Bylaws

CWA 7400 Bylaws

Article I. NAME

This Local shall be known as Local 7400 - Communications Workers of America, which would include the jurisdiction of the Omaha Mailers Local M100/CWA14744, Printing, Publishing and Media Workers Sector.

Article II. JURISDICTION

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

Article III. OBJECTIVES

The object of Local 7400 shall be to represent and serve the workers within its jurisdiction in accordance with the By-laws of the Local and the Constitution and policies of the Union.

Article IV. LOCAL STRUCTURE

The structure of the Local shall consist of the following:

(1) The Membership
(2) The Officers
(3) The Executive Board
(4) Committees

Article V. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 Eligibility

Any person eligible to membership in the Communications Workers of America, as defined in Article V, Section 1 of its Constitution, shall be eligible for membership in the Local if performing work within the Local’s assigned jurisdiction, or if employed on a part-time or full-time basis by the Union or a Local or who are or may be retired for any reason may continue to be active members.

(a) Any Person, who retired in good standing with Communications Workers of America will be eligible for membership in Local 7400.

Section 2 Application

Membership in the Local shall be obtained after payment of the Local initiation fee of $3.00 and upon the approval of the Membership Committee composed of the President and the Secretary-Treasurer, subject to the right of the Local to overrule the decision of the 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, Section 3 of the Union Constitution.

Article VI. LOCAL DUES, FINES AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1 Local Membership Dues

(A) 2¼ hours pay at the Basic Rate per month.

(B) Membership dues may be changed only by a majority of those voting on the question by secret ballot vote in a meeting where a quorum is present, if the question has been advertised on bulletin boards at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting, or by notice mailed postage prepaid to each member at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting, or by CWA Convention action.

(D) All members employed at the printing trade, full time or part time, within th ejurisdiction of the Local, shall pay dues uniform to the percentage of their earnings in accordance with PPMWS By-laws and CWA Constitution.

(E) Membership dues for retirees shall be based on the formula for calculating retired member’s active dues as follows:

Multiply the total monthly pension from the Company by 12 (months) and divide by 52 (weeks). If the retiree received a lump sum instead of a monthly pension amount, the amount the retiree would have in monthly pension is used for the calculation of active dues.

Once the retiree’s weekly base wages has been determined, Monthly Minimum Dues can be calculated as follows:

For retirees who had the right to strike before retiring:
(Weekly Base Wage Divide by 40 hours) x 2¼ hours = Monthly Minimum Dues.

For the retirees who do not have the right to strike before retiring:
(Weekly Base Wage Divide by 40 hours) x 2 = Monthly Minimum Dues

(F) Retirees dues to be paid by the 1st day of each month or no later than the 5th day of the month. If not received by the Local, Retiree will be changed to a non-member.

(G) Any Retiree holding any position that receives a Stipend – that retiree's dues, monthly, will automatically come out of the stipend.

(H) All retirees of Local M100/CWA 14744 will pay dues in accordance with the Sector By-laws and the Merger Agreement and the rights of membership afforded to Sector retirees per the ITU/CWA Merger Agreement and the Sector Bylaws are not in any way abridged as a result of this merger. Local M100/CWA 14744 retirees may participate in CWA Local 7400 Retired Members Chapter the same as CWA Local 7400 retirees.

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 VI of the Union Constitution.

Article VII. GOVERNING AUTHORITY

The affairs of this Local shall be governed by its Membership in accordance with the Constitution and policies of the Union in the following manner:

(A) Through action taken in Membership Meetings and referendum of the Membership.

(B) By actions and decisions of the Local Executive Board between Membership Meetings and reported to the Membership at the next Membership Meeting.

(C) By actions and decisions of the Executive Board between Membership Meetings and reported to the Membership at the next Membership Meeting. The Local Executive Board shall be composed of the Local Officers and Vice Presidents.

(D) The action and decisions of the Executive Board of the Local and, or the Executive Board Meetings may be over ruled by the Membership in a Local Meeting or by referendum.

Article VIII. LOCAL MEETINGS

Section 1

Regular meetings of this Local shall be held the second Tuesday of each month, except when there are Local, State or National elections, or a recognized Bargaining Unit Holiday, or if conditions exist that warrant changing the meeting date or canceling the meeting, then the meeting date for that month will be changed or canceled by the Local Executive Board. Special meetings may be called by a majority vote of the Local Officers, or by a petition signed by 10% (ten percent) of the Members.

Section 2

Upon receipt of a proper petition, the Executive Board of the Local shall call a special meeting to be held within ten (10) days and shall post such notice on bulletin boards and, or mail prepaid notice of the meeting.

