Agenda Item #22

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    Local Councils – Establishment (Section I.I.)

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

Should the minimum number of members required to establish a Local Council be increased?

SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED:       Strategic Planning Committee – March 9, 2018

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The purpose of this agenda item is to focus on the minimum size of 100 active members at the prospective Council, as well as the minimum size of 400 active members at the airline.

Constitutional research revealed that the provisions to establish Local Councils were placed in the Constitution and Bylaws at the BOD Meeting in 1985.  The minimum number to establish a council was over 50 active members in good standing at the prospective council, and over 150 at the airline. In 1987, these numbers were amended to increase the respective minimums to 100 and 400.

In reviewing this topic, the SPC focus was to ensure the level of representation would be maintained or enhanced before any change could be recommended.

A key focus is whether there is a sufficient pool of member leaders with only 100 active members from which to find good union reps.  This would include not only the three Local Officers, but volunteers for committee positions as well.

Experience, especially as it relates to Local Officer elections, is that we have been conducting more Special Elections at small councils.  Many times, there is insufficient candidates in the nomination process, so ballots are sent without candidates for each open officer positions.

Representation depends on quality of volunteers, which makes it more difficult when the pool of members is too small to generate a sufficient number of volunteers.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

WHEREAS, providing exceptional representation is the goal of all AFA-CWA Local Councils, and this exceptional representation is dependent upon committed volunteers from the Local Council; and,

WHEREAS, each Local Council must have a sufficient pool of members in order to fill not only the three Local Officers, but volunteers for committee positions; and,

WHEREAS, experience as it relates to Local Officer elections, is that more Special Elections are required at small councils, and many times, there insufficient candidates in the nomination process, so ballots are sent without candidates for each open officer position; and,

WHEREAS, this experience indicates that a minimum size of 100 active members in good standing may not be sufficient to provide an adequate number of union representatives for all Local Officer and Committee Volunteer positions; and,

WHEREAS, this section of the Constitution and Bylaws and the applicable change does not apply in the situation of a Single Council Airline; and,

WHEREAS, the Executive Board continues to be empowered to establish a Local Council outside of the size parameters if special circumstances exist;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Section I.I. be amended as follows:

1. For the purpose of establishing more than one (1) Local Council on an airline or establishing a new Local Council, the membership on the carrier in the Local Councils should meet both of the following criteria:

a. Total membership on the airline should exceed four hundred (400) six hundred (600) active members in good standing.

b. Each Local Council should have over one hundred (100) two hundred and fifty (250) active members in good standing.

2. In accordance with Article III.C.1.c., and Article III.C.3.d., each domicile with less than one hundred (100) two hundred and fifty (250) members in good standing, shall be encouraged to elect a Local Council Representative and/or appoint Base Representatives.

3. In the event the Master Executive Council feels it is necessary to establish Local Councils outside these criteria, the Master Executive Council may petition the International President.

Date:   4/10/2018

Time:   4:50 pm

2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM 

Agenda Item              22

Committee                 5

Subject:                      Local Council – Establishment (Section I.I.) 

The Committee recommends the resolution not be adopted.

Signature:      Melissa Osborne, Committee Chairperson

Action Taken by the Board:   Voice   X           Division of the House            Roll Call      

_______Adopted        Date:  4/10/18           Time: 6:46 pm

_______Adopted as Amended

___X___Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn