This organization, by virtue of a charter granted by the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, shall be known as the Des Moines Bulk Mail Center Local, #7027, Des Moines, Iowa.
ARTICLE 2: OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
It shall be the objective of the Des Moines APWU Local to secure through collective bargaining and legislative effort a better standard of living for the members of the Des Moines BMC Local #7027 and their families.
Section 2.
The Des Moines Bulk Mail Center Local #7027 affirms its belief in a single union of all Postal Workers in non-supervisory levels. The Des Moines Bulk Mail Center Local #7027 will make every effort to bring into being a single union of all Postal Workers by mergers with other Postal unions, and initiating intensive, all-out organizing campaigns reflecting the BMC APWU philosophy.
Section 3.
The BMC Local will vigorously oppose any labor union outside of the Postal Service moving into the Postal Service Union field.
Section 4.
The BMC Local will continue to organize the unorganized.
Section 5.
To unite with one organization, regardless of sex, race, age, creed, color or political affiliation or nationality, all employees under the jurisdiction of the Des Moines Bulk Mail Center, Local #7027.
Section 6.
To educate our membership in the history of the Labor Movement and to develop and maintain an intelligent and dignified membership. To vote and work for the election of candidates who favor the passage of improved legislation in the interest of all labor. To work for the repeal of laws which are unjust to labor and the Postal Workers, such as the denial of the right to strike and the denial of the right to support political candidates of their choice. To educate all members in the areas of economic, political and social justice.
Section 7.
To engage in legislative and political education, civic welfare and other activities which further, directly or indirectly, the joint interest of the members of the Des Moines Bulk Mail Center Local #7027 and the improvement of general economic and social conditions of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
SECTION 8.
To work as an autonomous union affiliated with the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations, together with other local and state unions for the solidification of the entire Labor Movement and to have the same rights and benefits which include the right to strike.
Section 9.
To affiliate with, support and participate in, the activities of all related organizations such as state federations, local central body, AFL-CIO and the Iowa Federation of Labor, as directed by the Des Moines BMC Local #7027 membership.
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1.
Any person employed by the United States Postal Service, in the jurisdiction claimed by the local, in a non-supervisory position, is eligible for active membership.
Section 2.
Application for membership in this local shall be made by the submission of the appropriate dues withholding form to the Recording Secretary. Those accepted for membership shall pay dues as set by the local. A suspended member may be reinstated in this local upon payment of all delinquent dues and then he/she must comply with this article for reinstatement to membership.
Section 3.
There shall be four (4) categories of members in this local;
1) Active, 2) Associate, 3) Retired, 4) Honorary
1) Active membership (voting member) shall be any person employed in a non-supervisory position under this Union's jurisdiction.
2) Associate membership shall be employees in a supervisory position, or past members who are no longer employees, who wish to retain fringe benefits (insurance, etc.) and receive official publications.
3) Retired membership shall consist of retired members. Any Retired member who wishes to remain an Active member with full voting rights and the right to represent this local as a
delegate may do so by paying the full per-capita tax as set by this local. Any Retired member exercising this right will be considered an Active member.
4) Honorary members shall be any person nominated and accepted to honorary membership by this local.
5) Associate, Retired or Honorary members shall not be eligible to vote, hold office or represent this local as a delegate (except as provided for in paragraph 3 above).
6) Any member leaving the Postal Service because of Union activity with organizations to whom the Des Moines Bulk Mail Center Local #7027 pays per-capita tax shall be considered an active member, and shall continue to pay Local and National per-capita dues.
Section 4. Dues
A) Active members shall pay 100% of the dues set by this local.
B) Associate members shall pay no less than 50% of the regular monthly dues.
C) Retired members shall pay no dues (except as provided for in section 3, paragraph 3, above).
D) Honorary members shall pay no dues.
E) The monthly dues structure shall be changed only by majority vote, taken by secret ballot, of the members present at two consecutive monthly meetings.
F) Special assessments shall be proposed by the Local Executive Board, who shall post the proposition for ten (10) days prior to the next regular Union meeting of the general membership. At said meeting, a vote on the special assessment shall be conducted by secret ballot and a two-thirds (2/3) approval shall be required to pass the assessment.
No assessment shall run more than six (6) months from the time it is assessed.
