supervise members in good standing as volunteers to assist in the conduct of the election, including the logistics of balloting, verifying voter eligibility and counting ballots. In no case shall such volunteers be candidates for any elected position in the election. 

Section 8. No member or alternate member of the Election Committee shall be eligible to run for any elected position in any election that the Election Committee supervises. In the event that a member in good standing serving as a member or alternate member of the Election Committee accepts nomination for an elected position in such an election, they are automatically resigned from their position on the Election Committee when accepting nomination for that elected position. Members in good standing who have accepted nomination for an elected position in such an election are ineligible to accept nomination for or be elected as a member or alternate member of the Election Committee until the results of that election are released.

Article 14, Local Union Elections 

Section 1. In accordance with the International Union, UAW policies and practices, the time, place, and manner of all membership votes shall be determined by the membership or membership body. 

Section 2. Elections for Local Union Officers, including the Officers of the Local Union Executive Board and the Local Union Joint Council, shall take place in May. Installation shall take place at the next Local Union Joint Council or Local Union Executive Board meeting following the election, except as otherwise authorized by the Executive Board of the International Union, UAW.

Section 3. Following the setting of the time, place, and manner of an election by the Joint Council or Executive Board, the Chair of the Election Committee shall convene a meeting of the Election Committee not less than ten (10) calendar days before any Local Union election. At this meeting, the Election Committee will implement election procedures for the upcoming vote, to be decided by a simple majority vote. Any subsequent change to the implementation of these procedures must be approved by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Election Committee. The Election Committee, in conjunction with the Executive Board and Joint Council Officers at each Campus, is responsible for ensuring that voting is accessible to all members in good standing.

Section 4. The members of the Local Union shall be notified promptly for nomination and election of Local Union Officers. The notice shall be announced at Campus membership meetings and shall be distributed by email, and by posting on the Local Union website. The notice shall include the dates, times, and places of the election and possible run-off elections, the date and time of the close of the nomination period, and instructions for accepting nomination as described in Article 14, Local Union Elections of the Local Union Bylaws. 

Section 5. All members in good standing shall be nominated automatically for all Local Union offices for which they are eligible to stand for election. Any member may accept nomination by submitting in writing a statement of acceptance according to the policies implemented by the Local Union Election Committee. The statement of acceptance shall state how their name should appear on the ballot. Each member accepting nomination may also submit a candidate statement of up to five hundred (500) words. The deadline for statements of acceptance and candidate statements shall be no sooner than seven (7) calendar days after the notice for nomination. After the deadline on accepting nominations has expired, no election of write-in candidates shall be accepted. Election of all Local Union Officers shall require a simple majority of the votes cast for the office, as defined in accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Section 6. Candidate statements and sample ballots of eligible candidates shall be distributed simultaneously no later than seven (7) calendar days before the election, by posting on the Local Union website. Candidate statements shall be made available during the election period to all members in good standing when voting. 

Section 7. Apart from the resources described in Article 14, Local Union Elections of the Local Union Bylaws that are to be provided equally to all candidates, no other Local Union resources may be used by any candidate to campaign for Local Union elected positions.

Section 8. The election shall be held no sooner than fourteen (14) calendar days after the close of nominations. It shall be conducted by secret ballot, and balloting shall be conducted so as to afford all members in good standing a reasonable opportunity to vote. Every member must personally cast their vote. 

Section 9. Upon the close of the polls, the Local Union Election Committee shall promptly count the ballots. 

Section 10. Each candidate may designate one (1) member in good standing of the Local Union to be present at the ballot count as a challenger. In no case shall such challengers have been candidates for any elected position in the election, a member or alternate member of the Election Committee during the election period, or a volunteer who assisted in the conduct of the election under the supervision of the Election Committee during the election period.

Section 11. Following each election, the Local Union Election Committee shall report in writing a canvass of the results of the election. Results shall be released electronically. No protests to an election shall be considered unless raised within seven (7) calendar days of the release of the results. A protest must be made in writing to the Local Union Recording Secretary and to the Local Union Election Committee. The protest must be received before the deadline. 

Section 12. The membership may order a new election, either in acting upon a protest or in ratification of a recommendation of the Local Union Election Committee. In the event the membership should order a new election of a Local Union Executive Board member, the matter shall be submitted to the President of the International Union, UAW, in accord with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Section 13. A special election shall take place in the months of October and April, as warranted by vacant Officer positions. If any elected office other than Local Union President becomes vacant between September 16 and March 15, that office shall be filled in an April vacancy election. If any elected office other than Local Union President becomes vacant between March 16 and September 15, that office shall be filled in an October vacancy election. In those years with regularly scheduled elections, no April special election shall be held, and in those years any elected office other than Local Union President that becomes vacant after September 15 of the previous year shall remain vacant until the regularly scheduled election. The same policies and procedures shall apply to special elections and regularly scheduled elections. 

