By-Laws
BY-LAWS of LOCAL 1300
A.F.L.-C.I.O.
of the
AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION
Revised-2007
DAVID A. MCCLURE
President/Business Agent
ALNETT TIM QUEEN
Vice President
BERTRAND DELOATCH
Financial Secretary-Treasurer
OLIVIA WHITESTONE
Recording Secretary
ROBERT BURLEY
Assistant Business Agent
Non-Operating Department
BOARD MEMBERS-TRANSPORTATION
LARRY DUNHAM
CHARLETTA CARTER
GREGORY M. DIGGS
BOARD MEMBERS-NON OPERATING
ANTHONY K. JOHNSON
LEROY K, CARPENTER
JEFFREY RICE
INDEX
Section/Title
Name
Preamble
Principles
- Qualifications for Membership…………………………………………….………1
- Admission of Members, Initiation Fee………………………………….…..…….2
- Obligation………………………………………………………………….....………2
- Dues and Sick Benefits………………………………………………….…………2
- Officers………………………………………………………………….....…………4
- Elections………………………………………………………………....…………..4
- Qualifications for Office……………………………………………...……………..5
- Meetings………………………………………………………………...…………...5
- President Business Agent Duties………………………………….....………….6
- First Vice President……………………………………………………….………..8
- Financial Secretary-Treasurer’s Duties……………………….………….....…..8
- Recording Secretary’s Duties……………………………………………………..9
- Executive Board’ Member’s Duties……………………………………………...10
- Sergeant at Arms Correspondent Duties………………………………………12
- Shop Steward’s Duties………………………………………………………...…13
- Local Grievances………………………………………………………..………...13
- Committees……………………………………………………………..…………14
- Conventions……………………………………………………………...…...……14
- Petitions…………………………………………………………………....……….14
- Members Conduct at Meetings…………………………………………………..15
- Members in Arrears…………………………………………………...…………...15
- Withdrawals…………………………………………………………....…………...15
- Election Committee……………………………………………………...………...16
- By-Law Amendments……………………………………………………...………16
- Special Meetings Elections and Referendum……………………….…………16
- Vacancies…………………………...…………………………………........………17
- Assessments………………………………………………...……….……………17
NAME
This Union shall be known as Local 1300 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.
PREAMBLE
The Amalgamated Transit Union, together with its constitution and laws, was established in order to secure and defend our rights, safeguard our interests as working members, create an authority whose seal shall constitute a certificate of character, intelligence and skill built upon organization whereby working members of our craft can participate in the discussion of these particular problems, upon the solution of which depends our welfare and property; to encourage the principle and practice of conciliation and arbitration in the settlement of all difficulties between Labor and capital, establish order, insure harmony, promote the general cause of humanity and brotherly love, and secure the blessings of friendship, equality and truth.
PRINCIPLES
We hold a sacred principle that Trade Unionists above all others, shall set a good example as good and faithful workmen, performing their duty to their employer as well as to their organization.
Section 1
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Qualification for membership in this Local shall be in compliance with the International Constitution and General Laws.
Section 2
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
The full initiation fee shall be one hundred and fifty dollars ($150).
Where those by-laws are silent or in conflict with the International Constitution and General Laws, the officers and members shall be governed by the International Constitution of the Executive Board.
Section 3
OBLIGATION
All those eligible for membership in this organization shall present themselves at the office for the purpose of filling out the required forms and being obligated.
Section 4
DUES AND SICK BENEFITS
Dues shall be increased in conformity with sections of the I.U. Constitution and General Laws.
Starting January 1, 1984 the dues of this Local shall be not less than four dollars and fifteen cents ($4.15) per week per member. In addition to the regular monthly dues established by International Constitution and General Laws, a one-dollar ($1.00) per week per member Building Fund dues will be collected. This one ($1.00) dues will be discontinued upon final payment of the New Local 1300 Headquarters.
Members on long illness collecting a full claim of forty (40) weeks shall have their dues paid in full by the Local and the Local shall continue to pay their dues until such time as they return to active employment or are retired. Any member who collects a part or parts of his sick benefits shall continue to pay their dues on returning to active employment.
The sick benefits of Local 1300 AFL-CIO shall be seven ($7.00) Dollars per day for each working day missed under the following provision:
- Three work day waiting period.
