Article 1-Name

This Local shall be known as Local 7621, Communications Workers of America.

Article ll-Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction of the local shall be jurisdiction assigned by the Union and appearing on the face of the Local Charter.

Article lll-Objectives

The objectives of the Local 7621 shall represent and serve the workers within its jurisdiction in accordance with the By-Laws of the Local and Constitution and policies of the union.

Article lV-Local Structure

The structure of the Local shall consist of the following:

(1) Membership

(2) Officers

(3) Committees

Article V-Membership

Section 1-Eligibility

Any person eligible for membership in the Communications Workers of America, as defined in Article V of its’ Constitution, shall be eligible for membership in this local, if performing work within the local’s jurisdiction.

Section 2-Application

Membership in the local shall be obtained after approval by the organizing and membership committee and after payment of the local paid initiation fee. The committee shall have authority to accept or reject membership on behalf of the local, subject to the right of the local membership to overrule the decision of the organizing and membership committee.

Section 3-Transfers

The transfer of membership from this local to the jurisdiction of another local, and from another local to the jurisdiction of this local, shall be made in accordance with Article V of the union constitution.

Article Vl-Local Dues and Assessments

Section 1-Local dues

Each member working within the jurisdiction of the local shall pay dues in the amount established by Communications workers of America.

Section 2-Local Special Assessments

The membership of this local may levy a special assessment only in the same manner as provided for changing local dues. However, any special assessments levied shall be in compliance with Article Vl of the Union constitution.

Article Vll-Governing Authority

Section 1-Membership

The affairs of this local hall be governed by its’ membership in accordance with the constitution of the policies of the Union in the following manner:

(a) Through action taken in membership meetings or by referendum of the membership.

(b) Through actions and decisions of the local officers between meetings.

(c) The actions and decisions of the local officers between local meetings may be overruled by the membership in a local meeting or by referendum.

Article Vlll-Local Meetings

Regular meetings of the local shall be held on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month unless canceled by the membership at a precious month’s regular meeting.

Special meetings may be called by a majority vote of the local officers or by a petition signed by 5% of the membership. Upon receipt of the proper petition, the local officers shall call a special meeting to be held within 10 days.

Article lX-Local Delegates to International Convention

(a) A vote cast for a candidate for the office of President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer shall also constitute a vote for such candidate to serve as a delegate to the CWA conventions held during the term of office which the election is being conducted.

(b) The local shall determine the convention votes assigned to any delegate in accordance with Article Vlll of the CWA Constitution.

(c) In the event that all local officers are unable to attend the CWA Convention, delegates and alternates shall be elected by the local membership in a secret ballot to be conducted not less than 30 days in advance of the CWA Convention.

Article X-Local Committees

(a) the local shall have the following regular committees:

1. Education –Occupational Safety and Health Committee

2. Election Committee

3. Organizing and Membership/Mobilizing committee

4. Community Services/Women’s & Equity Committee

5. Finance Committee

6. Legislative/Political

(b) Chairpersons of all committees shall be appointed by a majority vote of the ~~local officers~~ volunteer committees, subject to the right of the local to overrule such appointments.

(c) Vacancies on committees shall be filled ~~in the same manner as the original appointments~~ by volunteer members of the Local.

(d) A member of any local committee may be removed by a majority vote of the local officers, subject to the right of the local to overrule the action of the local officers. A committee member may also be removed by the action of the local in a membership meeting.

(e) Only 1 Officer will be on each committee with the Secretary/Treasurer being the Officer on the finance Committer

~~(f)~~ ~~The finance committee shall consist of five members of the local.~~

(g) Duties of the Committees:

1. Education-Occupational Safety and Health Committee: shall assist in developing the local’s education program and with the local officers, be responsible for implementing the union and local education programs. The committee shall also monitor safety regulations and see that the National Occupational Safety and Health Act is adhered to. The Chairperson of the committee shall take reports of violations and make complaints to the proper authorities.

2. Election Committee: shall conduct all nominations and elections and referenda of this local.

3. Organizing and Membership Committee: shall assist the local officers and members in organizing all nonunion employees within the local’s jurisdiction. The Committee shall also review membership applications in accordance with the By-Laws and rules of this local and Article V of the Union Constitution and policies to the union.

4. Legislative Committee: shall assist in developing and pursuing the program of the union and local in the legislative field. It shall be responsible for the local’s program to register each qualified voter.

5. Community Services Committee: shall assist in developing all community services programs and activities. It shall also be the duty of the Committee to promote the local’s image in the community.

6. Financial Committee: shall advise the local officers on the drafting of the annual budget and shall approve the budget when a majority of the finance Committee votes in favor of said budget for submission to the local membership for final approval. The annual budget shall be changed only after approval of the majority of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall be empowered to demand a special audit of the local’s finances at any time, by a majority of the committee. The Committee shall report to the membership bi-annually of the financial condition of the local.

