UNIFORM DISTRICT COUNCIL

CONSTITUTION

of the

Laborers' International Union

of North America

As Amended by the 22nd Convention

September 17-20, 2001 And by Action of the General Executive Board

Through December 31, 2001
without 2004 provisional amendments

ARTICLE I Charters

Section 1. The District Council is an affiliate of the International Union chartered by it, (a) upon application of a number of affiliated Local Unions in an area, that believe and deem it advantageous and beneficial, to combine their economic power, effort and strength into a unit which would tend to enhance, promote and conserve the welfare and interest of themselves and their members, or (b) upon action of the General Executive Board, where, of its own motion, it believes that the welfare and interest of a group of Local Unions and their members in a given area, would be enhanced, promoted and conserved by the issuance of a District Council charter.

Section 2. When a District Council charter is issued, all Local Unions within its territorial and/or craft jurisdiction shall affiliate and remain affiliated with it.

Its membership shall consist of delegates from each Local Union, elected in the manner and number hereinafter provided.

ARTICLE II

Objects and Powers

Section 1. OBJECTS:

Each District Council is charged with the responsibility to unify all of the economic and other forces of the affiliated Local Unions in its area, as a central representative body of such Local Unions, in order to effectuate the following objects:

(a)
To fulfill the objects of the International Union as specified in Article II, Section 1 of the International Union Constitution;

(b)
To promote unity of action in dealing with employers;

(c)
To coordinate and consolidate the activities of its various affiliated Local Unions that have a common interest;

(d)
To foster harmony and united action between its affiliated Local Unions;

(e)
To maintain uniformity in the conduct of the business of its affiliated Local Unions located in metropolitan areas, when such uniformity is necessary to establish coordination and avoid competition among its Local Unions; when, however, variation exists in the work involved, such variation must be considered and provided for accordingly. When the territorial jurisdiction of a District Council extends beyond metropolitan areas, then the District Council shall recognize and give due regard to the particular facts, circumstances and conditions as they may vary in the different localities where its affiliates are located;

(f)
To protect and conserve the jurisdiction allotted to it and its affiliated Local Unions by the International Union;

(g)
To organize the unorganized;

(h)
To promote and foster respect for and compliance with the Constitution of the International Union, the Uniform Local Union Constitution and this Constitution and all of the rules, regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions adopted and promulgated in the furtherance and administration of the said Constitutions;

(i)
To promote respect for, compliance with and observance of all of the provisions of agreements by it and its affiliated Local Unions and the members thereof.

Section 2. POWERS:

In order to effectuate these objects, the District Council shall have the authority:

(a)
To establish proper rules, regulations, policies and practices as it deems necessary or appropriate to fulfill the purposes for which the District Council was chartered, provided such rules, regulations, policies and practices are not in conflict with the International Union Constitution, its rules, regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions, and not in conflict with the Uniform Local Union Constitution or the Uniform District Council Constitution; such rules, regulations, policies or practices shall be subject to review by the General President; if, after such review, it is the General President's judgment that such rules, regulations, policies or practices are neither proper nor in conformity with the intent, objects or purposes of the Constitution, regulations, practices, policies and lawful orders and decisions of the International Union, the General President may modify or annul same. No notice of any action of a District Council need be given to its affiliated Local Unions except as specifically provided herein. No action of a District Council shall be subject to the approval or disapproval of its affiliated Local Unions. No action of a District Council shall be subject to objection by its affiliated Local Unions except as provided in Article XVIII, Section 7 of the International Union Constitution;

(b)
To determine and levy a per capita tax, initiation fee, readmission fee, or other lawful fee or assessment on its affiliated Local Unions to defray the expenses of the Council. Due regard shall be had, however, to Section 1, subsection (e) of this Article;

(c)
To make commitments and disbursements in its discretion from the funds, assets and property of the District Council for regular, recurrent and incidental expenses, organizing, strikes, collective bargaining, contract administration, awards, gifts, donations, charitable contributions, political purposes, education, public relations, employee benefit plans for personnel and officers of the District Council and its affiliated Local Unions, legal expenses, and such other expenses and investments as it deems necessary or proper to carry out the objects and purposes of the Union;

(d)
To negotiate, bargain for and enter into understandings and agreements with employers, for and in behalf of its affiliated Local Unions and to enforce and police the observance thereof by employees and employers, Local Unions and their members and when, after due deliberation, it believes and deems it necessary, to take such proper and lawful economic action as may be required to accomplish and effectuate the welfare of its affiliated Local Unions and members. Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, each District Council shall be autonomous in the exercise of its right to negotiate and consummate agreements with employers and to establish the bases for policing and enforcing the terms and conditions thereof;

(e)
To establish and regulate the amount of initiation fee and dues to be paid by members and apprentice members to its affiliated Local Unions within the limits provided in the International Union Constitution;

(f)
To provide for the well-being and security of members, officers and employees of the District Council and its affiliated Local Unions, including but not limited to the establishment of insurance, health and welfare, pension, severance and other employee benefit plans;

(g)
To exercise disciplinary authority over all infractions or non-compliance with agreements referred to in subsection (d) herein, after proper notice and hearing as hereinafter provided; in the exercise of disciplinary authority on alleged infractions or other matters within the jurisdiction of the District Council, the District Council may, upon notice and after hearing, make Findings and based on those Findings, prepare Recommendations which it shall submit to the General President for presentation to the General Executive Board for adoption or such other disposition as the General Executive Board deems just and proper;

(h)
To carry out its other duties, responsibilities and functions as provided in the Constitutions of the Union;

(i)
To take such other action as it deems necessary or proper to carry out the objects listed in Section 1 hereof.

