As Amended by the 22nd Convention September 17-20, 2001 and by Action of the General Executive Board Through December 31, 2001

Note: Throughout these Constitutions, wherever the masculine gender appears, the

feminine form applies equally and may be substituted therefore.

Section 1. This Organization shall be known as Laborers' International Union of North

America, and shall consist of the members of Local Unions affiliated with, and subject to

the laws, rules, regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions of the said

International Union, and shall not be dissolved while there are five good-standing

affiliated Local Unions objecting to its dissolution.

Section 2. The supreme authority of the International Union shall reside in the members

in Convention assembled through representatives of their own choosing, by election of

delegates as hereinafter provided. In the interim period between Conventions, this

authority shall reside in the General Executive Board.

Section 1. OBJECTS:

It shall be the object of the International Union:

(a) To unite under its banner all persons engaged in work within its jurisdiction as

hereinafter defined, for their mutual benefit, aid and protection;

(b) To promote or establish appropriate wages, fringe benefits, training, hours of

employment and working conditions for all such workers;

(c) To secure recognition by employers and the public of the workers' right to engage in

collective bargaining;

(d) To promote the development and maintenance of health, welfare and on-the-job

safety practices and such educational and staff training programs among its affiliates and

members as would best effect a full knowledge of their rights, responsibilities, welfare

and interest;

(e) To promote, foster, develop and advance the skills, efficiency, and working

knowledge necessary, of such workers;

(f) To promote, foster and develop programs which advance the social utility and

efficiency of the industries employing its members;

(g) To promote industrial peace and develop a more harmonious relationship between

employees and employers;

(h) To promote a harmonious relationship between this Organization and other

organizations in the Labor Movement, as would best effectuate the welfare and interest of

the members;

(i) To strive for effective programs which would improve, advance and increase the

opportunities for employment;

(j) To promote a better understanding by government and the public of the aims and

objects of this Organization and the Labor Movement as a whole;

(k) To engage in legislative and other activities to promote, protect and advance the

physical, economic and social welfare of the workers and all people;

(l) To effectuate the philosophy of Samuel Gompers, of supporting our friends and

defeating our enemies through such means as registration, voting, political education and

citizenship activities involving the members, their families, and their friends;

(m) To engage in such research and educational activities as may be appropriate or

necessary;

(n) To engage in legal activities appropriate for the defense and advancement of the

interests of the International Union, its affiliates and their officers and membership;

(o) To promote and protect the trade jurisdiction of this International Union;

(p) To promote better understanding and improve the conditions of life of the laboring

peoples of all countries;

(q) To establish a retirement program to maintain solidarity and to provide social and

recreational opportunities for retirees; to publish information concerning and soliciting

support for the Union's programs and policies; and to bring the special problems of

retired members to the attention of the Union;

(r) To organize the unorganized and to take all such other action as may tend to conserve

and promote the welfare and interest of this International Union, its affiliates and

members.

Section 2. POWERS:

(a) The powers of this International Union are legislative, executive and judicial;

(b) As the sovereign authority it has the power to issue charters to Local Unions, District

Councils and other subordinate bodies; and to define their powers and craft or territorial

jurisdiction; to revise, amalgamate or revoke existing charters; and to govern, discipline,

regulate or supervise these subordinate bodies as hereinafter provided;

(c) It is authorized to decide all questions relating to the rights, privileges and obligations

of members and subordinate bodies of this International Union, as such rights, privileges

and obligations are hereinafter provided;

(d) It is authorized to establish, declare, decide and enforce all matters of policy for and

in behalf of itself, its subordinate bodies and members. It is also authorized to establish,

declare and enforce such rules, regulations and orders or decisions that are incident to, or

necessary to administer the provisions of this Constitution. Its orders and decisions on all

such matters shall be final, binding and conclusive;

(e) When the International Union is not in Convention assembled, its executive and

judicial powers are vested in the General Executive Board and the officers as hereinafter

provided.

The General Executive Board may exercise legislative power when, in its opinion, it

deems it necessary to conform to or comply with law; or when, in its judgment, the

exercise of such power is deemed necessary, proper and appropriate. It may exercise this

power for the purpose of new legislation or to amend the Constitution of the International

Union or the Uniform Constitutions of affiliated Local Unions or District Councils

provided that any such new legislation or amendment shall automatically be subject to

ratification by the delegates to the next General Convention of the International Union. In

the exercise of legislative authority other than as above specified, the General Executive

Board may submit any legislative proposal to the membership, by referendum.

If any Article, Section or part thereof of the International Union, Uniform Local Union,

or Uniform District Council Constitutions should be held invalid by operation of law, the

remainder of such Constitution or the application of such Article, Section, or part thereof

to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has been held invalid, shall not

be affected thereby;

(f) It shall have the authority to take such action as may be necessary, appropriate and

proper to preserve this International Union as an institution;

(g) It shall have the authority to take such action as it may deem necessary, appropriate,

and proper to assist the governments of the United States, Canada and elsewhere in the

protection and conservation of the general welfare of the peoples of such countries;

(h) It shall have the authority, in behalf of itself, and/or its affiliated Local Unions,

District Councils and other subordinate bodies, to affiliate or disaffiliate with any

federation, or state, area, county or local labor organizations as, in its judgment, it deems

proper;

(i) When deemed beneficial or necessary and in the best interests of the International and

its subordinate bodies, it shall have the authority to amalgamate or merge with other labor

organizations under such terms and conditions which, in its judgment, it deems

appropriate, and to make such amendments to the Constitutions as may be necessary to

effectuate the merger or amalgamation. Any such amalgamated or merged body is subject

to deamalgamation or expulsion after notice and hearing when it shall be deemed

beneficial or necessary and in the best interests of the International, its affiliates and its

members;

(j) In order to promote and conserve the welfare and interest of the International Union

and its subordinate bodies, it shall have the authority to take such action as, in its opinion,

it may deem beneficial or necessary to carry out the objects and purposes of the

Organization.

