BY-LAWS
of
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
SKILLED TRADES UNION, INC.
| Article
I - Organization and Purpose |
| |
Sec.
1. |
The
Trades Board will be the exclusive representative
for the purpose of collective bargaining in respect
to wages, hours, and other conditions of employment
for all employees listed in the following classifications: |
| |
Sec.
2. |
All
Electricians, including High Voltage Electricians
and Elevator Mechanics.; Sheet metal Workers; Roofers;
Roofer and Sheet Metal Helpers; Painters, including
Sign Painters and Spray Painters; Masons; Plasterers;
Carpenters, including Carpenter Machinists; Cabinet
Makers; Plumber Pipe-Fitters, including Pipe Coverers
and Steam Fitters; Refrigeration Repairmen, including
HVAC Control Specialist; Heavy Equipment Operators,
Heavy Equipment Operator Underground Specialist;
Welders; Construction Laborers; Teleph Installer,
Repairperson; Telecommunications and Voice Communication
Specialist, Communication Worker and all Apprentices
to the foregoing at any location or facility of
the University of Michigan; excluding temporary
and student help; professional employees; teaching
faculty; research staff; office clerical employees;
technical employees; supervisors; and all other
employees. |
| |
Sec.
3. |
All
members in good standing with classification titles
listed above will be admitted to meetings called
by, but not limited to, the Trades Board of the
University of Michigan Skilled Trades Union. |
| |
Sec.
4. |
The
term "member" shall refer to a member in good standing
of an affiliated Building Trades Local Union or
a member in good standing of The University of Michigan
skilled Trades Union. Members whose dues are delinquent
or members whose rights and privileges have been
suspended are not members in good standing. |
| |
Sec.
5. |
The
term "The Union" shall refer to The University
of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Inc. |
| |
Sec.
6. |
Each
new member will be initiated into the "Brotherhood"
and an orientation will be given and will not be
considered a member in good standing until such
time. |
| |
Sec.
7. |
The
term "Trades Board" shall refer to the Board of
Directors for The University of Michigan Skilled
Trades Union, Inc. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
II - Meetings |
| |
Sec.
1. |
All
General Membership shall be held as follows: |
| |
|
- General Membership meetings
shall be held at the Electricians Local 252
and Plumbers Local 190's Meeting Hall, 7920
Jackson RD. Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
- Meetings will be held on
the fourth (4th) Thursday of each month.
- Meetings will begin at 4:30
p.m. (Four-Thirty) and will go no later that
6:30 p.m. (Six-thirty).
- Meetings will be open to
the following: All members in good standing;
all elected officials of the Trades Board; also
by invitation of the President or the Vice President.
- Meetings conducted per order
of business and Robert's Rules of Order.
- In November and December,
the General Membership meetings will be held
in conjunction with the stewards' meetings.
No candidate for any office shall be eligible
to serve on the Election board
|
| |
Sec.
2 |
- All stewards meetings shall
be held as follows:
- Stewards meetings shall be
held at the Electricians Local 252 and Plumbers
Local 190's meeting hall, 7920 Jackson Rd. Ann
Arbor, MI 48103
- Meetings will be held on
the third (3rd) Thursday of each month, or as
scheduled by the President.
- Meetings will begin at 4:30
p.m. (four thirty) and will go no later than
6:00 p.m. (six o'clock).
- Meetings will be open to
the following: All shop or area stewards, alternated
shop or area stewards, members and invited guests,
or officers.
|
| |
Sec.
3 |
Executive
Board meetings will be held on the third (3rd) Thursday
of each month in conjunction with the Stewards'
meeting at the Electricians Local 252 and Plumber's
Local 190's meeting hall, 7920 Jackson Rd., Ann
Arbor, MI 48103. |
| |
Sec.
4 |
All
Apprentices are required to attend the General Membership
meetings when he or she are not in class unless
otherwise excused by the President or by calling
the Union office. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
III - Special Meetings |
| |
Sec.
1. |
In
addition to meetings as provided for in the By-laws
of the Board of Directors, the President shall be
empowered to call a special meeting at any time
the University of Michigan Skilled Trades Union
are engaged in collective bargaining with the University
of Michigan. This meeting may be called upon forty-eight
(48) hours' notice. The President may call other
special meetings for any other purpose upon fifteen
(15) days written notices by general membership
mailing. |
| |
Sec.
2. |
Notice
shall be accomplished by posting of bulletin boards.
