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Constitution and Bylaws
Hotel and Allied Services Union, Local 758
Service Employees International Union
AFL-CIO, CLC

ARTICLE I

This organization shall be know as the Hotel and Allied Services Union, Local 758 of the Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC.


ARTICLE II
Jurisdiction and Object

Section 1. This Local Union shall have jurisdiction as granted and approved from time to time by the International Union in accordance with the International Constitution and Bylaws. This Local Union has been chartered by the International Union as the successor to all jurisdictional and collective bargaining rights of the Hotel Division of Local 144, SEIU, AFL-CIO.


Section 2. The object of this Local Union shall be to develop a close union and more complete organization of all wage earners under its jurisdiction, and to assist its members in obtaining adequate compensation for their labor and the general improvement of the conditions under which they work. It shall be the object and duty of this Local Union to organize its jurisdiction completely and fully. This Local Union shall, as an affiliate of the International Union, carry out all of the objects and purposes of the International Union.

Article III
Membership

Section 1. Any person employed within the trade or jurisdiction of this Local Union shall be eligible to be considered for membership. Employment within the trade or jurisdiction of this Local Union shall mean employment within a bargaining unit of which this Local Union is or claims or seeks to be the certified or recognized bargaining representative or employment with this Local Union itself.


Section 2. This Local Union can with the approval of the International Union establish different categories of membership and rates of dues for persons represented and not represented by this Local Union for collective bargaining purposes including life members, retired members and associate members.


Section 3. There shall be no discrimination against any member, or any applicant for membership by reason of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or age, or disability.


Section 4. Newly elected members before being admitted to membership shall subscribe to the Membership Obligation set forth in the International Constitution and Bylaws.


Section 5. All persons who are members of the Hotel Division of Local 144, SEIU, AFL-CIO in May 1998 shall be admitted to membership in this Local Union without the necessity of any other action or status. The initiation fee shall be waived for all such members to the extent consistent with this Local Union's legal and contractual obligations.


Section 6. This Local Union shall consist of three (3) divisions: The Hotel Trades Council Division shall include all members who are part of a bargaining unit represented by the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, except for those members included in the Checkroom Division. The Checkroom Division shall include all members who are represented by the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council as checkroom or washroom attendants and are not otherwise part of a bargaining unit represented by the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council. Division A shall include all members who are not included in either of the other divisions. Members who are not employed in a bargaining unit represented by this Local Union shall be included in the division covering their last employment in such a bargaining unit.


Section 7. Every member, by virtue of his or her membership in this Local Union is obligated to adhere to and follow the terms of the International Constitution and Bylaws, this Local Constitution and Bylaws, and the working rules promulgated in accordance with this Constitution and Bylaws, with respect to the rights, duties, privileges and immunities conferred by them and by statute. Each member shall faithfully carry out such duties and obligations and shall not interfere with the rights of fellow members.


Section 8. Every member, by virtue of his or her membership in this Local Union, authorizes this Local Union to act as his or her exclusive bargaining representative with full and exclusive power to execute agreements with his or her employer governing terms and conditions of employment and to act for him or her and have final authority in presenting, processing, and adjusting any grievance, difficulty, or dispute arising under any collective bargaining agreement or out of his or her employment with such employer, in such manner as this Local Union or its officers deem to be in the best interests of this Local Union. This Local Union and its officers, business representatives, and agents may decline to process any such grievance, complaint, difficulty, or dispute, if in their discretion and judgment such grievance, complaint, or dispute lacks merit.


Section 9. No member shall interfere with the elected officers or business representatives or business agents of this organization in the performance of their duties, and each member shall, when requested, render such assistance and support in the performance of such duties as may be required of him or her, provided that this does not interfere with his or her individual rights as a member. Each member shall adhere to the terms and conditions of pertinent collective bargaining agreements and shall refrain from any conduct that would interfere with the performance by this Local Union of its legal or contractual obligations.


Section 10. No member shall engage in dual unionism or espouse dual unionism or disaffiliation in the course of any meeting, or slander or libel this Local Union, its members, or its officers, or be a party to any activity to secure the disestablishment of this Local Union as the collective bargaining agent for any employee. No member shall be permitted, at any assembly or meeting of other members to engage in any of the conduct described in this section.

