Bill of Rights for Union Members

No person otherwise eligible for membership in this union shall be denied membership on a basis of unqualified equality, because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, or political belief.

Members shall suffer no impairment of freedom of speech concerning the operations of this union. Active discussion of union affairs shall be encouraged and protected within this organization.

Members shall have the right to conduct the internal affairs of the union free from employer domination.

Members shall have the right to fair and democratic elections at all levels of the union. This includes due notice of nominations and elections, equal opportunity for competing candidates, and proper election procedures which shall be constitutionally specified.

Members shall have an equal right to run for and hold office, subject only to constitutionally specified qualifications, uniformly applied.

Members shall have the right to a full and clear accounting of all union funds at all levels. Such accounting shall include, but not be limited to, periodic reports to the membership by the appropriate fiscal officers and periodic audits by officers elected for that purpose or by independent auditors not otherwise connected with the union.

Members shall have the right to full participation, through discussion and vote, in the decision-making processes of the union, and to pertinent information needed for the exercise of this right. This right shall specifically include decisions concerning the acceptance or rejection of collective bargaining contracts, memoranda of understanding, or any other agreements affecting their wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment. All members shall have an equal right to vote and each vote case shall be of equal weight.

Charges against a member or officer shall be specific and shall be only on grounds provided in this Constitution. Accused members or officers shall have the right to fair trail with strict adherence to due process. The accused shall be considered innocent until proven guilty.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND OFFICES

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Florida Public Employees Council 79 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.

Section 2. The Council shall maintain an office in the City of Tallahassee, Florida, and in such other locations as the Council Executive Board may determine to be necessary and appropriate.

ARTICLE II

AFFILIATION

This Council is chartered by and shall be affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.

ARTICLE III

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this Council shall be to carry out the objectives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, and to:

promote and extend the organization of public employees and workers in general;
conduct negotiations and bargain collectively for wages, hours, and working conditions for all local unions within the jurisdiction of the Council;
promote legislation and political action through a united effort of all AFSCME locals in the State of Florida;

foster cooperation among affiliated locals;

provide research, educational and organizational services and activities designed to assist members and affiliates;

represent local unions: (1) on grievances which reach the highest level; (2) before legislative and administrative bodies, councils, commissions and committees; and (3) in any other matter to carry out the objectives of the Council and the International Union; and

cooperate with other labor organizations in particular and other segments of our society in general toward to the end that the material riches of American society be more justly distributed and the moral promise of American life be realized.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP AND REVENUE

Section 1. All AFSCME local unions in the State of Florida shall become and remain affiliated with this Council.

Section 2. Per capita tax shall be paid to this council by each affiliated local union on the number of individual monthly dues payments received by the local during each month. Effective June 1, 2001, the per capita tax rate shall be $13.33 per month. Effective January 1, 2002, the per capita rate shall be $14.33 plus the amount of the annual adjustment required by the International Constitution. Each January thereafter, this rate shall be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of the International Constitution. Monthly per capita tax payments shall be made to the Council on the same number of members as are reported in the local's report to the International Union.

Section 3. The per capita tax for members who have regular work schedules of twenty (20) or fewer hours per week shall be 25% less than the rate established in Section 2 above, provided that the local union dues rate for such members is set at an amount sufficiently below the rate paid by other members to reflect in full the lower per capita tax rate.

Section 4. In any case where the dues deduction of an affiliated local union is transmitted directly by the employer to this Council, the Council Treasurer shall deduct the constitutionally established per capita tax for the Council and shall deduct and pay, on behalf of the local union, its constitutionally established per capita tax to the International Union not later than the 15th day of the month following the month in which such dues are received by the Council. The Council Treasurer also shall deduct and pay such other amounts as may be requested by the local union. After the foregoing deductions have been made, the remaining amount shall be transmitted to the local union, together with an accounting of all amounts received and all payments made on behalf of each local union.

