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
________________________________________________________________________
Note: Throughout these Constitutions, wherever the masculine gender appears, the
feminine form applies equally and may be substituted therefore.

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Laborers' International Union of North America, believing that
we are endowed with the inalienable natural right to provide for our existence and that of
our families, and further believing that we have the right to band with others who have a
common or mutual interest in the protection of these natural rights, in a proper and
lawful manner, do hereby adopt this as the Constitution of the Laborers' International
Union of North America.

ARTICLE I
Title and Authority
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.

ARTICLE II

Objects and Powers
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.

ARTICLE III Jurisdiction

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, Rammermen, 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.

ARTICLE IV     Headquarters, Label and Seal
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.

ARTICLE V    Conventions and Representation
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.

*(1)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 Union 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.

__________________
*1 This section was amended by action of the General Executive Board on  December 19, 2001
and is subject to ratification of the delegates to the 23rd Convention in 2006.
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; self-nominations
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.

ARTICLE VI    Officers
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 fifty-seven
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 factors
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 shall 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 accompanies 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.

ARTICLE VII    Election
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 information 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 shall 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.

ARTICLE VIII    General Executive Board
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 have 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.

ARTICLE IX    The General President
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 the duties of said office under the supervision and
direction of the General President with the approval of the General Executive Board.
The General Counsel shall have the general surveillance of the Legal Department of the
International Union in all legal matters.
The General Counsel shall meet with and advise the General Executive Board on all
matters dealing with the legislative and judicial functions of the International Union,
matters of International policy, and at all hearings on appeals filed with the General
Executive Board.
The General Counsel shall maintain said office at the Headquarters of the International
Union, in order to advise and consult with the General President and General Secretary-
Treasurer and all other officials of the International Union, on general and routine
business of the Organization.
Unless excused by the General President or the General Executive Board, the General
Counsel shall, without vote, be present and have a voice at all conventions, conferences
and meetings of the General Executive Board or of the International Union.
The General Counsel shall fulfill all assignments received from the General Executive
Board or the General President.
The General Counsel shall receive for such services an annual salary or retainer, payable
monthly, as is fixed by the General President, with the approval of the General Executive
Board, and may receive such other compensation, allowances and expenses as the
General President deems fitting and proper.

ARTICLE X    Vice Presidents
Section 1. Each Vice President, as a member of the General Executive Board, shall attend
all meetings of the said General Executive Board.

Section 2. Each Vice President shall, when assigned by the General President, act as the
General President's personal representative and in such matters as may be deemed of such
importance as to require the attention of an officer of the International Union.

Section 3. When designated and assigned by the General President, a Vice President shall
be authorized to investigate a dispute between Local Unions or between Local Unions
and District Councils or between District Councils, regarding their territorial or craft
jurisdiction. The Vice President shall, after due notice, hold hearings or conduct such
investigation as the Vice President deems appropriate and from the evidence adduced,
make Findings of Fact and Recommendations, which Findings of Fact and
Recommendations must then be reported and submitted to the General Executive Board
as a whole for determination and decision. The decision, ruling, or order of the General
Executive Board is final and binding until and unless it is appealed to the General
Secretary- Treasurer within thirty days and reversed or modified by the following regular
Convention.

Section 4. Each Vice President shall be authorized to act on any matter delegated by the
General Executive Board, as an officer or member of said Board, including the authority
to officiate as a Hearings Panel, either singly or jointly with other Vice Presidents, as
herein-above provided.

ARTICLE XI    General Secretary-Treasurer
Section 1. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall receive all monies due and owing to the
International Union, including per capita tax, initiation fees, readmission fees and all
other lawful fees and assessments payable by affiliated Local Unions and other
subordinate bodies. The General Secretary- Treasurer shall give proper receipt for such
monies collected.

Section 2. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to pay all financial
obligations of the International Union in amounts up to $5,000.00; payments of amounts
of $5,000.00 and over, shall be made jointly with the General President.