Article IV

 Officers, Trustees and Delegates

Section 1. The officers of this Local Union shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and the four elected members of the Executive Board. In addition to the officers, there shall be four Trustees.


Section 2. For each shop represented by this Local Union in which there are employed fifty (50) or fewer members, there shall be one (1) shop delegate and one (1) alternate delegate. For shops in which there are employed more than fifty (50) members, there shall be one (1) additional shop delegate and one (1) additional alternate delegate for every additional fifty (50) members or major fraction thereof. General elections for such shop delegates and alternates shall be held as provided in Section 17 of this Article. In addition, the Executive Board may appoint additional delegates and/or alternate delegates from among the members employed hi the shop.


Section 3. Subsequent to the initial elections for officers and trustees, general elections for officers, trustees and delegates shall be held every three years. The officers and trustees shall be nominated at the general membership meeting in the November preceding the expiration of their terms, and shall be elected at the next general membership meeting in December. The term of office of the newly elected officers and trustees shall begin with their installation at the general membership meeting in January, at which time there shall be administered the Installation Obligation set forth in the International Constitution and Bylaws. The term of office for the officers and trustees elected in the general elections shall be three years and the officers and trustees elected and qualified shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and installed.


Section 4. Two of the four elected Executive Board positions shall be designated Executive Board - Hotel Trades Council Division. One of the four elected Executive Board positions shall be designated Executive Board - Checkroom Division. One of the four elected Executive Board positions shall be designated Executive Board - Division A. No person may be eligible for nomination or election to any of the four elected Executive Board positions unless he or she is a member of the division named in the designation of the position.


Section 5. All members in good standing of this Local Union shall be eligible to nominate and vote for candidates in elections for officers and trustees in this Local Union, including the positions described above in Sections 3 and 4, subject to the limitations set forth in this Constitution and Bylaws.


Section 6. No person shall be eligible for nomination or election as an officer, trustee, shop delegate or to any other office in this Local Union, unless he or she has been a member in continuous good standing in this Local Union for at least two years immediately preceding the nomination and has during all of that time paid the full dues required for working members of this Local Union within each month when due. The International President may waive the requirements of this section hi his or her discretion for good cause shown.
Payment of reduced dues during seasonal closures and similar periods pursuant to Article VI, Section 3, and credit for dues payments pursuant to Article VI, Section 4, shall be deemed payment of full dues required for working members for purposes of this Section. Membership in good standing in the Hotel Division of Local 144, SEIU, AFL-CIO, for periods prior to June 1,1998 shall be treated as membership in good standing in this Local Union for purposes of this Article.


Section 7. Retired members, life members and associate members paying less than the full dues required for working members of this Local Union shall not be eligible for nomination or election as an officer, trustee, shop delegate, or any other office in this Local Union, nor shall they be eligible to nominate or vote for candidates in such elections.


Section 8. No person who has been convicted of a felony as defined in Section 504 of the Landrum-Griffin Act shall in accordance with the provisions of applicable law be eligible for nomination under the terms of this section.


Section 9. No candidate (including a prospective candidate) for any office in this Local Union or affiliated body or supporter of a candidate may solicit or accept financial support or any other direct or indirect support of any kind from any nonmember of the International Union.


Section 10. All nominations for offices of this Local Union shall be made in open meeting and elections shall be by secret ballot when required by the provisions of applicable law. Write-in candidates and proxy voting shall not be permitted.


Section 11. The election shall be decided for the candidate receiving the most votes.


Section 12. Before a vote is taken, it shall be the duty of the President to appoint tellers to collect and count the ballots in the presence of the members of this Local Union, and the President shall announce the results of the ballot.


Section 13. In the event of a vacancy in any elected position, by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, no later than thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the vacancy the Executive Board shall meet and designate a member to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term. No person shall be designated pursuant to this section who would not be eligible for nomination to the position if an election were being held.


Section 14. All officers and employees handling any money of this Local Union shall be bonded in the amounts and the form required by applicable statutes, said bond or bonds to be procured immediately upon assuming office or employment, the premiums to be paid for by this Local Union. The International Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union may direct the increase or decrease in the amount of the bonding of any Local Union not required by statute to obtain a bond.


