BYLAWS
Of the
GRADUATE TEACHING FELLOWS FEDERATION
University of Oregon
Local 3544, AFT-Oregon, AFT, AFL-CIO
Adopted December 13, 1976
(Revised December, 1984; December, 1988; May 1990;
January 1992; July 1992; December 1996; December 1998;
February 2002; February 2004; and June 2006)
- CONTENTS
- Article 1 - Name of the Organization
- Article 2 - Objectives
- Article 3 - Membership
- Article 4 - Officers and Their Duties
- Article 5 - Stewards and Their Duties
- Article 6 - Elections, Terms of Office, and Recalls
- Article 7 - Executive Board
- Article 8 - Executive Council
- Article 9 - Committees
- Article 10 - GTFF Caucuses
- Article 11 - Meetings
- Article 12 - Collective Bargaining Agreement Ratification
- Article 13 - Strike Vote
- Article 14 - Dues
- Article 15 - Finance and Budgeting
- Article 16 - Affiliations
- Article 17 - Amendments
- Definitions
- Appendix I
- Appendix II
Section One - The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation Local 3544.
Section Two - This organization shall be affiliated with AFT-Oregon, and through them with the American Federation of Teachers, and in turn with the state and national affiliates of the AFL-CIO. This organization shall also be affiliated with the Lane County Central Labor Council.
Section Three - This organization shall retain the right to change its affiliation on the basis of the will of its membership.
Section One- The objectives of this organization shall be to promote, through appropriate activities and programs and through our affiliation with AFT-Oregon, the objectives and principles of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation which include the following:
- Promotion of union rights and liberties
- To protect and strengthen our democratic institutions, and to secure full recognition and enjoyment of the rights and liberties to which we are entitled.
- To encourage graduate students to become active in global, national, state, and local politics, while at the same time preserving the independence of the labor movement from outside political control.
- To encourage all Graduate Students without regard to race, creed, color, sex, gender-identity, sexual preference, political affiliation, nationality, veteran status or age, to share in the full benefits of the GTFF.
- Promotion of education and its institutions
- To ensure that high standards are met in all educational institutions through lobbying efforts at the state level for adequate funds;
- To aid and encourage the expansion and improvement of primary, secondary and higher education for all to enjoy, and to promote the employment of qualified professionals, including efforts to recruit persons from under-represented groups.
- Promotion of pro-union organizations and the building of unions
- To support the rights of all university and college employed graduate students, i.e., those working within the Oregon University System, whether in teaching or non-teaching capacities, to organize and engage in collective bargaining.
- To support the efforts of all employees to organize and engage in collective bargaining.
- To support organizations that encourages and facilitates inclusion of active democratic involvement and control.
- To assist the organization of the unorganized for their mutual aid, protection and benefit of all.
- Promotion of fair wages and working conditions for all workers
- To aid workers in securing improved wages, hours, and working conditions, with due regard for the autonomy and integrity of affiliated organizations;
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- To encourage all workers without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sex, gender-identity, sexual preference, political affiliation, nationality, veteran status or age, to share in the full benefits of union organization.
- Promotion of fair, pro union, and socially responsible political agenda
- To seek legislation that protects and further promotes the principle of free collective bargaining, and to oppose legislation contrary to these goals.
- To endorse qualified candidates for public office, and to seek and recommend the nomination and election of office seekers who pledge themselves to support labor objectives.
- To support organizations that share our political agenda and to support active participation in the political process.
- To support socially responsible legislation and political candidates
Section One - Regular Membership
- Any Graduate Teaching Fellow at the University of Oregon, who is included in the bargaining unit, shall be eligible for regular membership in the GTFF.
- Regular members in good standing shall be entitled to full voice and vote on all questions and to hold any elected or appointed position within the local and its affiliates.
- Regular members, elected to office in the GTFF, an affiliated state or national union or the Lane County Central Labor Council, who lose funding, may continue to serve in their offices as regular members until their term of office expires, if they continue to pay minimum regular member dues to the GTFF. Minimum regular dues are established by the executive council as per Article fourteen, Section three of these bylaws.
Section Two- Associate Membership
- Any individual outside the GTFF bargaining unit who is enrolled as a graduate student in the University of Oregon shall be eligible for associate membership in the union.
- Any individual who is employed by the University of Oregon in a non-management position may apply for associate membership in the union. Applications for these individuals shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Council.
- Associate members will remain in good standing as long as they continue to pay full membership dues equivalent to the minimum at GTF level 1 or at a level to be determined by the Executive Council.
- Associate members in good standing may run for steward positions if such positions would otherwise be unfilled by a regular member. They may serve on committees. Associate members shall not be eligible to run for officer or convention Delegate positions. Associate members are eligible to vote on all questions put before the General Membership except for collective bargaining agreement ratification votes and strike votes.
Section Three- No member shall lose membership due to changes in the by-laws.
Section One- The union officers, comprising the Executive Board, shall consist of the following:
- President
- Vice President for Organizing
- Vice President for Grievance
- Vice President for Political education
- Vice President for External Relations
- Vice President for Operations
- Vice President for Member Communications
- Treasurer
Section Two- Each officer of the Executive Board shall:
- report to the General Membership in a timely manner the actions and decisions made by the Board on behalf of the Membership as it conducts and monitors the on-going business and activities of the GTFF;
- be responsive to all members, giving advice, assistance, and support whenever needed or requested;
- make a report at all Executive Board meetings outlining the activities and duties successfully or partially completed during the previous week(s) of service;
- make a report at all regular General Membership meetings outlining the activities and duties successfully or partially completed during the previous month(s) of service;
- make a report at all Executive Council meetings outlining the activities and duties successfully or partially completed during the previous week(s) of service;
- be responsible for the administration of union policy established by the Executive Council;
- be responsible for taking minutes at all Executive Board Meetings
- assist with organizing;
- perform all other duties as authorized and determined by the General Membership or Executive Council,
- to assist and help train new officers elected to replace current officers, and
- to organize, plan, and facilitate Executive Board, Executive Council, and General Membership Meetings. This will not preclude agenda items coming from the floor.
