PROPOSED

CONSTITUTION

2005

American Postal

Workers Union,

AFL-CIO

Detroit District Area Local

Upon approval of this Constitution, the

changes herein shall go into effect the month

in which approved unless otherwise specified

herein.

PREAMBLE

We, the Postal and Support Service Workers

of America, in order to form a more perfect

union establish this constitution.

We, who come from the diverse crafts,

believe that in unity there is strength.

We believe that all Postal Workers and all

members of Labor have the right to economic,

political and social justice.

That all men and women have the inherent

right to expect to have decent shelter, food and

clothing. That they and their children have the

right to the best of education. The investment

of the Worker’s lifeblood in giving service

gives him and her that right.

We further believe that all men and women

are created equal with the right to determine

their own destiny and we believe that all postal

and Support Service Workers have the right,

regardless of race, color, creed, sex, sexual

orientation, nationality, handicap, political

affiliation, age, or religion to hold their heads

high and to have respect for themselves as

individuals.

We believe, therefore, that in the spirit of the

Declaration of Independence and the U.S.

Constitution, all men and women are free and

have the right to come together to promote the

common cause of all.

We believe, therefore, that in the spirit of the

Declaration of Independence and the U.S.

Constitution, all men and women are free and

have the right to come together to promote the

common cause of all.

We believe also that all members have basic

rights within our union and shall be secure in

those rights. In order to give life to the

Preamble of this Constitution, itself, the

Member’s Bill of Rights has been established.

MEMBER’S BILL OF RIGHTS

1. Every member has the right to be respected

as a human being.

2. Every member has the right to be respected

as a Brother or Sister of this union.

3. Every member has the right to freedom of

speech and the right to be heard.

4. Every member has the right to the freedom

to listen.

5. Every member has the right to freedom of

the press.

6. Every member has the right to participate

in the activities of this union.

seek any office or the right to vote in this

Union because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual

orientation, nationality, handicap, political

affiliation, age, or religion.

8. Every member has the right to support the

candidate of his/her choice and to participate in

that right with others.

9. Every member has the right to a fair trial,

to be represented by an individual of his/her

choice and to proper appeal procedures.

10. Every member has the right to be secure

in his/her basic rights without fear of political,

economic, physical or psychological

intimidation.

ARTICLE I

Name

Section 1. The name of this organization

shall be the American Postal Workers Union -

Detroit District Area Local, AFL-CIO.

ARTICLE II

Objectives

Section 1. It shall be the objective of the

APWU-Detroit District Area Local to secure

through collective bargaining and legislative

effort a better standard of living for the

members of the APWU and their families.

Section 2. The APWU - Detroit District Area

Local affirms its belief in a single union of all

Postal and Support Service workers in non-

supervisory levels. The APWU will make

every efforts to bring into being a single union

of all postal and Support Service workers by

merger with other postal unions, and initiating

intensive all-out organizing campaigns

reflecting the APWU - Detroit District Area

Local’s philosophy.

Section 3. The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local will vigorously oppose any labor union

outside the Postal and Support Service from

moving into the postal or support service field.

Section 4. The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local will continue to organize the

unorganized.

Section 5. The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local will continue to unite within ONE

organization regardless of sex, sexual

orientation, religion, race, age, creed, color,

handicap, political affiliation or nationality, all

employees under the jurisdiction of the APWU.

Section 6. Our major objectives will be: To

educate our membership in the history of the

Labor Movement: To develop and maintain an

intelligent and dignified membership. To

support the election of candidates who favor

the passage of improved legislation in the

interest of all Labor: To work for the repeal of

laws which are unjust to Labor and to the

Postal and Support Service workers such as, the

denial of the “Right to Strike” and the denial of

the “Right to actively work for Political

Candidates of their choice”. To educate all

members in the area of economic, political and

social justice.

Section 7. The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local will continue to engage in legislative,

political education, civic welfare, and other

activities which further directly or indirectly

the joint interest of the membership of this

union in the improvement of general economic

and social conditions.

Section 8. The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local will work as an autonomous local,

affiliated with the American Postal Workers

Union, AFL0CIO and the Michigan Postal

Workers Union, AFL-CIO, together with other

unions for the solidification of the entire Labor

Movement. The Detroit District Area Local’s

Executive Board may provide assistance,

financial, or otherwise to Labor and other

organizations in the United States and other

parts of the world having the purposes and

objectives similar or related to those sought by

this organization.

Section 9. The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local is established as an industrial union,

including in its membership Postal Workers

and Support Service Workers of all Crafts and

job titles who were classified as supervisors or

managers.

Section 10. All Postal crafts will be

established on a departmental basis within the

structure of the APWU-Detroit District Area

Local. Each craft department shall be headed

by its own Director and other necessary officers

who shall come from that craft and shall be

elected by members of that craft only. Support

Services shall be represented by its own

Facility Director who will represent all job

classifications in their respective Facility.

Section 11. It is recommended that any and all

Representatives (Stewards and Officers) of the

Detroit District Are Local are not to enter into

an agreement or settlements with any post

office Management official that is outside of

their respective Craft without consultation of

the President of the Local.

ARTICLE III

Membership

Section 1. Any non-supervisory employee

regardless of level or grade within the

jurisdictional claim of the Detroit District Area

Local is eligible for membership. Those

accepted for membership shall pay whatever

dues are required by this Organization.

Section 2. No person eligible under the above

provisions shall be denied membership,

because of sex, sexual orientation, race, age,

creed, color, handicap, political affiliation,

nationality or religion.

Section 3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP -

Any person may be accepted as an honorary

member of this Local after recommendation is

made by the Board and is voted on by the

membership at the next General Membership

Meeting. No honorary member shall be

eligible to hold Local Office or be elected as a

delegate to a convention or have the right to

vote.

Section 4. RETENTION OF MEMBERSHIP

- Members of this Local who have resigned

from the Postal Service or who may have been

promoted to positions exercising supervisory

authority may maintain their membership

without voice or vote by paying full union dues

required by this Organization.

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Members of this local who retire from the

Postal Service may maintain full membership

with all rights of such membership be

continuing to pay full dues to the local within

thirty (30) days of the effective date of their

retirement. The cost to retain such retiree

membership shall be the cost of full dues

unless the retiree has been a full dues paying

member of this local for at least ten years

prior to their retirement. If the retiree meets

this requirement, their dues to retain full local

and National membership with all privileges

shall be 50% less than full dues. Failure to do

so will prohibit them from acquiring full

membership, unless they are re-employed by

the USPS in an area within the jurisdiction of

the APWU.

All retirees who desire to become members of

the APWU Retirees Department, shall pay

twenty-four ($24.00) dollars per capita tax per

year to the National Union.

Section 5. Federal classified employees may

be accepted as associate members for Health

Plan participation only. They shall pay $35.00

per annum for this privilege.

Section 6. All members of the APWU-

Detroit District Area Local shall be in their

respective craft division.

Section 7. New members of the APWU-

Detroit District Area Local shall not be charged

an initiation fee for joining.

Section 8. All members will be considered

members in good standing upon signing Form

1187 or paying dues in full for one year in

advance. Members who pay their yearly dues

12 months in advance at the beginning of the

year, shall receive a 10% discount.

Section 9.The Detroit District Area Local

reserves the right to deny membership to any

person who holds office or organizes for

another Postal Union.

Section 10. REINSTATEMENT - Any cash

paying member removed from the rolls for not

paying dues shall be required to pay all back

dues to make him/her current plus six (6)

months in advance BEFORE reinstatement.

Section 11. Any member removed under

Article XV of the National Constitution shall

only be reinstated by a referendum vote of the

entire membership of the APWU-Detroit

District Area Local, and the member shall pay

the cost of the mail referendum vote.

Section 12. Any member who enters a non-

pay status, where Union dues are not deducted,

will not be required to pay those delinquent

dues, except if through a settlement or award,

the member is made whole, the member will be

liable for back payment of dues.

ARTICLE IV

Jurisdiction

Section 1. The National Postal Union -

Detroit Branch, the United Federation of Post

Office and General Services Maintenance

Employees - Local No. 30, National Federation

of Post Office Motor Vehicle Employees -

Local No. 55, and the National Association of

Special Delivery Messengers have combined to

form the APWU-Detroit District Area Local.

The Detroit District Area Local claims

jurisdiction over Postal or other Mailhandling

and equipment handling/repairing Operations,

including but not limited to sorting machines

(first, second, third class, parcel post sack,

etc.): all areas and levels of postal, private and

federal maintenance, RCI/Serco, motor

vehicle service and maintenance, all transport

and special delivery of mail and all postal

technicians: and all technical advancement in

the area of mail processing.

Section 2. The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local also claims jurisdiction in all areas of

personnel accounting technicians, timekeeping,

computer technicians, any operations that

transmit messages by electronic or other means,

mailbag depositories and supply centers; and

all non-supervisory levels and grades of Postal

Service which are directly or indirectly

involved in mailhandling processes within the

480-481, 482 and 483 areas.

ARTICLE V

Meetings

Section 1. Membership meetings are to be

held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the second

Sunday of each month, with the exception of

July, August, and December. If there is no

quorum by 1:15 p.m., the meeting is

automatically adjourned.

Section 2. A quorum for all meetings shall

consist of twenty-five (25) members.

Section 3. If any holiday falls on the second

Sunday of the month, or the prior Friday or

Saturday or Monday, the meeting will be

moved to the first Sunday of the month.

Section 4. The meeting date of any specific

meeting may be changed by a majority of the

members present and voting at a previous

meeting.

Section 5. Special meetings of this Local

shall be called by the President at the

President’s discretion or upon written request

of thirty-five (35) members in good standing.

Duly authorized special meetings must be

announced at least five (5) days (excluding

Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays) prior to the

date of each meeting (Special) to be held. The

announcement must state the reasons and the

objective for calling the special meeting. The

President will have the option to place the

petition as first order of business at a regular

membership meeting if the petition is received

within two weeks prior to a regularly scheduled

membership meeting.

Section 6. Emergency meetings as

determined by the President or a majority of the

Executive Board can be called immediately. If

time does not permit posting, representatives

are to be called and given a list of people to call

specifying meeting time and place. Postings,

announcements, and PA Systems, or whatever

means available to make sure that as many

members as possible are notified of the specific

meeting time and place.

Section 7. Only members will be permitted to

participate in any meeting. Non-members and

visitors must be cleared with the Chair before

being seated. The President will introduce all

non-members and guests.

ARTICLE VI

Representation

Section 1. Representation of all APWU

National conventions, and the Detroit

Metropolitan AFL-CIO Conventions, and all

state conventions shall be determined in the

following manner:

A.Automatic delegates as specified in Article I

of the By-Laws of this Organization: and

B.Elected delegates as determined by the

Executive Board, in accordance with the

formula specified in Article 1 of the By-Laws.

