Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the City Union of Baltimore Local 800, AFT- Maryland, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. The objectives of the City Union of Baltimore shall be:
Article II: Objectives
• To promote the careers and quality of work-life for classified employees of the City of Baltimore through the collective bargaining process; and,
• To improve the efficiency of work and to enhance the public image of classified employees of the City of Baltimore; and,
• To improve standards for classified employees by advocating better preparation, encouraging relevant rn-service training, establishing objective procedures for evaluation and classification, and securing working conditions essential to the best performance of municipal service; and,
• To advance the economic interests of classified employees in the City of Baltimore; and,
• To create and maintain ajust and democratic union open to the free expression of its members and responsive to their needs; and, of classified employees of the City of Baltimore from administrative abuse, negligence, and/or mismanagement; and,
• To make classified employees aware of their political rights and responsibilities as citizens and to encourage their participation in the political process; and,
• To cooperate and participate to the fullest extent with the Labor Movement and to awaken in all City of Baltunore workers a labor consciousness and a sense of solidarity with labor; and,
• To eliminate discrimination by race, creed, sex, age, political belief or activities, sexual orientation, and disability both within the City workplace and within the general society.
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Membership in the City Union of Baltimore shall be open to employees employed by the City of Baltimore, Maryland who do not come within the jurisdiction of other AFL-CIO unions and employees of other nonprofit organizations not represented by other AFL-CIO unions.
Section 2: No discrimination shall be shown individual members or applicants for membership because of race, creed, sex, age, political belief or activities, sexual orientation and disability.
Section 3: Supervisory personnel with the ranks of department head, bureau chief, division head, or above or who be-long to a separate managerial and professional bargaining unit, shall not obtain membership. Members who are promoted to the positions listed above automatically are removed from membership on the effective date of the promotion.
Section 4: A member may be expelled for acts detrimental to theUnion upon presentation of written charges signed by all officers of the Executive Committee and approved by at least 3/4 of the Stewards Council. The member shall have the right to appeal the decision to the membership at the following membership meeting and shall be reinstated with full rights if a majority of the members present vote to reinstate.
Section 5: Any member who fails to pay dues for three consecutive months shall be dropped from the rolls and his/ her name shall be removed from the records at the National Office. The member may be reinstated upon the payment of all back dues. Employees on approved leave of absence shall not be dropped from the membership rolls for non payment of dues.
Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Every third year the City Union of Baltimore shall hold elections for the following positions:
1. President
2. Executive Vice President
3. Treasurer
4. Secretary
5. One Area Vice President from each Constituency Area listed in Article 111 of the By-Laws of this Constitution.
6. Stewards, apportioned on the basis of one steward for every fifty (50) members, or major fraction thereof, in good standing of each Constituency Area provided that no Constituency Area shall have less than one steward.
7. Delegates and alternates in such numbers as may be individually determined by the Stewards Council to attend each convention of affiliated organizations.
Section 2: Membership in good standing for at least one year is required to hold any elected or appointed office.
Section 3: The term of office for all officers, stewards, deletgates, and alternates shall be three(3) years or until their successors are elected and shall begin October 1, ofihe calendar year in which elections are held. The term of office for the first set of officers elected under this amended constitution shall begin immediately upon election and shall be completed on September 30,2001.
Section 4: All stewards shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Any nominated candidate who is not elected shall serve as an alternate for that Constituency Area.
Section 5: All delegates to conventions of affiliate organizations shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for such available positions. Those nominees failing to achieve delegate status shall serve as alternates. Any conversion of alternates to delegate status shall be in order of the plurality of votes cast.
Section 6: Nominations for office shall be made at the regular Stewards Council meeting held in August ofihe year in which officer tenns expire. Notice shall be provided to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting that nominations will be in order. Nominations for General Officer positions on the Executive Committee shall be accompanied by petitions containing at least fifty signatures of members. Nominations for constituency vice president positions on the Executive Committee shall be accompanied by petitions containing at least fifteen signatures of members from the constituency area. Nominations for Steward positions shall be accompanied by petitions containing at least five signatures of members from the constituency area. Nominations for delegate to conventions positions shall be accompanied by petitions containing at least five signatures of members. Nominationpetitionsmust be received by the Elections Conunittec no later than the ten (10) days before that regular August meeting of the Stewards Council to be initially considered. Any petition timely received and returned to the delegate because it was found to be defective must be re-received by the committee no later than two (2) days prior to the regular August meeting of the Stweards Council.