Section Three- The duties of the President shall include the following:
- to preside over all meetings of the Executive Board and General Membership;
- to be responsible for the orderly management and successful completion of all GTFF business;
- to report to the General Membership, the Executive Council, and the Executive Board, where appropriate, the regular and on-going activities of the union’s state and national affiliates;
- to act as chair of all Negotiations Committees, and to act as chair, or appoint a chair, for all Negotiations Teams, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council;
- to act as the ranking Delegate in all conventions and meetings of affiliates except the Lane County Central Labor Council and ESSN;
- to be responsible for the administration of the contract;
- with the aid of the Executive Board and the approval of the Executive Council, make appointments to fill vacancies on the Board;
- to supervise any employee or student intern associated with the GTFF, and to appoint committee chairs and members as specified in Article Nine, Section One below; and
- to serve on the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust;
- to act as the official voice of the GTFF.
Section Four- The duties of the Vice President for Organizing shall include the following:
- to be responsible, in conjunction with the President, for originating, reviewing or editing correspondence with stewards and union members;
- to serve as chair of the Executive Council;
- to coordinate resources, material and training for stewards;
- to assist the Vice President for Grievance in efforts to educate and inform the membership on their rights and duties under the contract or requisite labor laws;
- with the aid of the Executive Board and the approval of the Executive Council make appointments to fill steward vacancies;
- to serve as chair of the Organizing Committee; and
- In conjunction with Vice President for Political Education assist with the organization of other graduate employee unions.
- to be responsible for supervising the upkeep of the membership lists and the records of participation in each department.
- to preside over the meetings of the Executive Board and General Membership in the absence of the President;
- to assume the duties of the Presidency in cases when the President is temporarily unavailable, and;
- to assume the Presidency in the permanent absence of the President.
Section Five- The duties of the Vice President for Grievance shall include the following:
- to be responsible, in conjunction with the President, for originating, reviewing, or editing all correspondence with the University or its agents in connection with all grievances;
- to be responsible for forming and chairing the Grievance Committee;
- to keep records of potential contract problems which may require changes to be made in the contract language in the next negotiating sessions;
- to accompany the President in meetings regarding the administration of the contract;
- to assist the Vice President of Organizing in efforts to educate and inform the Membership on their rights and duties under the contract, and;
- to be responsible for informing the Executive Board and Executive Council of the work of the Grievance Committee.
Section Six- The duties of the Vice President for Political Education shall include the following:
- to encourage members to run for office or serve on committees of State or National affiliated unions.
- to be responsible for forming and chairing the COPE Committee;
- to be responsible for informing the membership of all political issues that may effect the GTFF;
- to encourage members to make voluntary payroll deductions to the COPE fund, and;
- to be responsible for communication and lobbying of elected representatives of local, state, and federal offices.
Section Seven The duties of the Vice President for External Relations shall include the following:
- to serve as the ranking Delegate at the Lane County Central Labor Council;
- to serve as ranking Delegate at ESSN.
- to Chair the External Relations Committee;
- In conjunction with Vice President for Organizing assist with the organization of other graduate employee unions;
- to be responsible, in conjunction with the President, for originating correspondence between the GTFF and its affiliate organizations or other external organizations (not including the University or its agents), and;
- to assist the Vice President for Political Education in establishing and maintaining contact with external political organizations
Section Eight- The duties of the Vice President for Operations shall include the following:
- to supervise all office staff and oversee the day-to-day operations of the GTFF office; to hold regularly scheduled meetings with the office staff and the President or the President’s designee; and ensure compliance with the GTFF staff contract.
- to serve on the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust
- to assist the benefits administrator during enrollment periods to help ensure benefits plan procedures are effectively communicated and enforced
- to meet with health benefits, the benefits administrator, and vendors to help plan, develop, and manage the GTFF benefits package;
- to report on the status of the Health and Welfare trust to Executive Board and Executive Council,
- to be responsible and administer all elections outlined in Article Six, and;
- to chair the activities committee
Section Nine- The duties of the Vice President for Member Communication shall include the following
- if publication is desired by the Executive Council, to serve as editor of the newsletter and be responsible for scheduling all related volunteer activities;
- to work with the benefits administrator to develop benefits communication materials and attend work site meetings at which benefits are explained;
- to be responsible for monthly updates on the GTFF website;
- keep a record and inform the membership of all standing resolutions of the Executive Council
- to be responsible for the operations and upkeep of all computers and electronics in the GTFF office, and;
- to be responsible for publishing and distributing the Executive Council and General
Membership meeting notices.
Section Ten- The duties of the Treasurer shall include the following:
- to act as the chair of the Budget Committee;
- to be responsible for accurate records and books of all GTFF financial records;
- to be responsible for tax returns and other financial reports as required by any governmental agency;
- to be responsible for informing the Executive Board, Executive Council, and the Membership of the present and future financial status of the GTFF;
- to be responsible for preparing or having prepared monthly financial statements of the GTFF;
- to ensure that an independent audit of GTFF finances is conducted after the end of every fiscal year, and;
- to serve on the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust.
Section One - Any department or non-departmental work site (hereinafter referred to as a "work site,") that has union members will elect its own steward(s). One steward shall be allotted for each twenty-five members or fraction thereof of the members in a work site. The duly elected steward(s) shall inform the Executive Board of a change in status as steward. For cases where a work site has fewer than fifteen bargaining unit members, the Executive Board may authorize combining two or more of these work sites for purposes of the combined worksites electing a single steward.
In cases where a single department has two or more geographically distinct work sites, the Executive Board may authorize the separate election of stewards from each of the work sites by those members at a particular work site, even if the combined department membership is less than twenty-five.
In the event of a vacancy, the President or the Vice President of Organizing shall be empowered to appoint a steward with the aid of the Executive Board and the approval of the Executive Council, to serve until the next steward election.
In special cases, the Vice President of Organizing is empowered to appoint or approve two or more members who may share the duties of the work site steward, with the aid of the Executive Board and approval of the Executive Council and consent of the union members in the work site. Such appointees may serve until the next steward selection.
In the event that the Vice President of Organizing position is not filled, the duties outlined above will be reassigned as per Article 7, Section 6.