Section 3

Local Executive Board Meetings shall be held on dates determined by the Local President; normally once each month. Executive Board Meetings shall be held on dates and times where no lost wages are incurred. The Board will not be paid lost wages for Executive Board Meetings.

Article IX. LOCAL DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION

a) Local delegates to the National Convention shall be the President, Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer all other delegates shall be selected by the Membership voting by secret mail ballot conducted not more then 120 days nor less than 30 days in advance of the Union Convention. The nominees for delegates to the National Convention receiving the largest number of votes shall be considered elected as delegates to the Convention; alternate delegates shall be those nominees with the next largest number of votes in order-of the votes cast for them. Notice of such election shall be posted seven (7) days in advance of the meeting, or by notice mailed postage prepaid to each Member at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting. On the Local election ballot for the President, Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer it shall specify that the vote cast for this specific office shall also be a vote for them to be a delegate to the National Convention during their term of Office.

b) In the event the Local elects more than one delegate to the Union Convention the Local shall determine the Convention votes assigned to each delegate in accordance with Article VIII of the Union Constitution.

c) It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer of the Local to certify the Local delegates to the Union Convention to the Secretary - Treasurer of the Union within the time limits specified in Article VIII of the Union Constitution.

d) The Secretary - Treasurer of this Local shall make necessary reservations for convention delegates.

Article X. LOCAL COMMITTEES

(A) The Local shall have the following regular committees:

(1) Educational Committee
(2) Election Committee
(3) Organizing Committee
(4) Legislative Committee
(5) Membership
(6) Community Service
(7) Equity Committee
(8) Label Committee
(9) Such other committees as determined by the Local and/or by the CWA International Convention.

(B) Members of all committees shall be appointed by the Executive Board subject to the right of the Local Membership to overrule such appointments.

(D) Duties of the Committees:

(1) EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE: The Educational Committee shall assist in developing the Local’s educational program and with the Local Executive Board be responsible for effectuating the Union’s and Local’s educational program.

(2) ELECTION COMMITTEE: The Election Committee shall conduct all elections and referenda of this Local.

(3) ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: The Organizing Committee shall assist the Local Executive Board and Stewards in organizing all potential Members within the Local’s jurisdiction.

(4) LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: The Legislative Committee shall assist in developing and pursuing the program of the Union and the Local in the Legislative field. It shall be responsible for the Local’s program to register each qualified voter.

(5) MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: The Membership Committee shall accept or reject membership application in accordance with the By-laws of this Local and the Constitution and policies of the Union.

(6) COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE: The Community Services Committee shall assist in developing all community service programs.

(7) EQUITY COMMITTEE: The Equity Committee will provide a positive role by providing assistance and reporting to the Members of the Local on the ways and means of eliminating discrimination.

(8) UNION LABEL COMMITTEE: The duties of the Union Label Committee shall be to encourage and promote, the use of the Union Label on all printed matter, as well as, the purchase by members of goods bearing the Union labels of crafts, other than the printing trades.

Article XI. ORDER OF BUSINESS

The order of business at a Local Meeting shall be as follows:

(1) Call to order.
(2) Roll call of Officers and Executive Board Members.
(3) Reading and action on minutes of previous meeting.
(4) Report of the Secretary-Treasurer.
(5) Report of Officers.
(6) Report of Committees.
(7) Unfinished business.
(8) New business.
(9) Adjournment.

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

Article XII. LOCAL OFFICERS AND STEWARDS

Section 1 The Officers of the Local shall be:

(1) The Local President
(2) The Local Executive Vice President
(3) The Local Secretary-Treasurer

Section 2 Duties of the Local President

The Local President shall preside at meetings of the Local and at meetings of the Local Executive Board and shall be responsible for the conduct of the Local including:

a) The prosecution of grievances and appealing them to higher levels of the Union, if not satisfactorily settled.

b) The supervision of all committees of the Local.

c) The approval of all bills to be paid by the Secretary - Treasurer.

d) The Local President shall have such additional duties as assigned by the Local Executive Board or Membership or required by the Constitution or policies of the Union.

Section 3 Duties of the Local Executive Vice President

(1) The Local Executive Vice President shall be second in command to the Local President, and will take over in the absence of the President. The Local Executive Vice President shall work under the direction of the Local President and shall perform such duties as assigned by the Local President, the Local Executive Board and the Local.

Section 4 Duties of the Local Secretary-Treasurer

(1) Maintain a record of the Local Membership.

(2) Record and maintain the minutes of all meetings of the Local, Local Executive Board and Local Officers.