Section 14. No one may hold more than one (1) Joint Council Officer position simultaneously. No one may stand for election for more than one (1) Joint Council Officer position in the same election. The only positions which can be concurrently held with an Officer position are: 

  1. Positions on Local Union committees 

  2. Paid organizing or clerical positions within the Local Union.

  3. Local Union delegate positions to conventions, councils and other bodies 

Section 15. Officers shall be sworn in at the bodies at which they serve. Joint Council Officers shall be sworn in at Joint Council meetings or Campus membership meetings. Executive Board members shall be sworn in at Executive Board meetings or Joint Council meetings. Any Officer can be sworn in at statewide membership meetings. 

Section 16. For regularly scheduled elections, Officers shall assume their roles and responsibilities at their installation ceremonies pursuant to Article 14, Local Union Elections Sections 2 and 15 of the Local Union Bylaws. For special elections, Officers shall assume their roles and responsibilities immediately following the release of the results of the election. 

Article 15, Eligibility for Elected Positions 

Section 1. All candidates standing for elected office of an Executive Officer of the Local Union must be members and have been in continuous good standing for one (1) year (i.e. three hundred and sixty-five (365) calendar days) prior to accepting a nomination. 

Section 2. All other candidates standing for elected office or elected positions of the Local Union or a Campus must be members and have been in continuous good standing for forty-five (45) calendar days prior to accepting a nomination. All candidates standing for elected office or elected positions from or of a Campus must be members of the Campus. 

Section 3. All candidates who were elected must, if applicable, follow the resignation procedures for positions which cannot be held concurrently. 

Section 4. A Local Union Officer or a member holding an elected position against whom charges have been filed in accordance with the trial procedure established by the Constitution of the International Union, UAW may be suspended from any such office or elected position they hold pending the outcome of the trial, by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Joint Council. 

Article 16, Referendum

Section 1. A referendum vote of the membership may be held on any action of the Joint Council. Such a referendum vote shall be scheduled within thirty (30) calendar days from the presentation to the Local Union Recording Secretary of a valid referendum petition. The members shall be properly notified of the place, date, and time for any referendum vote at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the vote. 

Section 2. A valid referendum petition must clearly and specifically describe the action of the Joint Council that is in question, and must be signed by a number of members in good standing at least equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the in-unit members in good standing, including members in good standing from at least fifty percent (50%) of the Campuses. 

Section 3. The referendum vote shall be by secret ballot. In order to repeal the action on which the referendum is held, a number of members in good standing at least equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the in-unit members in good standing must participate in the referendum vote, including members in good standing from at least fifty percent (50%) of the Campuses. A two-thirds (⅔) majority of ballots cast shall then suffice to repeal the action on which the referendum is held. 

Article 17, Recall 

Section 1. A Steward, member of a committee, member of the Executive Board, or Joint Council Officer may be recalled by the members they represent for failure to perform the duties of their position. In order to recall a Steward, a member of a committee, member of the Executive Board, or a Joint Council Officer, a valid recall petition must be filed with the Local Union Recording Secretary within forty-five (45) calendar days of the petition initiation date, in accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. In order for a petition to be valid, it must set forth specific complaints of the petitioned-against member’s failure to perform the duties of their position and must be signed by the requisite number of constituent members in good standing, as specified below:

  1. For a member of the Local Union Executive Board or a Joint Council Officer who assumed their office as a result of a contested election, a number of constituent members in good standing greater than two-thirds (⅔) of the total number of votes cast for their position in the election in which they assumed office. In the case of elections where multiple candidates were to be elected, the total number of votes cast should be divided by the number of positions that were to be filled in that election before determining the threshold. In the case of a member elected to their position via a runoff election, the total number of petitioners required shall be two-thirds (⅔) of the total number of votes cast in the runoff election.

  2. For a Joint Council Officer who assumed their office by acclamation and who is not a member of the Local Union Executive Board, a Steward, or a member of a committee, a number of constituent members in good standing greater than twenty percent (20%) of the constituent in-unit  members in good standing. 

  3. For a member of the Local Union Executive Board who assumed their office by acclamation, a number of constituent members in good standing greater than ten percent (10%) of the constituent in-unit members in good standing. 

  4. In the case of a Vice President who succeeds to the Presidency in accordance with Article 6, Local Union Officers, Section 4 of the Local Union Bylaws, the above provisions apply with respect to the fashion in which the member assumed the office of Vice President.

  5. For members of the Local Union Executive Board, the petition must also be signed by constituent members in good standing from at least fifty percent (50%) of the Campuses of the Local Union.

Section 2. A Steward, member of a committee, member of the Local Union Executive Board, or Joint Council Officer so petitioned against shall receive notification of the specific complaints within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the petition by the Local Union Recording Secretary.