Section Two - The duties of a steward include:
- assisting the Executive Board and Executive Council in organizing members of the work site;
- monitoring potential contract abuses and grievances in the work site and reporting to the Vice President for Grievance or Grievance Committee on these matters;
- assisting or representing a GTF on work-related matters, including informal grievances and, when appropriate, formal grievances, when so requested by a GTF;
- posting and circulating notices, minutes, information fliers, and other communications from the GTFF and its affiliate organizations;
- maintaining the GTFF bulletin board in the work site;
- mobilizing members to become active in the union;
- attending the General Membership and Executive Council meetings of the GTFF and a mandatory one-time stewards’ orientation;
- representing the members in their worksite at Executive Council meetings;
- attending meetings and, if necessary, organizing meetings of union members or GTFs in their work site; and
- attending or serving on assigned committees.
Section One- Officers
- Eligibility and Nomination
- Elections for the positions outlined in Article 4, Section 1 shall be conducted annually by secret ballot through U. S. Mail or by a method to be determined by the Executive Council.
- Notice of nominations for officer positions shall be made no less than 14 calendar days prior to the nominations meeting.
- Nominations shall be made during the Spring Term General Membership meeting or in writing to the Vice President for Operations (or if changes to Article 4 not approved the Vice President for Internal Relations) prior to the Spring Term General Membership Meeting.
- Only regular members in good standing will be allowed to nominate or be nominated.
- Elections
- Elections shall be based on the names placed in nomination during the spring general membership meeting and shall take place no sooner than 14 calendar days following nomination.
- At least one week prior to the election meeting or tallying of ballots, absentee ballots and a sealed ballot box will be made availabl.
- Elections shall be by plurality.
- A quorum of at least 10% (5% in cases of uncontested elections) of the regular membership, is required.
- In the absence of quorum, a re-election shall be conducted within 14 days of ballet counting.
- Results of the election will be made public within 72 hours of the ballot count.
- Term of Office
- New officers shall assume their duties on the Monday following the tallying of ballots of a officially sanctioned election as defined by Article Six, Section One, Part b and shall serve for 13 months or until duly elected successors’ term of office begins.
- No member may serve on the Executive Board for more than four consecutive years.
- Recall
- Any elected officer will be recalled when at least 30% of the regular members sign, within a period of 30 calendar days, and submit a petition to the Executive Council requesting the recall of an officer, and the following procedures are followed:
- Representatives of the petitioners must attend the Executive Council Meeting when the petition is presented. If such persons do not appear, the petition may be declared invalid by the Executive Council.
- The Executive Council must verify the signatures of the petition within seven (7) days of the Executive Council Meeting.
- The Executive Council shall call for a special General Membership meeting, within thirty (30) days of their resolution convened to discuss the recall of the officer.
- A secret ballot election will be held after the meeting. A quorum of at least 15% of the membership and a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all votes cast shall be necessary for the recall initiative to succeed.
Section Two- Delegates
- Eligibility and Nomination
- Elections for Delegates to state and national conventions shall be conducted annually by secret ballot.
- Notice of nominations for Delegate positions shall be made no less than 30 calendar days prior to the nominations meeting.
- The nomination notice must include the number of Delegates to be elected, the number of top ranking Delegates whose convention expenses will be paid and the amount that will be paid per Delegate. The Executive Board shall submit its recommendation for these amounts to the Executive Council for its approval.
- Nominations shall be made during the Winter General Membership meeting.
- Only regular members in good standing will be allowed to nominate or be nominated.
- Elections
- Elections shall be based on the names placed in nomination during the membership meeting, as described in (a) 3 and (a) 4 above, and shall take place no sooner than 14 calendar days following nomination.
- Elections shall be conducted according to the GTFF Election Handbook, requirements of the various affiliations and to be determined by the Executive Council.
- At least one week prior to the election meeting or tallying of ballots, absentee ballots and a sealed ballot box will be made available.
- Delegates shall be ranked according to the number of votes received. Candidates that receive an equal number of votes shall draw lots to determine their ranking. Write-in candidates must receive at least 5% of the votes cast in order to be ranked as a Delegate.
- The duly elected President of the GTFF shall be the highest-ranking Delegate, in the absence of the President a new highest-ranking Delegate shall be determined from the pool of elected delegates by a vote of the elected delegates.
- A quorum of at least 5% of the regular membership, is required.
- Results of the election will be made public within 72 hours of the ballot count.
- Term of Office
- New Delegates shall assume their duties on the Monday following the tallying of ballots, and shall serve for one calendar year, an amount of time to be determined by the Executive Council, or until their duly elected successors’ term of office begins.
Section Three- Stewards
- Eligibility
- Any regular member or Associate member in good standing may be eligible to serve as a work site steward.
- Nominations
- Notice of nominations for worksite steward positions shall be made at the Spring General Membership Meeting as defined by article 11, section 1.
- Nominations must be submitted to the Vice President for Operations.
- Nominees must accept or reject their nomination in writing within 7 days of notice of nomination.
- Elections
- New Stewards will be elected each year
- Elections shall be based on the names placed in nomination during the spring general membership meeting and shall take place no sooner than 14 calendar days following nomination.
- At least one week prior to the election meeting or tallying of ballots, absentee ballots and a sealed ballot box will be made available.
- Elections shall be by plurality of each work site.
- Results of the election will be made public within 72 hours of the ballot count.
- Term of Office and Recall
- New stewards shall assume their duties according to Section 1, Part C.
- Stewards who are absent from three consecutive meetings of the Executive Council, without adequate excuse made to the Executive Council Chair, shall be considered to have vacated their office and may be replaced by the chair of the Executive Council with the approval of the Executive Council.
- Stewards who are no longer members in good standing are considered to have vacated their position and may be replace by the chair of the Executive Council with the approval of the Executive Council.
- Stewards may be recalled at any time by a 2/3 vote of all members working in the Steward’s work site. This vote must be initiated by a petition and the petition must set forth the reason why the recall is sought. The petition must be signed by at least 25% of the current members working in the Steward’s work site.
- Stewards shall serve for one calendar year or until replaced by election.