- Three work day waiting period may be recaptured same as in contract.
- After the eight hour days are depleted from the company.
- Not on vacation.
- Paid holiday falling in week of sickness.
Any member on long illness who has used up the company’s (26) weeks of welfare, and is then retired will only be required to pay the International per-capita tax to be a pension member in good standing.
No sick member shall be suspended from the Local for non-payment of dues until after such time as member’s sick benefits expire.
No member’s dues will be paid where such sickness is caused by drugs, immoral conduct or social disease, or if the member is in bad standing when taken sick.
No member’s dues shall be paid who has not been a member for One (1) year.
No member shall be paid sick benefits who has not been member for sic (6) months.
Members leaving Local 1300 for reasons other than retirement or pension, SUCH AS A FURLOUGHED MEMBER, and desiring to retain their membership in the I.U., shall have the right to BECOME A.M.A.L., providing that they do not enter employment that is determined to the interests of the Union.
They will have no voice or vote on any matters affecting the L.I. or L.U. INCLUDING ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND LABOR CONTRACTOR PENSION MATTERS, They will not be entitled to disability benefits.
Members who are pensioned from the transit industry my keep their funeral benefits up by paying Two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($2.50) per month to the Financial Secretary of Local 1300 AFL-CIO. Such member shall have the right to vote in election of officers at large only.
Section 5
OFFICERS
The officers of the Local shall be a President-Business Agent, Assistant Business Agent-Non Operating Department, 1st Vice President, Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, and an Executive Board of Six members, three (3) from the operating department and three (3) from the non-operating department.
Section 6
ELECTIONS
Elections shall be conducted according to the International Constitution and all officers shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. Any duly elected officer who retires on pension during his/her term of office may complete his/her term. Shop Stewards and Sergeant of Arms-Correspondent shall be appointed by the President-Business Agent, subject to confirmation by the Executive Board. The President-Business Agent shall have the right to remove any member from an appointed job, subject approval of the Executive Board. There will be sufficient tellers appointed to conduct the election in accordance to the law. The same procedure shall be followed in referendum vote as in election of officers. Nominations of officers shall be on the second Wednesday of May of the election year. Election of officers shall be held on the second Wednesday of June of each election year. In case a run off election is necessary for any office in the Local, it will be held the fourth Wednesday of June of the election year. Voting machines will be used at all elections.
Section 7
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE
No member shall be eligible to any office within this Local not as a delegate or alternate to any convention, unless he/she has been a member in continuous good standing in this Local for a period of two (2) years. There shall be no meeting requirement. All Officers and Board members (except Vice-President) shall be delegates to the International Convention by virtue of their office.
Section 8
MEETINGS
The regular meeting of the Local shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning at 8:00 P.M. Thirty members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 9
PRESIDENT-BUSINES AGENT DUTIES
It shall be the duty of the President-Business Agent to preside at all meeting of the Local and of the Local Executive Board, and act as Chairman of the Grievance Committee and other standing Committees, except those committees otherwise provided for. He/She shall preserve order at the meetings and enforce the Constitution and By-Laws, and see that all offices and committees perform their respective duties properly.
The President-Business Agent shall have the power to place a fine not to exceed Ten (10) Dollars on any member who disrupts the meeting, subject to an appeal to the meeting at which the ruling was made. He/She shall have no right to vote on question or debate except in the case of a tie vote, and then he/she shall cast the deciding vote, and shall announce the results of all votes. He/She shall decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the meeting at which the ruling was made. He/She shall enforce all fines and penalties. He/She shall appoint all Committees not otherwise provided for. He/She shall have the power to call special meetings.
He/She shall handle all grievances and complaints of the membership of the Local, with their respective employers, in line with the Laws of the International Union and provisions of the agreements with the respective employing companies.
It shall be his/her duty to settle all complaints and grievances between the members and respective Companies, where possible, subject to the approval of the Executive Board and the Local, and when necessary in adjusting the disputes of different members with their various employers, he/she shall be accompanied by the member interested.
Should he/she fail to settle any case or cases satisfactorily, he/she shall report to the Executive Board and get further instruction as to what course to pursue.
He/She shall make a full report of his/her work to the meetings of the Executive Board and shall make a full report of his/her work to the regular meeting of Local 1300, reporting all matters of interest.