ARTICLE III

Obligations

Section 1. The District Council shall carry out, perform and comply with all of the objects and powers as outlined in Article II of this Constitution and the objects of the International Union. This obligation shall include, but not be limited to, the exercise of the District Council's authority to bargain on behalf of its affiliated Local Unions.

Section 2. The District Council shall recognize and be subject to all of the provisions of the International Union Constitution and shall comply with all such rules, regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions of the International Union, its officers and General Executive Board.

Section 3. The District Council or any of its officers or officials shall submit to the General President or the General President's deputy or authorized representative all books, records and data, when requested. The General President or said deputy may request the personal appearance of all officers, officials or delegates to the District Council, as part of an investigation ordered by the General President or in connection with the duties, responsibilities or the exercise of the powers of the General President.

Section 4. When, as hereinafter provided, a District Council fails to make payment to the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND within the time prescribed, the charter of such District Council may be deemed suspended without further notice.

Section 5. The District Council is required to exhaust remedies in accordance with Article XVIII, Section 7 of the International Union Constitution.

Section 6. In carrying out the objects, powers, and obligations herein, affiliated District Councils of the Laborers' International Union of North America are not agents of the International Union unless specified acts or conduct were ordered or directed by the International Union, or such acts or conduct were ratified by the International Union after written notice thereof. However, in no event shall the International Union be liable or responsible for autonomous acts of its affiliated District Councils.

ARTICLE IV

Membership and Representation

Section 1. The members of a District Council shall consist of delegates from affiliated Local Unions, who have been elected pursuant to the provisions dealing with qualifications, nomination and election of officers, as provided for in the Uniform Local Union Constitution, in such numbers as hereinafter provided.

Section 2. Such delegates shall present their credentials to the District Council not later than the first meeting of the Council following their election.

Section 3. Each Local Union affiliated with the District Council shall be entitled to delegates to said Council in the following manner:

2 delegates for 500 members or less 3 delegates for 501 to 1,000 members 4 delegates for 1,001 to 2,000 members 5 delegates for 2,001 to 4,000 members 6 delegates for 4,001 to 8,000 members 7 delegates for 8,001 or more members.

 Section 4.

(a) All delegates of District Councils to Conventions of the International Union shall be nominated and elected at the time prescribed in the International Union Constitution. The manner of nominating and electing such delegates to regular Conventions of the International Union shall be as provided for in Article V, Section 9 of the International Union Constitution;

(b)  
Delegates to all other bodies may be either elected or appointed by the Executive Board of the District Council, in accordance with the vote of the delegates at a meeting or as required by the Constitution, rules, or regulations of such other body.
 

Section 5. OBLIGATIONS OF DELEGATES:

(a)
To recognize that the International Union Constitution, the Uniform Local Union Constitution and the Uniform District Council Constitution, constitute the organic law of the District Council;

(b)

To observe, conform and comply with all of the terms and provisions of said Constitutions and all of the rules, regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions
adopted and promulgated in the furtherance and administration of the provisions of said Constitutions;

(c)
To recognize and respect the right of the Union to adopt and enforce reasonable rules as to the responsibility of every member toward the District Council as an institution and to refrain from conduct that would interfere with the performance of its lawful and contractual obligations;

(d)
To refrain from interfering with the proper conduct of all of the business of the District Council;

(e)
To observe proper decorum in attending and participating in meetings and functions of the District Council in accordance with such reasonable rules established by the District Council and generally accepted parliamentary rules of procedure pertaining to the conduct of meetings and functions;

(f)
To refrain from attending meetings or functions under the influence of liquor or conducting oneself in such a manner as to interfere with the proper and orderly conduct of the business of the District Council; and to comply with and obey all requests or orders by the presiding officer pertaining to the conduct of a meeting or function;

(g)

To refrain from attempting to cause secession by the District Council from the International Union;
to refrain from assisting an organization threatening to, or undermining the representational rights of the International Union or any of its affiliates; nor shall a delegate advocate or seek the division of the funds of the District Council;

(h)
To exhaust remedies in accordance with Article XVIII, Section 7 of the International Union Constitution.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1. (a) The officers of the District Council shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Business Manager, Sergeant-at-Arms, three Auditors; and an Executive Board which shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Business Manager, and such additional number of delegates as to complete a complement of seven members;

(b) The Business Manager of the District Council shall, by virtue of election to said office, serve as the District Council delegate to all local labor bodies with which the District Council is affiliated. All other delegates from the District Council to local labor bodies shall be nominated and elected in accordance with all the constitutional provisions dealing with qualifications, nominations, and election except that the Executive Board may, in advance of the nomination of officers, determine that either its President or its Secretary-Treasurer (but not both) shall, by virtue of the elected office, also serve as a delegate. The foregoing provision does not apply to the selection of delegates to the International Union Convention.