- Stewards may serve as many years as they are elected
Section One - The Executive Board shall meet at least bimonthly, except during the months of July through September, to conduct and monitor the on-going business of the GTFF.
Section Two - The President with the aid of the Executive Board shall have the power to fill vacancies on the Executive Board by appointing qualified replacements subject to the advice and consent of the Executive Council. These replacements shall serve until the next regularly scheduled election.
Section Three -
- In the event that the President is temporarily or permanently unable to perform his or her duties, the order of succession shall be: Vice President for Organizing; Vice President for Grievance; Vice President for Political Education; Vice President for External Relations; Vice President for Operations; Vice President for Member Communications; and Treasurer.
- If the President is unable to permanently perform their duties or resigns the position, the new president shall be the Vice President for Organizing (except in the case of Article Seven, Section Three(c) of these Bylaws) and shall appoint, with the aid of the Executive Board and with approval of the Executive Council, a replacement for their vacated office upon assuming the position of President.
- If the Present is unable to permanently perform their duties the Vice President for Organizing shall not become President if the Vice President for Organizing was not an officer elected to the position by the general membership. In this situation the new President will be the next available elected officer following the order of succession in Article Seven, Section Three(a) of these Bylaws.
Section Four- Absence of Officers
If any Board member foresees an absence exceeding thirty days, the member shall endeavor to maintain communication with the board during the absence, and arrange with the Board for another Regular Member or staff person to assume her/his non-voting responsibilities.
If any Board member is absent for more than a month and does not communicate this absence to the Executive Board, the President may assume the officer has resigned the office and appoint a replacement.
Section Five- Vacancy of Office positions
If a board position, with the exception of the presidency is unfilled or becomes vacant, the Executive Board shall reassign all duties assigned to that position as deemed necessary until such time as the position becomes filled. No board position shall remain vacant for more than 60 days.
Section Six- Quorum
The required quorum for binding Executive Board decisions shall be set at four voting members. (The President or acting President does not vote, except in the case of a tie).
Section One - The Executive Council shall be composed of union officers, stewards, and caucus representative(s) in good standing and each shall have a voting seat. The Executive Council shall meet at least once per month, except during the months of July and August, to set union policy, to administer union policy in coordination with the Executive Board, to oversee organizing efforts, to plan for speakers, films, workshops, social activities, etc., to plan for General Membership meetings, and to conduct other business as necessary and appropriate. Members of the Executive Council are encouraged to attend the meetings of the Executive Board.
Section Two - Each Council Member is entitled to one vote on issues addressed by the Executive Council. In the case where one steward position is shared by two individuals, only one individual may vote.
Section Three - COPE Committee will make recommendations to the Executive Council for endorsements of political candidates. The Executive Council shall use this information in making recommendations to the General Membership. All endorsements must be approved by majority vote during a General Membership Meeting.
Section Four - Quorum
The required quorum for Executive Council meetings shall be eight Stewards, no more than three of who are also Officers.
Section One- The following is the Standing Committees of the GTFF.
- Budget Committee
- Grievance Committee
- Negotiations Committee
- Organizing Committee
- Committee on Political Education
- External Relations Committee
- Activities Committee
- Responsible Consumer Committee
Section Two- Budget Committee
- Composition
The Treasurer shall chair the Budget Committee and may not delegate this responsibility. In addition to the Treasurer, the Budget Committee shall consist of up to as many members as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Treasurer. Only full members in good standing shall be eligible, but no limitation on the number of terms a person may serve on the committee. Members shall be appointed by the Treasurer with the aid of the Vice President for Organizing on the advice of the Executive Board.
- Duties
- The Budget Committee shall begin to prepare an annual budget each March for the forthcoming fiscal year. The Budget Committee shall consult the Executive Council in preparing the budget and shall submit proposed budgets to the Executive Council. The budget shall be presented to the Executive Council meeting prior to June 1, and if approved, shall be monitored by the Treasurer and Budget Committee.
- If the Budget fails to be approved, the Executive Council may require that it be revised by the Budget Committee and make recommendations to that end. The final budget shall be presented at the next available Executive Council meeting for approval.
- The Budget Committee shall hear all requests for additional appropriations beyond those set out in the annual budget and make recommendations to the General Membership as to whether these requests should be approved.
- Emergency requests for financial allocations may be made from the floor of the General Membership meeting and approved by a majority vote of those present at the meeting. However, emergency requests may not exceed $200.00 in any one instance, and all emergency requests exceeding this limit must be referred to the Treasurer or Budget Committee for recommendation to the Executive Council for approval.
- The Budget Committee shall help facilitate the annual audit of GTFF finances.
Section Three- Grievance Committee
- Composition
The Vice-President for Grievance shall chair the grievance committee and may not delegate this responsibility. In addition to the Vice President for Grievance, the Grievance Committee shall consist of up to as many members as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Vice President for Grievance. Only full members in good standing shall be eligible, but there shall be no limitation in the number of terms a person may serve on the committee. Members shall be appointed by the Vice President for Grievance with the aid of the Vice President for Organizing and on the advice of the Executive Board.
- Duties
The Grievance Committee shall handle or advise on all grievances brought to its attention by members of the bargaining unit.
- Authority
The Grievance Committee shall have the authority to recommend to the Executive Council whether grievances not resolved at step 3 of the grievance procedure (the University President’s level) will be taken to binding arbitration. Such decisions shall require a quorum of at least three (3) members. In the event the Grievance Committee decides not to recommend taking a grievance to arbitration, the grievant may appeal the decision to the Executive Council. In the event that the Executive Council will not meet in a timely enough manner for requesting arbitration according to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement(s), the Executive Board shall have the authority to take a grievance to arbitration.
Section Four- Negotiations Committee
- Composition
The Negotiations Committee shall be chaired by the President or his/her designee. In addition to the chair, the committee shall consist of as many members as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.
- Duties
- The Negotiations Committee shall handle all contractual negotiations with the University of Oregon or its affiliates and the staff of the GTFF represented by the GTFFSU.
- At least three calendar months prior to the end of the current contracts, the Negotiations Committee shall meet for the purposes of renegotiating a contract. The Committee shall make recommendations for Bargaining Team membership and articles to be negotiated.