Section 15. The President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Recording Secretary of this Local Union, together with the four elected members of the Executive Board, shall constitute the Local Executive Board.


Section 16. All the officers of this Local Union elected in conformity with applicable statutes shall by virtue of such election be considered to be eligible delegates to any International, intermediate body or conference convention which may take place during their term of office. If at the time of the receipt of the convention call it shall appear that such number of elected officers is less than the number of delegates to which this Local Union will be entitled at an International convention, then arrangements shall be made for nomination and secret ballot election, if required, of an additional number of eligible members as convention delegates. Nominees for such position, if unopposed, shall be deemed elected without necessity for further procedures. If the total number of elected officers is greater than the number which this Local Union is permitted to send to the convention, then the officers shall attend as delegates in the order listed hi Section 1 hereof, with the four elected Executive Board members to be listed in descending order based on the number of votes each received in the last election. However, if any of the four Executive Board members run unopposed, all of them shall be listed hi accordance with length of membership in this Local Union. The President of this Local Union shall determine the number of delegates and alternates which shall represent it at the convention, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.


Section 17. General elections for shop delegates and alternate delegates shall be held at a meeting of the members employed in the shop. Such meetings shall be held in the same year as general elections for officers and trustees, during the six (6) months preceding the month hi which the general membership meeting for nominations of officers and trustees is to be held, and shall be presided over by an officer of this Local Union. Nominations and voting shall take place at the same meeting. No person shall be eligible for nomination or election as a shop delegate or alternate delegate who is not employed in the represented shop.

ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers, Trustees and Shop Delegates

President

Section 1. The President shall have general supervision and direction over the affairs of this Local Union and over the organizing activities of this Local Union. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of this Local Union and its Executive Board and conduct same hi accordance with the parliamentary rules and in conformity with this Constitution and Bylaws and the International Constitution and Bylaws; to execute the laws and orders thereof; to vote on all questions whenever his or her vote will affect the result; to decide questions of order; and to appoint all committees, unless otherwise provided for, of which committees he or she shall be ex-officio a member. The President shall have full power and authority to sign all contracts and agreements or any other documents for or hi behalf of this Local Union; to negotiate and enter into collective bargaining agreements; to authorize expenditures, subject to the approval of the executive Board for expenditures in amounts of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more; and to employ necessary staff and retain counsel, accountants and other professional personnel as he or she may deem necessary, and to fix their compensation, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. All power and authority of the President shall be subject to the requirements and limitations of this Constitution and Bylaws.

Vice-President

Section 2. The Vice-President shall preside at meetings when called upon by the President and in the President's temporary absence; assist the President when called upon in preserving order and appoint two sergeants-at-arms from among the members present at a meeting; and perform the duties of the President at times when the President is temporarily unable to discharge his or her dudes. The Vice-President shall also perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the President.

Recording Secretary

Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to keep a correct and impartial account of the proceedings of each meeting of this Local Union and Executive Board. The Recording Secretary shall furnish the chairperson of each committee a copy of such resolutions as may be adopted by this Local Union, applicable to its respective duties. The Recording Secretary shall notify the International Union of the names and addresses (with zip code) of all officers and trustees elected to office within fifteen (15) days after the election. The Recording Secretary shall, on behalf of this Local Union, receive all official communications and correspondence except that addressed to the Secretary-Treasurer. The Recording Secretary shall also perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the President