Article Xl-Order of Business

(a) The order of business at a local meeting shall be as follow:

(1) Call to order

(2) Roll call of officers

(3) Pledge of Allegiance

(4) Moment of silence

(5) Reading and action on minutes of previous meeting

(6) Reading and action on Treasurer’s report

(7) Committee Reports

(8) Correspondence

(9) Unfinished Business

(10)New Business

(11)Good and Welfare

(12)Adjournment

(b)The order of Business may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

Article Xll-Local Officers, Stewards and Their Duties

Section 1- Local Officers

(a) The elected officers of the local shall be:

(1) The President

(2) The Exucutive Vice President

(3) The Secretary/Treasurer

(4) The ~~Chief Stewards~~ Area Vice Presidents

(a)Pocatello ~~Consumer~~

~~(b)~~ ~~Pocatello Network~~

~~(d)~~ ~~Idaho Falls Network~~

(b) The duties of the local officers shall be:

(1) The Local President shall:

(a) Be responsible for the conduct of all local business.

(b) Preside at all local membership and local officer’s meetings.

(d) Supervise all local committees

(e) Approve all bills to be paid and countersign all checks drawn on the local treasury.

(f) Perform whatever additional duties as may be assigned by the local or required by the policies of the constitution.

(g) Report to the local any changes in the budget at the next membership meeting following said changes.

(h) Report to the local the expenses and agenda of all meetings attended.

(2) The Executice Vice President shall:

(a) Work under the direction of the local president.

(b) Be director of organizing.

(d) Perform whatever duties as may be assigned by the local or local officers.

(e) Approve al bills to be paid and countersign all checks drawn on local treasury.

(3) The Local Secretary/Treasurer shall:

(a) Maintain a record of local membership.

(b) Record and maintain the minutes of all meetings of the local and the local Executive Board.

(c) Furnish the CWA Staff Representative, the District Office and CWA International Secretary/Treasurer with copies of any changes in these by-laws within 10 days after such changes are made.

(d) Be custodian of all assets of the local.

(e) Report to each membership meeting on the financial status of the local.

(f) Be bonded, as must any other person who handles local funds or other property in accordance with the union constitution or any state or federal law.

(g) Cause payment of all bills approved by the local President and countersign all checks drawn on local treasury.

(h) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the local, the local officers or the local president.

(i) Furnish each member with a copy of the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO Constitution, and a copy of the local by-laws upon request.

(j) Upon revision of the CWA Constitution or Local 7621 By-Laws, furnish each member with a revised copy of said Constitution or By-Laws upon request.

(4) The ~~Chief Stewards~~ Area Vice-Presidents shall:

(a) Work in respective areas.

(1) ~~Consumer~~ Pocatello

(2) ~~Network~~ Idaho Falls

(b) Be voting members of the Executive Board and shall attend all Executive Board amd Mebership meetings and report on all steward activities.

(1) The local shall have as many Stewards as may be appointed by the Executive Board, subject to the right of the local membership to override such appointments.

(2) The stewards shall work under the direction of the ~~Chief Stewards~~ Area Vice Presidents and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the local, the local officers or the local president.

(5) Additional Duties of the local officers as the Executive Board shall be:

(a) To establish and submit the annual budget.

(b) To perform all other duties as approved by the Constitution of CWA, by the By-Laws of Local 7621, and all Federal, State, and Local Laws.

(6)The Chief Steward , Local Stewards and their duties;

A. The Chief Steward shall:

1. Be a non-voting member of the Executive Board and

Shall attend all Executive Board amd membership meetings and report on all Steward activities.

(a) Assist the Executive Vice-President in the training

Of all stewards

B. The Local shall have as many Stewards as may be appointed by

the Executive Board, subject to the right of the Local

Membership to overrule such appointments.

C. Local stewards and their duties:

1. The Local Steward shall

a. work under the direction of the ~~Chief Stewards~~ Area Vice

Presidents, Chief Stewards and shall perform such duties as may be assigned

by the local, the local officers or the local president.

Article Xlll-conduct of Meetings, Other Local Business and Quorum.

(a) Membership meetings and any other business of this local shall be conducted under these By-Laws and rules of the local and in conformity with the Union Constitution. On questions where the local By-Laws, the local rules or the Union Constitution do not clearly apply, Roberts Rules of Order shall govern

(b) The number of members constituting a quorum for local meetings shall be ~~three~~ two (3% 2%) of the total membership of the local.

Article XlV-Nomination and Election of Local Officers and Convention Delegates

Section 1-Nominations

(a) The nomination of a person for President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer is also a nomination of that person as a delegate to CWA Conventions held during the term of office which the election is being conducted.

(b) Local officers shall be nominated by a nominating committee and or from the floor at a regular, special or area meeting in the months of September and October of each election year in accordance with the CWA constitution.

(c) Notice of meetings at which nominations will take place shall be posted on bulletin boards or mailed to each member at least 15 days prior to such meetings.

(d) All nominees shall be notified by registered return receipt mail of their nomination and expected duties if elected, and shall accept the nomination by return registered or certified mail.