He/She shall visit the various terminals at the request of the Executive Board, to look after grievances and complaints they that they may desire him/her to take up. If unable to perform all the work in looking after these grievances, he/she shall have the authority to call upon the First Vice President of the Local to assist him/her from time to time.
He/She shall attend all meeting of the Local.
He/She shall be a delegate to all conventions by virtue of his/her office. He/She shall sign all order on the Treasurer for such moneys as shall, by the Constitution and By-Laws or for such money as shall, by the Constitution and By-Laws or by a vote of the Local be ordered paid. He/She shall sign all checks and drafts on the bank as the laws of the Local require.
The President-Business Agent’s pay shall be increased percentage wise as do the percentage increase that is granted to the greater amount of members. He/She shall receive Seventy-five ($75.00) dollars per week as an expense allowance. He/She shall be allowed vacation with pay in accordance with his Seniority.
9B
ASSISTANCE BUSINESS AGENT-NON-OPERATING DEPARTMENT
The duties of the Assistant Business Agent from the Non-Operating department shall be to assist the President-Business Agent with the handling of the affairs of the Non-Operating Department. He/She shall hold hearings and arbitration at the direction of the President-Business Agent. He/She shall handle grievance and disciplinary proceedings from the non-operating department at the direction of the President-Business Agent. He/She shall schedule hearings for the non-operating department at the direction of the President-Business Agent. He/She shall keep an accurate record and account for all grievance and disciplinary hearings of the Non-Operating Department. He/She shall attend all meetings of the Local and perform such other work as may be necessary outside of his/her regular hours of employment. His/Her hours shall be from 9:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. and from 2:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. The Assistant Business Agents pay shall be the same at the Recording and Correspondence Secretary. His/her pay shall be increased percentage wise as the percentage that is granted to the greater amount of members. He/She shall receive 25% of a day’s pay at the Assistant Business Agent non-operating department rate per week as an expense allowance. He/She shall be allowed vacation with pay in accordance with his/her seniority.
Section 10
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
It shall be the duty of the First Vice President to assist in the handling of the affairs of the Local as may present themselves from day to day in carrying out the work of the local under the instructions of the President and Business Agent as my be required.
It shall be the duty of the First Vice President in the absence of the President-Business Agent to preside and to perform all duties pertaining to the office of the President-Business Agent and to render such assistance as may be required of him. In case of a vacancy in the President-Business Agent’s office, he/she shall preside until the Local elects a President-Business Agent to fill the vacancy.
The First Vice President’s salary and expense pay shall be the same and increased in the same manner as the Recording and Financial Secretaries. He/She shall be allowed vacation pay in accordance with this/her seniority. His/Her hours shall be from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. with a one hour lunch Monday through Friday. He/She shall attend all conventions of the Maryland State and D.C. Federation of Labor by virtue of his/her office. He/She shall attend all meeting of the Local.
Section 11
FINANCIAL SECRETARY-TREASURER’S DUTIES
The Financial Secretary-Treasurer shall devote his/her entire time to the business of the Local. He/She shall keep a true and proper account between the Local and its members, and collect all moneys due the Local. He/She shall make a quarterly statement of the receipts deposited, expenditures and balance, and deliver the books to the Auditing Committee when desired for authenticity. He/She shall see that the Local is kept in good standing with the International Association, forward all reports to the General Office, receiving receipt for the same. He/She shall make no disbursements without an order from the President-Business Agent, attested by the Recording-Secretary. He/She shall deposit all money in the Bank that the Local may select. He/She shall be bonded in accordance with the International Law. He/She shall attend all International Conventions by virtue of his/her office. He/She shall attend all meetings of the Local and perform such other work as may be necessary, outside of the regular hours of employment.
His/Her hours shall be from 8:30 A.M. to 12 Noon, and from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday thru Friday. The Financial Secretary-Treasurer’s pay shall be increase percentage wise as to the percentage increase that is granted to the greater amount of members. He/She shall receive 25% of a day’s pay at the Financial Secretary-Treasurer’s rate per week as an expense allowance. He/She shall be allowed vacation with pay in accordance with his Seniority.