Section 3. A special meeting for recall shall be held within thirty (30) calendar days of the filing of such a petition, except that no such special meeting for recall shall be held in June, July, August, or September. If a valid recall petition is presented after May 1 but before September 2, then the special meeting for recall shall be held in October. The constituent members of the petitioned-against member shall be properly notified of the place, date, and time of any special meeting for recall at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the meeting. 

Section 4. The special meeting for recall shall be chaired by a member of the Local Union Executive Board. The chair cannot be a member of the Local Union Executive Board that is facing existing complaints. At the special meeting for recall, a Steward, member of a committee, member of the Local Union Executive Board, or Joint Council Officer to be recalled will have the opportunity to present a defense in response to the complaints filed against them.

Section 5. A two-thirds (⅔) secret ballot vote by the constituent members in good standing at the special meeting for recall shall be required to recall. For a Steward, a member of a committee, or a Joint Council Officer who is not a member of the Executive Board, quorum for the special meeting for recall shall be equal in number to ten percent (10%) of the constituent in-unit members in good standing they represent. For members of the Local Union Executive Board, quorum shall be equal in number to ten percent (10%) of the constituent in-unit members in good standing they represent, or eight hundred (800), whichever is lesser, including constituent members in good standing from at least fifty percent (50%) of the Campuses of the Local Union. Participants of a special meeting for recall shall only be counted for quorum if they are members in good standing represented by the petitioned-against member.

Section 6. In the event a Steward, a member of a committee, a member of the Local Union Executive Board or Joint Council Officer is recalled, a special election shall immediately be called to fill the position. The special election shall be scheduled such that the close of voting is no later than thirty (30) days from the date of recall. For Joint Council Officers, including members of the Local Union Executive Board, the special election will be held in accordance with Article 14, Local Union Elections of the Local Union Bylaws. For Bargaining Committee Alternates, the special election will be held in accordance with Article 9, Bargaining Committees and Article 14, Local Union Elections of the Local Union Bylaws. For Stewards, the special election will be held in accordance with Article 10, Stewards of the Local Union Bylaws. For members of committees, the special election will be held in accordance with Article 11, Standing Committees; Article 13, Election Committee; and Article 22, Amendments of the Local Union Bylaws, where applicable.

Section 7. In accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, in the event a submitted petition for recall is found to be invalid or the special meeting for recall concludes with the member retaining their elected position, no further petition citing the same specific complaint may be deemed valid until one (1) year has elapsed from the petition invalidity finding or the conclusion of the special meeting for recall, unless waived by the President of the International Union, UAW.  In accordance with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, in the event that multiple or frivolous petitions are filed involving the same member holding an elected position, the Local Union Executive Board may declare the petition invalid and may appeal the matter directly to the President of the International Union, UAW for a ruling as to validity.

Article 18, Appeals 

Section 1. Consistent with the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, a member feeling themself aggrieved by any action, inaction or decision of the Local Union, Campus, or one of its representatives must initiate their complaint or appeal within sixty (60) calendar days of the time they were aware, or reasonably should have been aware of the action, inaction or decision. This appeal shall be made to the membership or delegate body immediately responsible for the representative, action or decision under challenge. 

Section 2. A member who files an appeal at the Campus shall be able to appeal to the Local Union within thirty (30) calendar days of the response of the Campus. 

Section 3. The Executive Board or Joint Council shall refer the matter to the Bargaining Committee of the appropriate Bargaining Unit if it involves collective bargaining for a particular Bargaining Unit. Otherwise, the Executive Board or Joint Council shall, themselves, consider the matter. 

Section 4. Whichever of these bodies the matter is referred to shall consult with the grievant and permit their full opportunity to be heard prior to making a decision. 

Section 5. Within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving notice of such decision, the grievant may appeal further by submitting their appeal to the Local Union Recording Secretary in writing for consideration by the membership at the next regular statewide membership meeting or regular Joint Council meeting, whichever is sooner. In accordance with the provisions of Article 4, Membership and Membership Meetings and Article 8, Joint Council of the Local Union Bylaws, a special statewide membership meeting or a special Joint Council meeting explicitly called for the purpose of considering the appeal may also be held sooner than the corresponding regular meetings.  

Section 6. An appeal from the decision of the Local Union may be made to the Executive Board of the International Union, UAW. 

Article 19, Budgets and Finances 

Section 1. The Joint Council shall decide budgets for the Local Union.

Section 2. The Joint Council shall issue budgetary guidelines for Campuses. 

Section 3. No agent or representative of the Local Union or Campus is authorized to execute a real estate lease, deed, service or maintenance contract or other long-term agreement unless the proposed agreement has been reviewed by an outside expert or attorney and has been approved by the Local Union Executive Board. 