Section 2-Elections

(a) The election of Local Officers and Delegates to CWA Conventions shall be by secret ballot of the membership during the month of November every third year starting in 1972.

(b) The ballot will be conducted by U.S, Mail with at least 15 days for the ballot to be returned and no later than the day before the meeting. It shall be the responsibility of each member to notify the Secretary/Treasurer of any change in their address.

(c) The ballot shall state that a vote cast for any candidate for Local Office shall also constitute a vote for that candidate to serve as a delegate to CWA Convention held during their term of office.

Section 3-Local Elections committee

(a) The nomination and election of local officers and delegates to the CWA Convention shall be conducted under the supervision of the election committee. This committee shall have the authority and responsibility to see that nominations and elections are conducted in accordance with the Union Constitution and these By-Laws with reasonable opportunity for each member to nominate and vote for the candidate of their choice/

(b) The election committee shall also conduct any referenda submitted to the membership.

(c) A member shall not be permitted to serve on the election committee if he or she is a candidate for any office of the local or delegate to the CWA Convention.

(d) All questions concerning the conduct and challengers of elections shall be determined by the Election Committee, subject to the right of appeal to the membership of the local.

(e) Any member unable to vote in an election not conducted by U.S, Mail, may do so by absentee ballot upon approval of the Election Committee, providing the ballot is in to be counted prior to Election Day.

Section 4-General Provisions

(a) The nominee in any election receiving the most ~~majority of~~ votes

cast shall be declared elected. ~~If no nominee has a majority of the~~

~~first ballot the vote shall be taken again and the two nominees~~

~~having the greatest number of votes on the first ballot shall be~~

~~nominees on the second ballot.~~

(b ) In the case of a tie, a coin toss between tied candidates shall

determine the winner.

(c)Only members of the Local in good standing shall be eligible to

vote or hold office.

(d)The term of office shall be for three (3) years.

(e)The officers shall take office at the regular membership meeting in

January following the election.

Section 5-Vacancies

(a) A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President, subject to the approval of the membership by mailed referendum within 60 days. If the mailed referendum is not approved, the vacancy shall be filled according to Article XlV, Section 5, paragraph b.

(b) Vacancies in other offices shall be filled in the same manner as that required for regular elections and within 60 days as required in Article XV of the CWA Constitution; except that vacancies occurring with less than one year remaining of the term, can be filled by appointment of the Executive Board, subject to the approval of the membership within 60 days, provided that the appointment is introduced at a previous meeting or posted on all Union Bulletin Boards at least 15 days in advance of the meeting.

Article XV-Strikes

The calling, conduct and termination of strikes affecting this local shall at all times be carried on in compliance with the rules prescribed by the Union and Article XVlll of its’ Constitution.

Article XVl-Charges, Trial and Appeals

Section 1-Charges

Members of this local may be fined, suspended, or expelled for any of the acts of enumerated in Article XlX of the Union constitution.

Section 2-Trials

Any accused member, including officers of this local shall be tried under the provisions of Article XXl of the Union Constitution.

Section 3-Local Trial Court

(a) A trial court of the local shall be composed of three (3) persons who are members of this local but not parties to the proceedings.

(b) The members of the trial court shall be selected by members in a membership meeting of the local.

Article XVll-Recall of Local Officers

Any elected officer of this local may be recalled in accordance with the provisions of Article XX and XXll of the Union Constitution.

Article XVlll-Amendments to Local By-Laws

After adoption, these by-laws may be amended by the following methods.

(a) Majority Vote of the members present in a local meeting, if the proposed amendment has been introduced in a previous membership meeting or has been advertised to the membership by use of bulletin boards or U.S. Mail postage prepaid at least 15 days in advance of the meeting.

Article XlX-Referendum of the Local

The local election committee shall submit any questions to a referendum of the membership when directed to do so by action of a regular or special membership meeting. Questions submitted to referendum shall be determined by a majority vote of those voting on the question.

Article XX-Fiscal Year and Audit

The fiscal year of this local shall be from October 1^st to and including September 30 of the succeeding year. The financial records of the local shall be audited by competent persons at the end of each fiscal year. The results of each audit shall be made available for the inspection of any member of the local.

Article XXl-Oath of Office

Each elected officer of the local, after meeting all other qualifications, shall be duly installed upon taking the following oath:

“I (give name) hereby accept the office of (name of office) of Local 7621, Communications workers of America, with full knowledge of the responsibilities and duties of such office. I promise faithfully to discharge my duties according to the By-Laws and rules of the local and the Constitution and policies of the union. I further promise to give my successor in office all books and records in my possession. I shall at all times endeavor to serve my Local and the Union to the best of my ability, so help me god.”

Article XXll-Adoption

These By-Laws shall be adopted upon the approval of a majority of the members voting upon their adoption in the membership meeting called for that purpose.

These By-Laws adopted as Revised 10/19/06

By-Laws Committee

Chair- Lynn Muehlfeit

Kathy Berger

Sec- George Symons

Elycia Bair