C.Each Craft shall be entitled to at least one

Delegate.

Section 2. Representation to any National,

regional or district conferences, seminars or

other union functions shall be the President and

the appropriate officers and/or representatives

as determined by the President to be necessary.

ARTICLE VII

General Officers

Section 1. PRESIDENT

A. The President shall be the chief executive

officer of the Local Union and shall exercise

supervision over the affairs of the Local Union.

B. It shall be the duty of the President to:

(1) Preside over all Steward, Officer, Staff,

Executive Board, and Membership

Meetings of this Local:

(2) Appoint all regular and full-time

stewards, and alternate stewards, and all

chief stewards in January of each year to

serve a one year term.

(3) Appoint all committees not herein

provided for, in January of each year to

serve a one year term: and;

(4) Sign all official documents of the Local.

C. The President shall call a meeting of the

Executive Board whenever he/she deems it

advisable, but not less than monthly. He/she

shall fix the time, place and agenda and preside

over such meetings.

D. The President shall fill all vacancies, but if

the vacancy is in the craft departments, the

affected Craft Director’s recommendations

shall be considered (that consideration is

defined as amended, rejected, approved, or

substituted) before vacancy is filled. In the

event of a vacancy of a craft director position,

the affected craft council recommendations

shall be considered before the vacancy is filled.

In the event of a temporary absence of the

President, Executive Vice-President or

Secretary Treasurer, the President shall

authorize lost time as necessary to part time

officer(s) to fill the vacancy.

E. The President shall be authorized to

perform Public Relations on behalf of the

Detroit District Area Local and to have the

necessary assistance as needed.

F. The President is responsible for

enforcement of this constitution and all written

3

policy statements of the Local. He/she is

responsible for all work of the union; and all

officers, stewards , and committee members

shall work under his/her supervision. The

President is vested with the authority to assign

duties and responsibilities beyond those

itemized in this constitution to any officer, as

may be necessary to achieve the objectives of

this constitution and Local. In the event that

any officer fails for any reason to adequately

discharge his/her duties as outlined in the

Constitution, By-Laws or Policy Statements of

this Local, the President shall have the

authority to assign those duties and

responsibilities to another officer, steward or

committee member as may be necessary to

achieve the objectives of this constitution and

the goals of this Local. In any such event, the

Executive Board shall meet and fully discuss

all options prior to a decision being made to

reassign an officers duties.

G. The President is specifically authorized

between meetings of the Executive Board or

General Membership meetings to direct the

expenditure of funds as may be necessary to

carry out the objectives of this constitution and

for such other activities designed to promote

the welfare or effectuate the purpose of this

Local; except that unless authorized by the

Yearly Budget as approved by the membership,

a single expenditure of $1,500 or more will

require prior approval of at least one of the

other full time officers...a single expenditure

of $2,500 or more will require prior approval of

the Executive Board...a single expenditure of

$5,000.00 or more shall require prior approval

of the membership at the membership meetings

before payment. All expenditures, bills,

vouchers, shall be approved and signed by the

President and shall be paid by the Secretary-

Treasurer by check, cosigned by the President

and Secretary Treasurer. The President shall

have the power to invest the surplus funds of

the Local, subject to applicable laws and

regulations, and the approval of the Executive

Board. Advances of funds will be authorized

by the President, in writing, prior to advancing

the funds.

H. Subject to an appeal to the Executive

Board, the President shall interpret this

constitution and the policies of the Local and

decide all questions arising thereunder. He/she

shall regulate and/or make final decision on any

controversy, dispute or grievance between

officers, stewards, or members for which this

constitution does not provide a specific remedy.

I. The President during January of each year

shall publish a written report, detailing the

progress made toward achieving of the

objectives and goals of this Local during the

previous year and detailing the general

condition of this Local. The President shall

also outline his/her plan and goals for the

following year.

J. The President shall be the Official Editor of

all Publications of the Detroit District Area

Local, and all Bulletins, Newsletters, and

Announcements on Union stationery.

K. The President shall be paid a salary

equivalent to 1.55 of a PS L4vel 6, Step 0, to be

paid in Bi-weekly installments. The President

shall receive such other benefits as listed in

Article XVII of this Constitution.

Section 2.EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

A. The Executive Vice President shall

perform the duties of the President or the

Secretary-Treasurer in the event of their

absence or inability to attend to their office.

The President or the Executive Vice President

shall, if necessary, direct the Craft Officers to

perform their necessary duties.

B. The Executive Vice President shall be

authorized to sign checks in the absence of the

President or Secretary Treasurer.

C. The Executive Vice President shall be

responsible for servicing the suburban work

areas represented by this Local. He/she shall

visit each facility no less than one every month

or as deemed necessary. He/she may direct any

officer or steward of this Local to assist in

carrying out this mandate, after approval of the

President.

D. The Executive Vice President shall be

responsible for monitoring all committee work

and shall coordinate the Education

Committee’s activities. He/she shall initiate

training for stewards and officers on the

Grievance Procedure, Labor History, and other

related areas.

E. All Committee Chairpersons shall make

written reports to the Executive Vice President

monthly and hold bi-monthly planning

meetings to coordinate activities. The

Executive Vice President shall make a written

report to the President and Staff on the progress

of work assigned to him/her. The Executive

Vice President shall investigate any complaint

against Stewards, Officers, Committee

Chairpersons, Committee Members, or

appointees, for failure to carry out

responsibilities and/or assignments in

accordance with Article XVI, Section 2.

F. It shall be the duty of the Executive Vice

President to render assistance to the President

as he/she may require and to perform any other

work under his/her direction as he/she may

request.

G. The Executive Vice President shall under

the direction of the President, and with the

assistance of the Special Assistant coordinate

all joint coordinate all joint labor management

meetings (such as: Local negotiations, safety,

scheme, general labor-management meetings,

etc.). With the assistance of the Special

Assistant, and other appropriate officers and

stewards, the Executive Vice President shall be

responsible for all Grievance Appeals and

Arbitrations, including preparing cases for

arbitration and presenting locally certified

cases; Implementing Awards; and Notification.

(1) All written grievance appeals shall be

channeled through his/her office.

(2) He/she shall be responsible for resolved

grievance being implemented, craft(s) being

notified as well as the arbitration process,

including preparation of the case, contacting

witnesses, and locating documents citings, and

preparing briefs.

H. The Executive Vice President shall receive

a salary equivalent to 1.5 that of a PS Level 5,

step 0, to be paid in bi-weekly installments.

He/she shall receive other benefits as listed in

Article XVII of this Constitution.

Effective date for Hospital Plan duties

January 1, 2007

Section 3. SECRETARY-TREASURER

A. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep and/or

maintain all of the records of this organization.

He/she shall have an up-to-date record of the

name, address, and telephone number of each

and every member of this organization

separated by crafts and work locations. Prior to

membership meetings, he/she will supply the

Sergeant-At-Arms with an up-to-date

membership roster. He/she shall maintain a

training record and correspondence of each

steward/officer and appointee and shall insert

such record into his/her personnel file.

B. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a

systematic set of books in accordance with

generally accepted accounting principles.

He/she shall submit the books for inspection or

audit without any notice, to the President,

Trustees, the Staff or Executive Board or any

accounting firm designated by the President.

C. The Secretary-Treasurer shall disburse all

monies of this Local by check, counter-signed

by the President or other authorized officer.

D. No monies shall be disbursed by the

Secretary-Treasurer for lost time without a

properly completed Local lost time voucher,

with appropriate completed and signed 3971's,

if applicable. The Secretary Treasurer will

keep written record of all Officers and

Stewards’ time used for union business while

claiming lost time. Further, he/she shall keep

records, reports, and hours of all Officers and

Stewards office work and field activities.

E. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be

responsible for scheduled meetings and

activities in the Union Office so as to avoid

conflicts. All Officers and committee chair

persons shall submit a list of their meeting

times and places to the Secretary-Treasurer.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall post a monthly

schedule in the Union Office of all meetings

and events. He/she shall manage the Union

Office, including but not limited to overseeing

Office Personnel, and assuring the smooth

operation of the day-to-day business. Office

hours shall be 9am to 5pm Monday through

Friday. The Office shall be officially closed

on all postal holidays. Office personnel

vacancies (secretarial) shall be filled by the

Secretary-Treasurer and the President.

F. In the absence of the President and

Executive Vice President, the Secretary-

Treasurer shall perform the duties of the

President. In the event of the death or

resignation of the President, the Secretary-

4

Treasurer shall call an Executive Board

meeting in no less than ten (10) days for the

purpose of electing a new president. A two-

thirds vote of the Executive Board present and

voting by secret ballot shall prevail in the

selection of the new president. If there are

more than two candidates running, and no

selection is possible on the first vote, then the

candidate having the least number of votes

shall drop out. This process will continue until

a new president has been selected.

G.It shall be the duty of the Secretary-

Treasurer to render assistance to the President

as he/she may require and to perform other

work under his/her directions as he/she may

request. The Secretary-Treasurer shall make

monthly written reports of finances by line

items to the President and Staff, and monthly

financial reports to the membership. The

Union Office will be closed for official

business the week between Christmas and New

Years.

H. Records of this Local are to be kept at the

Union Office.

I. Beginning in calendar year 2007, the

Secretary-Treasurer must schedule at least a

one week annual leave vacation each year,

giving a two week notice to the President of

the selected week. During this one week

vacation, the President shall appoint one

Executive Board Officer and the Trustees

shall select one Trustee who shall retain

access to review all financial books, records,

reports, payroll, files, and documents in the

office to secure efficient handling of the

Local’s finances. Any discrepancies shall be

brought to the attention of the President,

Executive Board and Trustees.

J. The Secretary Treasurer shall service and

render assistance to all members of the APWU

Health Plan.

(1) He/she shall keep a record of all

members of this Local who are members of

the APWU Health Plan.

(2) He/she shall keep on hand a supply of

hospital and drug claim forms, and other

hospital plan information which will be

necessary to properly and efficiently service

all members.

(3) He/she shall establish contacts with

hospitals and clinics within the Detroit

Metropolitan area; and supply them with

information concerning the APWU Health

Plan and any necessary forms.

(4) He/she shall establish a Health Plan

Committee consisting of health plan members

with the Secretary Treasurer as Chairperson.

They shall be granted necessary lost time and

expenses as approved in advance, by the

President.

K. In coordination with the Executive Vice

President, the Secretary Treasurer will

develop a training program for Stewards and

Officers concerning the hospital plan of the

American Postal Workers Union. This

training program will be included in the

Steward Training Seminars.

