ATTENTION:

CSEA Chapter 76 members:

 

This document was reviewed by CSEA Executive Boards, including the current one. I was asked to review the document and prepare it to submit to the membership for review, discussion, and approval by vote.

 

The most significant changes the reviewers suggested are:

 

 

·       Expanding the Executive Board to include elected Site Reps.

     SEE pp. 7, 14-16.

·       Election process for EBoard Officers by absentee ballot. SEE pp. 8

·       Defining Past President’s role with EBoard. SEE p. 10

·       Adding a 2nd Vice President position to EBoard. SEE p. 11-12

·       Adding July and August chapter meetings at discretion of President. SEE p. 17

·       Reducing the number of members present to 7 in order to conduct chapter business at meeting. SEE p. 18

·       Negotiating Team appointment and procedures. SEE p. 19

·       Job Stewards’ terms of office SEE p. 22

 

When you read and think about this, please NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

 

·       I have left in the changes and additions  (underlined) as I received them,.

·       Any suggested additions, changes, or reorganizations of text that  I made are underlined also, but with my initials, (MS) in a comment box off to the side. Any questions I had are also in these boxes.   [ms1] 

 

This document is being presented to the membership twice, as required by our Constitution: once for review at this meeting, and then again (in a version incorporating any additional changes) for final vote by secret ballot. PLEASE read thoroughly, discuss with your colleagues, and submit your comments and additions/changes to me.  Respectfully submitted, Maria Shufeldt, Learning Center,  Ext. 5335, shufeldt@glendale.edu

 

 


CONSTITUTION OF

Glendale Community College Chapter No. 76, CSEA

Adopted __________________, ______

Latest Revision February 1, 2005

 

 

This Constitution is the local operating document for this Chapter as formulated under Article III, Section 8 of the State Association Constitution.

 

Where used throughout this document, "State Association" or "Association" means the California School Employees Association, the statewide governing body for this organization; "organization" and "chapter" are interchangeable and mean Glendale Community College Chapter No. 76, CSEA.

 


Table of Contents

ARTICLE I - NAME AND OBJECTS. 2

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP. 2

ARTICLE III - DUES and ASSESSMENTS. 6

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD / ELECTION PROCEDURES. 7

ARTICLE V - AUTHORITY OF EXECUTIVE BOARD / DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 10

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS. 17

ARTICLE VII - CONTROL OF FUNDS / BUDGET. 18

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES. 18

ARTICLE IX - JOB STEWARDS. 22

ARTICLE X - SITE REPRESENTATIVES. 24

ARTICLE XI - RECALL OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. 24

ARTICLE XII - DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE. 26

ARTICLE XIII - CONTRACT RATIFICATION. 27

ARTICLE XIV - CONCERTED ACTIVITIES. 29

ARTICLE XV - AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION. 30

ARTICLE XVI - DISBANDMENT OF CHAPTER. 31

ARTICLE XVII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY. 31

ARTICLE XVIII - MEMBER CONTROL. 31


ARTICLE I - NAME AND OBJECTS

 

Section 1.    Name:  The name of this organization shall be Glendale Community College chapter No. 76 of the California School Employees Association.

 

Section 2.    Objects:  The objects of this organization shall be: to promote the good and welfare of the members of this organization under the available labor relations system; to secure for them reasonable hours, fair wages and improved working conditions; to establish a spirit of cooperation, good faith and fair dealings with the employer; to safeguard, advance and promote the principle of free collective bargaining in a democratic society; to promote such legislation as may be in the best interests of the members of this organization; to promote the efficiency and raise the standards of service of its members and other public service workers; to instill confidence, good will and understanding among the members and their employers; to promote the economic and social welfare of the members of the Association through unity of action and mutual cooperation.

 

 

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1.    Categories of membership in this chapter shall include the following:

 

          (a)      Active:  "Active" membership, which carries with it the privilege of full participation in Chapter activities, including the right to vote and to hold elected or appointed offices, shall be extended to any person employed in a bargaining unit represented by this Chapter, without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or political belief.  "Active" membership status shall cease at such time as the member becomes eligible for any other category of membership defined herein, except as follows:

 

                    (1)      "Active" members who are laid off may continue in "Active" status until expiration of their 39-month reemployment period or until reemployed, whichever comes first, upon continued payment of the established dues in effect at the time of layoff.

 

                    (2)      "Active" members who are appealing an involuntary termination action by the employer may continue in "Active" status until the appeal(s) process has been terminated and the status of their employment has been finally decided, upon continued payment of the established dues in effect at the time of the involuntary termination.

 

                    (3)      Nothing herein shall be construed to require continued "Active" status of members under paragraphs (1) and (2) above for the purpose of continued CSEA representation regarding their employment/reemployment rights.  However, retention of "Active" status shall be required for such employees to continue to be eligible to hold appointed or elective offices within the State Association and Chapter and to have voice and vote and otherwise participate in Chapter and State Association affairs.