Secretary-Treasurer

Section 4. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial records and transactions. .The Secretary-Treasurer shall collect all dues and other revenues of this Local Union and issue official receipts of same, and notify all suspended members two (2) months in the arrears of the amount of their indebtedness.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to receive all moneys paid to this Local Union, giving a receipt for same, announcing receipts and disbursements at each meeting; he or she shall deposit all moneys in a bank recommended by the Executive Board; keep a correct record of all dues payments and all other money received and expended; submit financial statements quarterly at the membership meetings of this Local Union; and pay all bills ordered by the Union when signed by the President He or she shall not hold more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) in his or her possession to meet the immediate demands of this Local Union. The Secretary-Treasurer shall submit his or her books and receipts to the Trustees for their audit and approval when called upon to do so, and at the expiration of his or her official term of office shall turn over to his or her successor all moneys and property of this Local Union that may be in his or her possession.
    All funds shall be deposited in a bank in the name of this Local Union. All checks drawn on accounts of this Local Union shall be signed by the President and the Secretary-Treasurer.
   The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep all membership records and application cards, and a record of all members admitted by initiation or otherwise, as well as rejections and suspended or expelled members. The Secretary-Treasurer shall send to the International Union an accurate record of all dues payments and other revenue and he or she shall forward to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union the correct names and addresses and Social Security or social insurance numbers of all members initiated or readmitted, and of all other persons from whom revenue is derived, as well as those suspended for nonpayment of dues or for any other cause; also a correct list of those who are issued transfer or withdrawal cards. The proper zip code shall be included for each address.
   The Secretary-Treasurer shall promptly forward to the International Secretary-Treasurer copies of all annual audit reports and copies of all financial reports setting forth a statement of assets and liabilities and a statement of receipts and disbursements which are required by law.   The Secretary-Treasurer shall also perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the President
   In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, the Secretary-Treasurer shall perform the duties of the President until such vacancy is filled as provided for by this Constitution and Bylaws. During any period in which the Secretary-Treasurer performs the duties of the President pursuant to this paragraph, all checks drawn on an account of this Local Union shall be signed by the Secretary-Treasurer and the Vice President, or, if the office of the Vice President is vacant, by the Secretary-Treasurer and the Recording Secretary.

Trustees

Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Trustees to examine and audit the books of this Local Union and at least annually to take an inventory of and verify the securities, investments, bank accounts, and cash funds then on hand. They shall see that the funds of this Local Union are deposited in one or more reliable banks. It shall be their duty to recommend such measures as will simplify the duties of the Secretary-Treasurer and safeguard the funds of this Local Union. They shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to them from time-to-time by the President or the Executive Board. Where one of the Trustees is unable to act because of illness, absence or otherwise, the remaining two trustees may carry out the duties imposed by this Article.


Local Executive Board

Section 6. The Executive Board shall enforce the laws of the International Union, the Local laws, the instructions of this Local Union and its own decisions. It shall report upon all matters which in its judgment require consideration by the membership or which may have been committed to it by the membership.
The Executive Board shall have power, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws, to appoint subcommittees from its own membership, and to pass upon and approve applications for membership and reinstatement to membership in this Local Union.
The Executive Board shall have the power to receive and hear complaints filed against any member or members (including determination of election protests), act as the trial body, pursuant to procedures hereinafter set forth, in the trial of accused members, and to submit to the membership its findings and recommendations after said trial. When a member of the Executive Board is an interested party or a witness to any such proceeding, he or she shall be automatically disqualified from sitting as a member of the Board.
The Executive Board shall meet at least once a month, at a time, date and place as it may decide. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President Whenever a majority of the Executive Board requests the President to call a meeting thereof, it shall be mandatory upon him or her to do so. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. The decisions of the Executive Board shall be decided by a majority vote of those members present.

Shop Delegates

Section 7. Shop delegates and alternate delegates shall have the duty to uphold the International Constitution and Bylaws and this Constitution and Bylaws, to attend membership meetings, shop meetings, and other meetings at which their attendance is required or desirable, to faithfully enforce and implement the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement in their shops, and to represent members at grievance meetings in good faith. They must at all times act responsibly and in the best interest of this Local Union and its members and to refrain from any acts detrimental to the good and welfare of its members. Alternate delegates shall serve only in the absence of the delegate from the shop and shall, at all times, coordinate their actions on behalf of the union with those of the shop delegates.
Special delegates' meetings may be called from time to time by the President or the Executive Board.
Any shop delegate or alternate delegate may be removed from his or her position by a petition signed by two-thirds (2/3) of the members employed in the represented shop. This provision shall not preclude the removal of a delegate by another procedure under this Constitution and Bylaws or the International Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI
Initiation Fees, Dues & Assessments

Section 1. The revenues of this Local Union shall be derived from initiation fees, dues, assessments, agency shop or service or fair share fees, fines and such other sources as may be approved by the Executive Board.


Section 2. The initiation fee shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00), half of which is to be allocated to a strike or defense fund. The fee shall be paid in installments of twenty dollars ($20.00) over a ten-week period, unless the member chooses to pay hi full at the Local Union office prior to the end of the ten-week period.