Section 1. (a) The territorial jurisdiction of the International Union shall include the

United States of America and Canada and their Possessions, Territories, Protectorates and

Instrumentalities and such other areas as may further the purposes and objects of the

International Union;

(b) The trade jurisdiction of this International Union shall include all work recited in the

original charter grant from the American Federation of Labor in 1903 and that work

subsequently granted by the American Federation of Labor in 1912; and all the

jurisdiction acquired by mergers and amalgamations with the Compressed Air and

Foundation Workers International Union, the Tunnel and Subway Constructors

International Union, the International Union of Pavers, Ra mmermen, Flag Layers, Bridge

and Stone Curb Setters and Sheet Asphalt Pavers, the Journeymen Stone Cutters

Association of North America, the National Association of Post Office Mail Handlers,

Watchmen, Messengers and Group Leaders Union, the National Federation of

Independent Unions, and all work granted by the decisions of the American Federation of

Labor and its affiliated Departments and as a result of decisions of public and private

tribunals; and as a result of trade or area practice or subsequent mergers; as a result of

organization and collective bargaining agreements; as historically and traditionally

exercised by the International Union, including the Industrial, Health Care and Public

Service Sectors, and as outlined in the Manual of Jurisdiction declared and promulgated

by the General Executive Board.

Section 1. The headquarters and general office of the International Union shall be located

in the City of Washington, District of Columbia; there shall also be established and

maintained by the International Union such regional and subregional offices as, in the

opinion of the General Executive Board, may be necessary, expedient or advisable for the

purpose of carrying out the executive functions of the International Union as well as the

service to affiliated subordinate bodies and members.

Section 2. The seal of this International Union shall be:

This seal shall constitute and be the official label of this International Union and all of its

affiliated bodies, with such other descriptive language as the General Executive Board

may determine.

Section 1. A regular Convention of this International Union shall be held once every five

years during the months of September or October of the Convention year.

In order to afford opportunity for proper reservations and arrangements to be made, the

opening date and the city in which the Convention shall be held, shall be decided by the

General Executive Board.

Section 2. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall, not later than the 30th day of the month

of April of the Convention year, mail to each affiliated Local Union and District Council

in good standing, a Convention Call, advising them of the opening date of the Convention

and the city where the Convention is to be held. The Convention Call shall also specify

the number of delegates that each Local Union is entitled to elect as its representatives to

the said Convention; such delegates to be elected in accordance with the provisions

herein provided.

Section 3. The Convention shall be composed of members of the General Executive

Board and the legally elected delegates of such Local Unions and District Councils as are

in good standing at the time of the Convention and for a period of at least six months

prior thereto. The members of the General Executive Board shall by virtue of their office

serve as accredited delegates to the Convention and be entitled to all the privileges of

duly elected delegates, but shall not be permitted to vote for officers unless they are

permitted by law to do so. The designation of the members of the General Executive

Board as delegates shall not affect the number of delegates to which their respective

Local Unions shall otherwise be entitled. No delegate shall be entitled to a seat in the

Convention unless in good standing when elected and at the time of the Convention.

If a duly elected delegate is unable to attend the Convention, the Local Union or District

Council may send a substitute in place of the regular delegate, provided the substitute has

been selected and named by the Executive Board of the Local Union or District Council.

The Secretary of the Local Union or District Council shall then certify to the Credentials

Committee of the Convention such selection, indicating the name and membership card

number of the substitute and the date of the meeting when the selection was made. Such

substitute shall possess all of the qualifications required of a regular delegate. If the

Credentials Committee accredits such substitute as being entitled to a seat at the

Convention, such substitute may participate in all of the business of the Convention

except in the business of the nomination and election of officers.

A Local Union or District Council that is not in good standing at the time of the

Convention shall have no standing or rights at the Convention.

Section 4. Each Local Union in good standing and having a total membership of at

least 300 members, shall be entitled to representation as follows: one delegate for each

300 members, determined by dividing the total membership by 300 and rounding up only

for any excess of 0.5 or greater, provided, however, that any Local Union having a total

membership of less than 300 shall have its membership combined, for the purpose of

election of Convention delegates only, with that of another Local Union designated by

the General Executive Board subject to review by the Elections Officer pursuant to

Article VII, Section 8 of the International Unio n Constitution and to a determination by

the General Executive Board Attorney that such combinations are not inconsistent with

the objectives and purposes of the L.I.U.N.A. Ethical Practices Code and the L.I.U.N.A.

Ethics and Disciplinary Procedure. Local Unions so affected shall be so notified by the

General President not later than April 30 of the year in which a regular Convention is to

be held, with a copy to the Elections Officer. The total membership shall be the average

membership for the twelve months ending December 31 of the year immediately

preceding the Convention. Each District Council in good standing shall be entitled to one

delegate.

Delegates selected from the Mail Handlers Division shall be entitled to vote for the

nomination and election of candidates for the offices of Vice Presidents at Large and for

the nomination of candidates for the offices of General President and General Secretary-

Treasurer, but shall not be entitled to vote for the nomination or election of candidates for

the offices of District Vice President.

Section 5. The Credentials Committee shall, prior to and during the Convention, be

authorized to examine, pass upon and determine the validity of the credentials of the

various delegates, as submitted by their Local Unions or District Councils. The

Committee shall report its findings to the Convention and recommend the seating of

those delegates that it has accredited. The findings of the Credentials Committee shall be

subject to review by the Elections Officer, pursuant to Article VII, Section 8 of the

International Union Constitution.

Section 6. Any member desiring to protest the nomination or election of a delegate or

delegates to the Convention from that member's Local Union or District Council, must

mail the protest to the General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union at

Headquarters not later than thirty days after the election. All such protests shall be filed

with and determined by the Elections Officer pursuant to Article VII, Section 8 of the

International Union Constitution.

Section 7. If, after a member has been duly elected as a delegate to a Convention, such

member is convicted of dishonesty, dual unionism, having worked in violation of

established Union wages, hours and conditions, attempted secession, or other similar

offenses, after filing of charges, due notice and proper hearing before a Trial Board, such

conviction shall invalidate and deprive such member of the right to be seated as a

delegate to the Convention.

Section 8. A majority of the delegates accredited and seated shall constitute a quorum.

Section 9. (a) Any member of a Local Union is eligible to be a delegate of the Local

Union provided such member shall have been a member in good standing for at least two

years in the International Union and for at least two years in the Local Union

immediately prior to nomination and is current in the payment of dues and possesses such

other qualifications as are required by Article V of the Uniform Local Union Constitution

for the election of Local Union officers. However, in a Local Union chartered less than

two years before the Convention, any member is eligible to be a delegate provided such

member shall have been in good standing for at least six months in the International

Union and for at least six months in the Local Union immediately prior to the Convention

and is current in the payment of dues and possesses such other qualifications as are

required by Article V of the Uniform Local Union Constitution for the election of Local

Union officers. No newly-chartered Local Union or District Council shall be entitled to

representation at the Convention if that Local Union or District Council has not held its

charter for a period of at least six months immediately prior to the Convention;

(b) Each Local Union shall nominate and elect delegates to the Convention of the

International Union by secret ballot, after receipt of the Convention Call from the General

Secretary- Treasurer, in such number as is specified in the Convention Call, not earlier

than the month of May nor later than the 30th day of June of the Convention year; selfnominations

shall not be allowed.