- Authority
The Negotiations Committee shall have the authority to make recommendations to the bargaining team.
Section Five- Organizing Committee
- Composition
The Organizing Committee shall be chaired by the Vice-President for Organizing and may not delegate this responsibility. The committee shall consist of as many members as deemed appropriate by the chair. Members of the organizing committee do not require Executive Council approval.
- Duties
The committee shall assist the Staff Organizer and the Vice-President for Organizing in ongoing efforts to mobilize and organize the GTFF membership.
Section Six- Committee of Political Education (COPE)
- Composition
COPE shall be chaired by the Vice-President for Political Education and may not delegate this responsibility. In addition to the chair, COPE shall consist of as many members as deemed appropriate and necessary by the chair. Members of COPE do not require Executive Council approval.
- Duties
- To keep the general membership informed about political issues that affect the GTFF.
- To meet prior to an election cycle and research possible recommendations to the Executive Council on political endorsements.
- Political contributions are subject to financial limitations established in the annual budget and must be approved by the Executive Council.
- COPE Committee will make recommendations to the Executive Council for endorsements of political candidates. The Executive Council shall approve all endorsements of candidates.
- The Vice President for Political Education shall inform the General Membership of all endorsements at the next available meeting. All endorsements may be vetoed by a majority vote during a General Membership Meeting.
Section Seven - External Relations Committee
- Composition
The External Relations Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President for External Relations and may not delegate this responsibility. In addition to the chair, the committee shall consist of as many members as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.
- Duties
- The External Relations Committee shall attend meetings within the local labor movement including Lane County Central Labor Council and ESSN.
- To encourage members to become active within local and national labor movements.
Section Eight - Activities Committee
- Composition
The Activities Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President for Operations or her/his designee. In addition to the chair, the committee shall consist of as many members as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.
- Duties
To help plan social activities including General Membership meetings in accordance with all resolutions passed by the membership.
Section Nine - Responsible Consumer Committee
- Composition
The Responsible Consumer Committee shall be chaired by a member of the Executive Council in good standing. The chair shall be elected by a majority vote of the Executive Council and serve one year or until replaced be Executive Council. In addition to the chair, the committee shall consist of as many members in good standing as necessary.
- Duties
- The chair of the Responsible Consumer Committee shall sit on the Activities Committee and work with the Activities Committee to ensure that the tenets of the Responsible Consumer Resolution (also known as the “Buy Union Resolution”) or any future resolutions are upheld.
- The Responsible Consumer Committee shall communicate with the office staff and Executive Board as necessary regarding purchasing decisions to ensure that the tenets of the Responsible Consumer Resolution or any future resolutions are upheld.
- The Responsible Consumer Committee shall work with the Vice President for Member Communications in updating and maintaining the “Buy Union” project website or other means of communicating the resolution to the General Membership.
- The chair of the Responsible Consumer Committee shall report to Executive Council as necessary.
- Authority
The Responsible Consumer Committee shall have the power to enforce Responsible Consumer Resolution or any future resolutions related to union purchasing.
Section Ten - Ad Hoc Committees
The Executive Board or Executive Council may set up Ad-hoc committees on either a temporary or an on-going basis. The new committees chair, composition, and duties will be defined at the creation of the committee. The duration, composition, duties, and chair may be modified at the discretion of the executive council.
Section Eleven - Committee Compositions
All members in good standing may participate in committees by petitioning the Vice President for Organizing or the Chair of the committee. No member in good standing may be denied a representative and full voting right on the committee they petition to serve on other than due to capacity limitation or special circumstances and not on a permanent basis. If any individual member is excluded from a committee, the chair of the committee must present the arguments for exclusion to the Executive Board for approval. The Executive Board must notify the Executive Council of their decision and the Executive Council or the General Membership may override the Executive Boards ruling by a majority vote of either body.
Section One- Four standing GTFF Caucuses shall exist to address the issues of traditionally underrepresented groups and to promote inclusion and full representation of these union members.
Section Two- Caucus Structure
- GTFs of Color Caucus- This Caucus shall meet to discuss the needs and concerns of GTFs of Color. The Caucus shall annually appoint one person to the Executive Council with voting privileges, to represent the body on the Council.
- International GTF Caucus- This Caucus shall meet to discuss the needs and concerns of International GTFs. The Caucus shall annually appoint one person to the Executive Council with voting privileges, to represent the body on the Council.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) GTF Caucus - This Caucus shall meet to discuss the needs and concerns of LGBTQ GTFs. The Caucus shall annually appoint one person to the Executive Council with voting privileges, to represent the body on the Council.
- GTF Women’s Caucus- This Caucus shall meet to discuss the needs and concerns of female GTFs. The Caucus shall annually appoint one person to the Executive Council with voting privileges, to represent the body on the Council.
Section Three - Ad-Hoc Caucuses
- Composition -
Any group of individuals who feel they are not being represented by the union as a whole or feel that their voice is not being heard may form a Caucus on a temporary or permanent basis to address their specific needs. The new caucus shall annually appoint a person to the Executive Council with voting privileges, to represent the body on the council.
- Good Standing -
- To be recognized as a fully voting caucus the newly formed caucus must meet at least two times and have at least three members in the caucus. The Executive Council representative must appear before the Executive Council to be recognized as a new caucus and present the needs and goals of the group.
- The new caucus must meet at least once per term to continue to be recognized as a caucus.
- Caucus representative may not miss three consecutive Executive Council Meetings.
- Challenging Caucus Standing -
- Caucuses are assumed to be in good standing.
- Any Executive Councilor can request a demonstration of standing of any caucus representative.
- A motion is required to bring the issue to the floor and simple majority vote will be required to open discussion of the proposed challenge.
- When a caucus representative is challenged, they must demonstrate that they are in good standing to the Executive Council.
- If the Executive Council is unsatisfied with the demonstration of standing, they can move to remove the caucus representative from the council. This would be done with a motion and would require a 2/3 vote of the total number of eligible Executive Councilors present at the meeting.
Section Four - Caucus membership and Goals
- All full members or associate members in good standing may be a member of a caucus.