Section 7: Ballots shall be prepared and mailed to each member in good standing within 15 days following the nomination meeting. The ballots shall be returned to the election committee no later than 21 days from the date originally sent to the members. The candidate receiving a plurality of the votes cast shall be declared elected. In the case of a tie vote, a mn-off election of the two receiving the most votes shall be held within one month according to the above procedure. The Election Committee shall determine the exact dates for mailing and return of ballots, in accordance with this section.
Section 8: Disputes in such elections shall be referred to the Election Committee for determination, provided that any aggrieved person may appeal to the Stewards Council.
Section 9: All officers of the Executive Committee, stewards, delegates, and alternates shall take office upon certification of the results of the election.
Article V: Executive Committee
Section 1: The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and all Area Vice Presidents shall collectively constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2: The duties of the Executive Committee shall include but not be limited to:
A. Transacting all business and managing and directing the affairs of the union between membership meetings
and Stewards Council meetings except as maybe herein provided; and,
B. Making contracts and incurring liabilities with the support of the Stewards Council, which may be appropriate to enable the Union to accomplish any or all of its pui poses, borrowing money for union purposes at such rates of interest and terms and conditions as it may determine, issuing notes and other obligations, and securing any of its obligations by mortgage, pledge or deed of trust of all or any of its property and income; and initiating referendums on any action of the Stewards Council; and,
C. On behalf of the Union, its officers, members, or employees, initiating, defending, compromising, settling, arbitrating, or releasing or paying the expenses of any legal proceedings or actions of any nature if, in its judgment, it shall be necessary or desirable to protect, preserve or advance the interests of the union; and,
D. Recommending to the Stewards Council employment of personnel, including professional staff, clerical staff, and other persons on a full or part-time basis as may be determined by the needs and finances of the Union; and,
E. Reporting its activities and actions regularly at the meetings of the Stewards Council and the general membership.
Section 3: A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be one-half of its members.
Article VI: Committees
Section 1: The following standing committees shall be active in this Union:
(1) Membership Committee; (2) Negotiations Committee; (3) Public Relations Committee; (4) Grievance Committee; (5) Civil and Human Rights Committee; (6) COPE. Committee; (7) Social Committee; (8) Civil Service Liaison Committee; (9) Budget Committee, (10) Legislative Committee, (11) Personnel Committee.
Section 2: The following special conimittees shall be appointed in accordance with their duties:
(1) Audit Committee; (2) Election Committee.
Section 3: Chairpersons of each of the standing committees and of all special committees shall be appointed by the President with the consent of a majority of the Executive Conunittee. Except that the chairperson of the Budget Committee shall be the Treasurer of the City Union of Baltimore.
Section 4: Members of each committee shall be appointed by the chairperson of each committee with the consent of the majority of the Executive Committee. Except that the members of the Budget Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.
Section 5: Chairpersons of the Audit and Election committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee with the consent of a majority of the Stewards Council. The Election Committee shall be formed by: (1) July 1 of. the year in which regular officer elections will be held, (2) one month prior to the nominations period for special or emergency elections, or (3) numediately upon the certification of a referendum. Members serving on the Election Committee may not serve in any elected or appointed position for a period of two (2) years following service on the Election Committee.
Article VII: Stewards Council
Section 1: Subject to the final authority of the membership, the general governing body of the Union shall be a Stewards Council, the members of which shall be memberof the union in good standing, elected by vote of their constituent union members, or appointed pursuant to Section 4 of this article.
Section 2: The Stewards Council shall fonnulate the policies of the Union; it shall consider and act upon any matter which it regards as pertinent to the purposes and activities of the Union; and it shall have the power to adopt, amend or rescind actions of the Executive Committee and the President.
Section 3:A. At each regular meeting of the Stewards Council, it shall hear and, at its discretion, act upon reports rom the officers of the Union, from the Executive Committee, from Union committees, from delegates, and from any other sources whose presentation is duly authorized. It shall also hear and may act upon pertinent matters brought before it by any of its members.
B. Any action of the Stewards Council may be referred to the membership by the referendum procedure as outlined in Article XV of this constitution.
Section 4: The Stewards Council shall fill vacancies occurring in elective officer positions, except that a vacancy occurring in the office of President shall be filled by the Executive Vice President.
Section 5: The Stewards Council may establish committees as it deems necessary in addition to those standing committees specified in Article VI. The Stewards Council shall also fill any vacant steward positions occurring between regularly scheduled elections in the following manner. First, by appointment of any alternate stewards from the Constituency Area of the vacancy in order of the total vote received. Second, by recommendation of the president of a member from the affected Constituency Area. Members appointed to fill such vacancies shall assume office upon approval by the Stewards Council, and shall serve until the next regularly ~scheduled election.