(3) Furnish the District Vice President and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union with copies of any changes in these By-laws within ten (10) days after such changes are made.

(4) Be custodian of all assets of the Local.

(5) Report to each Membership Meeting on the financial status of the Local.

a) Mail to all Members a copy of the Financial Audit annually.

(6) 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.

(7) Cause the payment of all bills approved by the Local President.

(8) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Local Membership or the Local Executive Board or the Local President.

Section 5 Duties of the Local Vice Presidents

(1) The Local Vice Presidents shall work under the direction of the Local President and shall perform such duties as assigned by the Local President, the Local Executive Board and the Local.

Section 6 Duties of the Local Chief Stewards:

(1) Assign responsibility for keeping bulletin boards up to date.

(2) Assume all responsibility of grievances forwarded to them by their Stewards and Members.

(3) Keep the Secretary-Treasurer informed of changes of names and addresses of Members.

(4) Collect assessments and contributions levied by the Union and forwarded to the Local Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 7 Duties of the Local Stewards.

(1) This Local shall have as many Stewards as necessary to be appointed with the approval of the Local President.

(2) The Stewards of the Local shall work under the direction of the Chief Stewards. They shall perform such duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Local President, Local Chief Stewards or the Membership.

a) Senior Stewards may be appointed by the Executive Board in the departments as the Executive board deems necessary. All appointments must be approved by the Membership at a regular Membership Meeting.

(3) Initial management / member contact concerning disputes.

Article XIII. 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 in conformity with the Union Constitution. On questions where the Local By-laws, the Local rules or the Union Constitution does not clearly apply, Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern.

(B) The number constituting a quorum for Local meetings shall be “those active members present.”

(C) The majority of the Officers, or a majority of the Members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for those bodies.

Article XIV. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF LOCAL OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS.

Section 1 Nominations

a) Executive Board Members shall be nominated at the September, October, or November Membership Meeting.

b) When a Member is nominated for an Office in the Local or as a delegate to the National Convention, the nominee must be present at the nominating meeting to accept or have a letter of acceptance in the hands of the Election Committee Chair at the nominating meeting or his nomination will not be valid.

Section 2 Elections

a) Election of Local Officers shall be by secret mail ballot of the Membership in the month of September, October, November or December every third (3rd) year commencing with the year 1972.

b) Vice Presidents shall be elected by secret ballot of the Membership in the entity which they represent during the months of September, October or November every third (3rd) year commencing with the year 1972.

The Vice Presidents are:

1 Vice President - CenturyLink
1 Vice President - DEX, AT&T Mobility, lTU, Dixon County, Avaya, Centris Federal Credit Union

Section 3 Local Election Committee

a) The nomination and election of Local Officers and all other Executive Board Members and delegates to the CWA Convention shall be conducted under the supervision of the Election Committee. This Committee shall have the authority and the 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 (secret mail ballot) for the candidate of his/her 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/she is a candidate for any office of the Local or a nominee as delegate to the CWA Convention.

d) All questions concerning the conduct and challenges of elections shall be determined by the Election Committee, subject to the right of appeal to the Membership of the Local.

Section 4 General Provisions

The Offices of Local President, Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer will be elected at large.

a) The nominee in the election for the Offices of President, Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer receiving a majority of valid votes cast shall be declared elected. If no one nominee has a majority on the first ballot, the vote shall be taken again and the two nominees receiving the greatest number of votes on the first ballot shall be the nominees on the second ballot for the particular office.

i) The nominees in the election of all other Executive Board Members who receive the greatest number of votes in their respective election shall be declared elected.

ii) Nominees seeking an Office of Vice President Qwest must be employed by Qwest or a retiree that is a member in good standing from this unit.

Nominees seeking the office of Vice-President DEX, AT&T Mobility, ITU, Centris Federal Credit Union, Avaya & Dixon County must be employed by one of these entities or a retiree that is a member in good standing from one of these units.

b) Only Members of the Local in good standing shall be eligible to vote or hold office.

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

d) The Officers and all other Executive Board Members shall take office on January 1.

e) The Local President, Executive Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer will be a delegate to the National Convention automatically. The Executive Vice President will become an alternate automatically, for the President. This will be specified on the election ballot.

The Ballot shall read:

Local President and delegate to the National Convention.

Executive Vice President and delegate to the National Convention.