Section 2. A combination of offices may be permitted, provided, however, that such combination has been voted by the delegates of the District Council and provided that it is then submitted to the General President of the International Union for approval; all of said action to be had and taken prior to the nomination meeting.

Section 3. Subject to the approval of the General President, an officer or employee of a District Council may also hold office in or be employed by another body of the Union and receive the salary and other compensation provided for such position.

Section 4. No two officers or members of the Executive Board shall be from the same Local Union if there are at the time of election seven or more Local Unions in good-standing with the District Council, and if there are fewer than seven, each Local Union shall have one of its delegates on the Executive Board, and the remaining may be elected from the delegates of any Local Union or Local Unions.

ARTICLE VI

Election of Officers

Section 1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE:

A candidate for office in the District Council shall be a delegate to the District Council and shall have and possess all of the qualifications required of candidates for office by the Uniform Local Union Constitution; provided, however, that a full-time representative of the District Council may retain office and be eligible for reelection even if such representative does not continue to be a delegate from the affiliated Local Union. Except as provided above, all of the qualifications for office must be present at the time of nomination as well as at the time of election and during the term of office.

Section 2. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION:

(a)
The nomination and election shall take place at the first meeting in August of the election year after at least fifteen (15) days written notice to each delegate in good standing addressed to the delegate at his/her last known address the last-known address of each delegate in good standing advising of the date and time of the election and the list of officers or elected positions to be filled;

(b)
The salary and compensation to be paid to elected officers and officials shall ordinarily be fixed prior to nominations; provided that adjustments to salary during the term of office may be effected in accordance with the provisions of Article IX herein;

(c)
All members nominated shall be present at the nomination and election meeting, unless absent from the meeting on Union business, or excused for just cause by a vote of the membership of the District Council and shall indicate immediately upon nomination whether it is accepted or declined;

(d)

Nominations shall be made in the following order: Business Manager, Secretary-Treasurer, President, Vice President, Executive Board Members (3), Sergeant-at-Arms and Auditors (3).

This order is subject to combination of offices, when approved, in accordance with constitutional provisions. No member may be a candidate for, nor hold more than one office, except where a combination of offices has been approved, in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(e)
The election of each office will be conducted immediately after nominations for that office. Voting need not be by secret ballot. Only those delegates elected by secret ballot by their Local Union membership shall be eligible to vote. If a secret ballot is used, the provisions of Uniform Local Union Constitution, Article VI, Section 3 shall be used to the extent appropriate;

(f)
Each candidate may, at the candidate's own expense, designate in writing a Watcher who must be a member of the District Council;

(g)
All officers shall be elected for a term of four years and shall be installed immediately after their election.
 
Section 3. FILLING OF VACANCIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF OFFICE:
(a)
In the filling of a vacancy in an office or elective position, the Executive Board shall fill the vacancy by appointment in a provisional capacity of a member having all the requirements for office;

(b)
When a member has been elected to office or to an elective position, he that member shall, as such officer or official, fully perform all such duties, responsibilities and obligations that attach to such office or position as required by the International Union, Local Union or District Council Constitutions and shall perform all acts and comply with all obligations and responsibilities as required by law.

(c)
Non-compliance by anyone holding an elective office or position shall be subject to all applicable disciplinary provisions contained in either the International Union, Local Union, or District Council Constitutions; anyone holding a non-elective position who does not comply with the above requirements shall be subject to discharge.

ARTICLE VII

Duties of Officers

Section 1. PRESIDENT:

(a)
The President shall preside as chairperson at all meetings and conventions of the District Council and exercise all of the authority and responsibility of such chairperson;

(b)
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board of the District Council as its chairperson and also at all sessions of the Executive Board sitting as a trial board;

(c)
The President shall, together with the Secretary-Treasurer, sign all checks or orders for the payment of monies from the District Council's accounts, and sign all official documents of the District Council;

(d)
The President shall call special meetings and conventions of the District Council or meetings of the Executive Board, when requested to do so by the Executive Board of the District Council.

Section 2. VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President at any regular or special meeting or convention of the District Council or meeting of the Executive Board, perform the functions and duties of the President at such convention or meeting.