L. In January of each year, the Secretary

Treasurer will submit to the Executive Board,

for approval, a list of goals which he/she

intends to accomplish during that year. In

addition, at least six weeks, prior to OPEN

SEASON FOR THE HEALTH PLAN, he/she

shall submit to the Executive Board, for

approval, his/her plan for OPEN SEASON

CAMPAIGN to sell the APWU Health Plan.

M. The Secretary Treasurer will publish an

article if applicable, in local publications,

concerning the Health Plan. He/she shall be

responsible for publicizing all changes in the

Health Plan.

N. The salary of the Secretary-Treasurer shall

be equivalent to 1.5 that of a PS Level 5 step 0,

to be paid in bi-weekly installments. He/she

shall receive other benefits as listed in Article

XVII of this Constitution.

Section 4.RECORDING SECRETARY

A. The Recording Secretary shall keep a

complete and permanent record of official

meetings of the organization, including regular

and special meetings of the Executive Board.

These records will contain all complete reports

as submitted by the Secretary-Treasurer,

Trustees, and all committee reports. These

records will also include all written resolutions

adopted by this organization’s constitution.

B. The Recording Secretary shall prepare and

keep up-to-date a master set of the constitution

of this organization and have it available for all

regular and special meetings of this

organization. An up-to-date copy shall be

available for inspection at the union office.

C. The Recording Secretary shall maintain

records in a secure file in the office of this

Local. The minute book shall be updated and

maintained beginning January 1, 1991. He/she

shall keep record of all leave used by full-time

Officers. This record shall be a part of the

financial record of the Local and available for

inspection or audit. He/she shall immediately

bring to the attention of the President and

Executive Board any discrepancies in any

records.

D. He/she shall perform such secretarial

duties as assigned to him/her by the President.

In the absence of all senior officers, the

Recording Secretary shall fill all vacant chairs

and proceed to conduct a meeting, if a quorum

for such a meeting is present.

E. The salary of the Recording Secretary shall

be $1,600.00 per year (paid in monthly

installments), plus lost time as needed and

authorized, in advance, by the President. In the

event the officer fails to fulfill his/her

responsibility under this section and their job

description, they shall be given reasonable

advance notice that payment of his/her salary

for that month shall be forfeited, pending

appeal to the Staff for final disposition. He/she

shall also receive $50.00 for each general

membership meeting they attend, to be paid

annually.

ARTICLE VII

Department and Administrative Offices

Section 1. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

A. The Director of Legislation shall be

charged with the responsibility of developing

the Legislative Program for the APWU-Detroit

District Area Local. He/she shall work under

the direction of the President as the Liaison

Officer between this Local and members of

Congress, Michigan State Legislators, City and

County Governments in all areas represented

by this Local. He/she shall be Chairperson of

the Legislative Committee.

B. The Director of Legislation will coordinate

with the Executive Vice President a training

program for the Officers and Stewards

involving matters pertaining to Local, Regional

and National Legislation. This training

program will be a part of the yearly Steward

Training Seminar.

C. In January of each year, the Director of

Legislation will submit to the Executive Board

for approval, a list of goals he/she intends to

accomplish during the year. The Legislative

Department goals will relate to:

(1)Local, Regional and National Elections

(2)Voter Registration

(3)Voting in all elections (importance of

voting and getting out the vote)

(4)National and Local APWU elections

(5)Letter writing to all officials (Local and

National)

(6)Various bills pending in the Michigan

House and Senate

(7)Bills pending before the U. S. Congress

(8)Information on present laws, such as the

Hatch Act, etc.

(9) Political Action Fund

(10)Representing the Local at Legislative

Activities

D. The Director of Legislation will publish an

article, when applicable, in Local publications

concerning legislative information.

E. The Director of Legislation shall make

written reports periodically, but not less than

bi-monthly, to the President, Executive Vice

President, and the Executive Board.

F. It shall be the duty of the Director of

Legislation to render assistance to the President

as he/she may require and to perform other

work under his/her direction as he/she may

request.

G. He/she shall receive a salary of $1200.00

per year (paid in monthly installments), plus

necessary lost and expenses as approved, in

advance by the President. In the event the

Officer fails to fulfill his/her responsibility

under this section and their job description,

they shall be given reasonable advance notice

that payment of his/her salary for that month

shall be forfeited, pending appeal to the Staff

for final disposition. He/she shall also receive

$50.00 for each General Membership meeting

they attend, to be paid annually.

Section 2. ORGANIZATION DEPARTMENT

5

A. The Director of Organization shall be

responsible for the following:

(1) Maintaining and increasing the

membership in this union and directing the

organization of the unorganized.

(2Conducting at least one organizational

drive per year.

(3)Developing n ORGANIZATIONAL

PACKET to assist the Stewards, Officers, and

Committees in their efforts to gain new

members.

(4) When notified in advance, the Director of

Organization, shall be required to attend new

employee orientation, under the direction of the

President.

(5) The Director of Organization shall be

charged with the responsibility of developing

an Organization Committee. The

Organization Committee shall consist of rank

and file members and/or stewards whose sole

purpose is to organize the non-members in

work facilities represented by this Local.

B .In coordination with the Executive Vice

President the Director of Organization shall

plan a training program for the Officers and

Stewards to develop the knowledge and skills

necessary for organizing. This training

program will be part of the yearly Steward

Training Seminars.

C. In January of each year, the Director of

Organization shall submit to the Executive

Board, for approval, a list of goals he/she

intends to accomplish during the year.

D. The Director of Organization will publish

an article when applicable in Local publications

concerning organizational efforts.

E. The Director of Organization shall make

written periodic reports but not less than bi-

monthly, to the President and Executive Vice

President. The reports shall include how many

individuals sign up each month, what offices

they are assigned to, what crafts they are in,

and how many leave the union or who are

dropped from the membership.

F .It shall be the duty of the Director of

Organization to render assistance to the

President as he/she may require and to perform

other work under his/her direction as he/she

may request.

G. The Director of Organization shall be

compensated $5.00 for each new member…

regardless of who signs the member, which

shall be paid monthly. In addition, he/she shall

be compensated in accordance with Article II

of the By-Laws per each member he/she

personally signs up. The Director of

Organization will be compensated for any

necessary lost time and expenses approved, in

advance, by the President. In the event the

Officer fails to fulfill his/her responsibility

under this section and their job description,

they will be given reasonable advance notice

that pending appeal to the Staff for final

disposition. He/she shall also receive $50.00

for each General Membership meeting they

attend, to be paid annually.

Section 3. HUMAN RELATIONS DIRECTOR

A. The Director of Human Relations shall

prepare and direct programs in the area of equal

opportunity civic programs, community service

programs, retirement programs and all other

related programs. He/she shall be chairperson

of the Human Relations Committee. The

Committee shall place posters on all APWU

bulletin boards informing the membership of

the purpose of the Human Relations Committee

and where the Committee members can be

reached. The Director of Human Relations

shall be responsible for assisting all members

on OWCP (Office of Workers Compensation

Programs) and their individual claims, as well

as educating members on proper procedures

and guidelines on the entire OWCP Program.

B. In coordination with the Executive Vice

President the Director of Human Relations will

plan a training program for Stewards, involving

Human Relations goals and functions. This

training program will be included in the yearly

Steward Training Seminars.

C .In January of each year, the Director of

Human Relations will submit to the Executive

Board, for approval, a list of goals that relate to

the needs of the general membership, outside of

the National Contract; such as:

(1) Babysitting services (Child Care

Centers, etc.)

(2) Transportation Problems

(3) Health Problems

(4) Home Care and/or Problems

(5) Youth Guidance

(6) Financial Difficulties

(7) Consumer Information

(8) Nursing Services (hospital information,

etc.)

(9) Combating Crime

(10) Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

(11) Family Problems

(12) Community Services

(13) E.E.O. Problems and/or Cases

(14) Retirement Information

(15) Veterans Assistance

(16) Workers' Compensation (OWCP)

D. The Director of Human Relations will

publish am article, if applicable, in local

publications concerning Human Relations.

Periodic new bulletins will be published

detailing Human Relations activities.

E. He/she shall make periodic written reports,

but not less than bi-monthly, to the President

and Executive Vice President. He/she shall

recommend any services or programs that

he/she believes this Local should provide to

members or their families.

F. It shall be the duty of the Director of

Human Relations to render assistance to the

President as he/she may require and to perform

other work under his/her direction as he/she

may request.

G. He/she shall receive a salary of $1,200.00

per year (paid in monthly installments), plus

necessary lost time and expenses, as approved,

in advance, by the President. In the event the

Officer fails to fulfill his/her responsibility

under this section and their job description,

they will be given reasonable advance notice

that payment of his/her salary for that month

shall be forfeited, pending appeal to the Staff

for final disposition. He/she shall also receive

$50.00 for each general membership meeting

they attend, to be paid annually.

SECTION 4. SPECIAL ASSISTANT

A. The Special Assistant shall be appointed by

the President. It shall be a part-time position,

limited to no more than 1,000 hours per year.

The Special Assistant shall work at the Post

Office ether the day before, or the day after all

Postal Holidays.

B. The duties of the Special Assistant shall

include, but not limited to, assisting all

stewards and officers in preparing and

appealing all grievances, from step one (1)

through arbitration, including conducting

grievance and arbitration hearings. The Special

Assistant shall assist the Executive Vice

President and Craft directors in setting up and

conducting training whenever necessary. The

Special Assistant shall assist the President, and

other officers in setting up and conducting

Labor Management meetings in all offices

represented by this Local.

C .He/she shall be compensated by receiving

lost times, plus ten (10%) percent, not to

exceed the restrictions listed above, plus

necessary mileage and expenses. He/she shall

receive $50.00 for each General Membership

meeting they attend, to be paid annually.

SECTION 5.SERGEANT(S)-AT-ARMS (2)

A. It shall be the duty of the Sergeant(s)-at-

Arms to preserve order at all union meetings

under the instruction and directions of the

President.

B. Sergeant(s)-at-Arms shall inform the chair

of all non-members and guests attending the

meeting before seating them.

C. They shall assist the President in the

distribution of materials and the count of votes.

D. They shall keep attendance records at all

meetings and shall have available all meetings

and up-to-date list of all members of the Local.

Attendance books shall be closed one hour after

regular membership, and special meetings

convene.

E. He/she shall receive $50.00 for each

general membership meeting they attend, to be

paid annually.

SECTION 6. BOARD OF TRUSTEES (5)

A. The Trustees shall have official custody

over the property of this Local, and shall keep

an itemized log of same. They are charged

with the safekeeping of policies, deeds and

other documents.

B. They shall audit the books of all financial

officers and committees semi-annually. In

addition, the Trustees are to make surprise

audits and inspection of the books of all

financial officers and committees. They shall

immediately report their findings to the

President and at the next general membership

6

meeting for insertion in the minutes of the

meeting.