 

                    (4)      "Active" members of this Chapter must also be "Active" members of the State Association as defined in the State Association's Constitution.

 

(b)  Inactive:  Any "Active" member of this Chapter who (1) is granted an unpaid leave of absence by the employer, or (2) is placed on a reemployment list for reasons other than layoff and is not otherwise in a paid status with the employer, or (3) is laid off and elects not to continue as an "Active" member under provisions of paragraph (a)(1) above, may continue membership in an "Inactive" status until expiration of the approved leave of absence or reemployment list, or until returned to paid employment status in an eligible position [as defined by paragraph (a) above], whichever occurs first, upon continued payment of dues at 1/2 the rate required of them as an "Active" member at the time the leave or placement on the reemployment list occurred.  Such dues shall be paid annually in advance, or for the number of months of the approved leave if less than one year.  Such members shall be eligible to continue to receive such membership benefits as are generally made available to the "Active" membership, unless specifically excluded by contract.  They shall not, however, be accorded voice or vote in Chapter or State Association affairs.

 

(c)  Active Retired:  Any person who was a[ms2]  member of the Chapter at the time of retirement and who also maintains a Retired Membership in good standing with the State Association may continue as an "Active" member of this Chapter upon payment of the regular Chapter dues required of "Active" members.  Such dues shall be paid annually in advance or monthly in advance direct to the Chapter Treasurer.  Such members shall be entitled to continued full participation in Chapter affairs, including the right to vote, with the exception of the right to vote in contract ratification and concerted activities matters.

 

Should such member cease to be a Retired Member in good standing of the State Association, his/her Chapter membership shall automatically terminate.

 

Active retired members may hold chapter offices except for President, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President.

 

 

Section 2.    "Active" membership shall be effective upon the completion, dating, and signing of an official CSEA application form as provided by the State Association, and execution of a valid authorization for payroll deduction of dues or payment of at least one year's dues in advance.  The application shall be promptly countersigned by the Chapter Treasurer who shall immediately forward the approved application, together with advance dues received if any, to the State Association, and submit payroll deduction authorizations to the appropriate district office.

 

Section 3.    Membership "In Good Standing"

 

          (a)      Membership "in good standing" shall be effective and shall continue upon receipt of the required dues for the current month.  For purposes of establishing voting rights and eligibility to hold an elected or appointed office, "Active" members whose dues are paid via payroll deduction shall not be deemed to be "in good standing" until the first of the month following the month in which the first dues are deducted, unless s/he pays dues in cash for the interim period.

 

          (b)      Membership shall terminate with:

 

                    (1)      The effective date of layoff for members who are laid off and who choose not to continue in either an "Active" or "Inactive" status under provisions of Sections 1(a)(1) or 1(b) above.

 

                    (2)      The effective date of an unpaid leave of absence or placement on a reemployment list for reasons other than layoff, for such members who choose not to continue in an "Inactive" status under provisions of Section 1(b) above.

 

                    (3)      The date of termination of their 39-month reemployment rights or approved leave of absence for members who have continued in an "Active" or "Inactive" status, if such members have not been returned to active employment.

 

                    (4)      The date of execution of a document terminating payroll deduction of dues, unless arrangements have been made with the Chapter Treasurer for advance cash payment.

 

                    (5)      The effective date of removal from the bargaining unit, or voluntary termination of employment.

 

                    (6)      The effective date of involuntary termination of employment, unless the member is eligible to continue and elects to retain "Active" status as permitted under provisions of Section 1(a)(2) above.

 

                    (7)      Actions pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 below.

 

Section 4.  Fair Share Service Fee Payers:

 

Employees obligated to pay either dues or fair share service fees to CSEA pursuant to organizational security provisions in the collective bargaining agreement and who choose not to be "Active" members of this Chapter shall be carried on the Chapter rolls as "Fair Share Service Fee Payers".  Such persons shall pay fair share service fees in an amount equal to the dues required of "Active" members of the Chapter (less any local Chapter fees unless collection of local Chapter fees has been approved by the State Association) subject to annual requests for advance refunds of the portion of fair share service fees that CSEA determines will be used for purposes not related to collective bargaining, in accordance with the policies of the State Association.

 

"Fair Share Service Fee Payers" shall be entitled to full rights of representation in all matters related to their collective bargaining agreement.  They shall not, however, have the right of voice, vote, or other participation in Chapter or State Association affairs, unless otherwise provided herein or required by law.

 

Section 5.    Delinquency & Resignation:

         

          (a)      Members who no longer wish to retain that status may resign CSEA membership by written notification to the Chapter Treasurer.  They shall become "Fair Share Service Fee Payers" subject to the same fair share service fees and rights, benefits and burdens as provided under Section 4 of this Article.

 

          (b)      Any member failing to pay all dues owed for the current month shall be deemed delinquent and shall not be considered to be "in good standing" until such delinquency has been remitted.  Any member allowing his/her arrearages for dues to run over 90 days shall be conclusively presumed to have resigned his/her membership effective on said date and if applicable shall be subject to paragraph (a) above and such action as may be provided under the collective bargaining agreement, unless the Treasurer is notified 30 days prior thereto that the member has not resigned and arrangements for payment of arrearages are made.

 

          (c)      Members who have resigned shall, upon reapplication, be admitted as new  members.

 

Section 6.    Expulsion, Suspension, Discipline:

 

          (a)      No member may be involuntarily removed from the membership rolls except as provided for in Sections 3 and 5 above, or in accordance with the procedures for expulsion, suspension and discipline of members as specified in the State Association Constitution.

 

          (b)      All matters for proposed disciplinary action against members shall be referred to the State Association for action, except that members may be recalled from office in accordance with provisions of Article XI of this Constitution.

 

 

ARTICLE III - DUES and ASSESSMENTS

 

Section 1.    State Association Per Capita Dues

 

(a)      Per capita dues to the Association for Active members shall be assessed at the rate of 1.5% of the first $2,450 of monthly gross salary (excluding overtime, but including longevity, professional growth and anniversary increments), but not to exceed a maximum of $367.50 for the 12-month period commencing each September 1st and continuing through the following August 31st.  Said dues shall be payable by payroll deduction or annually in advance direct to the Association.

 

(1)      Payroll deduction shall commence in September of each year and continue through the following August for each month the member is in a paid status, or until the maximum of $367.50 has been deducted, whichever comes first.

 

(2)      Annual in advance payments must be remitted direct to the Association's accounting office no later than September 30, or within 30 days following membership application for new members after September.  Such annual payments shall be as calculated by the Association's Accounting Office in accordance with the Association's Bylaws.

 

Section 2.    Chapter Dues.   Local Chapter dues for "Active" members of this Chapter shall be $20.00 per year, payable by payroll deduction during each of the months September through August in which the member is in regular paid status; or payable annually in advance to the Chapter Treasurer.

 

Section 3.   The local Chapter dues plus the State per capita dues equals the member's total dues requirement.

 

Section 4.    Assessments:  No assessments shall be levied in this Chapter other than those approved by sixty percent (60%) of the Chapter membership voting on the question by secret ballot.   Each member shall be notified in writing at least ten (10) days in advance of the nature of the proposal and the time, date and place where the matter will be discussed.  The voting method as outlined in Article XIII, Section 5 shall be utilized for all assessments.

 

Section 5.    Fund Solicitation:  No funds shall be solicited in the name of the Chapter without authorization of the Executive Board.  All funds collected (together with an accounting of source) shall be delivered to the Chapter Treasurer within five (5) working days of receipt, for deposit in the Chapter’s account.

 

 

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD / ELECTION PROCEDURES

 

Section 1.    Officers:  The following officers shall be elected by and from among the total "Active" membership of the Chapter, regardless of the location of their employment:  President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Chief Job Steward, Representative for Administrative Services Staff, Representative for College Services Staff, Representative for Instructional Services Staff, Representative for District-Wide Services.

 

Section 2.    Executive Board:  The elected officers designated in Section 1 shall constitute the Executive Board of this Chapter.

 

Section 3.    Eligibility to Hold Office:  Officers shall be elected from among the "Active" members of the Chapter who are in good standing and have passed their initial probation period. 

 

(a)      Nominees for elected office shall be “Active” members of the Chapter in good standing at the time of nomination and can only accept nomination for one Executive Board office.

 

Section 4.  Nominating and Election Procedures:

 

(a)      A Nominating Committee appointed, as hereinafter provided, shall provide recommendations (nominations) of all officer [ms3] candidates to fill the elected offices in Section 1 whom the committee has qualified to hold office. The qualified officer [ms4] candidates’ names shall be submitted at the November Chapter meeting. Nominations to fill the elective offices listed in Section 1 shall be accepted every 2 years, in the odd numbered years, except when a vacancy necessitates nomination and election by the membership in a special election.[ms5] 

(b) Nominations for these offices shall be accepted from the floor at the October  and November Chapter meetings.

 

(c)      If, after nominations are closed at the November Chapter meeting there is only one nomination for an office, the single nominee shall be declared elected to the office, and no balloting or other action shall be required.  The Chapter President shall so notify the membership in writing as soon thereafter as possible.

 

(d)      Election Process: [ms6] 

(1). When there is more than one nominee for an office, an election shall be conducted before the December Chapter meeting by secret ballot vote of Active members in good standing.

 

(2)