Section 6: The Stewards Council shall meet regularly on the third Wednesday of every month. The Council itself or the Executive Committee may set a different date for a particular meeting.
Section 7: The meetings of the Stewards Council shall be presided over by the President of the Union. The members of the Executive Committee shall be ex-officio, voting members of the Council and shall attend its meeting. Staff employed by this union may attend meetings of the Council, but shall speak only at the discretion of the President. All meetings of the Stewards Council shall be open to all members in good standing of the Union.
Section 8:A. At all meetings of the Stewards Council, the agenda shall consist of the following items: Secretary’s report, Treasurer’s report, report from the Executive Committee by the President, other officers reports, reports of standing committees, reports of special committees, reports of delegates, unfinished business and new business. The presiding officer shall have the privilege of presenting the agenda in the order considered to be most expedient.
B. Any meeting of the Stewards Council may adopt, by majority vote, without debate, any specified order of business for that meeting or for any part thereof, provided that, except as this Constitution requires otherwise, the procedures of the meeting shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.
Section 9: Any member at a regular meeting of the Stewards Council may bring to the floor any matter which is relevant to the purposes of the Union. If the Council so desires, it may immediately refer the matter to the appropriate committee, which shall bring a report to the next regular meeting of the Council.
Section 10: With the consent of the Executive Conunittee, the President may call a special meeting of the Stewards Council. A special meeting must be called upon written petition of not less than twenty (20) percent of the members of the Council, provided that such petition shall specify the purpose of the meeting. Evety call for a special meeting of the Council shall specify the purpose of the meeting, and no business other than that specified in the call may be transacted at that meeting except by unanimous consent.
Section ii: A quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be onethird of the members thereof, but a smaller number may adjourn any regular meeting to a specified timeand place.
Article VIII: Stewards
Section 1: Vacancies created by an increase in membership within a Constituency Area may be filled in accordance with Article VII at any regular meeting of the Stewards Council. The President shall inform a Constituency Area of a decrease in representative strength at least three weeks prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the Council; in such instances, the steward who was elected with the fewest number of votes shall be relegated to alternate status. The President’s decision in hese matters maybe appealed to the Council.
Section 2: Alternates may participate in all steward activities, provided space is available. Alternates shall not, however, have a vote on the Council. In the event of a tie, a runoff election shall be held
Section 3: Stewards or officers of the Executive Committee who are absent from three meetings of the Council in any fiscal year period, without prior adequate excuse made to the Council, shall be considered to have vacated their
office. When a vacancy exists, the President shall notify the appropriate vice president who shall assure that the members in that Constituency Area concerned act to fill the vacancy.
Section 4: Stewards shall
A. attend or send an alternate to all regular and special meetings of the Stewards Council and any other meetings they are requested to attend.
B. periodically report to and receive instructions from the members who elected them.
C. hold regular meetings of the union members in their Constituency Area to consider union matters.
D. be responsible for the distribution of all information from the local office to members in their Constituency Area.
E. be responsible for union bulletin boards in their Constituency Area.
F. be responsible for recmitment of new members in their Constituency Area and for maintaining old members in good standing.
G. assist members in initiating level one grievances upon request and shall forward copies of formal grievances to the appropriate Area Vice President and the union office.
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Article IX: Removal from Office and Suspension
Section 1 An officer of the Executive Committee, Steward, Delegate, or Alternate may be removed or suspended from his or her position for cause—that is, misconduct or neglect of duty in office-upon presentation of written charges and approval of at least three-quarters of the Stewards Council.
Section 2: The officer shall have the right to appeal such action to the membership at the next annual membership meeting and shall be reinstated with full rights provided that a majority of the members present vote to reinstate.
Article X Membership Meetings
: Section 1:The annual meeting of the union membership shall be held between April 1 and June 15. In establishing the time and place for such meeting, the Executive Committee shall not give less than twenty (20) days notice thereof Notice shall be deemed sufficient upon mailing to members in their homes or work address, or by posting upon work site bulletin boards, or by publication in the Union newsletter.
Section 2: Special meetings of the Union membership may be held at the discretion of the Stewards Council and shall be held upon written petition of not less than 15 % of the union members representing a majority of different constituency areas. No less than 10 days notice shall be given for special meetings of the membership. In case of special meetings, the subject mentioned in the call for the meeting shall constitute the entire agenda; provided, however, that in the case of an emergency, matter not on the agenda may be brought before the meeting by the presiding officer.
Section 3: A quorum shall consist of one hundred members.
Article XI: Affiliations
Section 1: This Union shall maintain affiliation with and whenever possible send delegates to the following organizations:
A. The American Federation of Teachers Convention -all delegates and alternates to the National convention of the AFT shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for such positions in regular elections as provided under Article IV, Section 5. The President and Secretaxy shall certify the election and forward the credentials of all elected delegates and alternates to the National Office as soon as possible but not later than ten days before the convening of the National convention. The delegates shall confer with the treasurer to make sure the AFT per capita through June has been sent to the National Office at least 15 days before the convening of the National Convention.
B. The AFT, Maryland Convention - delegates and alternaters shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for such positions in regular elections as provided under Article IV~ Section 5.
C. The Metropolitan Baltimore Council of AFL-CIO
Unions — delegates and alternates shall be elected by a
plurality of the votes cast for such positions in regular
elections as provided under Article IV~ Section 5.
D. The Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO — delegates and alternates shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for such positions in regular elections as provided under Article IV, Section 5.
Section 2: All delegates shall make written reports to the Stewards Council on meetings attended.
Section 3: Every reasonable effort shall be made by this union to pay the legitimate expenses of delegates to meetings and conventions of affiliated organizations
Section 4: The Union to the best of its ability shall be active in the affairs of affiliated organizations
Article XII: Duties of Officers
Section 1:
A. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the City Union of Baltimore
B. administer all affairs and execute all policies, resolutions and directives of the organization.
C. preside at all meetings of the Union and of the Executive Committee and Stewards Council.
D. serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, except the Audit and Election Committees.
E. represent the local with all external groups when and where necessaxy
F. make a report to the membership at least once a year summarizing the accomplishments of the Union and outlining plans for the next year.
G. serve as chief delegate to all affiliate body conventions and the Central Labor Council.
H. call regular and special meetings of the Executive Committee, Stewards Council and the general membership.
I. keep the Executive Committee and Stewards Council infonned of CUB business.
J. fulfill such other duties as the office requires and as are consistent with this constitution.
Section 2: The Executive Vice President shall
A. assume the duties and responsibilities of the President if the president is removed from office or resigns, and in cases in which the President is incapacitated provided that the Stewards Council approves such assumption by a three-quarters vote.
B. serve as a delegate to all affiliate body conventions and the Central Labor Council.
C. perfonn such other duties as the President may designate.
Section 3: The Secretary shall
A. keep a true and accurate record of the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee, Stewards Council and general membership.
B. copy and distribute such minutes to appropriate members.
C. issue reports, notices, and agendas of all meetings of the Executive Committee, Stewards Council, and general membership.
D. answer correspondence at the direction of the President.
E. report outside correspondence to the President and the Executive Committee.
F. serve as the custodian of the seal and charter of the Union.
G. keep the membership roll and keep a complete mailing list of all members.
H. serve as a delegate to all affiliate conventions.
I. do such secretarial work as requested by the President or Executive Committee.
Section 4: The Treasurer shall
A. serve as chairperson of the Budget Committee.
B. prepare an annual budget for the coming year, and a financial statement at the close of the year for publication to all members.
C. pay all bills authorized by the adopted budget, retaining voucher or invoice for same.
D. receive, record, and deposit in the name of the union all monies from dues and all other sources.
E. receive and transmit dues for the local, and affiliate organizations and keep the Union in good standing at all times, exercising special care to see that per capita tax through June 30 is sent to the national office no later than 15 days prior to the opening date of the national convention to make sure that delegates from the Union may be seated.
F. administer and keep balanced CUB’s checking, savings, and COPE. accounts.
G. prepare a monthly report for the Executive Committee and Stewards Council on the state of CUB’s finances.
H. enforce CUB’s rules and procedures regarding fiscal matters.
I. file alirequired IRS and State of Maryland reports.
J. provide all financial records to an annual audit and agency fee audit and report the results of such audit to the AFT.
K. serve as a delegate to all affiliate conventions.
Section 5: Area Vice Presidents shall
A. function as the chief steward for his/her constituency area.
B. shall be responsible for making sure that sufficient bulletin board space is available in each area of his/her constituency area and shall also ensure that bulletin boards are updated on a regular basis.
C. hold regular meetings of the union members in their constituency area to consider union matters.
D. conduct monthly meetings of his/her Stewards.
E. establish monthly Labor/Management meetings.
F. handle and/or assist in handling Step 1 and 2 grievances.
Ci. report to the Executive Committee activities of importance as well as changes in general information that pertains to his/her constituency area.