G) Dues shall be due and payable on the first of each month.
ARTICLE 4:
THEIR ELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS
OFFICERS AND DELEGATESSection 1.
Officers of the Local shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Clerk Craft Director, Maintenance Craft Director, Motor Vehicle Craft Director, and a Board of Trustees consisting of three members.
Section 2.
Candidates for officers of this Local shall be nominated for a two (2) year term at the January and February meetings in odd numbered years. The ballots shall be mailed within five (5) days after the February meeting, and must be returned by the 10th of March. The candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. New officers shall be installed at the March meeting.
Section 3.
No member may be a candidate for more than one (1) elective office in this Union. Any member nominated for more than one office shall select the office for which he/she is going to run no later than the close of nominations of the February meeting. No member shall be considered a candidate until written acceptance of their nomination is received by the chair of the Election Committee. The deadline for such acceptance shall be the close of nominations of the February meeting.
Section 4.
Election shall be by secret ballot conducted by mail. No member shall vote by proxy.
Section 5.
All officers shall be elected by the general membership, except Craft Directors, who shall be elected by their respective crafts.
Section 6
The President shall be an automatic delegate to the APWU National convention. The President and Craft Directors will be automatic delegates to the APWU State Convention. The Executive Board shall determine the delegates, selected from the roles of officers and/or stewards, to attend the Tri-State convention. The Executive Board shall determine the number of delegates to attend the National and Iowa Federation of Labor Conventions.
Section 7.
Any member attending less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the regular meetings of the Local, within the current fiscal year, shall be ineligible for nomination or election as an officer of this Local or as a delegate to any of the conventions named in this Article. Fiscal for all purposes of this Article shall be March 1st through the last day of February.
Section 8.
For the purpose of eligibility for office any member who is absent from a regular meeting for reasons of sickness, military duty, emergencies or on authorized Union business during the hours of the regular meeting, upon written application to the Recording Secretary before the next regular meeting, shall be credited with being in attendance.
Section 9.
No member of this Local shall hold office (shall resign his/her office immediately) or serve this Local in any capacity while serving for management in any EAS (management) position. No member shall be eligible to run for elected office one (1) year from the date he/she last acted in capacity of management.
ARTICLE 5: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1.
Officers of the Local shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Clerk Craft Director, Maintenance Craft Director, Motor Vehicle Craft Director, and a Board of Trustees consisting of three members.
Section 2.
It shall be the duty of the President to have charge of all the general welfare of the Local, and to promote its interest in such ways as seems to him/her advisable, or as he/she may be directed by the Local. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the Local (general and craft) and of the Executive Board. He/she shall have charge of the access to all papers, records, and documents of the Local. He/she shall appoint all Stewards after consulting Craft Directors as to their recommendations for appointment. He/she shall appoint all committees. Should any office become vacant, for any reason, the President shall make an interim appointment which must be approved by the Executive Board. He/she shall countersign all checks drawn on the treasury by the Treasurer.
Section 3.
The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the latter’s absence or disability and shall be assistant to the President. In the event of the permanent absence of the President the Vice-President shall become the President. He/she shall perform such other duties as the President may direct. The Vice-President shall serve as OWCP and Hospital Plan representative for the Local and shall inform the membership of major changes in the OWCP and Hospital Plan programs.
Section 4.
The Recording Secretary shall keep a correct record of all members, their addresses, and attendance of all meetings. He/she shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all regular, special, craft and Executive Board meetings. He/she shall notify the members of meetings of the Local. It shall be his/her responsibility to take care of the official correspondence and all mailings of the Local. He/she shall perform such other duties as the President may direct.
Section 5.
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Local. He/she shall countersign with the President all checks drawn on the Treasury. He/she shall have charge of the collection of all dues of the Local. He/she shall submit a report of the financial condition of the Local at each regular meeting and at other times as directed by the membership or the Executive Board. He/she shall perform such other duties as the President may direct.
Section 6.
Craft Directors shall have charge of the general welfare of their respective craft and promote its interest under the direction of the President. They shall act as Chief Steward in their respective craft. They shall perform such other duties as the President may direct.
Section 7.