(c) A Local Union shall not conduct nomination and election of delegates to the

Convention at the same meeting. No less than fourteen days prior to said nominations

meeting, notice thereof shall be mailed by the Secretary-Treasurer to the last-known

address of each good-standing member of the Local Union, and such notice shall list the

number of delegate positions to be filled and the time and place of such meeting. Notice

shall also be sent to the Elections Officer, who must receive said notice no less than

seven days before the meeting. If, following the close of nominations and prior to the

election, it is discovered that one or more of the nominees is unqualified to run, that

person shall be disqualified. Further nominations to fill the position of the disqualified

member shall be accepted if, but only if, the disqualification brings the number of

nominees below the number of delegates allocated to the Local Union. If, at said

nomination meeting candidates for the position of delegate are unopposed, the nominees

shall be declared duly elected.

(d) In the event there are more candidates than delegate positions to be filled, a secret

ballot election shall be conducted and the membership shall determine and fix the date on

which the election shall be held and the place and hours during which the polls shall

remain open. The Secretary-Treasurer of the Local Union shall mail a written notice to

the last-known address of each member in good standing, informing the member of the

date, place and time of election and the number of delegates to be elected; such notice to

be mailed not less than fifteen days prior to the date of election. Notice shall also be sent

to the Elections Officer, who must receive said notice no less than seven days before the

election;

(e) The conduct of the election itself shall be as provided for in Article VI, Sections 3

and 4 of the Uniform Local Union Constitution;

(f) The delegate to the International Union Convention shall be elected by the District

Council by secret ballot in accordance with the provisions hereof from among its Local

Union delegates who have been elected thereto.

Section 10. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall furnish to each Local Union blank

original and duplicate credentials in such number as hereinabove provided.

After receipt of said credentials, the Recording Secretary shall fill in the names of the

duly elected delegates to the Convention and shall sign both the original and duplicate

credentials; the President shall countersign said credentials.

The duplicate credentials shall then be forwarded to the General Secretary-Treasurer not

later than the 30th day of June of the Convention year with a copy to the Elections

Officer.

The original credential shall then be delivered to each duly elected delegate. Each

delegate shall register with the Credentials Committee in order to be duly accredited and

entitled to a seat in the Convention and as such delegate, shall be entitled to cast one vote.

Section 11. A per diem allowance and transportation to duly elected delegates who are

accredited and seated and who attend all sessions of the regular Convention shall be in

such amount as is established by the General Executive Board of the International Union

and shall be paid out of the Convention Fund.

Section 12. The Order of Business and Rules of a Convention shall be considered by the

Convention Committee on Order of Business and Rules, after which it shall prepare its

report and submit same to the Convention, at the opening thereof, for adoption.

Section 13. All resolutions submitted for consideration of a Convention must be sent to

and be received by the General Secretary-Treasurer at the Headquarters of the

International Union in Washington, D.C., not later than thirty days immediately

preceding the opening date of said Convention.

All resolutions must be filed in duplicate and must be signed by a duly elected delegate to

the Convention.

Section 14. The Committees of the Convention, except as herein otherwise provided,

shall be composed of at least nine members or such greater number as determined by the

General President and shall be as follows:

Committee on Credentials and Audit

Committee on Order of Business and Rules

Committee on General Executive Board's Report

Committee on General President's Report

Committee on General Secretary-Treasurer's Report

Committee on Constitution and Law

Committee on Resolutions

Committee on Organization

Committee on Grievances, Adjustments and Appeals

Committee on Education, Training and Safety

Committee on Welfare and Pension

Committee on Legislation and Public Affairs

Committee on Canadian and International Affairs

Section 15. The General President shall, before the opening of the Convention, appoint

the Committee on Credentials and Audit, the Committee on Order of Business and Rules,

the Committee on Constitution and Law and the Committee on Resolutions. Committee

appointments shall be made at such time as the General President may deem necessary.

Section 16. The Committee on Credentials and Audit shall consist of three Convention

delegates. After appointment and upon notice from the General President, this Committee

shall go to the Headquarters of the International Union and examine the financial records

and securities of the International Union and prepare its audit report for submission to the

Convention.

Section 17. SPECIAL CONVENTIONS:

(a) A Special Convention may be held upon order of the General Executive Board of the

International Union when, in its opinion, it deems it necessary, advisable and expedient to

hold such Convention;

(b) If and when a Special Convention is ordered by the General Executive Board, such

Special Convention may deal only with such matter or matters as are stated by the

General Executive Board as the purpose for holding the Special Convention;

(c) In the event a Special Convention is ordered, then the General Executive Board is

authorized to set and fix all dates dealing with and relative to the holding of such

Convention and the city in which the Convention shall be held;

(d) The provisions under this Article dealing with Convention matters shall apply to

Special Conventions insofar as they are applicable;

(e) When such a Special Convention is to be held, the General Executive Board shall

determine the number of Committees necessary to properly handle the matter or matters

to be considered and acted upon by said Special Convention;

(f) The General Executive Board shall also fix and determine the number of delegates to

be appointed by the General President to function as members of such Committee, or

Committees.

Section 1. The officers of this International Union shall be a General President, a General

Secretary- Treasurer, four Vice Presidents at Large and one District Vice President from

each of the nine Electoral Districts created by the General Executive Board pursuant to

Article VIII, Section 2(a- ix) of this Constitution and, on an ex-officio basis, the President

of the Mail Handlers Division, also known as the National Postal Mail Handlers Union.

The President of the Mail Handlers Division shall serve as a member the General

Executive Board solely by virtue of that office and shall not be subject to the provisions

of Article VII of this International Union Constitution. In the period between

Conventions, the General Executive Board shall have the power and authority to expand

the number of Vice Presidents beyond those provided for herein if such action is taken to

further a legitimate and proper object of the International Union in connection with a

merger, affiliation or amalgamation with another national or international labor

organization. Any such action shall first be submitted to the Inspector General for his

approval. In the event such action is taken, the General Executive Board shall fill the

position by appointment and shall select a member who possesses all of the qualifications

required of an officer of the International Union. All Vice Presidents shall have the same

duties, powers, authority and responsibility as described in Article X of this Constitution.