Section 3. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall deposit all monies received in such
bank or depositories as may be designated by the General Executive Board, in the name
of the International Union.

Section 4. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a true and accurate record of all
such financial transactions and shall be authorized to hire and engage the services of such
personnel as may be necessary to carry out all of the duties and responsibilities of said
office and to purchase and maintain such equipment and supplies as may be available, for
the proper and efficient keeping of records.

Section 5. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall be authorized to issue such instructions
and orders to affiliated Local Unions, District Councils or other subordinate bodies and
members thereof, as may be deemed necessary in carrying out the duties of said office.

Section 6. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall be the custodian of all books, records,
documents and property of the International Union.

Section 7. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare and distribute to the members
of the General Executive Board, to each affiliated Local Union and District Council, an
annual financial report of the receipts and disbursements of the International Union.

Section 8. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall, together with the General President,
negotiate agreements as provided for in Article IX, Section 12 of this Constitution.

Section 9. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall, together with the General President,
issue charters to Local Unions, District Councils and other subordinate bodies, as
provided for in this Constitution.

Section 10. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall, upon receipt of the per capita tax,
initiation fees and readmission fees, allocate to the various Funds of the International
Union, the proportion hereinafter provided.

Section 11. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall perform the duties of Secretary at all
Conventions of the International Union.
Section 12. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall perform the duties of Secretary at all
meetings of the General Executive Board.

Section 13. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall, when requested by the General
President, perform such duties as are outlined in Article IX, Section 5 of this
Constitution.

Section 14. The General Secretary-Treasurer 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 15. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall, upon the expiration of said term of
office, surrender and turn over to the International Union all books, monies or other
property in the General Secretary-Treasurer's custody, possession or control.

Section 16. 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.

ARTICLE XII    Limitation of Powers
Section 1. The powers of all Officers shall be those as specifically provided for in this
Constitution.

Section 2. The powers and acts of representatives or employees of the International
Union, shall be as authorized by the General Executive Board, General President or
General Secretary-Treasurer or as herein otherwise provided.

Section 3. The International Union shall not be held responsible for any act by any of the
above, which act is not in accordance with the powers specifically provided for either in
the Constitution or as specifically granted, unless:
(a) such unauthorized act or acts were ordered or approved by the International Union, or
(b) such unauthorized act was ratified by the International Union after written notice
thereof.

Section 4. Local Unions, District Councils, and Divisions affiliated with the International
Union are not agents of the International Union and are not authorized to act for, or to
otherwise bind, the International Union except where prior approval, authorization, or
direction is given in writing by the International Union, or where the International Union
ratifies acts performed by affiliated Local Unions, District Councils or Divisions after
written notice thereof. However, in no case is the International Union liable or
responsible for autonomous acts of its affiliated Local Unions, District Councils, or
Divisions.

ARTICLE XIII    Revenue
Section 1. The revenue of this International Union from affiliated Local Unions shall be
as follows:
(a) Charter and Initial Supplies. $25.00
Monthly Per Capita Tax (including apprentice members and agency fee payers):
Effective January 1, 2002 $12.00
Effective January 1, 2003 12.50
Effective January 1, 2004 13.00
Effective January 1, 2005 13.50
Any affiliate which receives income or revenue from bargaining unit members who do
not become members or apprentice members, shall pay a monthly assessment on such
unit members to the International Union in an amount equal to the then applicable per
capita for members.
(b) Initiation Fee
Effective January 1, 2002 $45.00
Readmission Fee
Effective January 1, 2002 $20.00
(c) Assessments, supplies and all other lawful payments from affiliated Local Unions,
District Councils and other subordinate bodies or other income from sources not specified
in this section.