- Caucus may not operate in a manner that does not take into consideration bettering the union as a whole. The caucuses and the union as a whole benefit by the inclusion of all its members and should strive to empower groups of individuals who have been historically and contemporarily disadvantaged.
- A caucus may determine that it is in the benefit of the caucus and thus the benefit of the union as a whole to make a caucus meeting only available to certain group(s) of people. The caucus should attempt to limit these meetings as much as possible and make every effort to communicate their needs and goals with the union as a whole.
- Caucus should make all effects to refrain from challenging the characteristics of any one person who states their inclusion in a specific group. Each individual member in our union has the rights to choose how they want to be identified. If any individual member is excluded from a caucus meeting based on challenges of group inclusion, they may appeal their exclusion to the Executive Board. The Executive Board must notify the Executive Council of their decision and the Executive Council or the General Membership may override the Executive Boards ruling by a majority vote of either body.
Section One- All meetings shall operate under Roberts Rules of Order.
Section Two- The General Membership of the GTFF shall meet at least once per term of the academic year (excluding summer). Special meetings may be scheduled as necessary or as dictated by these bylaws. General Membership meetings shall be chaired by the President or their designee and shall be open to all members in good standing. In the absence of the President, the Vice President for Organizing shall act as Chair. In the Absence of the Vice President for Organizing the Chair shall follow the order of succession in Article Seven, Section 3 of these Bylaws. The agenda for the General Membership Meetings shall be prepared by the President or their designee and distributed at the meeting. The Agenda shall be approved prior to discussion of any items outlined in it. A motion from the floor may modify the Agenda. The membership shall have the power to bring motions from the floor. The Chair shall have the power to recognize all motions. A motion not recognized by the Chair may be brought to discussion by a motion from the floor to open discussion and a 2/3 vote of the members. An individual appointed by the President shall take minutes.
Section Three- The Executive Council shall meet as per Article 8, Section 1. The chair of the Executive Council shall be the Vice President for Organizing. An individual appointed by the Executive Council Chair will take accurate and complete minutes of the meeting. In the absence of the Vice President for Organizing, the President will serve as chair or in the absence of the president; the chair will be determined by the order of succession in Article Seven, Section Four.
Section Four- The Executive Board shall meet as per Article 7, Section 1, and an individual appointed by the Chair shall take minutes.
Section One- Any collective bargaining agreement may only be ratified by the general membership. Upon reaching a tentative agreement, the Negotiating Committee shall present the collective bargaining agreement to the membership at a General Membership meeting. The vote shall be held at said meeting or by mail in accordance with the GTFF Election Handbook or in a manner to be determined by the Executive Council. Ratification of the contract shall require a simple majority of those voting. A quorum of at least 30 percent of the membership must participate in the vote.
Section One- If the Negotiating Committee decides that negotiations have been discontinued it may request the Executive Board to call a General Membership meeting for the purpose of authorizing the Executive Board to call a strike. The vote shall be in accordance with the GTFF Election Handbook or in a manner to be determined by the Executive Board. Strike authorization shall require a quorum of at least 60% of the regular membership with 65% in support of the strike. The time limitation of strike authorization shall be voted on by the membership and is amendable by future votes.
Section One- Regular members are required to pay dues.
Section Two- Dues for all regular members shall be 2.1% of gross monthly pay. This amount will only be adjusted by any change in affiliation fees.
Section Three- Those regular members who elect to continue membership after the loss of funding shall pay dues at the GTFF I minimum or a level to be determined by the Executive Council.
Section Four- Fair share dues shall be determined by a formula based on the percentage of annual GTFF expenditures for bargaining unit representation. Fair share dues shall be adjusted within 45 calendar days of completion after each audit of GTFF finances.
Section Five- Associate members shall pay dues equal to an amount established annually by the Executive Board equal to one years dues at the GTF 1 minimum or a level to be determined by the Executive Council.
Section Six- The amount for initiation fees will be set by the Executive Council annually and approved by the General Membership at the next available meeting.
Section One- The Treasurer shall monitor the day-to-day financial business of the union. The Treasurer shall write checks on behalf of the union, for amounts allocated in the annual budget. Such checks are subject to the approval of the Executive Board, and must be co-signed by another union officer. The Treasurer may delegate his/her check-signing authority to another officer(s).
Section Two- The Treasurer, acting with the approval of the Executive Board, has the authority to disburse the amounts allocated in the annual budget. Under extraordinary circumstances, the Executive Board may override the approved budget and authorize the Treasurer to exceed the allocated annual budget item amounts within the following limits:
- payment of allocated budget items (except the payment of percapita dues to affiliate organizations) may not exceed the budgeted amounts by more than 10 percent of the amount allocated on an annual basis without the approval of the Executive Council on an expense by expense basis;
- the payment of percapita dues to affiliate organizations must be reviewed and approved by the Executive Board if they are in excess of 15 percent above the allocated amount per year;
- all instances in which the Executive Board overrides the approved budget must be reported to the Executive Council and the General Membership at their next meetings.
- the Executive Council may approve an increase to any one budget line-item or the creation of an additional budget line-item upon the request of the Treasurer or Budget Committee. This increase may not exceed 35% for individual line item increases or $500.00 for new line items. All changes to the budget must be approved by the general membership at their next meeting.
Section One- Should reason for disaffiliation occur due to a lack of common interest of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation with its affiliates, disaffiliation may be attained through a vote of a two-thirds majority of the regular members in good standing. At such time, the local shall become an independent union, free to affiliate or not affiliate with other organizations. A quorum of at least 40% of the regular membership must participate in such a vote.
Section Two- Those regular members in good standing, as measured at the end of the month preceding the vote, shall be eligible to vote in a disaffiliation election.
Section Three- Affiliation procedures involving any other organization require the same majority and quorum requirements as specified in Section One and Two above for disaffiliation.
Section Four- Delegates from this local shall be sent to state and national AFL-CIO and AFT conventions in accordance with their by-laws stipulating the number to be sent.
Section Five- Any Delegate from this local must be a regular member in good standing.
Section Six- The local may choose by simple majority vote to send Delegates to conventions of other organizations when deemed appropriate.