Secretary-Treasurer and delegate to the National Convention.

f) Vice Presidents may be removed according to Article XX, Section 2 and Article XXII, section 9 of the Union Constitution

Section 5 Vacancies

a) A vacancy in the Office of Local President shall be filled by the Local Executive Vice President. Vacancies in the Office of Executive Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer shall be filled by appointment by the governing body of the Local (Executive Board) and then by election as that required for regular elections and within sixty (60) days.

b) The Offices of all other Executive Board Members shall be filled either by appointment of the Local Executive Board, subject to approval of the appointment by the Local Membership, within sixty (60) days or if not approved, by election in the same manner as that required for regular elections and within sixty (60) days.

Article XV. STRIKES

The calling, conducting and termination of strikes shall at all times be carried on in compliance with the rules prescribed by the Communications Workers of America and it’s Constitution. However, a strike called by and affecting only this Local may be terminated either upon:

(1) Approval of a majority of the Local Officers of the Local Executive Board.

(2) By a majority vote of the Members present in a Membership Meeting, or upon direction of the Executive Board of the Union.

Article XVI. CHARGES, TRIALS AND APPEAL

Section 1 Charges

Members of this Local may be fined, suspended or expelled for any of the acts enumerated in Article XIX of the Union Constitution.

Section 2 Trials

Any accused person shall be tried under the provisions of Article XXI of the Union Constitution.

Section 3 Appeals

A Member or Officer of this Local, upon being found guilty by a Local Trial Court, may appeal as provided in Article XXI, Section 4, of the Union Constitution.

Section 4 Local Trial Court

a) A Trial Court of this Local shall be composed of not less than five (5) persons who are Members of this Local and not parties to the proceedings.

b) Members of the Trial Court shall be elected by the Executive Board at an Executive Board Meeting.

Article XVII. RECALL OF LOCAL OFFICERS

An elected Officer of the Local may be recalled in conformity with the provisions of Article XX, Section 2 and Article XXII, Section 9 of the Union Constitution.

Article XVIII. AMENDMENTS TO THE LOCAL BY-LAWS

After adoption, these by-laws may be amended by either of the following methods:

a) By a majority of the Members present in a Local Meeting if the proposed amendment has been introduced at a previous meeting or has been advertised to the Membership by use of bulletin boards or US. mail postage prepaid at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting.

b) By referendum of the Membership.

Article XIX. REFERENDUM OF THE LOCAL

a) The Local Election Committee shall submit any question to a referendum of the Membership, when directed to do so by action of a regular or special Membership Meeting.

b) Propositions submitted to referendum shall be determined by a majority vote of those voting on the question at a regular or special meeting of the Local.

Article XX. FISCAL YEAR AND AUDIT

a) The fiscal year of this Local shall be from October 1 to and including September 30 of the succeeding year.

b) The financial records of this Local shall be audited by a committee made of three (3) or more local 7400 Members at the end of each fiscal year. The Audit Committee Members will be appointed annually by the Executive Board. The results of such audit shall be available for the inspection of any Member of the Local.

Article XXI. OATH OF OFFICE

A person elected to an Office 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 7400, Communications Workers of America with full knowledge of the responsibility and duties of such office. I promise to faithfully discharge my duties according to the By-laws 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 abilities, so help me God.”

Article XXII. BUILDING COMMITTEE

The Building Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Board and confirmed by the Membership. It shall be composed of not less than five (5) Members. The Building Committee shall manage and control under the direction of the Membership and subject to the functions of the Secretary-Treasurer with respect to the making of disbursements connected therewith, any and all real estate which the Local may acquire for use as a Local Headquarters or for the furtherance of any legitimate object of the Local. The Members of the Building Committee for the time being, shall serve as trustees for the Local, under the direction of the Membership for the purpose of acquiring and holding title to, managing, controlling, borrowing money upon, pledging by way of mortgage or deed of trust letting and conveying in fee simple or any lesser estate. any and all real estate which may be acquired or otherwise dealt with for or on behalf of the Local.

The foregoing powers shall be exercised only at such times and in such manners as the Local Membership may from time to time, direct by resolution of a majority of the Members of the Local present at a regular or special Membership Meeting of the Local at which a quorum is in attendance.

The Membership shall have the full and irrevocable power to appoint a substitute trustee or trustees to be exercised at anytime, from time to time, without notice and without specifying any reason therefore, the trustee or trustees so appointed to become fully vested with identically the same title and estate in and to the land, premises and property forming the subject matter of the trust, with all rights, powers, trusts and duties of his or their predecessor in the trust, with like effect as if originally names as one of the trustees.

Article XXIII. ADOPTION

These By-laws shall be adopted upon the approval of a majority of the Membership Meeting called for that purpose these By-laws adopted as amended July 9, 1996

Article XXIV. OPERATING PRACTICES

Section 1

Any modifications or changes to the Operating Practices must be approved by the Membership at a regular Membership Meeting.