C. The books of this Local shall be submitted

to the Board of Trustees for auditing every six

months. A report of the same shall be

submitted at the following membership

meeting.

D. They shall investigate and examine all

financial transactions of gravity to include but

not limited to vouchers, invoices, LM2, IRS

reports, etc. not less than monthly and report

their findings and recommendations

immediately to the President and the Staff, and

make a report at the next general membership

meeting.

(1) They shall also review the monthly bank

statements prepared by the designated

Accounting Firm. They should compare

disbursements with the Disbursement Journal

(The trustees shall bring to the attention of the

President, in writing, for the proper resolution

of all discrepancies noted.)

E. They shall elect a Chairperson from their

ranks.

F. They shall be empowered with the

authority to call a meeting with the Executive

Board on questions or problems of a critical or

urgent nature. This action shall be

unanimously agreed upon by all Trustees.

G. There shall be five (5) Trustees, one

elected from the Maintenance Craft, one

elected from the Motor Vehicle Craft, one

elected from the Mailhandler Craft and two

elected from the Clerk Craft (the Clerk Craft

for the purposes of the Trustees shall also

include all members from Support Services)

H. They shall receive $50.00 for each general

membership meeting they attend to be paid

annually.

SECTION 7. FACILITY DIRECTOR

A. An Installation with 100 or more

employees to be represented, shall be entitled

to a Facility Director named for that facility,

excluding the George W. Young Facility. All

Facility Directors shall be members of the

Executive Board, and Staff.

(1) If an installation drops below 100

employees represented by the APWU during a

Facility Directors term of office, the elected

Officer shall remain in his/her elected

position until the end of their elected term of

office or they retire, resign or they are no

longer employed by the USPS or a Support

Services employer.

B. The Facility Director will make sure the

stewards at their respective facilities complete

their training courses.

C. He/she shall be responsible for planning

periodical mini-meetings, when necessary, for

their facilities.

D. The Facility Director shall jointly with the

affected Craft Director make recommendations

to the President for stewards and chief stewards

at their respective facilities.

E. The Facility Director shall survey all

stewards and chief stewards of all crafts at their

respective facilities for items for Labor

Management meetings at their facilities.

He/she shall call a meeting of all stewards and

chief stewards, whenever necessary, after

consulting with the President.

F. Each Facility Director shall submit a bi-

monthly report to the Executive Vice President

of all grievances resolved at Step 1 and Step 2.

The Facility Director shall review and sign all

grievances processed through their facilities.

except for those grievances involving Craft

Directors. They shall make the final

determination on grievances being processed to

Step 2 for their facilities. They shall then

channel all grievances through the Executive

Vice President.

G. It shall be the duty of the Facility Director

to publish a quarterly newsletter for their

facility. They shall also submit an article for

local publication when applicable.

H. If a situation arises where it becomes

necessary to seek guidance concerning any

issue or any policy changes the Facility

Director shall consult with the President, the

Executive Vice President, and the affected

Craft Director.

I. It shall be the duty of the Facility Director

to render assistance to the President as he/she

may require and to perform other work under

his/her direction as he/she may request.

J. Each Facility Director shall be trained for

and perform Arbitration as needed.

K. There shall be a 480 Director responsible

for serving all Members who work for the

Southeastern Michigan District of the Local

(Royal Oak). The position shall be appointed

by the President from recommendations

received from the 480 members and officers of

the local.

1) The 480 Director shall serve on the

Executive Board of the Detroit District Area

Local. The 480 Director may be a dual

position; however, if the position is held by a

current Officer, the Officer shall receive only

one salary.

2) If Membership drops below 100

employees in the Southfield Post Office, and

the position held by the Southfield Vice

President is lost due to the membership drop,

the position of 480 Director shall become an

elected position beginning the first election

cycle after the Southfield Post Office drops

below 100 employees. All members in the 480

District shall be eligible to vote for the 480

Director.

L For any extended absence of a Facility

Director, the President shall appoint a steward

from that facility to fill the vacancy.

M. Salary of the Facility Director shall be

$1,500.00 per year (paid in monthly

installments). The Facility Director shall incur

such other obligations and benefits as listed in

Article XVII of this Constitution.. In the event

the Officer fails to fulfill his/her responsibility

under this section and their job description,

they will be given reasonable advance notice

that payment of his/her salary for that month

shall be forfeited, pending appeal to the Staff

for final disposition. He/she shall also receive

$50.00 for each general membership meeting

they attend, to be paid annually.

Section 8. ASSISTANT BMC FACILITY

DIRECTOR

He/she shall work under the direction of the

BMC Facility Director and shall perform the

duties of the BMC Facility Director in his/her

absence. He/she shall be appointed by the

President.

G. He/she shall receive a salary of $750.00

per year (paid in monthly installments), plus

necessary lost time and expenses, as approved,

in advance, by the President. He/she shall also

receive $50.00 for each general membership

meeting they attend, to be paid annually.

Section 9. ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A. The Associate Editor shall be appointed by

the President. Under the directions of the

President, the Associate Editor shall be

responsible for managing and editing of all

materials submitted by officers or members of

the APWU for publications in the Detroit Area

Postal Worker.

B. The Associate Editor shall be responsible

for the publication of the Detroit Area Postal

Worker, at least once each quarter/ He/she

shall determine the content and layout for the

paper and supervise the printing until

completion.

C. The Associate Editor shall maintain

membership in the APWU National Postal

Press Association. He/she shall attend the

APWU National Postal Press Association's

Editors Conference, held bi-annually, for

updated labor press information and training.

D. The Associate Editor shall receive a salary

of $600.00 per year (paid in monthly

installments), plus necessary lost time, and

expenses as approved in advance by the

President. He/she shall also receive $50.00 for

each general membership meeting they attend,

to be paid annually.

ARTICLE IX

Craft Directors

Section 1. CRAFT DIRECTORS

A. The Craft Director shall where feasible

review and sign all grievances processed

through their respective craft. They shall direct

their respective craft stewards on the

preparation, and processing of grievances

through the grievance procedure. They shall

then channel all grievances through the office

of the Executive Vice President.

B. The Craft Director shall exercise

supervisory power over the Stewards, the Chief

Stewards, and the Assistant Director of their

respective craft. Further, the Craft Director

shall have supervisory powers relating to their

craft, over the Facility Director. After prior

approval of the President for all lost time,, the

Craft Directors shall be responsible for

7

signing all pay vouchers relating to their

respective crafts to verify a stewards /members

proper rate of pay and authorized pay hours

for Craft Council Meetings and all training

for their respective Crafts. The Craft Director

shall NOT be responsible for signing pay

vouchers for those members who are on Local

Committees. These Committees Members'

vouchers shall be signed by the President.

C. Before making policy decisions affecting a

large number of craft employees, the Craft

Director shall consult the President or the

Executive Vice President. Once a policy or

important decision is made, the Craft Director

shall make a written report to the President and

the staff.

D .The Craft Directors shall make

recommendations to the President, in writing,

for filling of all vacancies within their

respective crafts; and in December of each year

shall recommend to the President, in writing

stewards for their respective crafts. The

recommendation for full-time stewards and

stewards representing employees across craft

lines shall be a joint recommendation of all

affected Craft Directors.

E. The Craft Director shall call a meeting of

the Craft Council whenever he/she deems it

necessary, but not less than quarterly. The

Craft Council shall be made up of all Craft

Officers, Full-time Stewards, Regular

Stewards, and Alternate Stewards. The Craft

Council will serve as an advisory body, alerting

the union to the problems of various work areas

or employees; and recommending appropriate

corrective action.

F. The Craft Directors are jointly charged

with the responsibility of visiting every work

location represented by their respective crafts

bi-monthly, except as provided in Article VII,

Section 2C. In order to fulfill this mandate,

they are to coordinate their field visits. They

may utilize their subordinate officers or

stewards, after approval of the President. Each

Craft Director shall make a monthly written

report of field work to the President and Staff.

G. All Craft Directors shall be trained for and

perform Arbitration upon request. It shall be

the duty of the Craft Directors to render

assistance to the President as he/she may

require and to perform other work under his/her

direction as may be required.

H. In the absence of the Craft Directors of

30 days or more, not to include vacation or

special assignment, payment of his/her salary

during this absence shall be forfeited until

their return to full duty.

I. The salaries of the Craft Directors shall be

as follows:

(1) Clerk Craft Director - $3,600.00

(2) Maintenance Craft Director -

$2,400.00

(3) MVS Craft Director - $2,100.00

They shall receive such other benefits as

listed in Article XVII of this Constitution. In

the event the Officer fails to fulfill his/her

responsibility under this section and their job

description, they will be given reasonable

advance notice that payment of his/her salary

for that month shall be forfeited, pending

appeal to the Staff for final disposition. He/she

shall also receive $50.00 for each general

membership meeting they attend, to be paid

annually.

Section 2. ASSISTANT CRAFT

DIRECTORS

A. The Assistant Craft Directors shall work

under the direction of their respective Craft

Directors and shall ender assistance to the Craft

Director as he/she may require.

B. In the absence of 30 days or more, the

Assistant Craft Director shall assume the duties

of the Craft Director.

C. The Assistant Craft Directors shall be

responsible for inspecting the bulletin boards to

insure that these bulletin boards are kept

current.

D. The Assistant Craft Directors shall be

responsible for all duties listed in Article IX,

Section 4 of this Constitution.

E. The salary of the Assistant Craft Directors

shall be as follows:

(1) Assistant Director of the Clerk Craft

- $1,800.00

(2) Assistant Director of the

Maintenance Craft - $1,200.00

(3) Assistant Director of the MVS Craft

- $1,050.00

They shall receive lost time and expenses as

necessary when approved in advance, by the

President. When replacing the Craft Director,

the Assistant Craft Director shall receive the

salary of the Craft Director only until the

Craft Director returns to full duty not to

include vacation or special assignment. In the

event the Officer fails to fulfill his/her

responsibility under this section and their job

description, they will be given reasonable

advance notice that payment of his/her salary

for that month shall be forfeited, pending

appeal to the Staff for final disposition. He/she

shall also receive $50.00 for each general

membership meeting they attend, to be paid

annually.

Section 3.STEWARDS (Full-time, Chief and

Alternate)

A. Stewards shall be appointed, as needed by

the President, upon recommendations of the

Craft Directors, and Facility Vice Presidents.

All new appointees will serve a ninety (90) day

probationary period, and shall then be

evaluated, in writing, by the Craft Directors,

and Facility Vice Presidents. Based on the

recommendations of the Craft Directors and the

Facility Vice Presidents, the President shall

make a decision on whether to certify the

steward to finish his/her stewardship for that

year.

1. FULL TIME STEWARD-Those

stewards, who through a Labor

Management agreement, work eight

hours per day on union business at

the Postal Service's expense.