Minimum requirements are posting of bulletin boards
at the following locations:
 |
|
|
| |
Plant
Department: |
Outside
wall of Welding Shop. |
| |
Hospital: |
B2 Level
in Repair Shop |
| |
N. Campus: |
Housing
Service Building |
| |
Flint
& Dearborn Campuses: |
Telephonic
communications with area stewards |
| |
Other
bulletin boards shall be posted as time permits. |
|
| |
Sec.
3. |
Recall
of Officers. Recall of officers representing The
University of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Inc.
shall be as follows: The member or members shall
notify the President of the Board of Directors by
Registered Mail, the Intent of Recall and why. In
no less than 60 (sixty) calendar days, signed Union
members petitions requesting recall shall be hand
delivered to the President of the Board of Directors,
who shall determine the validity of the members
and signatures. The membership petitioning recall
shall be not less than a simple majority of the
total membership. The President and Vice President
will notify by mail and bulletin boards, members
of The Union of a Recall Election. The election
shall be as soon as practical, pursuant to Article
II, Paragraph 1, By-laws. |
| |
Sec.
4. |
A
special meeting shall be called for any increase
or decrease of membership dues in the bargaining
unit. |
| |
Sec.
5. |
A
special meeting shall be called for any increase
or decrease paid to any office holder or paid fringe
benefit to any office holder from membership dues
in the bargaining unit. |
| |
Sec.
6. |
Attendance.
All members in good standing are encouraged to attend
all meetings. |
| |
Sec.
7. |
In
the event of a called strike, all members must report
to the union hall on the first (1st) day of the
strike. At that time the strike committee will assign
all essential personnel, assign picket times and
places, and ensure strike compliance by our members. |
| |
Sec.
8. |
The
Chairman of the Board of Directors shall conduct
the meetings in accordance with the Roberts Rules
of Order, and will only discuss such matters pertinent
to the "Special Called Meeting". The Chairman may
also 'adjourn' any meeting in which he or she deems
unruly. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
IV - Officers and Duties |
| |
Sec.
1. |
In
addition to the duties of the elected officials
of The University of Michigan Skilled Trades
Union, Inc., as set forth in the Organization
Articles of the Board of Directors, said elected
persons should be further responsible as follows:
- President.
The President shall represent The University
of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Inc. at
all conference grievances and all other meetings
with the University of Michigan personnel; appoint
all standing committee chairpersons and members,
except where excluded by these By-laws; report
monthly to the membership and Executive Board
regarding the general status and affairs of
The Union; represent all members during contract
negotiations, grievance proceedings and arbitration
proceedings with the University of Michigan;
and promote as necessary, the welfare of The
Union and its individual members; and shall
be signatory to all Financial accounts.
- Vice President. The Vice
President shall preside at all membership meetings
and Executive Board meetings of The University
of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Inc.;
and shall assist the President as required and
requested by the President. In the event of
the inability of President to perform his or
her duties, as set forth above and in the Organizational
Articles and By-laws of the Board of Directors,
the Vice President shall act in his or her place
and stead; and shall be signatory to all Financial
accounts.
- Recording Secretary. The
Recording Secretary shall record the minutes
of regular and special meetings of the membership
of The Union; carry on all correspondence for
the Trades Board as directed by the President;
keep records of all elections of The Union;
and carry out all other duties as are usual
and necessary for the Office of Recording Secretary
and as requested by the President and shall
be signatory to all Financial accounts.
- Sergeant-At-Arms. The Sergeant-At-Arms
shall be considered an officer of The University
of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Inc..
The Sergeant-At-Arms shall be responsible for
the orderly conduct of the membership at all
meetings. The Sergeant-At-Arms may appoint assistants
in the performance of his aforementioned duties.
The Sergeant-At-Arms shall prepare a roster
of all members in attendance at each regularly
scheduled and specially called meeting; and,
at the conclusion of same, deliver said roster
to the Recording Secretary.
- Treasurer. The Treasurer
shall over see all Financial affairs, deposits,
disbursements, Audits, reports of The University
of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Inc.;
and shall be signatory to all Financial accounts;
and shall make no disbursement without sanction
of the members or Executive Board, except for
payments of regular and standing bills such
as rent, salaries and payments to the Trades
Board which do not require a vote of the members
or Executive Board.