H. forward agendas and minutes to Stewards who are absent from Stewards Council Meetings.
I. forward to the CUB office copies of any correspondence which they mite on behalf of CUB or which they receive on behalf of the union.
J. be instrumental in the continuous recruitment of new members, and the maintenance of current members.
K. keep confidential and encourage Stewards to keep confidential any matters discussed with them in confidence.
Article XIII: Duties of Standing Committees
Section 1: The Membership Committee shall plan and execute a dynamic program to insure growth and vitality of the Union. It shall present a written report to the Executive Committee.
Section 2: The Negotiations Committee shall prepare and substantiate salary and other contract proposals. It shall present these proposals for approval of the Stewards Council and then shall have the Bargaining Team negotiate these proposals with the employer. The Bargaining Team shall be chosen by the Executive Committee by majority vote.
Section 3: The Public Relations Committee shall prepare and distribute periodic member bulletins on no less than a quarterly basis. The editor of the bulletin shall be a member of the committee. Every effort shall be made by this committee to make use of other sources of publicity, i.e. newspapers, radio and television, etc.
Section 4: The Grievance Committee shall act on all grievances submitted in writing to the Executive Committee. It shall present to the Executive Committee a procedure for handling grievances. This committee shall cause the procedure to be publicized as widely as possible.
Section 5: The Civil and Human Rights Committee shall participate m Civil Rights conferences, workshops, publicity and other activities which shall combat all forms of racism and promote integration at all work sites.
Section 6: The Legislative Committee shall consider recommendations of the AFT, the State Federation, and the locals pertaining to all levels of government. It shall study proposed legislation which may affect the Union and the municipal workplace. It may initiate recommendations for legislation.
Section 7: The COPE. Conunittee shall review the record of candidates for public office may present the record of government officials to the members. It shall be responsible for raising COPE. funds and making recommendations for the expenditure of those funds based on the positions and records of candidates.
Section 8: The Social Committee shall arrange such programs and entertainments and perform such duties as the local may direct.
Section 9: The Civil Services Liaison Committee shall be knowledgeable in the practices and procedures of the City Civil Service Commission and be well-versed in procedures for evaluation, upgrading, and re-classification The Committee shall work closely with the Grievance Committee m member cases involving the Commission.
Section 10: The Buduet Committee shall
A. meet on a monthly basis to review all financial activities of the union, its officers, and staff for that month. The Budget Committee shall report to the Stewards Council, at its regular meetings, regarding these matters.
B. prepare a budget for adoption by the Stewards Council at least one month prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year. The Fiscal year shall be July 1 through June
30.
Section 11: The Personnel Committee shall
A. review, propose, and make recommendations on personnel policies
B. negotiate CUB employee contracts, and take other action on personnel matters subject to the apporval of the Stewards Council.
Article XIV: Duties of Special Committees
Section 1: The Audit Committee shall audit the treasurer’s books and yearly treasurer’s report. They shall present their yearly report to the Stewards Council no later than the end of the following fiscal year.
Section 2: The Election Committee shall be responsible for conducting the election of officers and stewards as provided for in this constitution.
Article XV: Initiative and Referendum
Section 1: Ten percent of the active members may initiate a proposition or may demand a referendum on any action of the Stewards Council. The Executive Committee shall submit same to the entire membership within thirty days following certification thereof. The Committee shall take no more than two weeks to certify the signatures. A majority of the votes cast are necessary for passage.
Article XVI: Finances
Section 1: Regular dues shall be fixed by majority vote of members present at any membership meeting provided notice of the contemplated dues increase has been announced at least fifteen days prior to the meeting, or the question may be submitted to the membership via a referendum ballot.
Section 2: Additional finances may be obtained by various fund raising activities.
Article XVII: Rules of Order
Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern in all cases not covered by this constitution or the By-Laws of this local.
Article XVIII: Amendments
Section 1: Constitutional amendments may be submitted to the Stewards Council. The Stewards Council may initiate amendments. After having received a majority vote of the Stewards Council the amendment shall be submitted to referendum. A two-thirds vote of all members voting by secret ballot shall be sufficient for adoption.
Article XIX: Availability of Constitution
Section 1: Three copies of this Constitution and all future amendments shall be submitted to the National Office of the American Federation of Teachers.
Section 2: Copies shall be made available to other affiliated organizations upon request.
Section 3: Copies shall be available for any CUB members upon request to the Secretary.