Section 2. Except in the case of a filling of a vacancy by death, resignation or otherwise,

these officers shall be elected in accordance with terms of Article VII of the International

Union Constitution; and upon election shall serve for a term of five years, beginning

January 1st of the year following the said Convention and until their successors have

been duly installed.

Section 3. These officers shall constitute and be members of the General Executive

Board.

Section 4. A candidate for office shall be required to be and have been in good standing

in the International Union for a period of at least five years; to be a citizen of the United

States or Canada, unless such requirement is prohibited by provisions of applicable law;

and to be a duly accredited delegate to the Convention.

Section 5. In the case of a vacancy occurring by reason of death, resignation or otherwise,

the vacancy shall be filled by action of the General Executive Board of the International

Union. In the event of a vacancy in the office of General President, the General

Secretary- Treasurer shall inform the members of the General Executive Board that a

vacancy in the office of General President exists, and shall convene a meeting of the

General Executive Board for the purpose of filling the vacancy. The General Executive

Board shall select one of the then members of the General Executive Board to serve as

General President of the International Union for the unexpired term.

In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the General President shall inform the

members of the General Executive Board of such vacancy and convene a meeting of the

General Executive Board for the purpose of filling the vacancy. The General Executive

Board shall select a member who possesses all of the qualifications required of an officer

of the International Union to fill the vacancy and to serve for the unexpired term.

All officers to fill vacancies as herein provided shall serve as provisional officers until the

next regular election at a Convention and until their successors have been duly installed.

Section 6. The officers and provisional officers of the International Union shall, by virtue

of such office, be delegates at large to all Conventions and shall be entitled to all the

rights of a delegate to the Convention, except the right to vote for officers unless they are

permitted by law to do so.

Section 7. SALARIES:

The salary of the General President shall be increased from two hundred and one

thousand six hundred twenty-four dollars ($201,624.00) to two hundred and fifty

thousand dollars ($250,000.00) a year; the salary of the General Secretary-Treasurer shall

be increased from one hundred ninety-three thousand five hundred sixty dollars

($193,560.00) to two hundred thirty- five thousand ($235,000.00) a year; the annual

salary of each Vice President shall be twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) provided

that if the Vice President's total compensation from LIUNA and its affiliated or

subordinate bodies is less than fifty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($57,500.00),

LIUNA will pay the Vice President an additional amount to bring the Vice President's

total annual compensation from LIUNA and its affiliated or subordinate bodies to fiftyseven

thousand five hundred dollars ($57,500.00).

The General President and General Secretary-Treasurer shall each be provided with the

use of accommodations purchased or leased by the Union when such officers are in the

City of Washington, District of Columbia, in connection with the performance of their

duties and responsibilities.

The General Executive Board, between Conventions, is authorized to increase the

salaries, benefits or other compensation of the General President or General Secretary-

Treasurer to account for the increase in the cost-of-living, said adjustment not to exceed

the percentage of increase in the National Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau

of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor or based upon other fa ctors

deemed appropriate by the Board.

The officers shall receive such benefits and compensation, other than salary, as are

provided other staff personnel of the International Union or are authorized for such

officers by the General Executive Board and sha ll be entitled to receive awards for their

services. The officers shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred in connection with the

performance of their duties and responsibilities.

Travel expenses may also be provided for an officer's spouse who accomp anies the

officer when the officer travels in connection with the performance of official duties and

responsibilities.

Section 8. If a Local Union of which an officer of the International Union is a member

becomes suspended for any reason, such officer shall then have the right to transfer

membership into any other good-standing Local Union of the International Union.

Section 1. Except in the case of a filling of a vacancy caused by death, resignation or

otherwise, the officers except as otherwise provided, shall be elected as set forth herein.

Section 2. No later than July 1 in any year in which a regular Convention is to be held,

members wishing to seek the office of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, or

Vice President, shall declare their intention in writing to the Elections Officer, indicating

the office sought. The Elections Officer shall determine the qualifications of such

individual to hold such office pursuant to Article VI, Section 4 of the International Union

Constitution as of July 1 of such year. No person may declare the intention to seek more

than one of the above offices.

Section 3. No later than July 15 in any year in which a regular Convention is to be held,

the Elections Officer shall furnish to each person appearing to hold the necessary

qualifications the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all relevant delegates.

Persons seeking the office of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, and Vice

President at Large shall be furnished with informa tion concerning all delegates; persons

seeking the office of District Vice President shall be furnished with information

concerning those delegates from Local Unions and District Councils located within the

Electoral District served by the District Vice President.

Section 4. In order to stand for election, a candidate must be nominated by duly elected

delegates by secret ballot at the Convention.

In order to be nominated for the office of General President, General Secretary- Treasurer,

or Vice President at Large, a candidate must secure the votes of at least five percent of all

delegates eligible to vote. If the candidate receives the votes of three percent or more of

all delegates eligible to vote from among the delegates from any one Electoral District,

the candidate must also receive the votes of a total of at least two percent of all delegates

eligible to vote from among the delegates from another Electoral District or Districts. In

order to be nominated for the office of District Vice President, a candid ate must secure

the votes of at least five percent of all delegates eligible to vote from the Electoral

District served by such Vice President. If the candidate receives the votes of three percent

or more of the delegates eligible to vote from the Electoral District from among the

delegates eligible to vote from any one Local Union, the candidate must also receive the

votes of a total of at least two percent of the delegates eligible to vote from the Electoral

District from among the delegates eligible to vote from another Local Union or Unions.

Any delegate may place in nomination the name of any member in good standing for the

offices of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President at Large, and

District Vice President otherwise meeting the qualifications for the office specified in

Article VI, Section 4 of the International Union Constitution.

Section 5. The General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, Vice Presidents at Large

and District Vice Presidents shall be elected by direct secret ballot elections by members

in good standing as defined in Article VI, Section 3(d) of the Uniform Local Union

Constitution. The Elections Officer shall have the authority to determine the method of

election of the General President, the General Secretary- Treasurer, Vice Presidents at

Large, and District Vice Presidents, provided the method of election in a particular local

shall be the same for all officers. Members of all Local Unions shall be entitled to vote

for candidates for the offices of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, and Vice

Presidents at Large. Only members from Local Unions within an Electoral District shall

be entitled to vote for candidates for the office of District Vice President from their

respective District, as set forth in Article VIII, Section 2(a- ix) of the International Union

Constitution. The election will be held at a time set by the Elections Officer, but no less

than 60 days and no more than 80 days following the close of the regular Convention.

The candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be considered elected.

In the event that there is no contest for any particular office, the Secretary of the

Convention may declare the candidate to be elected upon motion duly made and adopted

to do so.