Section 3. SECRETARY-TREASURER:

(a)
The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep minutes of all meetings and conventions. The Secretary-Treasurer shall have custody of said minutes as part of the records of the District Council;

(b)
All monies payable to the District Council shall be turned over to the Secretary-Treasurer, who shall give a proper receipt therefor;

(c)
The Secretary-Treasurer shall make and keep a proper record of all such monies received and deposit same in the name of the District Council, in such banks or depositories as the Executive Board shall determine;

(d)
The Secretary-Treasurer shall make disbursements in accordance with the provisions of Article IX herein;

(e)
The Secretary-Treasurer shall, once each month, at a meeting of the District Council, make a written, categorical financial report of the monies received and disbursed since the last report to a meeting;

(f)
The Secretary-Treasurer shall, together with the President, sign all checks or orders for the payment of monies from the District Council's accounts;

(g)
The Secretary-Treasurer shall submit the books to the Auditors of the District Council for inspection once a year or to a Certified Public Accountant when the District Council has retained such Accountant for the purpose of auditing the financial records of the District Council, and to the General President or a deputy or representative appointed by the General President for such purpose, when requested;

(h)
The Secretary-Treasurer shall order from the International Union all books and other paraphernalia as prescribed by the Constitution;

(i)
All records of all financial transactions within the District Council shall be in the custody of the Secretary-Treasurer;

(j)
It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to see to it that all of the Local Unions affiliated with it pay their lawful obligations to the District Council. The Secretary-Treasurer may inquire of the General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union regarding the initiation fees, readmission fees and per capita tax reported to the International Union by its affiliated Local Unions. The Secretary-Treasurer, upon determination that the Local Union has falsified its report or failed to pay its lawful obligations within the prescribed time, may submit the matter directly to the General President for processing pursuant to the provisions of Article IX, Section 5 of the International Union Constitution;

(k)
Effective January 1, 2002, the Secretary-Treasurer shall pay directly to the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND each month, an amount equal to fourteen percent (14%) of the gross salary paid to each of its full-time officers and employees covered by the Fund, provided that no payment shall be made on behalf of salary which is at a rate lower than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) per year for any one person, but shall remain at six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) for full-time officers and employees who were participants in the Fund on December 31, 1996.

(l)

The Secretary-Treasurer shall pay directly to the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND the payment, as aforesaid, by the last day of the following month for which said salary is due, but in no event later than the last day of the month following the month in which the payment is due.

 

Section 4. BUSINESS MANAGER:

(a)
The Business Manager shall be the recognized representative of the District Council.

It shall be the duty of the Business Manager of the District Council to see to it that the affairs and business of the District Council are being properly conducted in accordance with the Constitution and with the rules, regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions.

(b)
Specifically, but not in limitation thereof:

(1)
Unless otherwise provided, negotiations with employers shall be through a Negotiating Committee of the District Council, of which the Business Manager shall be chairperson ex-officio.

(2)
It shall be the duty of the Business Manager to see to it that the provisions of all agreements negotiated by the District Council are enforced and respected by all persons affected thereby. All instances of non-compliance which are not amicably adjusted by the Business Manager, shall be reported to the Executive Board of the District Council.

(3)
The Business Manager shall be charged with the responsibility of protecting the craft jurisdiction within the territory entrusted to the District Council by the International Union.

(4)
The Business Manager shall use all proper and lawful means of organizing the work coming within the territorial and craft jurisdiction of the District Council, and to direct and supervise the activities of Assistant Business Managers and Organizers when employed by the District Council. The Business Manager shall have the authority to discharge Assistant Business Managers and Organizers.

(5)
At each meeting of the District Council, and at such other times as the Executive Board shall require, the Business Manager shall make an activity report which shall include the activities of any assistants and which shall include, but shall not be limited to, organizing, political action and, where applicable, training and apprenticeship.

(6)
By virtue of election, the Business Manager shall serve as a delegate to all other local labor bodies with which the District Council is affiliated. The foregoing provision does not apply to the selection of
delegates to the International Union Convention.

 

Section 5. SERGEANT -AT-ARMS:

The Sergeant-at-Arms shall determine the right of those who shall be permitted to enter the meeting hall; and shall execute such orders given to him by the President for the maintenance of order and decorum at conventions and meetings.

Section 6. AUDITORS:

(a)
The Auditors shall at the end of the year audit the books of the Secretary-Treasurer and check the entries with bank deposits, statements and other data or memoranda. They shall render a detailed report annually to the District Council, showing financial transactions and conditions of the District Council for the preceding year;

(b)
The Auditors shall have the right to require the production of books, records and other data or memoranda from all officers, officials or employees who participated in any financial transaction and to request their appearance for the purpose of making such report or explanation as may be deemed necessary by them;

(c)

When a District Council has retained a Certified Public Accountant to prepare its annual audit, then the foregoing subsections shall not apply. The Certified Public Accountant shall be retained by the Executive Board. The Auditors shall cooperate with the Certified Public Accountant in the preparation of such audit.