Section 4. The Joint Council has the power to direct the Local Union Executive Board to implement a travel policy not inconsistent with International Union, UAW policy. This policy shall be posted on the Local Union website. 

Section 5. The Joint Council may allocate a budget for Officer pay. Such an allocation shall be implemented by the Local Union Executive Board, unless otherwise stipulated. Officer pay is equivalent to the rate of a Teaching Fellow at the Officer’s campus. Collecting Officer pay alone does not constitute employment as Local Union staff. 

Article 20, Local Union Employees 

Section 1. The Personnel Committee shall be composed of the President, the Financial Secretary, and at least one (1) other member of the Local Union Executive Board to be selected by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. The Personnel Committee shall be empowered to hire, terminate, supervise, and otherwise manage Local Union staff in accordance with collectively bargained agreements for represented employees. No member of the Personnel Committee shall be a member of the staff union. All Local Union staff must be UAW members. 

Section 2. Requests for additional staff shall be made to the Executive Board. Appeals of Executive Board decisions about staffing shall be made to the Joint Council. 

Section 3. Pay and working conditions for represented Local Union staff shall be set by the agreement collectively bargained by the Local Union Personnel Committee and the staff union. 

Article 21, Delegates From The Local Union 

Section 1. All delegates to conventions of the International Union, UAW shall be chosen pursuant to Article 8 of the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. 

Section 2. The Joint Council shall appoint delegates to Community Action Program state, county or city councils.

Article 22, Amendments 

Section 1. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall consist of one (1) member from each Campus who shall be elected by the members of their Campus for a term of one (1) year. 

Section 2. Nominations and elections for members of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall occur at Campus membership meetings. Notice of Campus membership meetings at which nominations and elections for this purpose will be held shall be distributed at least seven (7) calendar days in advance by email. 

Section 3. All members in good standing shall be nominated automatically for the Constitution and Bylaws Committee member position at their Campus. Any member in good standing may accept nomination at a Campus membership meeting for which the election of a Constitution and Bylaws Committee member has been duly noticed and agendized.

Section 4. The election of Constitution and Bylaws members at each Campus shall be held immediately on the close of nominations. One (1) Constitution and Bylaws Committee member from each Campus shall be elected by plurality of votes cast. 

Section 5. A vacancy on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall be filled by a subsequent election for Constitution and Bylaws Committee member from that Campus.

Section 6. Members may introduce amendments to the Local Union Bylaws at a regular Joint Council meeting. The amendment must be presented in writing to the Joint Council and the Local Union Recording Secretary at least seven (7) calendar days prior to said Joint Council meeting and must clearly set forth the specific change(s) sought. After all other discussion and motions pertaining to the amendment, it shall be motioned for a referral to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee by a simple majority vote of the Joint Council. 

Section 7. The Local Union Recording Secretary, or their designee, shall promptly inform the Constitution and Bylaws Committee of all proposed amendments. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee will arrange a meeting at least seven (7) calendar days before the next regular Joint Council meeting, and circulate information about this meeting on the Local Union website. 

Section 8. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall create a report, in writing, for the Joint Council. The task of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee is not to evaluate the merits of the amendment, but simply to determine if it conflicts with any other existing Local Union Bylaws or the Constitution of the International Union, UAW. Accordingly, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee may suggest changes to the amendment such that the amendment better comports with those documents. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee, after reviewing the amendment, shall automatically refer it back to the Joint Council. 

Reports of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee do not need to be unanimous and can reflect divergent views. Individual members of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee are also welcome to provide their own individual written reports to the Joint Council. 

Section 9. The proposed amendment shall be automatically added to the agenda of the next regular Joint Council meeting following its initial proposal. Notice of that Joint Council meeting must contain a notice of the particular Local Union Bylaws amendments that will be considered. At that Joint Council meeting, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee report shall be read to the Joint Council for consideration. 

Section 10. Any changes to the amendment that were suggested by any member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee may be approved by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Joint Council. No changes to the amendment except those suggested by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall be considered at this succeeding regular Joint Council meeting. The final amendment, reflecting any approved changes, shall be considered adopted after an approval by two-thirds (⅔) of those voting.

Article 23, Meeting Procedures 

Section 1. Per Article 42 of the Constitution of the International Union, UAW, questions of a parliamentary nature shall be decided by Robert’s Rules of Order. 

Section 2. The following Order of Business is suggested, but it may be altered: 

Roll call of Officers 

Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting 

Report of Financial Secretary 

Reports of Officers, committees and delegates 

General announcements and communications 

Unfinished business 

Good and Welfare 

Does anyone know of a member out of work or in distress? 

New business 

Closing 

Article 24, General 

Section 1. All Local Union Officers, Committees, Stewards and other members handling funds or other property of the Local Union shall, at the completion of their duties, turn over any and all such papers, documents, funds, and other Local Union property to the properly constituted Local Union Officers.