Section 3. The dues of this Local Union for working members shall be no less than nine dollars and fifty cents ($9.50) per week. [NOTE: The amounts designated in this Section will be effective only upon approval of dues in this amount by vote of the membership in accordance with applicable law.]
Dues for members who are absent from work for more than twenty days in any calendar month due to a seasonal closure or other loss of work of an annual or otherwise regular nature shall be reduced to an amount no less than ($10.00) per month for a period not to exceed six (6) months in any calendar year.
Dues for retired members and organizing committee members shall be no less than three dollars ($3.00) per month. Retired members who are 75 years of age or older, and who have been paying dues continuously to this Local Union, either as full members or retired members, for at least ten years immediately prior thereto, shall be considered to be Life Members and shall have no continuing dues obligations, but they shall nonetheless be eligible to enjoy all the benefits and privileges of retired members in the International Union, including continued participation in the International Union's Death Gratuity Program if otherwise eligible. Dues paid to Local 144 in connection with membership in the Hotel Division of Local 144 for periods of time prior to June 1, 1998 shall be treated as dues paid to this Local Union for purposes of this paragraph.
Each member must pay the dues or assessments of this Local Union on or before the last day of the month in which the same are due and this Local Union must remit the member's per capita tax to the International Union not later than the last day of the month following the payment by the members.


Section 4. Any member failing to pay dues and assessments of this Local Union on or before the last day of the month hi which the same are due, shall stand automatically suspended from membership in this Local Union, and from all rights and privileges of such membership. Any suspended member may be readmitted to membership within thirty (30) days after automatic suspension upon payment of back and current dues, but in no event shall such readmission restore any privileges, death gratuities or other benefits for any period of delinquency preceding fall payment of such back and current dues and assessments. Any member who has been hi suspension for a period greater than thirty (30) days can be readmitted upon the payment of a readmission fee of four weeks' dues or one month's dues, hi addition to the amount of dues, fines, and assessments owed, but hi no event shall such readmission restore any privileges, death gratuities or other benefits for any period of delinquency preceding full payment of such back and current dues, assessments and fees.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, when a member is laid off from employment or is absent from work due to employer lockout or union-authorized strike for more than twenty days in any calendar month, such members will be credited for membership dues for the period of unemployment but not to exceed six months in any calendar year, the six-month limitation may be waived by the Executive Board, with the approval of the International President, for a specified period in the case of an employer lockout or union-authorized strike.


Section 5. All members of this Local Union are under a positive duty to see that their dues and other payments are remitted on or before the last day of the month in which the same are due at the office of this Local Union.


Section 6. The failure of a delegate, agent or officer of this Local Union to appear or to collect the dues shall not hi any manner excuse the member from his or her obligations to pay his or her dues on or before their due date at the office of this Local Union.


Section 7. A member who has been hi suspension for a period greater than sixty (60) days and who pays up his or her back dues, assessments and fees shall, from the date of such payment, be considered the same as a new member.


Section 8. At his or her request a member who is not employed within the trade or jurisdiction of this Local Union may be issued a withdrawal card provided all of his or her other dues and assessments shall have been paid up to the date of his or her application for such withdrawal card.


Section 9. This Local Union shall be deemed to have issued a withdrawal card to any member who, for a continuous period of over six months, has not been employed within the trade or jurisdiction of this Local Union, regardless whether a withdrawal card has been requested by the member. The card shall be sent to the member at his or her last known address as soon as practicable.


Section 10. A member who has been issued a withdrawal card from this Local Union shall have the right to be reinstated to membership hi this Local Union without paying an initiation fee upon resuming employment within the trade or jurisdiction of this Local Union and meeting the requirements for membership, including but not limited to payment of dues, assessments, fines and fees outstanding from before the withdrawal, but shall be entitled to no other rights, privileges or benefits. A withdrawal card shall become null and void two years after its issuance.