2. CHIEF STEWARD-Lead steward on

any given tour, and at any Facility.

3. ALTERNATE STEWARD-Those

stewards who are utilized on an as

needed basis.

B. The duties and responsibilities of stewards

include:

1. Take Union's position on the

workroom floor and support Local

officers:

2. Attend all necessary training

sessions:

3. Attend all regular membership

meetings, unless properly excused:

4. Attend all union activities and

functions, unless properly excused:

5. Support COPA (Committee on

Political Action):

6. Attend all Steward/Officer meetings,

unless properly excused:

7. Process grievances:

8. Keep him/herself informed and their

union informed of union functions

and activities:

9. Keep bulletin boards current:

10. Inspect their unit daily to insure a

safe work environment:

11. Identify non-members and make

every reasonable effort to sign them

up:

12. Other duties as instructed by the

President:

13. Cooperate with the various

committees and departments in their

projects, such as but not limited to:

(a) Letter-writing campaigns

for Legislation and VIP

programs,

(b) Informing the Human

Relations Committee of

people on extended Sick

Leave,

(c) POWER Committee,

(d) Entertainment Committee's

affairs - Picnic and

Dances; and

(e) Education Committee.

14. Be present on-the-floor as much as

possible - good attendance and

appearance are a MUST if Stewards

are to do their job on the workroom

floor.

He/she shall also receive $50.00 for each

General Membership meeting they attend, to be

paid annually.

Section 4. ARCHIVIST (Records

Coordinator)

A. The Records Coordinator shall be

appointed in January of each year by the

President to serve a one-year term.

B. The following are the duties and

responsibilities of the Records Coordinator.

The Records Coordinator shall:

1. Prepare inactive records for transfer

to Storage Room or transfer to

8

Archives, according to Retention and

Disposal Schedule.

2. Prepare inventories of all material in

storage or Archives.

3. Retrieve records from storage or

Archives.

4. Maintain up-to-date collection of

APWU, USPS Manuals,

Publications, etc.

C. Other related duties shall include:

1. Prepare chronology of Detroit Area

Local,

2. Research on files, and

3. Assist in revising file system.

D. The Records Coordinator shall be

compensated by receiving the necessary

expenses and lost time. He/she shall also

receive $50.00 for each General Membership

meeting they attend, to be paid annually.

ARTICLE X

Nominations and Elections of Officers and

Delegates

Section 1At the regular membership meeting

in October of every third year, beginning in

1985, the nomination of officers will be held.

(The term of the officers of this Local shall be

for a period of three (3) years.

Section 2.Delegates to any Central Labor

Body which the APWU-Detroit District Area

Local may become affiliated with shall be in

accordance with the By Laws, Article 1.

Section 3.Delegates to the APWU National

Convention shall be nominated and elected.

Nominations will take place at the General

Membership Meeting six (6) months prior to

the National Convention. The election will

take place in conjunction with the General

Membership Meeting five (5) months prior to

the National Convention.

Section 4.A.All members of this Local shall

be eligible to hold office.

B. All members are eligible to represent this

Local at any National, State or Local

convention provided they have fulfilled

attendance requirements. All nominated

members must have attended at least five (5)

membership meetings within the twelve months

prior to nominations, except in the year when

there is an election being conducted at the State

convention, there will be no meeting

requirements to attend the State Convention.

C. Any member called into the Armed Forces

or is on official Postal Service business or

Union business (authorized by the President)

and collecting per diem shall be automatically

excused from any meeting occurring during

his/her service.

D. Any Retired National, Regional, or Local

Officer who pays full dues to the Detroit

District Area Local shall be, upon request, an

automatic delegate without compensation,

except those elected under this Article.

E. Any member requesting to be a delegate

shall be certified by the President, providing

they have met the requirements in Article X,

without compensation from the Local.

Section 5.No member who holds office or

organizes for another Postal Union shall be an

officer or delegate of the Detroit District Area

Local.

Section 6.In accordance with Article 2(b,c) of

the National Constitution, an postal employee

eligible to be a member of the American Postal

Workers Union who voluntarily holds a

managerial, supervisory or EAS position with

responsibility for issuing or recommending

discipline, or applying or interpreting the

National Agreement for the equivalent of one

(1) pay period in a year shall be ineligible to

hold office any level of the APWU or to be a

delegate to any convention held by the APWU

or any subordinate body of the APWU, so long

as the employee continues to serve in such

position and for a period of one (1) year from

the time the employee vacates such position.

Any postal employee who has submitted an

application to a managerial, supervisor, or EAS

position with responsibility for issuing or

recommending discipline or for applying or

interpreting the National Agreement shall

withdraw such application prior to acceptance

of nomination for any office in the APWU.

Any postal employee who shall voluntarily,

after August 31, 1984, holds, accepts or applies

for any managerial or supervisory position,

EAS position or the PASS Program, for any

period of time, whether one (1) day or a

fraction thereof, either detailed, acting,

probationary or permanently, shall immediately

vacate any office held by that member in the

national, local, area local, district council, state

or regional organization, any department of the

APWU, the Postal Press Association, or any

subordinate body of the APWU which receives

financial support or uses the name of the

American Postal Workers Union.

Section 7.Cut off date for new members to

vote in the officers election shall be the August

31st immediately prior to nominations.

Section 8.In the month preceding the month

in which the nominations takes place, the

Executive Board shall select an outside ballot

association that will conduct the election under

the supervision of the Election Committee.

The Executive Board shall appoint an Election

Committee of not more than five (5) members.

No candidate in any election shall be a member

of the Election Committee having supervision

over such election. The Election Committee

shall have a supervisory role over the outside

ballot association for enforcement of the

following rules.

A. It shall be the duty of the Outside Ballot

Association to procure all required printed

envelopes of a proper size and design in

sufficient number to cover the eligible

membership. These envelopes to be addressed,

so that one (1) of each can be mailed to each

member in good standing.

B. The Outside Ballot Association shall rent

suitable Post Office boxes.

C. Any unopposed candidate duly qualified

for the office after nominations for that office

have been closed shall be declared elected and

his/her name shall NOT appear on the ballot.

The Outside Ballot Association shall cast a

unanimous ballot for the unopposed candidates

and the Outside Ballot Association shall certify

and sign the results of the unanimous ballot.

The election results shall be posted in the union

office and in every unit.

D. When the polls have been closed, the

Chairperson of the Outside Ballot Association

and not less than two (2) members of the

Outside Ballot Association shall pen the Post

Office Lock Box containing the election

results, then the entire Outside Ballot

Association will assemble for the purpose of

tabulating the votes cast in said election.

E. The Outside Ballot Association is hereby

instructed to accept and tally any part of a legal

ballot which was correctly voted and to reject

the part or whole of a ballot which is

incorrectly voted.

F. When the votes have been tabulated, the

Chairperson of the Outside Ballot Association

shall prepare a written report of the results.

The report shall also include the total number

of legal ballots cast in said election for delivery

to the Recording Secretary for insertion in the

minutes.

Section 9.Recording Secretaries

Responsibilities:

Following the meetings at which nominations

were made, it shall be the duty of the

Recording Secretary to publish a bulletin

containing the names of all nominees for

offices s they will appear on the official printed

ballot. This bulletin shall be mailed to each

unit of the APWU-Detroit District Area Local

for posting on their respective bulletin boards.

Section 10.Secretary-Treasurer's

Responsibilities:

A. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-

Treasurer to inform the Outside Ballot

Association to delete from the official printed

ballot the name(s) of any candidate(s) who may

be deceased or promoted to supervisor

positions or otherwise disqualified from serving

as Officer(s) or Delegate(s) from this union to a

National Convention.

B. The Secretary-Treasurer shall supply the

Outside Ballot Association with a mailing list

of all members eligible to vote as of August 31

of the election year.

Section 11

A Within 72 hours after the meeting in which

nominations take place for an officers election,

a certified letter will be sent to all nominees

with notification of their nomination.

B. All nominees must submit a letter of

acceptance to the Outside Ballot Association

within seven (7) days of the date the

notification was mailed. Failure to do so will

automatically remove the name from

nominations. No candidate shall stand for

election for more than one office. The Outside

Ballot Association will order the printing of a

sufficient number of official ballots to cover the

9

enrolled membership of this union. These

printed ballots, after inspection by the Outside

Ballot Association shall be promptly prepared

for mailing. In placing an order for an official

election ballot, the Outside Ballot Association

shall be guided by the following rules.

C. As soon after receipt of the nominees

acceptance to the Outside Ballot Association,

or after the nominees name has been

automatically removed from the nominations,

but not later than 30 days after such receipt, an

official ballot will be mailed to every member

in good standing as defined in Article III

Section 8. A ballot shall be accompanied by a

printed copy of the voting instructions

contained in Section 20 of this Article and two

(2) envelopes. A small envelope, without any

writing, or other means of identification upon it

and a large envelope shall be stamped and

printed upon it for the purpose of identification

of the words: Ballot of

_____________________ (Voter's name and

address must be filled in), and shall be

addressed to: OUTSIDE BALLOT

ASSOCIATION, DETROIT DISTRICT AREA

LOCAL, APWU, AFL-CIO: c/o Box ________

(suitable box number, city, state and zip).. The

word "BALLOT" shall be printed in bold

letters in the lower left-hand corner. No other

matter shall be enclosed, except the printed

instructions, ballots, proposed amendments to

the constitution.

Section 12.All ballots shall be headed in bold

faced type "OFFICIAL BALLOT,

AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION,

DETROIT DISTRICT AREA LOCAL, AFL-

CIO, Election of officers: DELEGATES " AS

THE CASE MAY BE, INCLUDING THE

DATE ON WHICH BALLOTING WILL BE

CONCLUDED. IN THE CASE OF

ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO A

NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE NAME OF

THE "CONVENTION CITY" shall be included

in such heading.

Section 13.Immediately below such heading

shall be printed in 8-point type the complete

text of Section 20 of this Article for guidance

of the member casting said ballot.

Section 14.Any candidate in any election

shall have the right to submit his commonly

known name to the Outside Ballot Association

in writing, as he desires it to appear on the

ballot and it shall so appear.

The names of all candidates shall be arranged

on the ballot in one column. If an incumbent

is running, his/her name shall be listed on the

ballot first, with such notation indicating they

are incumbent. All other names shall be listed

in alphabetical order and so indicated on the

ballot in the following sequence:

PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT,

SECRETARY-TREASURER, RECORDING

SECRETARY, DIRECTOR OF

LEGISLATION, DIRECTOR OF

ORGANIZATION, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH

PLAN, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN

RELATIONS, and SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

(2).