Section 5. Failure of a local union to remit its Council per capita tax for any month by the 15th day of the following month shall result in the local being declared delinquent. Failure of a local to remit its Council per capita tax for any month within thirty (30) days after such local has been declared delinquent shall result in the local's automatic suspension from the privileges and benefits of this Council. Suspension shall remain in effect until all overdue per capita tax has been paid.

Section 6. The Council Treasurer shall notify the International Union President and Secretary-Treasurer of all delinquent or suspended locals and of all reinstatements.

ARTICLE V

THE CONVENTION

Section 1. All sovereign power of this Council shall be vested in the Council Convention when in session.

Section 2. Regular conventions shall be held once every two years commencing in 1992. The time and place for the holding of the convention shall be set by the Council Executive Board; provided, however, that the convention shall begin at some time between the first day of September and the last day of December. However, during the off year, specialized education training will be offered.

Section 3. Special conventions may be called at any time and upon at least thirty (30) days notice by a two-thirds vote of the Council Executive Board, or by the Council President with the approval of a majority of the Council Executive Board. One-third of the affiliated locals, by resolution properly adopted and forwarded to the Council Secretary, can compel the calling of a special convention for the purpose or purposes set forth in the resolution. A special convention also can be called by the International President or by an authorized representative of the International President.

Section 4. The basis of representation in Council conventions shall be the average number of members on which per capita tax was actually paid to the Council by each affiliated local union for the twelve month period ending with the second full month prior to the opening of the convention. In the case of any local organized or affiliated after the beginning of the twelve month period, the basis of representation shall be the average number of members on which per capita tax was actually paid to the Council for the full number of months for which per capita tax has been paid.

Section 5. Representation will be based on the number of members in each local. The formula used for ascertaining the number of delegates for each local shall be as follows:

One hundred members or fewer, one delegate
More than 100 but not exceeding 200, two delegates
More than 200 but not exceeding 300, three delegates
More than 300 but not exceeding 400, four delegates
More than 400 but not exceeding 500, five delegates
More than 500, one additional delegate for each 500 additional members or fraction thereof.
Local unions may elect one alternate delegate for each delegate.

Section 6. Regardless of the number of delegates, locals shall be entitled to vote on the basis of one vote for each member or fraction thereof. Locals entitled to more than one delegate may send fewer than their quota of delegates and the delegates present may cast the entire vote of the local on all recorded votes and elections coming before the convention. The number of votes shall be divided equally among the delegates with any remaining votes to be cast by the Chairperson of the Delegation, as designated by the local. No fractional votes shall be permitted.

Section 7. Each delegate must be a member in good standing of the local such delegate represents. Any member of the Council Executive Board who is not elected as a delegate representing a local union shall nevertheless be entitled to all the rights and privileges of a delegate except the right to vote.

Section 8. At least sixty (60) days prior to each regular convention, the Council Secretary shall send to each local a Convention Call, accompanied by the appropriate number of credential forms. In the case of a convention at which the election of officers is to take place, this shall be indicated in the Convention Call.

Section 9. No local union shall be entitled to representation in any convention of the Council unless all of its per capita tax and other just obligations to the International Union and the Council have been paid in full by or on the day credentials are presented at the convention.

Section 10. To vote, delegates must be on the floor when a vote is taken. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. All issues shall be decided by a majority vote of the accredited delegates voting, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Constitution.

Section 11. Any resolution to be introduced to the convention shall be submitted, in writing, to the Council Secretary not later than ten (10) days prior to the opening of the convention. Thereafter, no resolution can be introduced except by permission of two-thirds of the convention; provided, however, that the Council President or the Council Executive Board may introduce a resolution for consideration by the convention at any time the convention is in session.

Section 12. All delegates and alternates to the convention of the Council shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of Appendix D, Elections Code, of the International Union Constitution. The names of such delegates shall be certified by the appropriate officers of the locals to the Council Secretary at least ten (10) days prior to the time of the convention.

Section 13. No delegate may represent more than one local union.

Section 14. Expenses of delegates attending council conventions shall be the responsibility of the delegates or their respective local unions.

Section 15. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of delegates representing not less than one-third of the affiliated locals which are entitled to representation at a Council convention.

Section 16. Local union presidents shall be automatic delegates to all special conventions of this Council, unless the local union constitution provides for a different automatic delegate.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. The Officers of this Council shall be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, five (5) Vice Presidents, and fifteen (15) Executive Board Members. These twenty-three (23) shall constitute the Executive Board of the Council. In addition, there shall be elected a Sergeant-at-Arms and three (3) Trustees who shall not be members of the Executive Board.

Section 2. The President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms and three (3) Trustees shall be elected at large; provided, however, that no more than one (1) of these shall be elected from the same local union.

Section 3. The five (5) Vice Presidents shall be elected as follows: delegates from local unions belonging to the State Employee Conference Board shall elect one (1) Vice President; delegates from local unions belonging to the City/County Employee Conference Board shall elect one (1) Vice President; delegates from local unions belonging to the School Employee Conference Board shall elect one (1) Vice President; delegates from local unions belonging to the Private Non-Profit Employee Conference Board shall elect one (1) Vice President; and delegates from local unions belonging to the College/University Employee Conference Board shall elect one (1) Vice President. By virtue of their election, the Vice Presidents so elected also shall serve as Chairpersons of their respective Conference Boards.

Section 4. For the purpose of electing fifteen (15) Executive Board Members, the State of Florida shall be divided into five (5) Regions. From each Region three (3) Executive Board Members shall be elected by the delegates representing local unions within that Region. In each Region, at least one (1) Executive Board Member shall come from either a City/County Local union or a School Local Union, but in no case shall there be less than three (3) Executive Board Members from each of the five (5) Regions.

The Regions are as follows: Panhandle, Northeast, West Central, East Central, and South.

Panhandle Region - Local unions whose jurisdiction falls within the Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.

Northeast Region - Local unions whose jurisdiction falls within the Counties of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, and Union.

West Central Region - Local unions whose jurisdiction falls within the Counties of Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter.

East Central Region - Local unions whose jurisdiction falls within the Counties of Brevard, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, St. Lucie, Seminole and Volusia.

South Region - Local unions whose jurisdiction falls within the Counties of Broward, Dade, Palm Beach, and Monroe.

Section 5. Each Region established pursuant to Section 4 shall be entitled to elect one (1) additional Executive Board Member for each increase of 2,500 in its membership over that existing on the founding date of this Council (February 24, 1979). The entitlement to such additional Executive Board seats shall become effective at the next Council Convention at which regular elections are scheduled.

Section 6. The terms of office of the Council President, Council Secretary, and Council Treasurer elected at the founding Convention shall run until the 1982 Convention; thereafter, the terms of such offices shall be four (4) years. The terms of office of the Vice Presidents, Executive Board members, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Trustees elected at the founding Convention shall run until the 1980 Convention; thereafter the terms of such offices shall be two (2) years. To be eligible to run for any office or Executive Board position in Council 79 a candidate must be in good standing with an affiliated local or locals for one year at the time of the election.

Section 7. Nominations and elections shall take place at the Convention. The Pre-Convention incumbents shall remain in office until the election is completed and the report of the Election Committee is adopted by the Convention. At that time, the newly elected officers shall be installed.

Section 8. All matters concerning nominations and elections in this Council shall be subject to the provisions of Appendix D, Elections Code, of the International Union Constitution.

Section 9. Every officer upon assuming office, shall subscribe to the Obligation of an Officer contained in Appendix B, Elections Code, of the International Union Constitution.

Section 10. Vacancies in office shall be filled on a temporary basis by vote of the Executive Board. At the next Convention of the Council, a replacement shall be elected by the delegates to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 11. Should any officer be absent from three (3) consecutive Executive Board Meetings without excuse acceptable to the Board, that office shall be declared vacant and filled in accordance with this Constitution.

