Section 1: Executive Officers
The officers of the Local shall be the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Secretary Treasurer and Three (3) Trustees.
In the first instance three (3) trustees shall be elected for a three, two and one year term respectively, thereafter one trustee shall be elected annually for a three (3) year term.
All other officers shall be elected for a one (1) year term. These officers shall constitute the Executive of the Local.
Section 2: Term of Office
All officers shall hold office until their successors are elected and installed.
Section 3: Vacancy of Executive Office
In the event the office of President becomes vacant, the First Vice President will assume the office of President for the remainder of the unexpired term and an election shall be held to fill the position of First Vice President.
Whenever an elected position other than President becomes vacant for any cause, the President shall order an election to fill the vacancy at the next General Membership Meeting. Any officer or member may be nominated to fill such vacancy but it is necessary that the officer resign his or her previous office if elected.
If a vacancy occurs, the Executive may appoint interim officers until a candidate has been elected.
Section 4: Entitlement for Nomination for Executive Office
No member shall be entitled to hold office unless he or she has been a member in good standing for one (1) year prior to his or her nomination.
Section 5: Nomination and Election of Executive Officers
*Revised – November 10, 2020*
Nomination for all Executive positions shall be held at the September General Membership meeting, with elections being held on the day of the November General Membership meeting.
Nominees must signify acceptance of nomination either in person or in written form to the Recording Secretary on or before the above noted Membership meeting.
If any office is not filled by acclamation, an election will be held. Such election will be by secret ballot vote.
The Executive and Elections Committee will determine two (2) voting days on opposite crews to ensure all members working on each crew will have the opportunity to vote. The chosen days must be within the week preceding the General Membership Meeting.
The voting schedule will be posted no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the election. A member of the Elections Committee (or Trustee, in the case of elections committee vote) will have a sealed ballot container and will canvas the membership on the posted days throughout the mill and K5 warehouse.
Each ballot shall be accounted for and one (1) ballot will be issued to each member that presents himself or herself. Ballots will be counted at the General Membership Meeting. There shall be no proxy, write in or sticker voting.
Section 6: Installation of Officers
Installation of officers shall take place at the January General Membership meeting prior to adjournment. Adjournment of this meeting will signal completion of term of office and all Union books, papers and property must be turned over to your successor.
Section 7: Suspension from Office
Any officer who is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings without a reasonable excuse shall automatically be suspended from office and the Local shall proceed with an election of a successor.
Section 8: Responsibilities of Local Executive Officers
The responsibilities of the Local Union and their Executive Officers, in addition to those set forth in the Unifor National Constitution shall include:
- The pursuit of the objectives set out in the Unifor National Constitution.
- The implementation of all Union programs and policies.
- Active participation in political affairs and legislative processes at all levels.
- Support of the participation of Local Union Executive Officers, Committeepersons, Stewards and members in educational programs, courses and training.
- The protection of the Local Union’s assets, funds and other property.
The President shall;
- Preside at all meetings of the Local and its Executive/Executive board
- The President will sign all requisitions for expenditures and wage claims authorized by the Local Union
- Have authorization for the co-signing of cheques of the Local
- Authority to sign, administer and enforce any commercial contract between the Local Union and another party.
- Appoint and be an ex-officio member of all local committees unless so restricted by these by-laws and National Constitution.
- Enforce the National Constitution, Local By-laws, Union Rules and Regulations and uphold the terms and conditions of the collective agreement.
The First Vice President shall;
- Assist the President in his/her duties and attend all Local Union meetings.
- Perform the duties of Chief Shop Steward and chair the Local Standing
- Conduct regular shop steward meetings.
- Assume the duties of the President in his / her absence.
- Authority to sign, administer and enforce any commercial contract between the Local Union and another party.
The Second Vice President shall;
- Assist the President and First Vice President in the performance of his /her duties.
- Be responsible for determining the training needs of Shop Stewards for respective departments and trades and arrange, in consultation with the First Vice President and President, for the training required
- Be responsible for the handling and investigating of member’s problems under Weekly Indemnity or Long Term Disability claims.
The Recording Secretary shall;
- Keep correct minutes of all meetings of the Local and it’s Executive
- Conduct all correspondence of the Local
- Receive and read all correspondence addressed to the Local, forward such correspondence to the appropriate Officer or Committee Chairperson and keep such correspondence on file.
- Be responsible for informing the Election Committee of upcoming elections.
- Submit such reports and information, such as names and addresses of Local Officers, to the National Union as the National President or his designate may require.
- Minutes will be taken of all Executive Board Meetings by the Recording Secretary and shall be available to the Membership at meetings.
The Secretary Treasurer shall;
- Collect all moneys paid to the Local, including Membership dues, fines and assessments and deliver same in the name of the Local to such bank, or credit union as the Local Executive may direct.
- Pay all debts and obligations and make such expenditures as approved by the Local
- Keep true and accurate account of all transactions
- Make reports thereon to the Local and it’s Executive
- Submit all of the financial records and books for examination and audit on demand of the National President or his / her designate
- Have authorization for signing of cheques for the Local.
- Authority to sign, administer and enforce any commercial contract between the Local Union and another party.
- Will surrender all financial records and books quarterly to the Trustees for the purpose of quarterly audits
- Maintain a correct ledger or roster of the Officers and members of the Local
- Charge and collect all dues, fines and assessments.
- Make the required reports each month, on the forms provided by the National Union, on the standing of each member of the Local. This report will be forwarded along with the Per Capita Tax to the National Union.
The Trustees shall;
- Examine and audit the books and records of the Local at least every three (3) months and shall submit a written report on each audit to the Local and to the National Union Treasurer.
- Perform such duties as the President of the Local shall order
Section 9: Executive
The Executive shall have such powers as are necessary and appropriate to give effect to the purposes of the Local. It shall present a report of its activities to each meeting of the Local for its approval.
It shall be the duty of the Executive to cause the provisions of the National Union Constitution and the By-laws, rules and regulations of this Local to be faithfully executed and to preserve, promote and safeguard the best interests and general welfare of UNIFOR, this Local and the members. The Executive may adopt such rules and regulations not in conflict with the National Union Constitution and these by-laws, as it may deem necessary and advisable.
Section 10: Standing Committee
The Standing Committee shall consist of the President, First Vice President and Department Representatives.
Standing Committee Department Representatives shall be nominated in October with elections held in November along with the elections of the Executive Officers. The incumbent Standing Committee shall remain active in handling of the Local Union business until the installation of the new members on January 1st.
Section 11: Executive Board
The Executive Board shall be comprised of the Executive officers as defined under Section 1, members of the Standing Committee and the Past President.
The Past President shall act in an advisory capacity and will have voice but no vote on the issues before the Board.
Section 12: Recall Procedures for Board Members
- An elected Local Union Executive Board member may be recalled by the members for failing to perform the duties of their office. A recall is initiated by a petition signed by 25% of the members that the Executive Board member represents. The petition must provide specific complaints against the Executive Board member and be submitted to the Recording Secretary of the Local Union. The Local Union shall notify the Executive Board member of the complaints and provide a copy of the petition.
- The Local Union shall call a special recall meeting with a minimum of 7 days notice with the sole purpose of addressing the specific complaints identified in the petition. A quorum for a recall meeting shall be 50% of the members represented by the Executive Board member. A two thirds majority vote of those present shall be required to recall an elected Executive Board member.
- An elected Executive Board member can face recall only once during her/her term of office.
Section 13: Department Representatives
It shall be the duty of the Department Representatives, in cooperation with the First and/or Second Vice President, to ensure that there are Shop Stewards in all departments and where practicable, on all shifts.