Section 6. Any protest regarding the nomination and election of any International Union

officer must be made prior to the induction of such officer.

ELECTIONS OFFICER:

Section 7. Excepting the 1996 election, no less than one year before each regular

Convention as described in Article V, the General Executive Board shall appoint an

individual to serve as Elections Officer. The General Executive Board may appoint the

Inspector General to serve as Elections Officer.

Section 8. It shall be the responsibility of the Elections Officer to ensure that elections for

members of the General Executive Board are conducted in a free, fair and democratic

manner, consistent with the principles of the LIUNA Ethical Practices Code. To achieve

these goals, the Elections Officer sha ll have authority:

(a) to take such actions as the Elections Officer may deem necessary to accomplish the

purpose of the objects hereinabove outlined;

(b) to establish and promulgate such rules and regulations as the Elections Officer

believes or deems necessary to achieve the objects hereinabove outlined. The Elections

Officer may provide reasonable limitations, variances, tolerances and exemptions from

the requirements of said rules and regulations as, in the Elections Officer's judgment are

appropriate and proper;

(c) to adjudicate all disputes pertaining to the integrity of the nomination and election of

delegates to the regular Convention and the nomination and election of members of the

General Executive Board for the purposes of securing free, fair and honest election.

Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of the

International Union Constitution, the Uniform Local Union Constitution, or the Uniform

District Council Constitution, the Elections Officer shall resolve all disputes pertaining to

the qualification, nomination and election of delegates and the qualification, nomination

and election of members of the General Executive Board;

(d) to employ such personnel as are reasonably necessary to assist in the proper discharge

of the Elections Officer's duties and to delegate any of the powers of that office to any

such person as the Elections Officer may deem necessary;

(e) to review and amend the combination of local unions for the purposes of election of

delegates as set forth in Article V, Section 4 hereof;

(f) the Elections Officer shall be given reasonable space in "The Laborer" for the purpose

of communicating with the membership concerning election matters. The Elections

Officer shall also promulgate rules granting space in "The Laborer" to qualified

candidates. These rules shall comply with all requirements of law.

Section 9. The Appellate Officer shall have authority to review and pass upon any

decision of the Elections Officer in accordance with procedures established by the

Appellate Officer, who shall affirm the decision of the Elections Officer unless it is

determined that the Elections Officer acted contrary to the terms of the International

Union Constitution, the Uniform Local Union Constitution, the Uniform District Council

Constitution, governing law, or any agreement between the United States and LIUNA

with respect to international elections; or with respect to the exercise of the Election

Officer's authority in accordance with Section 8(c) above, it is determined that there is an

abuse in discretion by the Elections Officer.

Section 10. The appointment of the Elections Officer shall terminate one month after the

election of the General Executive Board provided, however, that the Elections Officer

shall have authority to resolve all matters then pending upon the expiration of the term.

During the term of the Elections Officer's appointment, the Elections Officer may not be

removed except upon a finding of good cause by the Independent Hearing Officer. An

action to remove the Elections Officer may be brought only by the General Executive

Board, with the concurrence of the GEB Attorney;

Section 11. Obstruction of or interference with the Elections Officer or any person

designated by the Elections Officer to assist in carrying out the responsibilities of said

office shall be deemed "barred conduct" and subject to disciplinary action in accordance

with the Ethics and Disciplinary Procedure.

Section 1. The General Executive Board of this International Union shall be composed of

the General President, the General Secretary- Treasurer, and the four Vice Presidents at

Large, and the nine District Vice Presidents.

Section 2. POWERS:

(a) Subject to review by the Convention it shall have authority and control over all of the

executive and judicial powers of the International Union;

(b) The General Executive Board may exercise legislative power when, in its opinion, it

deems it necessary to conform to or comply with the law; or when, in its judgment, the

exercise of such power is deemed necessary, proper and appropriate. It may exercise this

power for the purpose of new legislation or to amend the Constitution of the International

Union or the Uniform Constitutions of affiliated Local Unions and District Councils

provided that any such new legislation or amendment shall automatically be subject to

ratification by the delegates to the next general Convention of the International Union. In

the exercise of legislative authority other than as above specified, the General Executive

Board may submit any legislative proposal to the membership, by referendum;

(c) It shall have authority and power to establish and promulgate such rules and

regulations as, in its opinion, it believes or deems necessary to implement and carry out

the intent of any provision of the International Union Constitution, the Uniform Local

Union Constitution and the Uniform District Council Constitution. It may provide

reasonable limitations, variances, tolerances and exemptions from the requirements of

said rules and regulations as, in its judgment, it would deem appropriate and proper;

(d) It shall have the authority to interpret the provisions of said Constitutions and to

review and pass upon interpretations of said Constitutions as may be made by the General

President of the International Union, as hereinafter provided;

(e) It shall have the authority to review and pass upon the executive and judicial functions

and acts of the Officers of the International Union;

(f) It shall ha ve the authority to order the issuance of charters to Local Unions, District

Councils or other subordinate bodies, specifying the territorial and craft jurisdiction to be

allotted, when and where, in its opinion, the issuance of such charter would tend to

accomplish, promote, enhance and conserve the welfare and interest of this International

Union, its affiliates and members;

(g) Upon notice and after hearing, it shall have the authority to revoke, consolidate or

amalgamate the charters of Local Unions, District Councils, or other subordinate bodies

and to define or revise their craft or territorial jurisdiction;

(h) It may for good cause, illness or disability, make such financial provision for an

officer or employee of the International Union as it deems is warranted by the length and

character of the service rendered to the International Union by the individual;

(i) It shall have the authority to submit or decline to submit referenda to the membership;

(j) It shall have the authority to levy such assessments as, in its opinion, it may deem

necessary and adequate and each such levy shall be valid no longer than the next

succeeding regular Convention;

(k) It shall have the authority and the right to formulate proposals, resolutions, etc., for

submission and consideration of a Convention, at any time;

(l) It shall have the authority to designate the depositories for the funds of the

International Union and to regulate the method of withdrawal by the General President

and the General Secretary-Treasurer, and shall have the power and authority to establish

the investment policy of the funds of the International Union and regulate the manner and

method in which these investments shall be made;

(m) The General Executive Board and the officers of the International Union shall be

empowered and authorized to make such expenditures and payments out of the various

funds of the International Union as, in their judgment, they deem proper and necessary to

carry out the objects, purposes and policies of the International Union and to fulfill their

duties and responsibilities as required by this Constitution;