Section 2. The revenue of the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL
PENSION FUND shall be derived by payment directly thereto, by each affiliated Local
Union and District Council, monthly, of an amount equal to twelve percent (12%) 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
six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) per year for any one person, or for any salary in excess
of seventy- five thousand dollars ($75,000.00) per year for any one person, together with
such contributions as the International Union may determine to make; effective January
1, 2002, the revenue of the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL
PENSION FUND shall be derived by payment directly thereto, by each affiliated Local
Union and District Council, monthly, of 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
together with such contributions as the International Union may determine to make. The
minimum salary requiring contributions to the Fund shall be ten thousand ($10,000.00)
dollars per year except that said minimum salary shall continue to be six thousand
($6,000.00) dollars per year for full-time employees and officers who were participants in
the Fund as of December 31, 1996. Additional revenue shall be derived from
contributions from training trust funds and other entities obligated to contribute to the
L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND pursuant to
and at the rate set forth in agreements with its trustees.

ARTICLE XIV    Funds
Section 1. There shall be maintained a General Fund, a Death Benefit Fund, an
International Union Pension or Retirement Fund, a Regular Convention Fund, and such
other special funds as may be duly established in accordance with the International Union
Constitution, by order of the General Executive Board.

Section 2. These Funds and their assets shall be kept separate and distinct from each other
and the proceeds of one Fund shall not be used to meet the obligations of another Fund.
Each Fund shall be liable for its particular obligations. Notwithstanding this or any other
provision of this Constitution to the contrary, a portion of the payments and contributions
described herein may be applied to finance a supplemental, excess benefit retirement
program that may be established and maintained by the General Executive Board for the
benefit of participants and beneficiaries in the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND
DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND, and the revenue of the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL
UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND shall then consist of such
payments and contributions less the amounts applied first to finance such supplemental
program.

Section 3. If these Funds are to be administered by the officers of the International Union
through their facilities, then an administration charge to each Fund shall be made in such
amount as is fixed by the General Executive Board; such administration charge shall be
paid to the General Fund.

Section 4. There shall be established and maintained, by an Agreement and Declaration
of Trust entered into by the General Executive Board on behalf of the International
Union, with three persons who shall then serve as Trustees of the Pension Fund, a
separate and distinct Pension Fund for full-time officers and employees of Local Unions
and District Councils, affiliated with the Laborers' International Union of North America,
which shall be known and designated as L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT
COUNCIL PENSION FUND for the purpose of receiving and disbursing all money
necessary to finance such a Pension Fund. The three Trustees of the Pension Fund shall at
all times be those persons who occupy the office or position of General President,
General Secretary-Treasurer and General Counsel; such trust agreement shall be
substantially consistent with the draft form submitted to and discussed by the Resolutions
Committee of the Fourteenth Convention, and in conformity with the Convention
Resolution adopted by the aforesaid Fourteenth Convention. The General Executive
Board may establish and maintain a supplemental, excess benefit retirement program for
the benefit of participants and beneficiaries of the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND
DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND, and may direct that a portion of the payments
and contributions payable to the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT
COUNCIL PENSION FUND by Local Unions, District Councils, and other bodies be
applied first to finance such supplemental program, with the balance constituting
revenues of said Pension Fund, provided that the Pension Fund remains soundly funded.

ARTICLE XV    Apportionment and Distribution of Revenue
Section 1. The apportionment, distribution and allocation from initiation fees,
readmission fees and per capita tax received by the International Union to each of the
various Funds shall be as follows:
INITIATION FEES: One hundred percent (100%) thereof shall belong to the General
Fund.
READMISSION FEES: One hundred percent (100%) thereof shall belong to the General
Fund.
PER CAPITA TAX: Effective January 1, 2002, eleven dollars and fifty cents ($11.50)
thereof shall belong to the General Fund; fifty cents ($.50) thereof shall belong to the
Regular Convention Fund.
Effective January 1, 2003, twelve dollars ($12.00) thereof shall belong to the General
Fund; fifty cents ($.50) thereof shall belong to the Regular Convention Fund.
Effective January 1, 2004, twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) thereof shall belong to
the General Fund; fifty cents ($.50) thereof shall belong to the Regular Convention Fund.
Effective January 1, 2005, thirteen dollars ($13.00) shall belong to the General Fund;
fifty cents ($.50) thereof shall belong to the Regular Convention Fund.
With respect to the per capita tax charged for retirees, five dollars ($5.00) thereof shall
belong to the General Fund.
The International Union Staff Pension or Retirement Fund shall be funded on an actuarial
cost basis to comply with applicable pension law. The General Fund of the International
Union will make monthly employer contributions to the International Union Staff
Pension or Retirement Fund based on actuarial cost as determined by the actuary. There
will be no direct allocation of per capita tax or fees to the International Union Staff
Pension or Retirement Fund; and the funding of the Plan will be the obligation of the
International Union General Fund.