Section 11. Any increase hi the rate of dues or initiation fees or the levying of any general or special assessment, which has not been mandated by a Convention of the International Union, shall when required by applicable law be made only hi accordance with the following procedure:
  a. Reasonable notice shall be given by the Secretary-Treasurer to the membership at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting at which the membership will consider the question of whether or not such dues, initiation or reinstatement fees, general or special assessment, shall be changed or levied. The notice shall indicate that an increase or assessment is to be voted on. Such meeting may be regular or special.
  b. At the regular or special meeting called as provided hi this section, voting shall be by secret ballot of the members in good standing.
  c. A majority vote by secret ballot of the members in good standing voting at such meeting shall decide the issue.


Section 12. This Local Union shall pay per capita tax to the International Union for any person from whom this Local Union receives revenue, whether called dues or otherwise. This Local Union shall likewise pay any other obligations due to the International Union, and it shall have no right to pay any bills before it pays its full obligations to the International Union each month.
A fee of $ 1.00 shall be paid by this Local Union to the International Union for each new member or reinstated member.


Section 13. All records of this Local Union pertaining to income, disbursements and financial transactions of any kind whatsoever must be kept for a period of at least six (6) years or longer if required by applicable law.


Section 14. Neither this Local Union nor any subdivision thereof, nor members or groups of members, including councils, conferences, leagues, clubs or any association composed of members of this Local Union, or subdivision thereof, shall in any manner, directly or indirectly, use, exploit or trade upon the name of the International Unions or affiliated body, or this Local Union, or any similar name or designation, nor in the name of the International Union, or affiliated body, nor in the name of this Local Union, levy or collect any taxes, dues, or other moneys, nor in the name of this Local Union, conduct any affair or any other activity, for the purpose of raising funds, including programs or soliciting advertising in any publication, either directly or indirectly, without first obtaining written permission from the International President of the International Union.

   All of the aforesaid matters covered by this section, including without limitation, funds, solicitations, gifts and donations, collected in the name of the International Union, shall at all times be subject to audit by the International Union, and all books, records, and documents pertaining to matters covered by this section shall be available for inspection, copying and audit by the International Union.

Article VII
Collective Bargaining

Section 1. The authority to bargain collectively for this Local Union shall be vested in a Negotiating Committee which shall consist of the President, or an officer designated by the President, and not less than three elected members of the affected bargaining unit.


Section 2. The results of collective bargaining negotiations shall be subject to ratification by the members of this Local Union in the bargaining unit covered by such negotiations.


Section 3. The International Union shall be notified in writing when any collective bargaining negotiations or memorandum of understanding have been concluded and be advised of the number of employees covered.


Section 4. A true copy of all collective bargaining agreements and contracts entered into by this Local Union shall, immediately upon execution, be filed with the International Department of Research.

Article VIII
Charges and Appeals

PREAMBLE. In order to ensure members' protection from the filing of frivolous charges, the following procedures shall apply:


Section 1. Whenever charges are preferred against any member or officer of this Local Union, the charges shall be filed in writing in duplicate with the Recording Secretary. The charging party should specify what he/she believes constitute a basis for the charges and the specific subsection(s) of Section 1 of Article XVII of the International Constitution and Bylaws the charging party believes has been violated. The Recording Secretary shall serve a copy of the charges on the accused whether personally or by registered or certified mail directly to the last known address of the accused at least ten (10) days before the hearing on the charges. If the charges are not specific, the trial body may dismiss the charges either before or at the hearing, but the charging party shall have the right to refile more detailed charges which comply with this Section. No charges may be filed more than six months after the charging party learned, or reasonably could have learned, of the act or acts which are the bases of the charges.


Section 2. The Executive Board shall be the Trial Board, except that where a member charged or preferring such charges is a member of the Executive Board, he or she shall not participate in the consideration of or the decision on such charges, and the Executive Board shall appoint a disinterested member as a substitute. If there are not enough disinterested members of the Executive Board to conduct a fair hearing, the Executive Board shall appoint three disinterested members of the Local to act as the Trial Board.


Section 3. The decision of the Executive Board shall be deemed final unless the individual or individuals against whom said decision Council, as determined by the International Union.

ARTICLE XII
Committees

Section 1. The President, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint a Civil Rights Committee to assist this Local Union in carrying out the Civil Rights programs and policies of the International Union.


Section 2. The President, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint a Committee on Political Education to assist this Local Union in carrying out a program for sound political education and political action and encouraging its members and their families to register and vote. This Local Union shall not establish its own registered federal political committee or any political candidates fund for contribution in connection with federal elections, provided, however, that the International President may in his or her discretion waive this provision or establish such conditions as the International President may deem necessary.