(n) In order to promote and conserve the welfare and interest of the International Union,

it shall have the authority to take such action as, in its opinion, it may deem beneficial or

necessary to carry out the objects and purposes of this organization;

(o) It shall have the authority to require all officers, officials and members of the

International Union and all its affiliates, to exercise every possible effort in the protection

of the jurisdiction of the International Union, entrusted to their care;

(p) In the event of recurrence of national disputes with other labor organizations, the

General Executive Board is authorized, either directly or through executive officers, or a

committee appointed for such purpose, to meet and consider such disputes and adjust

same in such manner as in its opinion, is deemed fitting and proper;

(q) It shall be authorized to prepare a Manual of Jurisdiction in which it shall outline and

specify the craft jurisdiction of the International Union and promulgate same among the

affiliates and members of the International Union for their information and guidance. It

may, from time to time, revise said Manual;

(r) It shall have the authority to merge or amalgamate other national or international labor

organizations into this International Union if, in its opinion, such merger or

amalgamation would tend to conserve and protect the welfare and interest of this

Organization, its affiliates and members and to establish the terms and conditions upon

which this may be accomplished. After notice and hearing, it shall have the authority to

deamalgamate or expel any such amalgamated or merged labor organization if, in its

opinion, such deamalgamation or expulsion would serve and protect the welfare and

interest of this Organization, its affiliates and members;

(s) It shall have the power to authorize the General President and General Secretary-

Treasurer to enter into national, regional or area agreements with employers or employer

associations and the General President is vested with authority to enforce observance of

such agreements by affiliated subordinate bodies and members and to issue such

directions or orders as may be necessary to accomplish such purpose, subject to review

by the General Executive Board;

(t) The General Executive Board, after investigation of areas where work is not

organized, which could and should otherwise be organized, shall have the authority to

take such action and steps and to regulate the procedure to be followed by affiliates and

members, necessary to accomplish the goal of organizing the unorganized;

(u) It may, within the minimum and maximum initiation fee fixed herein or without

regard thereto, waive or regulate the initiation fee an applicant for membership shall pay

to join a particular Local Union, and it may regulate the payment in installments of

initiation fees to Local Unions by applicants for membership and to fix the membership

privileges of such applicants, pending payment in full thereof;

(v) It shall hold a regular meeting at least once each year at such time and place as it may

decide; the General President may call special meetings from time to time as may be

deemed necessary in the General President's judgment. It may also consider and decide

matters brought to its attention, through the medium of a referendum by mail, telegram or

telephone;

(w) It may establish and maintain regional and subregional offices in such areas within

the jurisdiction of the International Union as, in its opinion, it deems necessary, expedient

or advisable; such offices shall be under the supervision of the General President who

shall have authority to appoint a manager over each of said offices and such staff and

additional personnel as may be required;

(x) It shall have the authority to establish and maintain Departments, Divisions, Bureaus,

National Councils or Conferences of the International Union, when, in its opinion, it

deems it necessary, expedient, or advisable to do so and to fix and promulgate regulations

and rules to accomplish this purpose and to govern their operation;

(y) It shall have the power to authorize the publication of an official journal, to be known

as "The Laborer" and to issue such other releases, pamphlets, bulletins or manuals as it

may deem necessary;

(z) It may, from time to time, authorize research, surveys or actuarial studies to be made

in conjunction with any or all of the operations or business of the International Union;

(a-i) It shall have the power to authorize the purchase or sale of property, both personal

and real;

(a-ii) It may, after consideration and study of a particular matter or situation and when it

believes it necessary to fully accomplish an object or purpose of the International Union

or of its affiliates and members, grant limited variances, tolerances or exemptions from

specific provisions of the Constitutions, established policies, practices, lawful orders and

decisions, for a limited period of time and specify the conditions under which such grant

is made;

(a-iii) It shall have the authority to take such action as it may deem necessary to

accomplish the purpose of all of the objects hereinabove outlined;

(a-iv) It may, when in its opinion, the need for the preservation of records is no longer

existent, order the disposition of same after a period of five years;

(a-v) It shall have the authority to delegate any of its powers to any member or members

thereof and may revoke such delegation at any time;

(a-vi) Judicial Authority In the interim periods between regular Conventions of the

International Union, all judicial authority not otherwise vested in the Independent

Hearing Officer, Appellate Officer, Elections Officer, or Special Election Officer shall

reside in the General Executive Board of the International Union; in pursuance of such

authority it may impose such judgment or take such action as it deems warranted or

appropriate over any circumstance concerning which such action is taken.

However, all charges and trials within affiliated Local Unions and District Councils must

be processed at the Local Union or District Council level in the first instance unless the

General President exercises the International Union's original jurisdiction pursuant to

Uniform Local Union Constitution Article XII, Section 3 or Uniform District Council

Constitution Article XII, Section 3. Any interested party aggrieved by a resulting decision

at the local level may then appeal therefrom to the Appellate Officer.

(a-vii) Delegation of Judicial Powers: The judicial power of the General Executive Board

may be delegated by the General President to one or more of its members, with authority

to hold hearings on appeals, protests, trusteeships, petitions, charges, or any other matter

properly filed with the General Executive Board; when so delegated, such member or

members of the General Executive Board shall be known as a Hearings Panel. Said

Hearings Panel shall, after due notice, hold hearings and from the evidence adduced,

make such Findings of Fact and Recommendations as, in its judgment, it deems proper,

which Findings of Fact and Recommendations must then be reported and submitted to the

General Executive Board as a whole for determination and decision;

(a-viii) Any member or subordinate body aggrieved by a decision, direction, ruling or

order of the General Executive Board shall have the right to appeal therefrom to the

Convention of the International Union, provided, within thirty days from the date of

notice of said decision, direction, ruling or order, from the General Secretary-Treasurer,

the aggrieved member or subordinate body shall file an appeal in writing with the

International Union, addressed to the General Secretary-Treasurer at Headquarters.

A decision, direction, ruling, or order by the General Executive Board on any matter is

final and binding until and unless it is reversed or modified by the following regular

Convention.

(a-ix) There shall be nine Electoral Districts throughout the United States and Canada

from each of which one District Vice President shall be elected. These Electoral Districts

shall be as follows:

Electoral District 1 shall consist of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut; and the state of New York except for the

Mason Tenders' District Council of Greater New York and its affiliates. Newly chartered

Local Unions in New York City will be assigned either to District 1 or District 2, as

appropriate;

Electoral District 2 shall consist of the states of New Jersey and Delaware; and in New

York City the Mason Tenders' District Council of Greater New York and its affiliates.