Section 12. No member shall be eligible to seek office unless all accounts and per capita tax due the Council and the International Union are paid in full by the local union of which the member holds membership. No retired member shall be eligible to be a candidate for any office.

Section 13. No regular full-time salaried staff employee of this Council may seek office in this Council.

ARTICLE VII

DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Council President shall:

be a full-time chief executive and administrative officer of the Council and conduct the affairs of the Council in accordance with this Constitution and in accordance with the policy decisions of the Convention and the Executive Board;

serve as the presiding officer at all meetings of the Convention, the Executive Board, and as an ex-officio member of all committees, except election committees, and appoint all standing and special committees of the Council and all convention committees, subject to the approval of the Executive Board;

with the approval of the Executive Board, procure suitable office(s) for the transaction of Council business; under policies established by the Executive Board, employ, terminate, fix the compensation and expenses of, and direct the activity of such office staff, field staff organizers, and representatives as are required to carry out effectively the functions of the Council;

with the approval of the Executive Board, engage such technical and professional services, including legal counsel, as may be required;

in advance of each fiscal year, submit to the Executive Board a proposed budget for the coming year, setting forth the anticipated income and the sources thereof and the anticipated expenditures and their purposes. The proposed budget shall be subject to revision and approval by the Executive Board;

sign all contracts and other official documents of the Council; but may, instead, with the approval of the Executive Board, designate a Deputy to so sign;
countersign all checks drawn on the funds of the Council, but may, instead, with the approval of the Executive Board, designate a Deputy to so sign;
report regularly to the Executive Board and to the Convention of official activities and on the progress of the Council;

serve as a delegate to all Conventions at which the Council is entitled to representation; and

perform such other duties as may be required by the Constitution, the Convention, or the Executive Board.

Section 2. The five (5) Vice Presidents shall be the Chairpersons of the respective Conference Boards. The Council President shall designate one of the five (5) Vice Presidents to serve as presiding officer of the Council during the temporary disability or absence of the President. If the President makes no such designation during an absence, the Council Executive Board shall select one of the Vice Presidents to serve as temporary presiding officer of the Council. The Vice Presidents shall assist the Council President in carrying out the functions of that office, and shall perform such duties as may be required by the Constitution, the Convention, or the Executive Board.

Section 3. The Council Treasurer shall receive and take charge of all money and property of the Council. The Council Treasurer shall deposit all money in a bank which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the name of the Council, and money so deposited shall be withdrawn only by check signed in accordance with this Constitution. The Council Treasurer shall draw and sign checks for such purposes as are authorized by this Constitution or are authorized by the Council Convention or the Executive Board. The Council Treasurer, with the approval of the Executive Board, may authorize a Deputy to sign instead. The Council Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements and shall render a report thereon at each meeting of the Council Executive Board. The Council Treasurer shall report fully on the financial standing of the Council to each affiliated local union not less often than semi-annually.

Section 4. The Council Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Convention and of meetings of the Executive Board, recording faithfully each motion that is made and the disposition of such motion. The Council Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be required by this Constitution, the Convention, or the Executive Board.

Section 5. The Executive Board of the Council shall be the governing body of the Council between Conventions. All matters affecting the policies, aims, and means of accomplishing the purposes of the Council not specifically provided for in this Constitution or by action of the Council Convention, shall be decided by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall meet not less often than quarterly. Special meetings may be called by the Council President or by a majority of the members of the Executive Board. Special Meetings also may be called by the International President. A report on all actions of the Executive Board shall be made at each Council Convention. A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall be required for a quorum.

Section 6. The Executive Board shall establish appropriate salaries and expense allowances for the officers and members of the Executive Board.

Section 7. The Trustees shall make or cause to be made at least annually an audit of the finances of the Council, and shall report to each Council Convention and to each affiliated local union the results of such audit.

Section 8. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be responsible for maintaining order and decorum at all Council conventions, for arranging suitable accommodations for official visitors to Council conventions, and for performing such incidental duties as the Council President may assign.

ARTICLE VIII

CONFERENCE BOARDS

Section 1. There are hereby established five (5) Conference Boards which shall be known as the State Employee Conference Board, City/County Employee Conference Board, School Employee Conference Board, Private Non-Profit Employee Conference Board, and College/University Employee Conference Board, respectively.

Section 2. The State Employee Conference Board shall consist of the Council Vice President elected by delegates from the State Employee Local Unions, and the President and County Chapter Chairpersons of each State Employee Local Union.

Section 3. The City/County Employee Conference Board shall consist of the Council Vice President elected by delegates from City and/or County Local Unions, and the four (4) principal officers of each City and County Employees Local Union. In any local union having more than four (4) principal officers, the local union Executive Board shall designate which four (4) shall be delegates to the Conference Board.

Section 4. The School/College Employee Conference Board shall consist of the Council Vice President elected by delegates from School and/or College Local Unions, and the four (4) principal officers of each School and College Employee Local Union. If any local union having more than four (4) principal officers, the local union Executive Board shall designate which four (4) shall be delegates to the Conference Board.

Section 5. The Private Non-Profit Employee Conference Board shall consist of the Council Vice President elected by delegates from Private Non-Profit Local Unions, and the four (4) principal officers of each Private Non-Profit Employee Local Union. If any local union having more than four (4) principal officers, the local union Executive Board shall designate which four (4) shall be delegates to the Conference Board.

Section 6.The College/University Conference Board shall consist of the Council Vice President elected be delegates from College/University Local Unions, and the four (4) principal officers of each College/University Employee Local Union. If any local union having more than four (4) principal officers, the local union Executive Board shall designate which four (4) shall be delegates to the Conference Board.

Section 7. The Conference Board shall be chaired by the appropriate Council Vice President. Subject to the approval of the Executive Board, each Conference Board shall establish and maintain programs for the benefit of the local unions which make up the respective Conference Boards, shall establish the terms and conditions upon which local unions may participate in such programs, and shall establish a schedule for periodic meetings of the Conference Boards.

Section 8. Each Conference Board shall consider labor-management matters affecting the locals which make up the Conference Board. These shall include but not be limited to: the establishment and recommendation of bargaining goals; the establishment and recommendation of standard contract provisions; the exchange of information regarding the settlement of grievances; mutual assistance in organizing, servicing, and bargaining; and, where appropriate, joint bargaining with a common employer.

ARTICLE IX

JUDICIAL PROCEDURES

All charges, trials and appeals shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of the International Constitution of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1. This Council shall at all time be subject to the provisions of the International Constitution of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Section 2. Except to the extent specified in this Constitution, no officer of this Council shall have the power to act as agent for or otherwise bind the Council in any way whatsoever. No member or group of members or other person or persons shall have the power to act on behalf of or otherwise bind the Council except to the extent specifically authorized in writing by the Council President or the Council Executive Board.

Section 3. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the guide in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution and special rules of this Council or of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by proposals properly introduced at the Council Convention and approved by a two-thirds vote of the Council Convention. Such proposals shall be submitted, in writing, to the Council Secretary not later than ten (10) days prior to the opening of the Council Convention. Thereafter, no proposal to amend the Constitution can be introduced except by permission of two-thirds vote of the Council Convention; provided, however, that the Council President or the Council Executive Board may introduce an amendment for the consideration by the Convention at any time the Convention is in session.

Section 2. Any proposed amendment which is submitted to the Council Secretary at least ninety (90) days prior to the opening of the Council Convention shall be reproduced in full and mailed to each affiliated local union not later than sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the Council Convention, and any proposed amendment which is so introduced and distributed may be approved by a majority vote of the Council Convention.

Section 3. The Council Executive Board shall review and make a recommendation to the Council Convention on any proposal to amend the Constitution.

Section 4. Any amendment approved by the Council Convention shall be immediately submitted to the International President and such amendment shall take effect only upon written approval of the International President.

APPROVED BY:

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Gerald W. McEntee
International President

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Date
 

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