Section 7. EXECUTIVE BOARD:

 

(a)
The Executive Board shall be composed of seven members;

(b)

It shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Business Manager and such additional number of delegates as to complete a complement of seven members;

In the event that there is a combination of offices, there shall be elected from among the delegates of the District Council such number of Executive Board members as to complete the complement of seven members;

(c)
The Executive Board, in interim periods between meetings, shall have the power of the District Council except as hereinafter provided;

(d)

Actions of the Executive Board, except for commitments and disbursements for the regular, recurrent
and incidental expenses of the District Council, shall be deemed binding until and unless nullified or modified by vote of the delegates at a meeting of the District Council when the report of the Executive Board is made to it;

(e)
The presence of at least four members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum; a majority of those present and voting shall be required for all official acts;

(f)
The Executive Board shall meet at least once a month and, when possible, prior to the regular meeting of the District Council; it shall also hold such special meetings as, in its judgment, it may deem appropriate or necessary;

(g)
The Executive Board shall submit a report of its activities and its minutes to each regular meeting of the District Council;

(h)
The Executive Board shall constitute and be the Trial Board to hear and determine all charges, as hereinafter provided;

(i)
It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to see to it that the affairs and business of the District Council are being properly conducted, in accordance with the Constitution;

(j)
The Executive Board shall see to it that bond is provided which protects against loss by reason of acts of fraud or dishonesty, covering every officer, agent, shop steward or other representative who handles funds or other property of the District Council, in an amount not less than the minimum required by provisions of applicable law, and by any ruling of the General Executive Board;

(k)
When the District Council has decided that the Business Manager needs assistants or organizers, the Executive Board, after recommendation from the Business Manager, shall appoint such assistants or organizers and it shall determine the salary and other compensation to be paid. Approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If a recommendation of the Business Manager is rejected, then the Business Manager shall have the right to submit a further recommendation for the Executive Board's consideration.

Section 8. Each officer, Executive Board member and delegate shall attend all meetings of the District Council; and failure to attend two successive meetings or any three meetings in a period of one year, unless excused for just cause by a vote of the Executive Board or delegates, shall be deemed sufficient ground for hearing and trial before the Executive Board of the District Council why such official should not be removed from said office or position.

Section 9. Upon the termination of office, each officer shall turn over the books, papers, records and other property which came into his the officer's possession, custody and control, to the organization. This provision shall also apply to all other officials or employees of the District Council.

ARTICLE VIII Taxes, Fees, Assessments and Dues

Section 1. When an increase in per capita tax, initiation fee, readmission fee or other lawful fee or assessment on its affiliated Local Unions is proposed, the District Council shall mail to its affiliated Local Unions written notice of the proposal and the date of the District Council meeting at which such proposal shall be voted upon not less than thirty days prior to such date. When an assessment has been voted, it shall not be levied until it is first submitted to and approved by the General President.

Section 2. When an increase in initiation fees or dues payable by members and apprentice members to affiliated Local Unions is contemplated, the District Council shall convene a special convention to review the dues structure of all affiliated Local Unions and to determine whether an increase is warranted for one or more affiliated Local Unions. Written notice of such special convention shall be mailed to its affiliated Local Unions not less than thirty days from the date on which it proposes to take such action. The notice shall outline the date of the convention when the proposed increase is to be considered and voted upon by the delegates to the District Council, the date on which the contemplated increase is to go into effect and the grounds or reasons for such increase, in order that Local Unions may be informed and consider the matter at a meeting of their membership. The duly elected delegates to the District Council shall be the delegates to this convention. A majority vote of the delegates at such convention of the District Council shall be required, and when so tallied shall be effective for and on behalf of all affiliated Local Unions.

Section 3. When the territorial and craft jurisdiction of a District Council extends beyond a metropolitan area, where the District Council establishes and regulates the initiation fees and dues payable by members of its affiliated Local Unions, the District Council shall study the economic conditions that may exist in the different sections or area of its territorial and craft jurisdiction; if as a result of such study it finds that variations in economic or other conditions exist, it shall establish and regulate the initiation fees and dues payable by members to its affiliated Local Unions, in accordance with such variations.

ARTICLE IX

Income and Disbursements

Section 1. The sources of income to a District Council shall be from per capita taxes, initiation fees, readmission fees, other fees, assessments and income from other proper and lawful sources.

Section 2. The income shall be in amounts that are necessary to accomplish and take care of the obligations and requirements of the District Council and the purposes for which the District Council was established. The income shall be promptly deposited in such banks or depositories as are determined by the Executive Board of the District Council.

Section 3. (a) The Executive Board shall have the authority to make commitments and disbursements in its discretion from the funds, assets and property of the District Council for the regular, recurrent and incidental expenses of the District Council. The Executive Board shall further have the authority to make commitments and disbursements in its discretion from the funds, assets and property of the District Council for organizing, strikes, collective bargaining, contract administration, awards, gifts, donations, charitable contributions, political purposes, education, public relations, employee benefit plans for personnel and officers of the District Council and its affiliated Local Unions, legal expenses, and such other expenses and investments as it deems necessary or proper to carry out the objects and purposes of the Union.

Travel expenses may also be provided for an Executive Board member's spouse who accompanies the Executive Board member during travels in connection with the performance of the member's duties and responsibilities;

(b)
In accordance with the provisions of Article VII herein, the Secretary-Treasurer shall make disbursements from the funds of the District Council for the regular, recurrent and incidental expenses of the District Council, such as mortgage, leases, rent, taxes, salaries and other compensation, travel, allowances, reimbursements for expenses, utilities, telephone, maintenance, cleaning, repairs, supplies, office equipment, obligations to the International Union, and obligations to the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND, and to make such other payments as directed by the Executive Board.