Newly chartered Local Unions in New York City will be assigned either to District 1 or

District 2, as appropriate.

Electoral District 3 shall consist of the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New

Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island.

Electoral District 4 shall consist of the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana,

Nebraska, and South Dakota; in the state of Kentucky the counties of Crittenden,

Henderson, Union and Webster; and all of Illinois except the counties of Boone, Cook,

DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

Electoral District 5 shall consist of the states of North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and

Wisconsin; and in the state of Illinois the counties of Boone, Cook, DuPage, Grundy,

Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

Electoral District 6 shall consist of the states of Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Montana,

Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada; the Canadian provinces of British

Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Yukon Territory and the Northwest

Territory.

Electoral District 7 shall consist of the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland North Carolina,

and Virginia; West Virginia except for the counties of Brook and Hancock; in Ohio the

county of Belmont; and the District of Columbia.

Electoral District 8 shall consist of the states of Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia,

Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico,

and Arizona; Kentucky except for the counties of Crittenden, Henderson, Union and

Webster; in West Virginia the counties of Brook and Hancock; Ohio except for the

county of Belmont; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Electoral District 9 shall consist of the states of California and Hawaii, and Guam.

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS:

(a) The General President, as the chief executive officer, shall have executive,

administrative and judicial authority over the affairs and business of the International

Union;

(b) The General President shall have the authority to see to it that the affairs and business

of Local Unions, District Councils or other subordinate bodies are being properly

conducted in accordance with the International Union Constitution, the Uniform Local

Union Constitution, the Uniform District Council Constitution and with all rules,

regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions.

Section 2. CONVENTIONS:

(a) The General President shall be the Chairperson and preside over all Conventions of

the International Union;

(b) The General President shall prepare and submit to each regular Convention a written

report of the activities of the General President since the last regular Convention;

(c) The General President shall appoint an Assistant Secretary and other necessary

clerical assistants and a Sergeant-at-Arms and assistants and such other Convention

personnel as may be necessary to carry on the business of all Conventions;

(d) The General President shall, for each Convention, from the list of delegates, appoint

all Committee members to function as members of all Convention Committees and

advise the General Executive Board of all such appointments; the General President shall,

ex-officio, be a member of all such Committees.

Section 3. GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD:

(a) The General President shall call and preside over all sessions of the General Executive

Board, as its Chairperson;

(b) The General President may submit to the General Executive Board any matter within

the authority of the General President.

Section 4. In order to administer the business of the International Union and to fulfill the

duties and obligations required of the office, the General President shall have the

authority to interpret the provisions of the International Union Constitution, the Uniform

Constitutions of Local Unions and District Councils and the rules, regulations, policies,

practices and lawful orders and decisions of the International Union and to decide

grievances and disputes submitted by affiliated subordinate bodies and members. The

General President's judgment or decision thereon shall be effective and binding until and

unless reversed or modified by the General Executive Board.

Section 5. When any subordinate body, officer or member thereof fails, neglects or

refuses to conform to or comply with a decision or order of the General Executive Board

or of the General President, the General President may request, for such failure or refusal

to conform and comply, a hearing before the General Executive Board, by filing such

request with the General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union. Upon receipt of

such a request, the General Secretary-Treasurer shall issue an order to show cause why

the decision or order of the General Executive Board or of the General President, as the

case may be, was not complied with and shall convene the General Executive Board for

the purpose of holding a hearing thereon. If after hearing all concerned, the General

Executive Board finds (a) that there has been a failure to show compliance and (b) that

there has been a failure to show good and sufficient reason for non-compliance, the

General Executive Board may: (1) in the case of a subordinate body, revoke, recall and

cancel its charter or impose such other discipline as, in its judgment, it deems just and

proper, or (2) in the case of an officer or member, suspend such officer or member or

impose such other discipline as, in its judgment, it deems just and proper.

Section 6. The General President shall have the authority and power to investigate the

affairs of a subordinate body when, upon information or complaint or when, in the

General President's opinion, it is necessary to determine whether the affairs of a

subordinate body or the activities of any of its officers or members are being conducted

in violation of the Constitution.

Pursuant to said authority, the General President shall have the power, either personally

or through a designated representative to investigate and inquire into the manner in which

the affairs are administered by the subordinate bodies, their officers or members and to

examine the books, records, papers, accounts, securities, purported agreements or

understandings or any other documents in the custody of said subordinate bodies or any

officer, official, employee or member thereof and require personal appearance of any

officer, official, employee or member as, in the General President's judgment, may be

deemed necessary to such investigation or inquiry.

In connection therewith, the General President may employ the services of a Certified

Public Accountant or other services as the General President may deem advisable or

necessary. After such investigation or inquiry, the General President shall take such

action as the General President may deem necessary or appropriate, including the

temporary suspension of an officer or employee pending a hearing to be conducted within

thirty (30) days before the General Executive Board on charges filed by the General

President.

Section 7. TRUSTEESHIP:

When in the opinion of the General President, action is necessary for the purpose of

correcting corruption or financial malpractice, assuring the performance of collective

bargaining agreements or other duties of a bargaining representative, restoring

democratic procedures or otherwise carrying out the legitimate objects of such

subordinate body or the International Union, or to protect the organization as an

institution, the General President may file charges against any officer or member with the

General Secretary-Treasurer for hearing before the General Executive Board, or appoint a

temporary trustee or, in the General President's sole discretion, a supervisor to take

charge and control of the affairs of such subordinate body; provided, however, that prior

to the appointment of such trustee or supervisor the General President shall cause to be

issued a notice setting a time and place for hearing for the purpose of determining

whether such temporary trustee or supervisor shall be appointed, but provided further,

however, that where, in the judgment of the General President, an emergency situation

exists within the subordinate body, a temporary trustee or supervisor may be appointed

prior to such hearing, but such hearing shall then commence within 30 days and a

decision made within 60 days after the appointment of such temporary trustee or

supervisor; and further provided in all cases the subordinate body shall be advised of the

reasons for the proposed or actual appointment of a trustee or supervisor, and that

adequate notice of a hearing thereon at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing shall

be given to the subordinate body involved. During the period of trusteeship, all the

officers and delegates of the subordinate body are relieved of their particular trust. In the

case of supervision, one or more of the officers or delegates may be removed from office

at the direction of the General President. The subordinate body and the officers and

members thereof shall cooperate with the trustee or supervisor designated by the General

President, in order that the purposes of the trusteeship or supervision may be

accomplished as soon as possible. The trustee or supervisor shall be authorized to take

full charge of the affairs of the subordinate body, to appoint temporary officers or

employees at any time during the trusteeship or supervision, and to take such other action

as, in the trustee's or supervisor's judgment, is necessary for the preservation of the

subordinate body and its interests. The trustee or supervisor shall, from time to time,

report on the affairs and transactions of the subordinate body to the General President.