Section Seven- Delegates may be sent to conventions either as instructed or non-instructed Delegates, depending on a vote of the membership.
Section Eight- The Delegate or Delegates, as the case may be, shall upon return make a report to both the Executive Council and the general membership.
Section Nine- The delegation to the Lane County Central Labor Council shall consist of the Vice President for External Relations and such additional Delegates and alternates as the union is allowed. These Delegates and alternates shall be appointed by the Executive Council or be a member of the external relations committee.
Section One- The by-laws may be amended by a simple majority vote.
Section Two- There must be a quorum of at least 15 percent of the membership is required for the changes to take effect.
Section Three- Notice of intent to amend the by-laws must be made 30 calendar days prior to such action.
As used in these by-laws and except as its context may otherwise require:
"Affiliation" means an official association (i.e. payment of dues) with a labor organization.
"Approval" or "Advice and Consent" means the question has been called to a vote.
"Bargaining unit" means all GTFs who are employed as such by the University of Oregon as specified in its Collective Bargaining Agreement and as clarified by the Employment Relations Board.
"Executive Board" or "Board" is comprised of the duly elected and appointed officers of the union.
"Executive Council" or "Council" is comprised of the duly elected and appointed officers and stewards of the union.
"General Membership" is comprised of the regular members of the union.
"In good standing" means either:
a) a regular or associate member who has paid dues by the last day of the preceding month; or
b) a regular or associate member who has paid an initiation fee and signed a dues deduction authorization form.
"Majority" means in excess of fifty percent.
"Plurality" means the most votes received.
"Quorum" means the minimum number of members who must be present in order for a vote to be valid.
"Regular Member" means either:
- a GTF who has signed a membership card, otherwise known as a dues deduction authorization form; or
- An individual who previously held a GTF, signed a membership card, and who has chosen to retain membership up to one year after loss of GTF funding
"Work site" means any department or non-departmental unit that has bargaining unit members.
Section 1: Duration
- This appendix will be in affect from date of approval of the April 2006 revision of these Bylaws and will continue to be in affect until the next election of new officers to the Executive Board.
- Upon the duly sanctioned and legal election as defined by Article 6 of these bylaws of the next Executive Board in the Spring of 2007, appendix I of these bylaws will become null and void.
Section 2: Purpose
To facilitate the redefinition of the Executive Board, while maintaining the elected officers of the Executive board elected in the spring of 2006 as defined by Appendix II.
Section 3: Application
- The officers shall consist of the nine offers as defined by appendix I and shall make-up the board.
- At the time of the ratification of these bylaws, the Executive Board will consist of the nine members as defined by Appendix 1, Section 3 (c).
- Eight of the Executive Board members will become the following and assume the duties as defined by Article 4 of these bylaws:
- President shall become President
- Vice President for Organizing shall become Vice President for Organizing
- Vice President for University Relations shall become Vice President for Grievance
- Vice President for Political Education shall become Vice President for Political Education
- Vice President for External Relations shall become Vice President for External Relations
- Vice President for Internal Relations shall become Vice President for Operations
- Vice President for Member Communication shall become Vice President for Member Communication
- Secretary-Treasurer shall become Treasurer
- The Vice President for Member Benefits shall become the following:
- The Vice President for Member Benefits shall become Vice President of Member Benefits
- The Vice President for Member Benefits shall have full voting rights and be a full member of the Executive Board and Executive Council
- The Vice President for Member Benefits shall perform the following duties:
- to meet with benefits consultants, the benefits administrator, and vendors to help plan, develop, and manage the GTFF benefits package;
- to assist the benefits administrator during enrollment periods to help ensure benefits plan procedures are effectively communicated and enforced;
- to work with the benefits administrator to develop benefits communication materials and attend work site meetings at which benefits are explained;
- to assist with the annual process of negotiating with the University over the employer contribution to the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust; and
- to serve on the board of the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust (in lieu of the Vice President for Operations).
- The Vice President for Member Benefits shall perform her or his duties in lieu of the officers whom Article four of these bylaws defined as administrators of these duties.
- No single duty will be performed by more than one officer
- The Vice President for Member Benefits shall follow the Vice President for Member Communications in the order of succession as defined by Article Seven, Section 3 of these bylaws.
- If the Vice President for Member Benefits shall be temporarily unable to perform their duties, his or her duties will be assumed to the officers as defined by Article four of these bylaws.
- If the Vice President for Member Benefits is permanently unable to perform their duties or resigns their office, the President shall not replace the officer as defined by Article 7, Section 2 of these bylaws and the Executive Board shall become as defined by Article 4 of these bylaws. The officers, as defined by Article 4 of these bylaws, will assume Vice President for Member Benefits duties.
- The President shall inform the Executive Council and the General Membership of the permanent replacement of the Vice President for Member Benefits at their next available respective meeting.
- The position of Vice President for Member Benefits shall not be up for re-election for the next officer election as defined by Article Six, Section One.
Section 1: Duration
- This appendix will be in affect from date of approval of the April 2006 revision of these Bylaws and will continue to be in affect until the next election of new officers to the Executive Board.
- Upon the duly sanctioned and legal election as defined by Article 6 of these bylaws of the new Executive Board in the Spring of 2007, appendix I of these bylaws will become null and void.
Section 2: Purpose
For reference purposes only
Section 3: Officers and Their Duties
“ARTICLE FOUR - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES (from February 2004 bylaws)”
Section One- The union officers, comprising the Executive Board, shall consist of the following:
- President
- Secretary-Treasurer
- Vice President for Organizing
- Vice President for University Relations
- Vice President for Internal Relations
- Vice President for Member Benefits
- Vice President for External Relations
- Vice President for Membership Communication
- Vice President for Political Education
Section Two- Each officer of the Executive Board shall:
(a) report to the General Membership in a timely manner the actions and decisions made by the Board on behalf of the Membership as it conducts and monitors the on-going business and activities of the GTFF;
(b) be responsive to all members, giving advice, assistance, and support whenever needed or requested;
(c) make a report at all Executive Board meetings outlining the activities and duties successfully or partially completed during the previous week(s) of service;
(d) make a report at all regular General Membership meetings outlining the activities and duties successfully or partially completed during the previous month(s) of service;
(e) make a report at all Executive Council meetings outlining the activities and duties successfully or partially completed during the previous week(s) of service;
(f) be responsible for the administration of union policy established by the Executive Council;
(g) with exception for the President and Secretary-Treasurer, be responsible on a rotating basis for keeping accurate and complete minutes of all General Membership and Executive Board meetings, unless such responsibility has been delegated to staff;
(h) assist with organizing; and
(i) perform all other duties as authorized and determined by the General Membership.