Audit will be taken at the expiration of his/her term of offi
Section 12
RECORDING SECRETARY”S DUTIES
The Recording Secretary shall keep a correct account of the records of the Local, call the roll of officers, carry on all correspondence, act as Secretary of the Executive Board, account for all sick benefit disbursements and perform such other duties as may present themselves from day to day in carrying out the work of the Local under the instructions of the Local President-Business Agent, and instructions of the Local President-Business agent, and assist him/her. He/She shall return, at the expiration of his term of office, all property entrusted to him/her.
He/She shall also attend all meetings of the Local and perform such other work as may be necessary outside of his/her regular hours of employment. He/She shall also attend all meetings of the Local and perform such other work as may be necessary, outside of his/her regular hours of employment. He/She shall attend all International Conventions by virtue of his/her office.
His/Her hours shall be from 8:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday thru Friday. The Recording Secretary’s pay shall be increased percentage wise as to the percentage increase that is granted to the greater amount of members. He/She shall receive 25% of a day’s pay at the Recording Secretary’s rate per week as an expense allowance. He/She shall be allowed vacation with pay in accordance with his/her Seniority.
Section 13
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER’S DUTIES
It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to supervise and direct the management of the Local. They shall constitute the Grievance Committee and shall investigate all disputes and questions between members of the Local and the companies, and report their findings to the regular meetings of the Local.
They shall appoint their own time for meeting which shall be at least once a month. Special Meetings may be called by the President-Business Agent when it is deemed necessary. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum to do business.
The Officers and Executive Board at the Local shall direct and handle the affairs of the Local, subject to the laws and rules of the International Union and in conformity with the instructions of the Local. No Officer, Executive Board Member or dues collector of this International Union shall act as dues collector or financial collector for any other organization or society or insurance company, or any other Insurance Company or Credit Union legally and properly established by the Local, while acting as an Officer, Executive Board Member and dues collector of this Union. The Executive Board shall handle all grievances and complaints of the membership and take up all disputes arising between the membership and the Company, with the proper officials of the company, and seek adjustment. Where agreements with the employing company provide for arbitration they shall see that the arbitrators are appointed and shall conduct the arbitration in accordance with the laws of the International Union and the instructions of the Local. It shall be their duty at all time to report all of their acts and doings to the meetings of the Local and be subject to carry out all of the instructions of the Local. International Officers will be called for an sent to advise and assist Locals only when cases arise which cannot be adjusted or arbitrated by the Officers and Executive Board of the Local or under the provisions of the Constitution and General Laws of the International. Locals requesting an International Officer upon Local disputes between members, or on questions and grievances arising under agreements with the company, shall write or wire full particulars of the case to the International President before an Officer can or will be sent. If it is the advice or the International President that the Local Officers should proceed and attempt to adjust the case before an International Officer is sent, they shall carry out his/her instructions in regard to the dame, keeping him/her fully informed of the situation.
Special Meetings may be called by a request of the majority of the Executive board.
They shall attend all meetings of the Local, and conduct hearings at the various divisions.
For the faithful performance of his/her duties, each Board Member shall receive one (1) day’s pay of eight (8) hours at the top operator’s rate per month for expenses. They shall attend all International Conventions by the virtue of their office.
Section 14
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
CORRESPONDENT DUTIES
It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms-Correspondent to take charge of the entrance of all regular and special meetings of the Division, so that no one enters the meeting but members in good standing without permission from the Chair. He/She shall keep order in the meeting and carry out the instructions of the Chair and should he/she need assistance, the Chair shall appoint such members as are necessary to aid preserving order and carrying out the rules of the Local. He/She shall report half hour before regular meeting and prepare hall for meeting and be at door at 7:30 P.M. The Sergeant-at-Arms-Correspondent will handle all attendance cards, and only give such cards to authorized members upon entrance into the hall.
It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms-Correspondent to act as Chairman of the Local Welfare Committee. He/She shall attend all meetings of the Local.
For the faithful performance of his/her duties, he/she shall receive Twenty five ($25) dollars per month for expenses. He/She shall be appointed by the President-Business Agent each election year by the second Wednesday of July.
Section 15
SHOP STEWARD’S DUTIES
It shall be the duty of the Shop Steward to see that all grievances submitted to him/her are properly handled. Disposition of all Grievances shall be reported to the Local within forty-eight (48) hours.
It shall be the duty of the Shop Stewards to pick all schedules and vacation picks and hold hearings at the carious divisions.