The General President may remove trustees or supervisors at any time and appoint

successor trustees or supervisors.

The trustee or supervisor, temporary officers and persons employed to carry on the affairs

of said subordinate body, during the period of trusteeship or supervision, shall give bond

in such form and amount as may be necessary to indemnify against possible financial

loss.

The trustee or supervisor shall take possession of all such funds, books, records, and

papers of the Local Union or subordinate body and tender receipt for same. The trustee or

supervisor shall pay all outstanding claims, properly proved, if funds are sufficient.

The International Union shall not be responsible for any actions or activities or activities

of the Local Union or subordinate body unless such actions or activities have been

directed or authorized by the trustee or supervisor and unless such actions or activities

were undertaken in the trustee's or supervisor's capacity as a representative of the

International Union and not in such official's capacity as a fiduciary of the subordinate

body. Actions undertaken by the trustee or supervisor in the capacity of fiduciary of the

subordinate body shall not be the responsibility of the International Union unless such

actions have been directed or authorized by the International Union.

When it is determined by the General President or the General Executive Board that self government

should be restored, in the case of trusteeship, the trustee shall conduct an

election at such time as the trustee shall designate, in conformity with the provisions of

the Uniform Local Union Constitution as far as practical and, upon the installation of

officers, the trusteeship shall terminate and the trustee shall return all remaining funds,

books, records and papers to the Local Union or other subordinate body. In the case of

supervision, full autonomy shall be restored upon direction of the General President

terminating the supervision. Officers of the Local Union who were not removed from

office during supervision and whose term of office has not expired or who were reelected

to office during supervision, shall continue in office upon the termination of

supervision.

Section 8. THE GENERAL PRESIDENT SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY:

(a) To appoint such personnel as the General President may deem necessary to assist in

carrying out all of the duties and functions of the office;

(b) To appoint managers of regional and subregional offices of the International Union

and to appoint such organizers and representatives as may be necessary to the function

and purposes of said regional or subregional offices;

(c) To direct the activities of all Departments of the International Union and appoint such

personnel as may be necessary to carry out such activities;

(d) To fix the salaries and other compensation of persons appointed pursuant to this

section and reimburse them for expenses incurred by them in connection with the

performance of their duties and responsibilities.

Section 9. (a) The General President shall have the authority to retain the services of a

Certified Public Accountant for the purpose of auditing the financial books and records of

the International Union;

(b) The General President and General Secretary-Treasurer, jointly, shall have the

authority to employ auditors for the purpose of rendering assistance to affiliates and their

officers in complying with their legal and constitutional obligations and in connection

therewith, they may examine such books, records, accounts and any other documents

relating to the financial standing of subordinate bodies and render such other assistance at

such times and for such purpose as they, in their judgment, may deem necessary and

appropriate to conserve the integrity and welfare of the International Union, its affiliates,

officers and members.

Section 10. The General President shall have the authority to appoint delegates or

representatives of this International Union to conventions, meetings or conferences of all

bodies

with which this International Union is affiliated or in the activities in which it participates

or in which, in the General President's opinion, it has an interest, and to reimburse them

for expenses incurred by them in connection with the performance of their duties and

responsibilities.

Section 11. (a) Whenever the General President deems it to be in the best interests of the

International Union, the General President may waive or regulate the initiation fee or

readmission fee, or any part thereof, payable to the International Union. The General

President may also waive or regulate the initiation fee an applicant for membership shall

pay to join a particular Local Union, and may regulate the payment in installments of

initiation fees to Local Unions by applicants for membership, and fix the membership

privileges of such applicants, pending payment in full thereof;

(b) The General President may, after consideration and study of a particular matter or

situation and when believed necessary to fully accomplish an object or purpose of the

International Union or of its affiliates and members, grant variances, tolerances or

exemptions from specific provisions of the Constitutions, established policies, practices,

lawful orders and decisions, for a period of time and specify the conditions under which

such grant is made.

Section 12. The General President and the General Secretary-Treasurer are jointly vested

with authority to enter into National, Regional, and Area agreements with employers or

employer associations. The General President, subject to review by the General

Executive Board, is vested with full authority to enforce observance of such agreements

and to enforce observance of other lawful agreements made by Local Unions and other

subordinate bodies; and to enforce observance of other lawful orders pertaining thereto,

by Local Unions, other subordinate bodies, and members.

Section 13. The General President and the General Secretary-Treasurer are jointly

authorized to order the issuance of Local Union and District Council charters, specifying

the territorial and trade jurisdiction to be allotted, when and where, in their opinion, the

issuance of such charter would tend to accomplish, promote, enhance and conserve the

welfare and interest of this International Union, its affiliates and members.

Section 14. The General President and the General Secretary-Treasurer shall make all

expenditures of the International Union out of the funds of the International Union as

hereinafter provided, on order drawn on the various accounts of the International Union.

All checks for expenditures of less than $5,000.00 may be signed by either the General

President or General Secretary-Treasurer; all checks in amounts of $5,000.00 or more

shall require the signatures of both the General President and the General Secretary-

Treasurer.

Section 15. The General President shall be authorized to institute or defend and resolve

such suits or proceedings as may be necessary to protect and conserve the property,

welfare and interest of this International Union and its subordinate bodies.

Section 16. The General President shall furnish bond in such sum as the General

Executive Board may determine, to indemnify against possible financial loss to the

International Union. The premium for such bond shall be paid by the International Union.

Section 17. The General President shall, upon the expiration of the term of said office,

surrender and turn over to the International Union all books, monies or other property in

the General President's custody, possession or control.

Section 18. The General President shall have the authority to dismiss or resolve

administratively a charge, objection, protest or appeal where the General President finds

that the charge, objection, protest or appeal would not warrant action by the International

Union General Executive Board or Local Union or District Council Trial Board even if

the facts recited in the charge, objection, protest or appeal were true or where the General

President finds that the charge raises matters not properly the subject of the disciplinary

process. An administrative determination by the General President of a charge, objection,

protest or appeal is final and binding unless modified or reversed on appeal to the

General Executive Board or to the International Union Convention.

Legal Department--General Counsel

Section 19. The General President, with the approval of the General Executive Board,

shall retain the services of a General Counsel and such Associate General Counsel as may

be deemed necessary and proper.

The General Counsel shall perform