Section 3. The President, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint a Senior Members Committee to assist this Local Union in developing a program for senior members and retired members.


Section 4. The President, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint an Organizing Committee to assist this Local Union in developing organizing programs for this Local Union.


Section 5. The International Secretary-Treasurer shall be notified promptly by this Local Union of the composition of the Civil and Human Rights Committee, the Committee on Political Education, the Senior Members Committee and Organizing Committee.


ARTICLE XIII
Quorum

A quorum shall consist of seven (7) members assembled at a regular or special meeting called in accordance with this Constitution and Bylaws, and they shall be qualified to transact such business as may properly be considered at such meeting.

ARTICLE XIV
Dissolution

This Local Union cannot dissolve, secede or disaffiliate while there are seven (7) dissenting members. In the event of secession, dissolution or disaffiliation, all properties, funds and assets, both real and personal, of this Local Union shall become the property of the International Union. Under no circumstances shall this Local Union distribute its funds, assets, or properties individually among its membership.


ARTICLE XV
Property Rights

The title to all property, funds, and other assets of this Local Union shall at all times be vested in the Local Executive Board for the joint use of the membership of this Local Union, but no member shall have any as severable proprietary right, title, or interest therein.
Membership in this organization shall not vest any member with any right, tide, or interest in or to the property of this Local Union, including the funds of this Local Union.


ARTICLE XVI
Amendments

Section 1. The Constitution and Bylaws of this Local Union may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any regular meeting of this Local Union, provided the amendment to be voted on has been presented in writing and read [at] at least one regular meeting before the regular meeting at which action is taken. No amendment shall be valid or become effective until approved by the International Union.


Section 2. The Constitution and Bylaws of this Local Union shall at all times be subordinate to the International Constitution and Bylaws, as it may be amended. If any conflict should arise between the Constitution and Bylaws of this Local Union, or any amendments thereto, and the International Constitution and Bylaws, or any amendments thereto, the provisions of the International Constitution and Bylaws shall control.

ARTICLE XVII
Procedure and Debate

The meetings of this Local Union shall be governed by the manual of common procedure, rules of debate and order of business set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws of the International Union. Every member shall follow and be subject to such rules governing debate at all meetings of this Local Union.

SEIU Member Bill of Rights and
Responsibilities in the Union

  • The right to have opinions heard and respected, to be informed of union activity, to be educated in union values and union skills.
  • The right to choose the leaders of the union in a fair and democratic manner.
  • The right to a full accounting of union dues and the proper stewardship over union resources.
  • The right to participate in the union's bargaining efforts and to approve union contracts.
  • The right to have members' concerns resolved in a fair and expeditious manner.
  • The responsibility to help build a strong and more effective labor movement, to support the organizing of unorganized workers, to help build a political voice for working people, and to stand up for one's co-workers and all workers.
  • The responsibility to be informed about the internal governance of the union and to participate in the conduct of the union's affairs.
  • The responsibility to contribute to the support of the union.
  • The responsibility to treat all workers and members fairly.
  • The responsibility to offer constructive criticism of the union.

SEIU Member Bill of Rights and
Responsibilities on the Job

  • The right to have work that is worthwhile to society, personally satisfying to the worker, and which provides a decent standard of living, a healthy and safe workplace, and the maximum possible employment security.
  • The right to have a meaningful and protected voice in the design and execution of one's work and in the long-term planning by one's employer as well as the training necessary to take part in such planning.
  • The right to fair and equitable treatment on the job.
  • The right to share fairly in the gains of the employer.
  • The right to participate fully in the work of the union on the scope, content and structure of one's job.
  • The responsibility to participate in the union's efforts to establish and uphold collective principles and values for effective workplace participation.
  • The responsibility to recognize and respect the interests of all union members when making decision about union goals.
  • The responsibility to be informed about the industry in which one works and about the forces that will affect the condition of workers in the industry.
  • The responsibility to participate fully in the union's efforts to expand the voice of workers on the job.
  • The responsibility to give fully and fairly of one's talents and efforts on the job and to recognize the legitimate goals of one's employer.