Section 2. All other income, unless expressly otherwise provided, shall belong to the
General Fund.

ARTICLE XVI    Membership
Section 1. The qualifications, rights and obligations of members shall be as specifically
provided for in Article III, Sections 1, 2, and 3, Article VIII, Section 5 and Article VIII,
Section 7 of the Uniform Local Union Constitution.

Section 2. No member shall bring or cause to be brought in any court, whether in law or
equity, any action against a Local Union, District Council or the International Union or
their officers, representatives or employees, in any matter involving an issue arising out
of or related to his the member's membership, which is remediable within the framework
of the International Union, Local Union or District Council Constitution without having
first exhausted all of the remedies available under the aforesaid Constitutions.

Section 3. No member, Local Union, District Council or other subordinate body or officer
thereof, shall bring or cause to be brought in any court, whether in law or equity, any
action against a Local Union, District Council or the International Union or their officers,
representatives or employees, asserting rights set forth in the International Union
Constitution, the Uniform Local Union Constitution, or the Uniform District Council
Constitution as a matter of contract. The sole and exclusive remedy for the enforcement
of rights found in this Constitution shall be through procedures contained herein,
including provisions relating to charges, trials and appeals. Decisions of the General
President or the General Executive Board regarding such constitutional rights or, upon
any appeal, of the International Union Convention, deciding any such rights are final and
binding and not subject to further judicial review.

Section 4. Venue to litigate any action arising out of contractual rights allegedly premised
upon the International Union Constitution, the Uniform Local Union Constitution or the
Uniform District Council Constitution, including any cause seeking to challenge or
restrict the application of the foregoing Section shall exist only in the Federal District
Court for the District of Columbia.

ARTICLE XVII    Charters
Section 1. Charters to Local Unions, District Councils and other subordinate bodies shall
be issued in accordance with this Constitution, as hereinabove provided.

Section 2. The General Executive Board shall fix and determine the form of application
for charter and the form of the charter.

Section 3. The charter fee and the initiation fee and per capita tax for each member to be
registered must accompany the application.

Section 4. Every charter, when issued, shall be deemed to have been issued in accordance
with and subject to the International Union Constitution and every provision now a part
of said Constitution or hereafter duly adopted shall be binding upon Local Unions,
District Councils or other subordinate bodies, their officers and members, as binding
provisions as if they had been specifically included in said charter. Each Local Union and
each District Council shall be bound by and comply with all of the provisions of the
International Union Constitution, the Uniform Local Union Constitution and Uniform
District Council Constitution, respectively.

ARTICLE XVIII    Obligations of Affiliates
Section 1. Each affiliated Local Union and each affiliated District Council and the
officers thereof, shall conform to and comply with all of the obligations as provided for in
the Uniform Local Union Constitution, Uniform District Council Constitution, and the
International Union Constitution, respectively.

Section 2. Any Local Union, District Council or other subordinate body or the officers
thereof, which attempts to cause secession by a Local Union, District Council or other
subordinate body from the International Union, or seeks the division of funds, or
affiliates with or joins an entity not created by or specifically approved by the
International Union, may be fined, suspended, expelled or placed in trusteeship, after
notice, hearing and decision by the General Executive Board.