Section 4. (a) The financial obligations of a District Council shall be fixed and regulated within the income of the District Council;

(b)
A District Council shall make no disbursements that will preclude it or interfere with its ability to first meet its financial obligations to the International Union and the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND;

(c)
A District Council shall not enter into contractual undertakings for the acquisition of property or the retention of services if, at the time of such proposed undertaking, its current income is insufficient to meet the expenses of such undertaking.

Section 5. When the income to the District Council reduces to a point where such income cannot properly take care of the financial obligations of the District Council, including salaries to officers, officials, and personnel, the District Council may vote to take such action as is necessary, commensurate with the reduced income, including reduction in salaries of officers, officials, and personnel; when the contemplated action is to reduce salaries of officers and elected officials, such reduction shall be voted upon by the delegates at a meeting of the District Council only after written notice is given to all of the affiliated Local Unions of the proposal and the meeting at which such proposal shall be voted upon, or the delegates approve such reduction at two consecutive meetings.

Section 6. When an increase in salary or compensation is proposed to be effective during the term of office then current, the increase shall be voted upon by the delegates of the District Council only after written notice is given to all of the affiliated Local Unions of the proposal and the meeting at which such proposal shall be voted upon, or the delegates approve such increase at two consecutive meetings; provided, that the Executive Board may increase salaries to reflect the increase in the cost-of-living, said increase 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; in Canada, the Consumer Price Index published by Statistics Canada; provided further, that no such cost-of-living increase can be effected within one year of any other increase in salary.

Section 7. No commitment or disbursement of the District Council shall be considered void or unenforceable where such action was undertaken in substantial compliance with the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE X Meetings and Conventions

Section 1. A District Council shall hold at least one regular meeting each month, on such day, time and place as established by vote of the delegates.

Section 2. Special meetings and conventions shall be called by the President of the District Council when requested to do so by the Executive Board. A copy of the notice of such special meeting or convention shall be mailed to the delegates to the District Council, and a copy to the Local Unions they represent.

Section 3. It is the intent of this Constitution that all delegates to the District Council should attend all meetings and take such steps as may tend to encourage attendance at said meetings. A number of delegates representing at least a majority of the Local Unions, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at regular or special meetings of the District Council.

Section 4. ORDER OF BUSINESS: The order of business to be followed at regular meetings of the District Council shall be as follows:

  1. Roll Call of Officers

  2. Roll Call of Delegates

  3. Presentation of new credentials

  4. Reading of minutes of previous meetings

  5. Communications and Bills

  6. Report of Business Manager and other officers

  7. Report of Executive Board

  8. Reports of delegates of affiliated Local Unions

  9. Political Report

  10. Organizing Report

  11. Report of Other Committees

  12. Unfinished business

  13. New business

  14. Financial reports

  15. Good and Welfare

  16. Adjournment

Section 5. The President, as presiding officer of all meetings and conventions, shall maintain order and decorum and shall properly conduct all of the business coming before the District Council; the President shall see to it that all delegates present comply with and respect the provisions of this Constitution dealing with the attendance of delegates at meetings, and he shall have authority to discipline delegates who improperly obstruct and interfere with the orderly conduct of the business of the District Council.

Section 6. Unless otherwise provided either by this Constitution or by rules and regulations established pursuant thereto, generally accepted parliamentary procedure shall prevail at all meetings of the District Council.

ARTICLE XI

Bargaining

Bargaining shall be conducted by a Negotiating Committee appointed by the District Council. The Business Manager of the Council shall be the chairperson ex-officio. In the composition of the Negotiating Committee, the District Council shall give due regard to representation from the affected Local Unions. Prior to negotiations the Local Unions which shall be affected thereby shall submit to the District Council their bargaining proposals. The Business Manager and the Negotiating Committee of the Council, after consultation with the affected Local Unions, shall cause the preparation of the District Council's agreement proposals. During the course of negotiations the Business Manager shall keep the affected Local Unions advised of the progress of negotiations.

If the delegates to the District Council have given the Negotiating Committee authority to enter into an agreement, when agreement is reached by the Committee no further ratification shall be required. In all other cases if agreement is reached by the Committee, it shall require ratification by a vote of the delegates of the Council. Where a Local Union negotiates an agreement and thereby serves as the District Council's Negotiating Committee, that agreement shall require ratification by a vote of the delegates of the Council like all other agreements negotiated by the Council under this Article. If the delegates to the Council have given the Negotiating Committee the authority to call a strike in the event agreement is not reached, the Negotiating Committee shall be authorized to call a strike. In all other cases, where the Negotiating Committee has not reached an agreement, strike sanctions can only be authorized by vote of the delegates.

ARTICLE XII

Charges, Trials and Appeals

Section 1. An officer or delegate in good standing may prefer charges against any other officer or delegate of a District Council, by filing written charges in duplicate with the Secretary-Treasurer of the District Council. These charges must be signed by the person preferring the charges and indicate the provisions of the Constitution to be relied upon, or the agreement or rule alleged to have been violated, and must set forth the specific violation or wrong charged and the date on which it allegedly occurred. Except for good cause, charges must be filed within ninety (90) calendar days of the time that the charging party knew or reasonably should have known of the relevant facts and circumstances giving rise to the charge(s); otherwise, charges filed beyond the ninety (90) calendar day period shall be time barred.