Section Three- The duties of the President shall include the following:
(a) to preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and General Membership;
(b) to be responsible for the orderly management and successful completion of all GTFF business;
(c) to report to the General Membership, the Executive Council, and the Executive Board, where appropriate, the regular and on-going activities of the union’s state and national affiliates;
(d) to act as chair of all Negotiations committees, and to act as chair, or appoint a chair, for all Negotiations teams, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board;
(e) to act as the ranking Delegate in all conventions and meetings of affiliates except the Lane County Central Labor Council;
(f) to be responsible for the administration of the contract;
(g) with the aid of the Executive Board and the approval of the Executive Council, make appointments to fill vacancies on the Board;
(h) to supervise any employee or student intern associated with the GTFF, and to appoint committee chairs and members as specified in Article Nine, Section One below; and
(i) to serve on the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust;
(j) to act as the official voice of the GTFF.
Section Four- The duties of the Secretary-Treasurer shall include the following:
(a) to be responsible for accurate records and books of all GTFF financial records;
(b) to be responsible for preparing tax returns and other financial reports as required by any governmental agency;
(c) to be responsible for informing the Executive Board, Executive Council, and the Membership of the present and future financial status of the GTFF;
(d) to be responsible for preparing monthly financial statements of the GTFF;
(e) to act as the chair of the Budget Committee;
(f) to ensure that an independent audit of GTFF finances is conducted after the end of every fiscal year;
(g) to preside over the meetings of the Executive Board and General Membership in the absence of the President;
(h) to serve on the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust; and
(i) to assume the duties of the Presidency in the case of a vacancy until such time as the vacancy is filled as per the bylaws.
Section Five- The duties of the Vice President for Organizing shall include the following:
(a) to be responsible, in conjunction with the President, for originating, reviewing or editing correspondence with stewards and union members;
(b) to serve as chair pro-tem of the Executive Council;
(c) to coordinate resources, material and training for stewards;
(d) to assist the Vice President for University Relations in efforts to educate and inform the membership on their rights and duties under the contract or requisite labor laws;
(e) with the aid of the Executive Board and the approval of the Executive Council make appointments to fill steward vacancies;
(f) to serve as chair of the Organizing Committee; and
(g) to assist with the organization of other graduate employee unions.
Section Six- The duties of the Vice President for University Relations shall include the following:
(a) to be responsible, in conjunction with the President, for originating, reviewing, or editing all correspondence with the University or its agents;
(b) to be responsible for forming and chairing the Grievance Committee;
(c) to keep records of potential contract problems which may require changes to be made in the contract language in the next negotiating sessions;
(d) to accompany the President in meetings regarding the administration of the contract;
(e) to assist the Vice President for Membership Communication in efforts to educate and inform the Membership on their rights and duties under the contract;
(f) to assist the Vice President for Organizing in efforts to educate and inform stewards; and
(g) to be responsible for informing the Executive Council of the work of the Grievance Committee.
Section Seven- The duties of the Vice President for Internal Relations shall include the following:
(a) to supervise all office staff and oversee the day-to-day operations of the GTFF; to hold regularly scheduled meetings with the office staff and the President or the President’s designee; and ensure compliance with the GTFF staff contract.
(b) to plan for speakers, films, workshops, etc. for each General Membership meeting;
(c) to publish General Membership meeting agendas;
(d) to arrange for meeting locations
(e) to assist any ad-hoc committees formed to coordinate on-campus events; and
(f) to be responsible for supervising the upkeep of the membership lists and the records of participation in each department.
Section Eight- The duties of Vice President for Member Benefits shall include the following:
(a) to meet with benefits consultants, the benefits administrator, and vendors to help plan, develop, and manage the GTFF benefits package;
(b) to assist the benefits administrator during enrollment periods to help ensure benefits plan procedures are effectively communicated and enforced;
(c) to work with the benefits administrator to develop benefits communication materials and attend work site meetings at which benefits are explained;
(d) to assist with the annual process of negotiating with the University over the employer contribution to the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust; and
(e) to serve on the board of the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust.
Section Nine- The duties of the Vice President for External Relations shall include the following:
(a) to be responsible, in conjunction with the President, for originating, reviewing or editing correspondence between the GTFF and its affiliate organizations or other external organizations(not including the University or its agents);
(b) to serve as the ranking Delegate at the Lane County Central Labor Council;
(c) to be responsible for forming and chairing a Legislative Committee;
(d) to attend meetings of the affiliate organizations in the absence of the President;
(e) to ensure that affiliate convention deadlines are met;
(f) to encourage members to run for office or serve on committees of State or National affiliated unions.
(g) On the advice and consent of the Executive Board, the Vice President for External Relations may delegate representational responsibilities to a regular member, as long as the responsibilities do not require an elected member to serve.
Section Ten- The duties of the Vice President for Membership Communication include the following:
(a) to serve as editor of the newsletter and be responsible for scheduling all related volunteer activities;
(b) to be responsible for publishing and distributing the Executive Council and General Membership meeting notices;
(c) to be responsible for all electronic communication between the union and its members;
(d) to be responsible for monthly updates on the GTFF website..
Section Eleven- The duties of the Vice President for Political Education shall include the following:
(a) to be responsible for forming and chairing the COPE Committee;
(b) to serve as the chair of any ad-hoc committee set up for the purpose of determining or allocating contributions or endorsements for political candidates or ballot measures;
(c) to act as liaison with other University organizations
(d) to assist the Vice President for External Relations in establishing and maintaining contact with external political organizations; and
(e) to encourage members to make voluntary payroll deductions to the COPE fund.