Section 3. Each Local Union shall, through its Secretary-Treasurer, pay to the
International Union a per capita tax of $12.00 effective January 1, 2002, $12.50 effective
January 1, 2003, $13.00 effective January 1, 2004, and $13.50 effective January 1, 2005,
payable for the current month on each member in the Local Union and, pay an initiation
fee of $35.00 for each member registered with the International Union as a member and
$15.00 for each member readmitted; and effective January 1, 2002, pay an initiation fee
of $45.00 for each member registered with the International Union and $20.00 for each
member readmitted; each initiation fee and each readmission fee must be accompanied by
the per capita tax for the month in which the member is registered or readmitted. For
retirees each Local Union shall pay to the International Union a per capita tax of $5.00
per retired member each month.

Section 4. If a Local Union fails, neglects or refuses to pay to the International Union the
per capita tax, initiation fees, readmission fees or other lawful payments within the time
prescribed, it may be deemed suspended without further notice.

Section 5. Upon a complaint, hearing, and finding by the General Executive Board that a
Local Union has falsified or been delinquent in its payments and/or its reports to the
International Union, or has failed, neglected, or refused to pay to the District Council
with which it is affiliated the per capita tax, initiation fees, readmission fees, or other
lawful payments within the time prescribed, it may be suspended from, or may be placed
in trusteeship by, the International Union or it may be assessed the cost of investigation
and audit, in addition to the amount involved in the falsification and/or delinquency of its
reports.

Section 6. If a Local Union is suspended, dissolved or ceases to exist, all of its property,
funds, books, papers and paraphernalia shall immediately revert to and become the
property of the International Union and the General President may forthwith, either
personally or by deputy, take possession thereof for the International Union.
Alternatively, in the General President's sole discretion, the International Union may
refrain from taking any or all of the former Local Union's property, funds, books, papers,
or paraphernalia.
The officers and members of said Local Union shall be severally and jointly responsible
for such property, funds, books, papers, and paraphernalia until the same are turned over
to the General President or authorized representative.
This section shall apply to affiliated District Councils and all other subordinate bodies
chartered by the International Union.

Section 7. No Local Union or officer thereof shall bring or cause to be brought in any
court, whether in law or in equity, any action against another Local Union, District
Council or the International Union, or their officers, representatives or employees, in any
matter involving an issue arising out of or related to their charter or to their rights or
obligations, which is remediable within the framework of the International Union, Local
Union or District Council Constitution, without first having exhausted all of the remedies
available under the aforesaid Constitutions. Any Local Union which violates this
reasonable obligation may, if found guilty, after notice and hearing in accordance with
the provisions of the aforesaid Constitutions, have its charter revoked and be fined, and
may in addition thereto, be assessed the amount which such litigation caused to be
expended on the Local Union, the District Council or the International Union. Any
officer who violates this reasonable obligation, after notice and hearing in accordance
with the provisions of the aforesaid Constitutions, if found guilty, may be removed from
office and fined, and may, in addition thereto, be assessed the amount which such
litigation caused to be expended by the Local Union, the District Council or the
International Union.
This section shall apply to affiliated District Councils and all other subordinate bodies
chartered by the International Union.