For the faithful performance of his/her duties, he/she shall receive. Thirty five ($35) per month for expenses, provided that he/she attends each Union meeting unless excused by the President-Business Agent for a Valid reason.
Section 16
LOCAL GRIEVANCES
A member desiring to lay a grievance before the Local shall do so in writing and file the same with proper representative. The President-Business Agent shall take the grievances so reported up with the Company and make a report of the same to the next regular meeting. And if his/her report on same is not satisfactory to the members it shall be referred to the Local Executive Board for final adjustment. No grievance will be considered unless it is made in writing. All members making out grievances shall be required to attend all regular meetings of the Local until their grievances are adjusted.
In a case where a member is discharged from the services of the company for the use of intoxicants, the President-Business Agent shall make an investigation and report to a meeting of the Local upon the receipt of a written grievance.
Section 17
COMMITTEES
All Committees appointed by the President-Business Agent shall make their report in writing to the body that authorized them to act, and they shall furnish a copy of the report to the Recording Secretary.
No member of the Local will be allowed to constitute themselves as Committees: they must receive authority from the Local or its officers and no compensation will be allowed to any member for work performed for this Local unless it requires absence from their duty.
Section 18
CONVENTIONS
Delegates must be sent to all Conventions of the Baltimore Federation of Labor, the Maryland State and District of Columbia Federation of Labor and the International Union.
Convention allowance for Delegates:
- For each day away-a day’s pay.
- Prevailing rate of convention hotel.
- Travel expenses to and from convention city.
- Forty dollars ($40.00) per day for meals.
Section 19
PETITIONS
Any member or members circulating or causing to be circulated or assisting in circulation, circulars or petitions that are shown to be detrimental to this Union or a member or members of the same shall be expelled from membership.
Section 20
MEMBER”S CONDUCT AT MEETINGS
Any members wishing to speak shall ask permission of the Chair, giving his/her name, and on being recognized shall not be interrupted by any other member, except on a point of order, until he/she has finished. He/She shall not have the privilege of speaking again on this question until all other who desire have had an opportunity to speak.
All meeting will be conducted according to parliamentary procedure.
Section 21
MEMBERS IN ARREARS
Any member of this Local while remaining in the service of the company and accepting the benefits secured to the members of this Local as established by this Local shall be required to pay the regular monthly dues and assessments as established by the Local.
A member allowing himself/herself to become delinquent or suspended shall be required to reinstate himself/herself by applying to the Financial Secretary and by paying all back dues and assessments, it being understood, however, that pertaining to his/her benefits as established by the International Union, he/she shall be governed by the International Constitution and General Laws.
Section 22
WITHDRAWALS
Withdrawal cards will be granted and accepted subject to the International Constitution and General Laws.
Section 23
ELECTION COMMITTEE
The Election Committee shall be composed of seven members. One member from each outlying Division in Transportation, one member from the Non-Operating Department from the Outlying Divisions and One member from the Main Shops. The Election Committee shall be elected every two years, nominations being held on the first meeting of the Local in November.
Section 24
BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
In order to amend, rescind, or alter these by-laws, or to substitute new by-laws therefore, the proposed changes must be submitted in writing, and be read at two meetings, consecutively, when a two-thirds vote of the members present will be necessary to adopt subject to the approval of the International President.
Section 25
SPECIAL MEETINGS, ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUM
In the event that a member fails to present himself/herself in person at special called meetings, elections and referendum votes, such members shall be automatically subject to a fine of Ten ($10) dollars. All appeals from such fines will be heard by the Executive Board. It shall be the duty of the Officers of the Union to see that notices are posted on all Union bulletin Boards in advance out such meetings, elections or referendum votes. The members will be required to scan bulleting boards for such notices.
Section 26
VACANCIES
When a vacancy occurs in any elected office, (with exception of President-Business Agent, as spelled out in Section 10 of the present By Laws), the President, with concurrence of Executive Board, shall name a replacement to said vacancy.
In the meeting following the vacancy, the presiding officer shall submit the name of said appointment for ratification by the membership. If the nominee fails to receive approval, the President shall make another appointment to said vacancy.
Section 27
ASSESSMENTS
L.U. Constitution and General Laws (21.15)
The cost of grievance arbitration shall automatically be assessed on a per capita basis among all active members of Local 1300 in accordance with Section of the International Constitution and General Laws.