Agenda Item # 4
SUBJECT: BOD Meeting – Biennial (Article V.D.1.)
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
Should the AFA-CWA C&B Article V.D.1 be amended to require the BOD meet on a biennial basis (every other year), instead of the current annual requirement?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: CAL 62, 63, 64 – February 27, 2015
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The current annual requirement is financially onerous on the Union as a whole, and the local councils – especially the smaller regional carriers who do not have a large dues base from which to fund their participation. The estimated cost to our union for each BOD meeting is excessive. Further, the AFA-CWA budget has been in crisis for several years now. The requirement to hold a yearly BOD meeting is a very large burden on an already tight budget.
Our C&B , in Article V.D.5, allows for special BOD meetings to be called at any time by the Executive Board, the International President, or by demand of the membership. Should the need arise for our Union to address any unforeseen circumstances requiring action by the Board, we would be able to respond quickly, and at a much lower total cost.
By comparison: TWU holds its Constitutional Convention every 3-4 years, CWA (our parent) meets on a biennial basis, IAM meets every 4 years, and the Teamsters meet every 5 years.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS the current requirement to hold a BOD meeting yearly is financially onerous on the Union as a whole, and on Local Councils; and,
WHEREAS many Local Councils without a large dues base struggle financially to participate adequately at the BOD; and,
WHEREAS, the AFA-CWA budget has been in crisis for several years; and,
WHEREAS, the requirement to hold a yearly BOD meeting further burdens an already stressed budget; and,
WHEREAS, the C&Bs allow for a special BOD meeting to be called at any time by the Executive Board, International President, or member demand; and,
WHEREAS, the membership can be more adequately served by a financially stronger International and Local Councils,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the C&Bs shall be amended to require biennial (every two years) BOD meetings instead of the current annual requirement.