Section 8. (a) Effective January 1, 2002, Local Unions shall charge not less than fortyfive
dollars ($45.00) nor directly or indirectly more than six hundred dollars ($600.00), as
an initiation fee.
(b) Local Unions shall charge, as readmission fee, amounts as provided for in Article
VIII, Section 6 of the Uniform Local Union Constitution;
(c) Each Local Union shall fix and regulate the dues payable by its members in such
amount as is lawful and necessary to carry out its objects, purposes and obligations;
except for apprentice members, such amount shall not be less than twenty dollars
($20.00) as of January 1, 2002, twenty-one dollars ($21.00) as of January 1, 2003,
twenty-two dollars ($22.00) as of January 1, 2004, twenty-three dollars ($23.00) as of
January 1, 2005, and twenty- four dollars ($24.00) as of January 1, 2006. In areas where
District Councils exist, said dues shall be fixed and regulated as provided for in Article II,
Section 2(e) and Article VIII, Section 2 of the Uniform District Council Constitution.
Affiliates shall have the authority upon the recommendation of the Executive Board and
approval by the membership to set a lesser schedule of minimum dues for apprentice
members. Regular monthly dues for apprentices may be reduced but not eliminated. A
member who has held continuous membership for 50 years or more shall receive a gold
membership card and shall be excused from the payment of any further dues obligation,
and the member's Local Union shall not owe per capita tax for such member, in tribute to
their years of service and devotion to the Laborers' International Union.
(d) All dues, whether below, at, or above the minimum of nineteen dollars ($19.00) shall
be increased by no less than one dollar ($1.00) per month no later than January 1, 2002,
by an additional one dollar ($1.00) no later than January 1, 2003, by an additional one
dollar ($1.00) on January 1, 2004, by an additional one dollar ($1.00) on January 1, 2005,
and by an additional one dollar ($1.00) on January 1, 2006.
Section 9. (a) Effective January 1, 2002, each Local Union and District Council, through
its Secretary-Treasurer, shall pay directly to the L.I.U.N.A. LOCAL UNION AND
DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND, payable by the last day of the following month for which
said salary is paid, 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.
The minimum salary requiring contribution to the Fund shall be ten thousand dollars
($10,000.00) per year with respect to full-time officers and employees who were not
participants in the Fund prior to January 1, 1997, but shall remain at six thousand dollars
($6,000.00) per year for full-time officers and employees who were participants in the
Fund as of December 31, 1996.
(b) If a Local Union or District Council fails, neglects or refuses to pay the L.I.U.N.A.
LOCAL UNION AND DISTRICT COUNCIL PENSION FUND the payment herein
specified within the time prescribed above, but not later than the last day of the month
following the month in which it is due, the Local Union or District Council may be
deemed suspended without further notice.
(c) The provisions of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust (10/25/61), as amended, for
the L.I.U.N.A. Local Union and District Council Pension Trust are hereby incorporated
into this Constitution as if specifically set forth, provided however that nothing in this
Constitution shall require the Pension Fund to exhaust constitutional remedies before
invoking available legal remedies.

ARTICLE XIX    District Councils
Section 1. The General Executive Board, or the General President and General Secretary-
Treasurer, shall authorize the issuance of District Council charters in such areas as, in
their judgment, the best interests of the International Union, Local Unions and members
thereof, demand.

Section 2. SUCH CHARTERS MAY BE ISSUED:
(a) Upon application of a number of affiliated Local Unions in an area when it is deemed
advantageous and beneficial to said Local Unions to combine their economic power,
effort and strength into a unit which would tend to enhance, promote and conserve their
welfare and interest and that of their members; or
(b) When the General Executive Board, or the General President and General Secretary-
Treasurer, upon examination of conditions as they may exist in a given area, believe that
the welfare and interest of a group of Local Unions and their members would be
enhanced, promoted and conserved by the issuance of a District Council charter.

Section 3. When a District Council charter is issued, all Local Unions within its territorial
and/or craft jurisdiction shall affiliate and remain affiliated with said District Council.

Section 4. The form of the application and the form of the charter of District Councils
shall be as is prescribed by the General Executive Board.

Section 5. The membership of the District Council shall consist of the delegates from
affiliated Local Unions who have been properly and lawfully elected as such delegates
and each affiliated Local Union shall be entitled to representation as provided for in
Article IV, Section 3 of the Uniform District Council Constitution.

Section 6. Suspension of Local Unions from this International Union automatically
suspends them from the District Council.
Section 7. The objects and powers of a District Council shall be as provided for and fully
outlined in Article II of the Uniform District Council Constitution.

Section 8. The obligations of a District Council, its officers and members thereof, shall be
those as outlined in Article III of the Uniform District Council Constitution.

Section 9. The District Council shall hold meetings in accordance with the requirements
of Article X of the Uniform District Council Constitution.