Section 2. The Secretary-Treasurer shall promptly notify the members of the Executive Board that charges have been filed and after consultation with them shall promptly set a date for a hearing and trial on said charges. Immediately thereafter, a copy of the charges shall be mailed to the last-known address of the accused. A written notice of the time and place where the hearing and trial will take place before the Trial Board shall be mailed to the accused and to the charging party not less than seven days nor more than twenty-one days from the date of said hearing and trial.

Section 3. The members of the Executive Board of the District Council shall constitute the Trial Board; except that neither the charging party nor the accused nor any individual directly interested or involved in the charges, may sit as a member of the Trial Board.

In such cases, the President of the District Council shall appoint a substitute or substitutes from the delegates in good standing. If the President is to be disqualified, then the Vice President shall appoint a substitute or substitutes and if the Vice President is also to be disqualified, then the substitute shall be appointed by the remaining Trial Board members.

When the entire Executive Board of a District Council appears to be disqualified, the matter may be referred to the General President who shall be entitled to investigate to determine whether such disqualification exists. Upon a finding of disqualification, the General President shall have discretion to assume original jurisdiction over such charges, in which case the General President shall refer the matter to the Independent Hearing Officer to hear such charges for decision and disposition.

Where the charging party or the accused makes a request for a delay, the Trial Board may grant a postponement, for good cause shown.

Section 4. The hearing and trial shall be conducted in an orderly, fair and impartial manner and should assure the full presentation of all the facts to the Trial Board.

The burden of proof shall be on the charging party. If the charging party fails to appear, the charges shall be dismissed. If the accused fails to appear, the Trial Board shall proceed with the hearing and receive all the facts and evidence available.

The charging party shall first present whatever evidence such party possesses to substantiate the charges. The accused shall have the right to be present throughout the trial and to cross-examine the charging party and any of the charging party's witnesses upon completion of their testimony.

After the evidence in support of the charges has been received, the accused shall present the defense. The charging party shall have the right to cross-examine the accused and any of the accused's witnesses upon completion of their testimony.

Section 5. The Trial Board shall record minutes of its meetings and proceedings and these minutes, together with any documents submitted, shall constitute the official record of the Trial Board.

Upon conclusion of the hearings, the Trial Board shall consider all of the evidence and argument submitted and proceed to make its findings and decision. It shall prepare a Report of said findings and decision, which shall be signed by all the members of the Trial Board. The Secretary-Treasurer shall forthwith mail a copy of said Report to the charging party and the accused at their last-known addresses.

Section 6. A copy of the Trial Board Report shall be submitted to the next regular meeting of the District Council. The findings and decision of the Trial Board shall be binding unless and until two-thirds of the delegates present and voting at said meeting reverse or modify the findings and decision of the Trial Board. The Secretary-Treasurer shall forthwith mail a copy of said action to the charging party and the accused at their last-known addresses.

Section 7. If either the charging party or the accused is aggrieved, the party may within thirty days from the date of notice of said action, appeal therefrom to the Appellate Officer of the International Union, by filing such appeal with the Appellate Officer in writing. The appeal shall clearly and specifically set forth the grounds in support of said appeal and shall contain a copy of the findings and decision, and action.

After notice of such appeal from the Appellate Officer, the District Council shall then submit promptly to the Appellate Officer the following:

  1. Copy of the charges

  2. Copy of the notice of hearing

  3. Record of the Trial Board hearing

  4. Copy of Report of the Trial Board

  5. Copy of notification of the Trial Board's decision

  6. Copy of minutes of regular meeting at which the Trial Board reported to the District Council

  7. Copy of notification of District Council action

If an appeal is seasonably taken, it shall have the effect of staying the decision and sentence of the Trial Board and no fine, suspension or expulsion shall be effective pending the outcome of the appeal, provided, however, that where any officer has been found guilty and suspended from office because of negligence, incompetence or dishonesty in the performance of

duty, such officer shall remain suspended from holding such office pending the decision of the Appellate Officer on the appeal.

Section 8. The matter of conduct of nomination or election of District Council officers, officials, and delegates is not within the jurisdiction of the District Council Trial Board.

Any member aggrieved with the nomination and election process must appeal directly to the Special Election Officer within thirty (30) days after the election. All such protests must clearly and specifically set forth the grounds upon which the appellant shall rely.

ARTICLE XIII

Oath

Each officer or person elected to an elective position, when duly elected as provided for in the Constitution, shall, prior to being installed and assuming the duties of office or position, take the following oath:

"I, (name), do hereby solemnly pledge my honor to recognize and comply with all of the provisions of the Constitution of the International Union, the Uniform Local Union Constitution and the Uniform District Council Constitution and all of the rules, regulations, policies, practices and lawful orders and decisions adopted and promulgated in the furtherance and administration of the said Constitutions and to perform the duties of my office as prescribed in said Constitutions and to deliver to the Union all of the books, papers and other property of the Union that may be in my custody and control at the close of my official term.

And, I further declare that I am not now a member of, nor sympathize with, any organization that has for its purpose the overthrow of this Organization or the Government of the United States of America or Canada by force or violence. All this I solemnly promise on my honor, so help me God."

UNIFORM DISTRICT COUNCIL CONSTITUTION INDEX

Sec. Page
Affiliations by Local Unions........ I 2 110
Agreements negotiating and enforcing......... II 2(d) 112-113
protected be the Business Manager .................................. VII 4(b)(2)
Audits 122
Assessments......................... VIII 1-3 125-126
Assistants.......................... VII 7(k) 125
Auditors............................ V 1(a) 116-117
annual............................ VII 6(a) 123
of the Secretary-Treasurer's records VII 3(g) 121
Autonomy, degree of................. III 6 114
Bargaining.......................... XI 130-131
on behalf of affiliates........... III 1 113
Bonding............................. VII 7(j) 124
Business Manager of the District Council V 1(a) 116
.................................. V 1(b) 117
Charges, trials, and appeals........ XII 1-8 131-134
.................................. I 1-2 110
Constitutions Delegates Disciplinary actions
See also Charges, trials, and appeals Dues
Compensation of officers............ V 3 117
exhaustion of remedies............ III 5 114
obligations....................... III 1-6 113-114
promoting compliance with......... II 1(h) 111
.................................. II 2(a) 111-112
.................................. VII 7(i) 124
Conventions......................... X 1-6 129-130
Credentials, presentation of........ IV 2 115
to the International Union Convention IV 4(a) 115
Local Union entitlement........... IV 3 115
obligations of.................... IV 5 115-116
to other bodies................... IV 4(b) 115
.................................. VII 4(b)(6) 123
Disbursements....................... II 2(c) 112
.................................. IX 4 127-128
International Union supervision... II 2(g) 113
suspension of District Council.... III 4 114
increases in...................... VIII 2 125-126
of Local Unions................... II 2(b) 112
Elections........................... VI 1-3 117-119
Executive Board of the District Council V 1(a) 116-117
Income.............................. IX 1-7 126-128
Initiation fees..................... II 2(b) 112
.................................. VII 3(j) 121
.................................. VIII 1-3 125-126
Jurisdiction beyond metropolitan areas......... II 1(e) 111
preserving Local Unions' jurisdiction II 1(f) 111
protected by the Business Manager. VII 4(b)(3) 122
Meetings............................ X 1-6 129-130
absence from...................... VII 8 125
decorum and procedure............. IV 5(e) 116
.................................. VII 5 123
frequency......................... VII 7(f) 124
.................................. X 1 129
quorum for........................ VII 7(e) 124
.................................. X 3 129
special meetings.................. X 2 129 2 110
.................................. IV 1-5 114-116
Negotiations
conducted by the Business Manager .................................. VII 4(b) 122
Oath of allegiance.................. XIII 134-135
Objects of the District Council..... II 1 110-111

Charters issued by the International Union

Obligations of the District Council. III 1-6 113-114

Officers............................ V 1-4 116-117

See also specific officers

combining offices................. VI 2(d) 118
 .................................. VII 7(b) 123-124
compensation for.................. IX 5-6 128
.................................. V 3 117 .
................................. VI 2(b) 118
duties............................ VII 1-9 119-125
election of....................... VI 1-3 117-118
filling of vacancies.............. VI 3 119
nominations....................... VI 2 118-119
qualifications.................... VI 1 117-118
term of........................... VI 2(g) 119
Organizers.......................... VII 7(k) 125
Organizing, promotion of............ II 1 110-111
Pension Funds Secretary-Treasurer and........... VII 3(k)-(l) 121-122
suspension for not contributing to              III 4 114
Per capita tax...................... II 2(b) 112
 .................................. VII 3(j) 121
.................................. VIII 1-3 125-126
Powers of the District Council...... II 2 111-112
President of the District Council... V 1(a) 116-117

Qualifications of officers.......... VI 1 117-118
Quorums............................. VII 7(e) 124
.................................. X 3 129
Readmission Fees.................... II 2(b) 112
.................................. VII 3(j) 121
.................................. VIII 1-3 125-126
Records annual audit of................... VII 6(a) 123
Secretary-Treasurer and........... VII 3 120-122
submission for inspection......... III 3 114
surrender of...................... VII 9 125
Representation...................... I 2 110
.................................. IV 1-5 114-116
Revenue............................. VII 3 120-122
Secretary-Treasurer of the District Council .................................. V 1(a) 116-117
Sergeant-at-Arms of the District Council .................................. V 1(a) 116-117
Subversive activities............... XIII 134-135
Suspension absence from meeting and.......... VII 8 125

failure to contribute to the Pension Fund and .......................... III 4 114
by the Trial Board................ XII 7 131-134

Trial Board......................... XII 1-8 131-134
See also Charges, trials, and appeals

Vice-President of the District Council V 1(a) 116-117