- The three (3) members elected
by the general membership of The University
of Michigan Skilled Trades Union, Inc. for
the purpose of negotiations as referred to in
Article VI, Section 1, shall also be considered
as officers of The Union.
|
| |
|
Return
to Index |
| Article
V - Stewards |
| |
Sec.
1. |
Stewards
shall be elected from the area over which they have
jurisdiction pursuant to the existing Collective
Bargaining Agreement with the University of Michigan.
The elections shall be held in October of odd numbered
years prior to the General Membership meeting. All
members are eligible for nomination for the position
of Steward. |
| |
Sec.
2. |
Steward's
Duties.
- To have a copy of the current
Agreement, By-laws, and seniority list, and
are familiar with the same.
- To see that the best interest
of The Union is encouraged and protected.
- To report to the President
or Vice President any violation of the Agreement.
- To perform such other duties
as may be assigned to the by the President.
|
| |
Sec.
3. |
Any
Steward failing to discharge his duties or failing
to attend two consecutive Steward meetings, unless
satisfactory excuse is given, may be removed from
office by the President appointing another Steward
until the next regular election. |
| |
Sec.
4. |
A
Steward may be recalled by a simple majority of
employees represented by that Steward, and the recall
election will be limited to those employees. A recall
election will be conducted after a petition signed
by a majority of the employees has been submitted
to the President and the President has verified
the validity of the signatures. The recall election
will be held immediately after the next regularly
scheduled general membership meeting. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
VI - Standing Committees |
| |
Sec.
1. |
Negotiating
Committee. The Negotiating Committee shall consist
of eight (8) members, including the President, Vice
President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-At-Arms,
and three (3) members elected from the general membership
of the Union. The committee shall be responsible
for all negotiations conducted with the University
of Michigan and shall serve as the Board of Directors. |
| |
Sec.
2. |
Board
of Directors.
- The Board of Directors shall
consist of the eight (8) members serving as
the Negotiating Committee.
- The Trades Board shall meet
between regular General Membership meetings,
and shall have the power to take any action
The Union can take, and which should be taken
prior to the next regular meeting of the membership.
Matters referred to the Trades Board by the
President shall take precedence over all other
matters before the Trades Board.
- Its chairman or the President
may call special meetings of the Trades Board.
- The Vice President shall
serve as Chairman of the Trades Board and the
Recording Secretary shall serve as Secretary
of the Trades Board.
- A record of all business
transacted by the Trades Board shall be kept
and a report shall be made to the members at
the next regular Membership meeting.
|
| |
Sec.
3. |
Joint
Apprenticeship Committee. The Joint Apprenticeship
Committee shall consist of four (4) members elected
by the General Membership to serve as representatives
of the membership. Additional members will be appointed
by the President as needed. Joint Apprenticeship
Committee duties and responsibilities are as outlined
in the current Agreement. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
VII - Elections |
| |
Sec.
1. |
- All members are eligible
for nomination as an elected officer.
- Term of Office. The
term of office of all elected officials shall
be three (3) years or until their successors
are duly elected.
- Nominations for elected
offices shall be conducted at the September
Membership meeting in the year of the election
unless the Union is engaged in contract negotiations,
then nominations will be at the next Membership
meeting following ratification by the membership.
- Elections for these
offices will be held on the next membership
meeting day following nominations.
- Eligibility to vote.
All members in good standing are eligible to
vote. No member shall be eligible for office
unless he/she has been a member in continuous
good standing for at least one (1) year immediately
prior to nominations. No apprentice shall be
eligible to hold an elected office.
- At the Membership meeting
when nominations are made, after nominations
are closed, the Vice President shall appoint
an Election Judge and as many tellers as are
required, who shall serve as an Election Board
to conduct the election. No candidate for any
office shall be eligible to serve on the Election
Board.
- After nominations have
been made and those nominated are found to be
qualified, the Election Board shall have ballots
prepared, listing in alphabetical order, the
names of all candidates for each respective
office. Such ballots shall not contain any identifying
numbers or marks.
- On the day when elections
are held, the Election Board shall conduct an
orderly election, providing each qualified voter
with one official ballot, and a place where
that voter may complete that ballot in secret.
- When the polls have
closed and voting has ceased, the Election Board
shall immediately count and tabulate the ballots.
A report of the election results shall be made
immediately by the Election Board. All ballots
and other papers shall be preserved and sealed
for one (1) year from the date of the election,
after which the same shall be destroyed unless
a question has arisen concerning the same.