ARTICLE XX    Mail Handlers Division
Section 1. Effective January 1, 2002, the per capita tax payable by the National Postal
Mail Handlers Union, a Division of LIUNA ("Mail Handlers Division") to the
International Union shall be six dollars ($6.00) per regular member per month. Three
dollars and ninety-five cents ($3.95) thereof shall belong to the General Fund; twenty-
five cents ($.25) thereof shall belong to the Regular Convention Fund; and one dollar and
eighty cents ($1.80) thereof shall belong to a bargaining and administration fund.
Effective January 1, 2003, the per capita tax payable by the Mail Handlers Division to the
International Union shall be six dollars ($6.00) per regular member per month. Four
dollars and five cents ($4.05) thereof shall belong to the General Fund; twenty- five cents
($.25) thereof shall belong to the Regular Convention Fund; and one dollar and seventy
cents ($1.70) thereof shall belong to a bargaining and administration fund.
Effective January 1, 2004, the per capita tax payable by the Mail Handlers Division to the
International Union shall be six dollars ($6.00) per regular member per month. Four
dollars and fifteen cents ($4.15) thereof shall belong to the General Fund; twenty-five
cents ($.25) thereof shall belong to the Regular Convention Fund; and one dollar and
sixty cents ($1.60) thereof shall belong to a bargaining and administration fund.
Effective January 1, 2005, the per capita tax payable by the Mail Handlers Division to the
International Union shall be six dollars ($6.00) per regular member per month. Four
dollars and twenty- five cents ($4.25) thereof shall belong to the General Fund; twenty
five cents ($.25) thereof shall belong to the Regular Convention Fund; and one dollar and
fifty cents ($1.50) thereof shall belong to a bargaining and administration fund.
Section 2. The per capita tax payable by the Mail Handlers Division to the International
Union shall be three dollars and sixty cents ($3.60) per associate member per year which
shall belong to the General Fund. The General Executive Board may increase the
associate member per capita tax in an amount not to exceed any per capita tax increase
adopted by the AFL-CIO with respect to associate members.
Section 3. Consistent with the provisions of Article XX of the Constitution of the Mail
Handlers Division, amendments to the Mail Handlers Division Constitution shall not
become effective until their approval by the General Executive Board.
Section 4. In accordance with the provisions of Articles I and II of the International
Union Constitution, the provisions of this Article shall preempt and supersede any and all
conflicting provisions contained in the Constitutions of the Mail Handlers Division
and/or its Local Unions.

ARTICLE XXI    Transfers
Section 1. A member of a Local Union shall have the right to transfer membership from
his the Local Union into another Local Union affiliated with the International Union,
provided that at the time of requesting such transfer, the member is in good standing with
the Local Union. Transfers between Local Unions affiliated with a District Council in a
metropolitan area shall not be required.

Section 2. In addition to being in good standing, the member shall pay dues up to and
including the month in which the transfer is sought and obtained.

Section 3. If at the time that a transfer is requested, there are charges pending against the
member awaiting trial, or there are assessments or other fees or fines properly and
lawfully imposed which remain unpaid, then such member shall not be entitled to a
transfer.

Section 4. A member shall not be entitled to the right of transfer until after six months
from the date of the member's initiation.

Section 5. A member shall, upon transferring as aforesaid, become a member of the Local
Union to which the transferee has transferred and entitled to all the rights and privileges
of a member, except that the transferee shall not have the right to vote until three months
of membership have been completed and shall not be eligible to be a candidate for or
hold any office or represent the Local Union as a delegate or in any other elective
capacity, until achieving continuous good standing therein for at least two years.

Section 6. The transfer shall be deposited by the transferee with the Secretary-Treasurer
or some other official of the Local Union in whose area the transferee wishes to deposit
said transfer, within one month from the date of issuance.

Section 7. A transferee who does not deposit the transfer within one month from the date
of issuance and who desires to maintain membership, may return the transfer to the
Secretary- Treasurer of the Local Union that issued the transfer, within the second month;
failure to do so will forfeit the transferee's membership in the organization.