The Editor shall be responsible for the coordination of the Local’s newsletter material to insure that it is published and mailed to the membership. The Editor shall be responsible for distributing and displaying pertinent and timely material on union bulletin boards and literature racks. The Editor shall perform such other duties as the Local President may direct.
Section 8.
The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the Local. It shall keep a current accurate record of all property of the Local. The Executive Board shall be responsible for the financial welfare of the Local.
(A) During the month of March the Executive Board shall insure that an audit shall be performed and presented at the March meeting of each year.
(B) Upon installation the Executive Board shall determine the budget guidelines for the following year to be presented at the April meeting for approval of the general membership.
(1) For expenditures not covered by budgetary guidelines the Executive Board may authorize expenditures of up to one thousand dollars ($1000.00) per calendar month. All expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars ($1000.00) must be approved by the rank-and-file.
Section 9.
Local officers' salaries shall be paid on a monthly basis at the following rates:
President: Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00)
Vice President: Ninety Dollars ($ 90.00)
Treasurer: Ninety Dollars ($ 90.00)
Secretary: Ninety Dollars ($ 90.00)
Editor: Ninety Dollars ($ 90.00)
Craft Directors:
Clerk Craft: One Hundred Twenty Dollars ($120.00)
Maintenance: One Hundred Twenty Dollars ($120.00)
Motor Vehicle: Ninety Dollars ($ 90.00)
Additionally, any salaried officer serving more than 1 year in any salaried office shall receive an additional 10% of the base pay for the office in which they are serving for each year they have served the local in a salaried office.
The Editor may be granted Union LWOP to publish the Local newsletter with pre-approval of the Local President.
Stewards will be paid an amount equal to the current monthly dues plus Fifteen ($15.00) each month.
Under no circumstance shall any officer draw more than one (1) salary.
ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS
Section 1.
There shall be one (1) regular meeting of the Local each month, the date and time to be determined by the Executive Board.
Section 2.
Special meetings shall be called by the President or on a petition signed by at least eleven (11) members in good standing; the purpose of the meeting to be stated on the petition and the business of the meeting to be confined to the purpose as stated in the petition. Such petition shall be prominently posted upon the official Union bulletin boards for a period of at least forty eight (48) hours before such a meeting is to be called, dating from the time it is called.
ARTICLE 7: CRITICISM PROHIBITED
No criticism, reflection, argument or debate touching any members' creed, color, sex or nationality shall be allowed at any meeting of this Local.
ARTICLE 8: RECALL
A petition for recall signed by at least five (5) members of the Local who have sufficient proof at hand that any officer or officers have acted dishonestly or otherwise detrimental to the best interest of the rank-and-file members, may be filed with the Executive Board. A copy of the charges, which shall be made in duplicate form, must be submitted with the petition for recall. The Executive Board shall send one (1) copy to the officer against whom the charges have been preferred. The officer who has had recall proceedings filed against him/her shall be given an opportunity for defense. Ten days shall be allowed him/her to reply to the charges, same to be in writing. If the officer fails to reply, the Executive Board will proceed with the recall election.
The next following Sunday after the expiration of the ten (10) days, a special meeting of the General Membership shall be called, with a vote taken by secret ballot, on the charges as filed. Prior to such vote, the officer against whom charges have been preferred shall have an opportunity to defend himself/herself either in person, by letter, or through a representative of the officers choice selected from members in good standing of this local. If a majority of the members present sustain the charges as filed, the Executive Board shall proceed with the recall election.
The recall ballot will include the name of the officer, against whom recall has been initiated, the notice of charges, and the officer's reply to said charges (if any). The recall ballot shall be sent to all members of the local and it shall require two-thirds of the vote cast to recall the officer.
ARTICLE 9: INSPECTION OF RECORDS
All records of this Local shall be subject to inspection at any time, either by a committee appointed by the President, or by a committee elected by the members at a regular or special meeting.
ARTICLE 10: CONSTITUTION AMENDMENTS
This Constitution shall stand as the supreme authority of the Local. Amendments, annulments or additions to the Constitution may be proposed by a majority of those present and voting at any regular meeting. The proposed change will be posted the next working day and a combined two-thirds (2/3) majority of those members present and voting at the next two (2) regular meetings will be necessary for ratification. Each member shall have only one (1) vote per each amendment, annulment or addition to the Constitution.