- Voting shall be by
secret ballot. Polls will open at 10:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. Lost time will be paid to not more
than five (5) people overseeing the election
polls.
- In the event the candidate
does not receive a majority of the votes cast
for a specific office, then a run off election
will be held between the two (2) candidates
receiving the highest number of votes. This
does not include candidates for the Negotiating
Committee, which shall be decided for the candidates
receiving the most votes.
- When a run off election
is necessary, such an election shall be held
at the next regular meeting after the regular
election is held.
- If any member is scheduled
to work all of the hours that the polls are
open, that employee shall be allowed to vote
in a manner determined by the Election Board.
If any member is scheduled to work during any
meeting called for the purpose of voting on
amendments to the By-laws or increase or decreases
in dues, those members shall be allowed to vote
in any manner proposed by the President and
approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.
- (1) Members in good standing
and qualified to vote who expect to be unable
to visit the polls on election day may at any
time within thirty (30) days but not less than
five (5) days prior to the date of election,
make application in writing stating good cause
to the Election Judge for an absentee ballot.
Any such qualified applicant shall be furnished
an official ballot and two envelopes. One envelope
shall be smaller than the other and shall be
marked only with the words: "OFFICIAL BALLOT".
The larger envelope shall be pre-addressed to
the Election Board and shall contain a space
in the upper left-hand corner where the member
shall place their name and address. (2) Upon
a member receiving an absentee ballot, he of
she shall mark same and enclose it in the smaller
envelope marked: "OFFICIAL BALLOT". This envelope
shall then be placed in the larger envelop and
mailed to the Election Board in time to be received
before the polls are closed on election day.
The Election Board shall open the envelopes,
remove the small envelope marked: "OFFICIAL
BALLOT: and deposit the same in the ballot box
with the other ballots. (3) No member receiving
an absentee ballot shall be permitted to vote
in person at the election, unless he or she
has first returned the absentee ballot unmarked
to the Election Judge.
|
| |
Sec.
2. |
Vacancy
in office. In the event that the President resigns
or is otherwise unable to complete the elected term
of office, the Vice President will serve as the
President for the remainder of the elected term
until the next general election. If any other officer
resigns or is otherwise unable to complete the elected
term of office, the Trades Board will replace that
officer by appointing another member to fill that
position until the next general election. |
| |
Sec.
3. |
The
voting to ratify or reject a proposed collective
bargaining agreement will not be conducted until
at least three (3) working days have passed since
the public reading of the proposed agreement. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
VIII - Dues, Fees, Assessments |
| |
Sec.
1. |
All
members of The Union shall stay current with the
appropriate Union Dues Check-off, Service Fee Check-off
or Assessment as provided in the current Working
Agreement. |
| |
Sec.
2. |
Any
changes in Dues, Service Fees, or Assessments shall
only be made by majority vote by secret ballot of
members in good standing at a Membership meeting
notified for that purpose. Notification of that
meeting shall be by posting of all Trades Bulletin
Boards. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
IX - Salaries, Expenses, Reimbursements |
| |
Sec.
1. |
| Salaries
shall be: |
|
President: |
$00.00per
month |
|
Vice
President: |
$320.00
per month |
|
Recording
Secretary: |
$200.00
per month |
|
Treasurer: |
$200.00
per month |
|
Trades
Board: |
$reimbursed
monthly dues per month |
Stewards
and
Alternate Stewards: |
$reimbursed monthly dues
per month
when attending all scheduled meetings.(excluding
E-Board meetings) |
Donations
All motions for donations will be limited to
a maximum of $250.00 unless put to committee
and voted on at the next regularly scheduled membership
meeting.
|
| |
Sec.
2. |
All
disbursements for authorized expenditures made in
behalf of The Union shall be supported by receipts,
vouchers, or other reasonable proof of claim. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
X - Order of Business |
| |
- Call to Order.
- "Pledge to the Flag"
- Roll call of officers
- Reading of minutes of the
previous meeting.
- Communications and Bills
(Treasurer's Report)
- Recognition of New Member
and Initiation
- Reports of Accidents, Sickness
or Death
- Presidents Report
- Committee Reports-Apprenticeship-Safety-By-laws-Picnic-Party
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Good of the Union
- Adjournment
|
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
XI - Amendments |
| |
Sec.
1. |
- These By-laws may be amended
or changed by any such proposal being submitted
in writing and read at two (2) Membership meetings,
the second meeting being notified for the purpose
of acting on the proposal.
- The Trades Board/By-Laws
Committee shall study such proposal and make
recommendation to the membership at the second
meeting where action on the proposal will take
place.
- Such action on the proposal
will be decided at the second meeting by majority
vote of the members present and voting.
- Notification shall be by
posting notice on all Trades Bulletin Boards.
|
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
XII - Charges, Trials, Appeals and Disciplinary
Actions Against Members |
| |
Sec.
1. |
All
charges, trials, appeals, formal hearings, and disciplinary
actions shall be governed by this Article of The
Union's By-laws. |
| |
Sec.
2. |
The
Trades Board shall have jurisdiction in respect
to the charges against its members or officers for
violations of the by-laws. |
| |
Sec.
3. |
Charges
may be brought by any member in good standing and
must be submitted in writing to the Trades Board,
signed by the charging party, and specify the section
of sections of these by-laws allegedly violated.
The charges must state the act or acts considered
being in violation, including approximate relevant
dates or places.
- The basis and evidence of
charges will be verified to determine if a trial
or a hearing will proceed.
- A letter through registered
mail shall inform the accused immediately of
the nature of the accusations against him or
her.
- Charges must be filed within
fifteen (15) calendar days after the charging
party became aware of the alleged violation.
- A Hearing Officer will be
selected by the Trades Board.
- A date and time will be scheduled
for the hearing or trial as promptly as possible.
- Notices of the hearing will
be mailed to each participating party by letter
through registered mail.
- These proceedings will be
closed to the general membership.
|
| |
Sec.
4. |
In
all hearings, trials and other matters, which are
to be decided and acted upon by the Trades Board,
the conduct of the hearing and the taking of evidence
may be performed by a deputized member or officer
duly appointed to act in the matter and shall act
as the Hearing Officer. At the conclusion of the
trial or hearing, such representative shall make
summary of the evidence and report his or her findings
and conclusions to the Trades Board. The decision
in the case shall be made by the Trades Board as
to any disciplinary action to be taken and reported
at the next regularly scheduled Membership meeting. |
| |
Sec.
5. |
The
Basis of Charges against members or officers may,
among other things consist of the following:
- Disloyalty to The Union
- Threats against officers
or members
- Wronging a member of The
Union causing him or her physical or economic
harm
- Engaging in activities designed
to bring about a withdrawal or secession from
The Union or causing harm to the operation of
The Union
- Disrupting union meetings
or the operation of the Union, using abusive
language, drinking intoxicants during the meetings
- And for such other acts and
conduct which shall be considered inconsistent
with the duties and obligations and loyalty
of a member or officer of The Union
|
| |
Sec.
6. |
Decisions
and penalties imposed upon members and officers
found guilty of charges may consist of reprimands,
fines, and the suspension of the rights and privileges
as members in good standing. |
| |
Sec.
7. |
When
a decision is handed down by trial, that decision
shall stand and remain in full force and effect
unless changed by the Trades Board if an agreement
has been reached between the person found guilty
of the charges and the Trades Board. |
| |
Return
to Index |
| Article
XIII - Initiation and Oath of Stewards |
| |
Sec.
1. |
Initiation.
I (state your name) do solemnly swear to uphold
the Brotherhood of The University of Michigan
Skilled Trades Union, Inc., its By-laws and
labor agreement with The University of Michigan.
If so signify by saying I will. |
| |
Sec.
2. |
Oath
of Stewards. I (state your name) do solemnly swear
to uphold the office of Shop Steward, and abide
by the By-laws of The University of Michigan
Skilled Trades Union, Inc., and to enforce the
labor agreement with The University of Michigan.
If so signify by saying I will. |
| |
Return
to Index |
Article XIV- Bonus
and Incentives (Revised on March 27 2003)
a. The union will allow members to participate
in incentive programs provided they have no bearing or
effect on our negotiated wage or benefit package.
b. Bonuses will be allowed provided they
are dispensed equally to all members within the department
or seniority group, are not paid out more than one time
per year, and the Trades Board is notified in writing
60 days in advance.
c. No merit payments to individuals will
be allowed
Return to Index
These By-laws were amended and approved by the membership
and current Officers on March 22, 2001 and signed by:
Frank Williams
President |
F. Kenneth Chaves
Vice President |
Tom Clements
Recording Secretary |
| |
|
|
|