Section 8. A transferee who has been a member of the International Union continuously
for at least five years prior thereto shall not be required to pay any initiation fee or
admission charge by the Local Union to which the transfers is made. But, if the transferee
has not been a member for the said period and the initiation fee in the accepting Local
Union is more than the existing initiation fee in the originating Local Union, the
transferee shall pay the accepting Local Union the difference in the initiation fees.

Section 9. When a good-standing member of a Local Union is working within the
territorial jurisdiction of another Local Union outside of the same metropolitan area, for a
period of more than thirty days, the Local Union in whose area the member is working
may demand a transfer from that member.

Section 10. The form of transfer shall be as determined and prescribed by the General
Secretary-Treasurer.

ARTICLE XXII    Death Benefits
Section 1. Upon the death of a member whose earliest date of initiation is prior to January
1, 1997, and who at the time of death was and had been in continuous good standing with
the International Union for one year and up to six years and who when last admitted or
readmitted to membership was in good health, the International Union will pay to those
legally entitled thereto the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00); and for such member
who had been in continuous good standing for six years and up to twelve years the
International Union will pay to those legally entitled thereto the sum of two hundred
dollars ($200.00); and for such member who had been in continuous good standing for
twelve years and up to eighteen years the International Union will pay to those legally
entitled thereto the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00); and for such member who had
been in continuous good standing for eighteen years and up to twenty- four years the
International Union will pay to those legally entitled thereto the sum of one thousand
dollars ($1,000.00); and for such member who had been in continuous good standing for
more than twenty- four years the International Union will pay to those legally entitled
thereto the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00). The General Executive
Board shall have the power and authority to act between Conventions to adjust the
foregoing benefit levels and/or membership provisions if it is determined that such an
adjustment is reasonably necessary to preserve the financial integrity of the Death Benefit
Fund.
In the event of accidental death while actually working at the calling, where the accident
was the direct and proximate cause of death, the death benefit payable shall be double the
amount provided for in this section. "Actually working at the calling" is hereby defined to
mean that the decedent was employed at the jurisdiction of this International Union
pursuant to the terms of an agreement with an affiliate.

Section 2. The burden shall be upon the individual claiming the death benefit to furnish
proof that said claimant is legally entitled to the benefit and also to furnish sufficient
proof of death and to furnish proof of the good-standing of the member at the time of
death, together with the membership card of the deceased. The claimant shall fill out,
sign and acknowledge a certificate of the truth of the statements contained in the death
claim form, which form shall be as prepared by direction of the General Secretary-
Treasurer. The officers of the Local Union of which the deceased was a member shall
assist the claimant in preparation of the proof as required, insofar as the membership and
standing of the deceased as a member of the Local Union is concerned and furnish
claimant with a copy of the prescribed death claim form.
In the event of presentation of conflicting claims over the decease of a member or in the
event that the General Secretary-Treasurer has any doubt that a claimant is legally
entitled to the death benefit, the General Secretary-Treasurer shall require such proof as
may be deemed necessary to substantiate the validity of the claim.
Upon the presentation of valid and properly filed claims where more than one death
benefit may be payable, the liability of the International Union shall be limited to the
highest single death benefit payable.

Section 3. If no proper claim for benefit is made within one year of the death of a
member, no death benefit shall be payable. If a timely claim for payment of a death
benefit is made and the claim is rejected by the International Union, the claim shall be
barred unless suit is brought therefor and commenced within one year from the rejection
thereof by the International Union.

ARTICLE XXIII    Charges, Trials and Appeals
The procedure with respect to Charges, Trials and Appeals in Local Unions and in
District Councils shall be, as provided for in Article XII of the Uniform Local Union
Constitution and Article XII of the Uniform District Council Constitution, respectively.

ARTICLE XXIV    Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. No Local Union, District Council or other subordinate body, officer or member
thereof, shall sell