Section 16.All other officers will be elected

by their respective crafts, except for the Facility

Vice Presidents, who shall be elected from all

craft members working at their respective

Facilities. The delegate(s) for the SCF 480

Installations shall be elected by all craft

members working at those Installations. The

delegate(s) from the SCF 481 Installations shall

be elected from all craft members from those

Installations.

Section 17.Propositions and amendments to

this Constitution which shall be ordered by vote

of the membership shall appear by "YES" or

"NO".

Section 18.Directly above the nominees for

each office or delegate shall appear in

parentheses the following language: "VOTE

FOR NOT MORE THAN.." indicating the

number of officers or delegates to be elected

under each title in said election.

Section 19.Different color coded ballots shall

be mailed to each craft member containing the

names of candidates for general offices.

Section 20.VOTING

The member voting shall indicate his/her

choice for each of the officer's names by

making a cross (X), place, check (

a

) or fill in

dot (

n

) if electronic ballots are used opposite

the name of the candidate for whom he/she

wishes to vote. On propositions or

amendments, the member voting shall indicate

his/her choice by making a cross (X), place,

check (

b

) or fill in dot (

n

) if electronic

balloting/voting is used in either "Yes" or "No"

box to the left of the proposition or amendment.

The voter shall then seal his/her ballot in the

small envelope, without writing, or other means

of identification upon it, and enclose this

envelope in the larger one and complete his/her

name and address in the upper left hand corner,

under the heading "Ballot of

_______________" in the designated box not

later than 15 days after the date of mailing of

ballot.

Section 21.At 9:00am of the 16th day, the

polls shall be declared closed. In the event

that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday,

time will be extended until the next weekday.

Section 22.A recount must be made in the

event of a tie in the election of any office. In

the event a special election is needed that

election shall be held in accordance with

Section 11C of this Article.

Section 23.A plurality of legal votes cast in

any election shall be sufficient for election as

an officer and/or delegates to a National

Convention.

Section 24.Each candidate shall have the

right to have a challenger(s) present when the

votes are tabulated, provided that such

challenger(s) shall be a member of the

organization in good standing. A candidate

shall have the right to be present as an observer

during the tabulating process.

Section 25.After the election committee

officially notifies the membership of the newly

elected officers, there will be a two (2) week

transition period, commencing on the first full

service week after notification, or within a

seven (7) day period after notification.

B. Newly elected officers of this Local shall

be sworn in after the transition period. Newly

elected part time officers shall receive their

new salaries beginning on January 1st. The

incumbent part time officers shall receive

their constitutional salaries through the

month of December, even though they will no

longer officially hold their positions.

Newly elected full time officers shall receive

lost time at the regular postal rate until the

first full pay period after installation, at which

time they will receive their officers salary.

C. The incumbent, if not elected, shall have

the option of remaining on union LWOP.

annual leave, or accumulated sick leave until

January 1. If the incumbent remains on

LWOP, he/she shall not receive lost time from

the Local unless the newly elected President

authorizes such an expenditure to help the

officers during the transitional period.

Section 26.All ballots, including used,

unused, and challenged ballots, envelopes used

to mail in marked ballots, tally sheet, and

related election documents shall be preserved

by the Union for a period of three (3) years.

ARTICLE XI

Governing Authority

Section 1.MEMBERSHIP - The affairs of

this Local shall be governed by its membership

in accordance with this constitution and the

policies of the Union in the following manner:

A. Through actions taken at membership

meetings or by referendum of the membership;

B. Through actions and decisions by the

Executive Board made between regular

membership meetings;

C. Through actions and decisions of the Staff

between Executive Board meetings; and

D. Through the actions and decisions of the

President on a day-to-day basis.

Effective date for Section 2 and Section 3

January 1, 2007

Section 2.EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. The Executive Board shall meet at the

discretion of the President and/or a majority of

the Executive Board. They shall meet at least

once a month. A report of the Executive Board

meeting shall be submitted at each regular

membership meeting. The Executive Board

shall have responsibility to interpret all rules,

orders, and regulations and to insure that this

Constitution conforms with existing laws.

They shall be empowered to invite other

officers to their meetings for technical

assistance as need. The Executive Board shall

be authorized to interview and receive bids

from Law Firms and Accounting Firms

effective fiscal year of 1992. The Executive

Board of the APWU-Detroit District Area

Local is listed in the order of succession of

officers and shall consist of:

President

Executive Vice President

10

Secretary Treasurer

Recording Secretary

Clerk Craft Director

Maintenance Craft Director

Motor Vehicle Service Craft Director

a. PMC

b. BMC

c. Southfield

d. Ann Arbor

e. AMC

f. 480 Director

g. Support Services Director

h. Assistant Craft Directors (in the absence of

the Craft Director of 30 days or more only)

Section 3.STAFF

A. The Staff shall meet at the discretion of

the President, or on the request of three (3) or

more members of the Staff. The Staff shall be

responsible for governing the affairs of the

Local on a week-to-week basis and shall be

responsible for enforcement of this

Constitution. The Staff shall be composed of:

(1) President

(2) Executive Vice President

(3) Secretary-Treasurer

(4) Clerk Craft Director

(5) Maintenance Craft Director

(6) Motor Vehicle Service Craft Director

(7) Facility Directors

(8) Assistant Craft Directors (in the absence

of the Craft Directors of 30 days or more only)

Section 4.NEGOTIATING TEAM

A. The Negotiating Team shall be responsible

for the Negotiations of all Local contracts.

(1) MAIN TABLE NEGOTIATION

(a) President, Chief Spokesman

(b) Executive Vice President

(c ) Craft Director (Clerk, Maintenance,

MVS)

(d) Assistant Craft Directors (in the absence

of the Craft Directors of 30 days or more only

(e) Highest Ranking Union Official at

Installation where negotiations occur

(f) Technicians, as necessary

(2) CRAFT NEGOTIATIONS

(a) Craft Director

(b) Assistant Craft Directors

(c ) Technicians, as necessary

ARTICLE XII

Fiscal Year and Revenues

Section 1.The Fiscal year of this

Organization shall begin January 1 and end

December 31.

Section 2. The rates of dues shall not be

increased nor shall any general or special

assessment be levied upon the membership by

the Detroit District Area Local, unless

accomplished in the following manner:

(1) The increase in dues or the special or

general assessment is proposed upon written

request of thirty five (35) members in good

standing and presented at a regular membership

meeting, or upon the vote of the majority of the

members of the Board; and

(2) By either of the following two methods of

voting:

(a) By majority vote by secret ballot of the

members in good standing voting at a general

or special membership meeting after twenty-

one (21) days notice of the intention to vote

upon the question; OR after being presented at

a regular or special meeting for the first reading

and then put on the table (for not less than 21

days) until the next regular or special meeting

for final action.

(b) By a majority vote of the members in

good standing voting in a membership

referendum conducted by secret ballot. If a

referendum is selected, the referendum shall be

conducted according to the procedures for

electing officers set forth in Article X, Section

8A, Section 10B and Section 20, of this

Constitution. In lieu of an election committee,

the President may oversee same subject to

direction of the Executive Board.

(3) All ballots used under either procedure

above, including used, unused, and challenged

ballots, enveloped used to mail in marked

ballots, tally sheets and related election

documents shall be preserved by the Secretary-

Treasurer for six (6) years from the date of

announcement of official results of the voting.

(4) The Executive Board, shall decide, at a

special or general meeting, by a majority of its

members present and voting, which method of

voting set forth in Section 2 (above) shall be

utilized. If neither method is so approved by

the Executive Board then, in that event, the

President shall make the decision. In any

event, the decision as to which method of

voting to use shall be made not later than

fifteen days following the formal proposal of

same under Section 1 (above).

B. This section shall not apply to membership

dues increases passed by the National

American Postal Workers Union.

Section 3.The APWU-Detroit District Area

Local shall remit a monthly sum equal to a

minimum of one percent per union member to

the auxiliary, if activated.

Section 4.An independent firm shall be hired

to audit the books of this Local at the end of

each term of office, or whenever deemed

necessary by the Executive Board, the

membership or if existing laws demand.

ARTICLE XIII – PROHIBITIONS

Section 1. No criticism, reflections,

argument or debate touching on a member's

craft, creed, age, color, nationality, sex,

political affiliation or religion shall be allowed

at any meeting of the APWU-Detroit District

Area Local.

ARTICLE XIV

Amendments

Section 1.This Constitution, any Article or

Section thereof, may be amended upon written

request of 35 members in good standing and

presented at a regular meeting for a first

reading and then laid on the table until the next

regular or special meeting for final action.

Section 2.An amendment must be sanctioned

by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members

present and voting at a general membership

meeting.

Proposed amendments shall be made a part of

and posted with the notices of the meeting at

which they will come up for final action.

A referendum vote may be called for at the

request of 20% of the eligible membership or

by a simple majority vote of members voting at

the regular membership meetings.

Amendments made by referendum must be

approved by a majority of votes cast.

Section 3.Any proposed amendment failing

to receive the required two-thirds (2/3) vote of

all present and voting cannot be re-introduced

within three (3) months after the date at which

it came up for final action.

Section 4.The Recording Secretary shall

furnish copies of adopted amendments to all

members who make application for same.

Section 5.No resolution directly affecting

another craft may be initiated or voted upon

unless the craft affected by this amendment

initiates or votes upon this amendment or

resolution and passes it by a two-thirds (2/3)

majority vote at a special meeting.

Section 6.MERGER AGREEMENTS - This

Constitution shall automatically be amended by

secret ballot vote of the majority of the

members voting at a general membership or in

referendum. All Locals involved in the merger

must approve the merger agreement.

ARTICLE XV

RECALL OF OFFICERS

There shall be no recall provision in this

Constitution and By-Laws, or in the

Constitution or By-Laws of any APWU

subordinate body. Removal of officers is

governed by Article XVI.

ARTICLE XVI

Membership Protection

Section 1. .MEMBERSHIP GRIEVANCE

PROCEDURE - Any member in good standing

of the APWU-Detroit District Area Local who

believes that he/she has been denied the

benefits of the Constitution or benefits or

services as offered by the Local or who has

been inadequately represented under the

Grievance-Arbitration Procedures negotiated in

any Collective Bargaining Agreement; that

member shall be entitled to redress that

grievance in the following manner:

A. Submit to the President of the Detroit

District Area Local, all documents to the

alleged grievance in the following form:

(1) Date of Grievance or occurrence;

(2) Name of the Union Official and other

individuals involved;

(3) Name of any witness(es) and all evidence;

and

(4) Settlement requested.

B. The President upon receipt of the items as

listed in Part A above shall investigate and

respond by certified mail within 14 days.

(1) GRIEVANCES UNDER COLLECTIVE

BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

11

(a) If the conditions that brought about the

grievance remains and the Collective

Bargaining Agreement permits, the President

shall direct the Craft Director to see that a

grievance is filed.

(b) If benefits, services or protections cannot

be rendered because they are no longer timely,

the matter shall be brought before the

Executive Board for determination of an

appropriate award.

C .If the grieving member is not satisfied

with the final determination by the President or

Executive Board, he/she may appeal to the

membership at the next regularly scheduled

membership meeting under "Unfinished

Business".

D. This procedure must be exhausted before

initiating proceedings in civil litigation.

Acceptance of an award or decision shall be a

waiver of any further appeals or proceedings

under this or any other forum.

Section 2. INFORMAL PROCEDURE -

Written Complaints - Any written complaint

received by the Local in reference to any of its

officers or stewards shall be handled in the

following manner.

A. The letter complaint will be forwarded to

the officer whom the complaint is against, and

the Executive Vice President within 10 days

shall meet with that officer to investigate the

complaint, unless the complaint is against the

Executive Vice President in which case the

President shall designate another officer to

conduct the investigation. The investigation

shall include a minimum of an interview with

the officer or steward whom the complaint is

against as well as an interview with the

complaining party and affected craft officer.

B. The Executive Vice President will

complete his investigation within thirty (30)

days. Immediately upon conclusion of his/her

investigation he/she shall prepare a written

report and shall submit that report with any

recommendations to the next meeting of the

Staff. The officer or steward whom the

complaint is against shall be present at that

meeting. The complaining party shall receive a

copy of the Executive Vice President's

investigative report.

(1) If the Staff cannot informally resolve the

complaint at that Staff meeting, they shall

within 10 days make written recommendations

to the President for further action. The

complaining party and the officer against

whom the complaint is lodged shall receive a

copy of the recommendations.

C. The President shall take whatever action

he/she deems necessary to resolve the specific

complaint, as well as any actions that may be

necessary to prevent a reoccurrence of a similar

complaint.

D. The President shall within ten (10) days

inform, in writing, both the complaining

member as well as the officer whom the

complaint is lodged against of the actions

he/she has taken.

E. If either party is dissatisfied with the

actions taken by the President or the Staff, that

party may appeal to the Executive Board at the

next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The

Executive Board's decision may be appealed to

the next regularly scheduled membership

meeting.

SECTION 3. FORMAL CHARGES -

Offenses which shall subject an officer or

member of the Local to disciplinary action shall

be those as listed in Article XV of the National

Constitution. Those violations include

violations of the provisions of the National

Constitution and By-Laws of the American

Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO or the

Constitution and By-Laws of the APWU

Detroit Area Local; or for failure to perform

duties and responsibilities as specified in the

Constitution and By-Laws herein.

An Officer or Member found guilty of any of

the offenses listed in Article XV of the

National Constitution, after the filing of

charges and holding of hearings as required by

Article XV may be disciplined by probation,

suspension, expulsion or other appropriate

disciplinary action.

B. Any member in good standing with the

APWU-Detroit District Area Local may initiate

the proceedings of Article XV of the National

Constitution by filing charges with the

Secretary Treasurer of this Local.. The

Secretary Treasurer shall promptly transmit by

registered mail and regular mail a copy of the

charges to the accused as his/her last known

address. Accompanying the charges will be a

written notice of the time and place of the

hearing which shall be held, not less than one

week from the date of the mailing of the notice.

For the purpose of implementing Article XV,

the Executive Board of this Local shall serve as

the Trial Board, and the accused shall be

afforded an impartial trial with the right to

appear personally and be represented by any

member of this Union, or by an attorney…If

the accused so desires. The Executive Board

shall reduce their decision to writing, including

a synopsis of the testimony, the verdict of

"GUILTY" or "NOT GUILTY" and the

recommended disciplinary action.

C. The Secretary-Treasurer shall read the

report at the next regular membership meeting

and submit the question sustaining the report as

to guilt or innocence to the membership. If

guilt is determined, the question of accepting or

rejecting the proposed disciplinary action shall

be submitted to the membership.

D. The accused party shall have further

appeals as specified in Article XV of the

National Constitution.

E. PROCEDURES - charges must be

submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer or

Treasurer, or, if the Secretary-Treasurer and

Treasurer are charged. then to the highest-

ranking officer not charged, of the local, state

or regional organization, of which the

charged member(s) or officer(s) is a member,

with the exception of National Officers.

Charges against national officer(s) are to be

submitted to the APWU National Secretary-

Treasurer, or the highest ranking officer not

charged. All charges are to be submitted

within one hundred twenty (120) days of the

time the charging party(ies) first became

aware. or reasonably should have been aware,

of the alleged offense(s). Upon receipt of the

charges, the secretary-treasurer or treasurer

of the local, state, or regional organization or

highest ranking officer not charged with

whom such charges are filed shall promptly

transmit by express mail or certified mail,

including a return receipt, a copy of the

charges to the charged and charging parties at

the last know address of each. Accompanying

the charges shall be written notice of the time

and place of the hearing, which shall be held

not less than one (1) week after the date of

mailing of the notice.

ARTICLE XVII

Benefits

Section 1. Full-time officers of this Local

shall have life insurance and retirement benefits

paid at the same level and type as paid while at

the Postal Service in full. Hospital benefits

shall be pad in full providing he/she is a

member of the APWU Health Plan. This

union shall pay the portion that the Postal

Service would pay if a member of any other

Health Plan, beginning open season 1991.

Section 2. Full-time Officers of this Local

shall receive thirty days Annual Leave and

thirteen days of Sick Leave per year, and paid

holidays as provided in the Collective

Bargaining Agreement. Full-time Officers may

accrue Sick Leave. Full-time Officers shall

receive NO overtime. In addition, in the event

of an extended illness, full-time Officers shall

receive such Sick Leave as necessary, subject

to approval of the Executive Board.

B. Full-time officers who leave employment

of the APWU-Detroit District Area Local for

the following reasons:

(1) To hold another Full-time union position,

or

(2) To return to active Postal Service

employment, will be entitled to make a claim

for unused accrued Sick Leave under the

following conditions:

(a) The former Full-time Officer remains a

member in good standing with the APWU:

(b) The claim does not exceed the unused

accrued sick leave hours. The hours paid shall

be at the rate of pay the officer earned his/her

leave.

Any full-time officer who leaves office for any

other reason will be compensated for their

unused accrued sick leave at their current postal

pay level and step.

Section 3. LOST TIME - Any officer or

member of this organization who, after losing

time from work due to union business, enters

into a status that they have lost vacation,

Annual or Sick Leave shall submit a statement

to the Secretary-Treasurer, substantiating the

loss of annual or sick leave.

For the purpose of this Constitution. LOST

TIME shall be defined as "WAGES OR

SALARY, including ANNUAL OR SICK

12

LEAVE lost due to official union business".

Night differential shall be deemed "LOST

TIME" for all officers and stewards who are

able to substantiate actual work without pay

status with the appropriate pay documents,

signed by the appropriate official. Normally,

lost time will be paid on the Postal Pay Day in

which the pay was lost.

Section 4.EXPENSES AND MILEAGE

All other officers will be paid for actual

mileage and expenses, as approved in advance,

by the President. They will be required to

submit receipts and odometer readings with

their claims. Mileage will be paid at the

maximum rate allowed by the Internal Revenue

Service. In addition car expenses may be

established at a rate determined by the Board

yearly.

Section 5.OFFICE HOURS AND FIELD

WORK

A.30 Hours (per month) - $3,000.00 or more

B.15 Hours (per month) - $1,500.00 or more

C.10 Hours (per month) - $1,000.00 or more

D. 6 Hours (per month) - less than $1,000.00

(2) The time spent in office work or field work

(time outside of regular tour) must be done

without any claim for lost time.

Section 6. All members in good standing for

five (5) consecutive years prior to retirement

will receive $300.00 maximum from the

APWU as retirement.

B. Disability retirees will be afforded the

same benefits as a regular retiree, and if they

meet the requirements of the APWU as stated

in paragraph A. However, in the event that this

disability retiree returns to work, that member

would not be entitled to receive a payment of a

second benefit.

C. Three hundred dollars ($300) shall be paid

upon the death of an active member in good

standing of the APWU-Detroit District Area

Local to the beneficiary of that member upon

submission to the President and/or his designee

of a death certificate and a signed statement,

noting the proper beneficiary.

D. A member in good standing will receive a

Memorial Bible, upon the death of immediate

family member(s) - Father, Mother, Sister,

Brother, Son, Daughter, or Spouse.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

Delegates for Convention and Central Labor

Body

Section 1. The Detroit District Area Local

Delegation to the National Convention shall be

as provided herein.

A. The election of the following shall also

establish their election as a national delegate, if

automatic delegate cannot attend convention

position shall remain vacant. If less than a full

delegation is sent, the order shall be as follows:

(1) President

(2) Executive Vice President

(3) Secretary-Treasurer

(4) Recording Secretary

(5) Clerk Craft Director

(6) Maintenance Craft Director

(7) MVS Craft Director

(8) Facility Director

a. PMC

b. BMC

c. Southfield

d. Ann Arbor

e. AMC

f. 480 Director

g. Support Services

(9) Director of Legislation

(10) Director of Organization

(11) Director of Human Relations

(12) Assistant Clerk Craft Director

(13) Assistant Maintenance Craft Director

(14) Assistant MVS Craft Director

B. A separate election for delegates will be

conducted for the following:

(1) MVS Craft, regardless of work location no

more than 2

(2) Combined SCF 480 Installation (Clerk and

Maintenance) no more than 1

(3) Combined SCF 481 Installation (Clerk and

Maintenance) no more than 1

(4) Detroit Installations, Clerk - excluding

station, branches and AMC no more than 3

(5) AMC Detroit (Clerk Craft) no more than

1

(6) Detroit Installation (Maintenance Craft) no

more than 2

(7) Detroit BMC (Clerk Craft) no more than

1

(8) Detroit BMC (Maintenance) no more than

1

(9) Ann Arbor Installation all Crafts no more

than 1

(10) Southfield Installation all Crafts no more

than 1

(11) PMC all Crafts no more than 2

(12) Detroit East side City Stations all Crafts

no more than 1

(13) Detroit West Side City Stations all Crafts

no more than 1

The Detroit District Area Local Executive

Board will determine the total number of

delegates to be sent to the convention, as well

as the number of delegates to be elected in

each separate election within the quota set

above. The number of delegates to be elected

must assure craft representation at the

convention, roughly proportionate to their

percentage of total membership.

Section 2. All members of the Executive

board shall be automatic delegates to all State

Conventions. The Executive Board shall

determine the additional delegates, if needed.

Section 3. The Local Delegation to the

Detroit Metropolitan AFL-CIO Convention

shall be provided herein:

A. The election of the following shall also

establish their election as delegates to the

Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO convention. If

less than a full delegation is sent, then the order

shall be as follows:

(1) President or his/her designee

(2) Executive Vice President

(3) Secretary-Treasurer

(4) Recording Secretary

(5) Clerk Craft Director

(6) MVS Craft Director

(7) Maintenance Craft Director

Section 4. CHAIRPERSON OF THE

DELEGATION

The Local President shall be the Chairperson of

all convention delegations.

Section 5 .All delegates are mandated to

attend all sessions of the convention and/or

delegate meetings as required by the President.

All delegates must sign in and out on

convention floor, unless excused by the

President. All delegates shall receive such

funds for travel, lodging, food and expenses as

determined by the Executive Board and

approved by the membership. No delegate

shall receive lost time.

Section 6. The Unit Rule shall apply in

voting at all Conventions.

Section 7. Any member of the American

Postal Worker Union-Detroit District Area

Local, AFL-CIO, who is a member in good

standing and who has attended five

membership meetings within the twelve-month

period prior to the nominating shall be eligible

to run for a position as delegate to the National

Convention.

A. In the event there is no qualified candidate

for any of the elections called for by this

Article, no election will be conducted. The

President shall serve as the delegation for that

Section or shall appoint a member from the

Section with the approval of the Executive

Board to serve as delegate.

ARTICLE II

Member's Benefits

Section 1.Any member who signs up a new

member on a dues withholding form shall be

paid the maximum allowance per application

from the APWU-Detroit District Area Local,

plus any compensation as offered by the

National APWU Organization, and it shall be

paid monthly.

ARTICLE III

Expenses and Mileage

Section 1.All Officers, and stewards will be

paid actual mileage and expenses as approved,

in advance, by the President. They will be

required to submit receipts and odometer

readings with their claims. Mileage will be

paid at the maximum rate allowed by the

Internal Revenue Service. In addition, car

expense may be established at a rate

determined by the Board yearly.

ARTICLE IV

Code of Ethics

Section 1. Every Officer, Steward and

Committee member is expected to faithfully

execute their duties as provided in this

Constitution, and By-Laws, and further execute

any assignments the President may designate

to them.

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A. The Union Officers and Stewards are

expected to attend membership and

Steward/Officer meetings.

B. Officers and Stewards are expected to

know the positions of the Union and to

communicate those positions on the workroom

floor.

C. Stewards and Officers are expected to

faithfully comply with and execute all policy

statements of the Local. Failure to fulfill any

of these duties and responsibilities may result

in disciplinary action, including expulsion in

accordance with Article XV of the National

Constitution.

D. In the event any position is appointed to

an elected officer and/or steward of this Local,

he/she shall not receive dual stipend for each

general membership meeting they attend.

ARTICLE V

Meetings

Section 1. ORDER OF BUSINESS

A. Call meeting to order

B. Roll Call of Officers

C. Reading of minutes of previous meeting

D. Reading or minutes and recommendations

of Executive Board Meeting(s)

E. Report of Officers

F. Report of Committees

G. Communications and Bills

H. Unfinished Business

I. New Business

J. Good and Welfare of the Union

K. Adjournment

Section 2. In the absence of other authority,

the deliberations of this Local shall be

governed by the ROERT'S RULES OF ODER.

All Question of Order and Procedure shall be

decided by the Chair, unless the decision of the

Chair is appealed in which case the question

will be placed before the members in

attendance at that particular meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Training

All newly elected officers will receive the

training necessary to fulfill their duties and

responsibilities under this Constitution and By-

Laws. Approved training will be at the Local's

expense.

Section 2. All stewards and members in good

standing with APWU Detroit District Area

Local shall be prohibited from out-of-town

training, seminars and Educational Conferences

(including facility and craft conferences), at the

local expense, unless they have met the

meeting requirements in Article X, Section 4,

of this constitution of attending at least five (5)

membership meetings within the twelve (12)

months prior to the training.

ARTICLE VII

Committees

Section 1 .Upon appropriate recom-

mendations, the President will appoint the

necessary number of committee members.

Retirees and Auxiliary Members may

participate on these committee.

1. Legislative

2. Human Relations Committee

3. Organization Committee

A. These Committees will assist the President

and/or Chairperson of each committee as

directed in the Local's Legislative, Human

Relations, and Organization efforts.

B. The Director of each of these above

mentioned offices, shall be the Chairperson of

each of these committees.

Section 2.ENTERTAINMENT COM-

MITTEE

A. Upon recommendations, the President will

appoint ht necessary number of committee

members. The President shall appoint a

Chairperson of the Entertainment Committee.

B. The Committee will meet upon call by the

President and/or Entertainment Chairperson as

directed by the President.

(1) The Entertainment Committee shall be

responsible for executing:

1. A free picnic for the entire

membership each year:

2. A Christmas Party per year;

3. Annual Steward Appreciation Day;

4. Any other social/entertainment

function of the Local;

C. All title supervisors, managers, and

postmasters are prohibited from attending any

union entertainment committee functions,

unless they are full dues paying members.

(1)Any proceeds realized by the

Entertainment Committee shall go into the

APWU-Detroit District Area Local's General

Fund.

Section 3. BUDGET COMMITTEE

A. The Budget Committee shall consist of the

Budget Controller as appointed by the

President, the Secretary Treasurer, the

Chairperson of the Trustees, Craft Directors,

and at least one Rank and File member. The

President may appoint other members as

necessary.

B. The Budget Committee shall summarize

the entire union's financial plans which shall

include:

(1) Individual Departments and Committees

Budgets for the year: such as, but not limited to

Arbitration , Education, SOAR, Public

Relations, Newspaper, Human Relations,

Legislation, Health Plan Crafts, POWER,

Retirees.

(2) Each line item is to be budgeted.

C. The Budget Committee shall have three

basic functions:

(1) Estimating Income;

(2) Estimating Expenditures; and

(3) Keeping Financial Records.

D. All Financial Officers, Department Heads

and Committee Chairpersons shall record their

actual expenditures. These records shall be

submitted monthly to the Budget Controller.

(1)Each Craft Director, Facility Director,

Department Heads, and Committee

Chairpersons shall submit a proposed budget

for their respective section and/or department

by December 1 of each year.

Section 4. POWER COMMITTEE

A. Upon recommendations from the POWER

Committee, the President shall appoint a

chairwoman (coordinator) in January of every

second year.

B. The Committee will meet upon call of the

President or Chairwoman.

C. The Chairwoman and committee is charged

with the responsibility to:

(1)Coordinate local activities with the National

APWU-POWER Committee

(2)Conduct and coordinate with the

appropriate departments and committee

programs that are designed to increase the

membership's interests, ability, and desire to

fully participate in their Union, with emphasis

on women's issues

(3) Report to the Staff, Executive Board of

membership body as necessary any policy or

activity of the Union that tends to exclude

participation of women or other groups of our

membership.

(4)Write articles for the newspaper to educate

the membership on the role of women in the

Labor Movement - past, present, and future.

D. The POWER Committee shall receive lost

time and expenses as necessary when approved

in advance by the President.

Section 5. EDUCATION COMMITTEE

A. Upon appropriate recommendation by the

Executive Vice President, the President shall

appoint the necessary number of committee

members. The Education Committee shall

work under the jurisdiction of the Executive

Vice President and shall submit a report of their

goals to the Executive Board and membership

in January of each year. The Executive Vice

President shall solicit interested members to be

involved in the Education Committee from

among the general membership. (NO

OFFICERS)

B. The Education Committee will be

responsible for conducting programs to educate

our members in the history of the Labor

Movement.

C.The Education Committee shall develop

and maintain an intelligent and dignified

membership.

D.The Education Committee shall educate all

members in the area of economics. politics, and

social justice.

E.The Education Committee shall further

initiate training programs to include the

members and their families in Community

Service Affairs.

F.The Education Committee shall receive lost

time and expenses as necessary when approved

in advance by the President.

Section 6 HEALTH & SAFETY

COMMITTEE

Upon recommendations, the President shall

appoint a Safety and Health Committee. The

Safety and Health Committee shall work under

the jurisdiction of the President. The Safety

and Health Committee shall be responsible for

investigating and correcting, where possible,

14

safety and health violations in Postal

Installations. There shall be a Safety and

Health Committee Chairperson, appointed by

the President. The Chairperson shall be

responsible for the following duties:

(a)Attend all safety and health meetings,

seminars and training classes when deemed

necessary and approved in advance by the

President.

(b)Chair Safety and Health Committee

Meetings, and coordinate the activities of the

Safety and Health Committee.

(c) Report directly to the President and

appropriate Craft Directors, of safety and health

violations in all installations.

(d)Make reports on Safety and Health issues

to the membership, upon request of the

President.

The Safety and Health Committee Chairperson

shall receive lost time as necessary, and

approved in advance by the President. He/she

shall also receive $50.00 for each General

Membership Meeting they attend, to be paid

annually.

Section 7 RETIREMENT COMMITTEE

A. The Retirement Committee will be

responsible for organizing and educating our

retired members in areas including, but not

limited to, our Union History, Human

Relations, Legislation, Organization and to

achieve the objectives of this constitution, and

goals of this Local.

B. The Retirement Committee shall consist of

retired full dues paying members with full

voice and vote, and retirees who do not wish to

pay full dues. The retirees who do not pay full

dues shall not have a voice or vote in the daily

union activities or run in local and/or national

elections of the Union, or in the General

election of officers. Fees for those retirees who

do not pay full dues shall be $24.00 per year.

C. There shall be a retirement committee

President appointed by the Detroit District

Area Local President. The Retirement

Committee President shall:

(a) Assist the local in various membership

mailings.

(b) Chair the monthly Retiree Meetings.

(c) Notify Retirees of upcoming meetings and

events.

(d) The Retirement Committee shall receive

expenses as necessary when approved in

advance by the President of the Detroit

District Area Local.

(e) The President of the Retirement

Committee shall receive $50.00 for each

General Membership meeting they attend, to be

paid annually.

(f) The President shall be a full dues paying

member.

ARTICLE VIII

Bonds

Section 1. The President, Executive Vice

President and Secretary-Treasurer shall be the

only officers authorized to sign checks. All

officers who have a fiduciary responsibility

shall be bonded.

A. Officers who are required to be bonded

shall have the expense of such bonds borne by

the Local.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to these By-Laws

may be made in the same manner as prescribed

for Amendments to the Constitution.

Section 2. Any amendment to the constitution

ratified by the membership pursuant to a

membership referendum may not be rescinded

or modified for a period of at least one (1) year.

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE

CONSTITUTION PRIOR TO

CASTING YOUR VOTE. ALL

CONSTITUTION UPDATES AND

CHANGES ARE IN BOLD AND

ITALIC FACE TYPE.

-CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE-