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ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    BOD Meetings – Cities in which BOD Meetings are Scheduled

SUBJECT:  BOD Meetings – Cities in which BOD Meetings are Scheduled

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:  Should the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws be amended to reflect a requirement for Board of Directors Meetings to be held in locations which are served by no less than two (2) commercial airlines who maintain scheduled air service into the location from more than one city?

SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED:       UAL MEC, HAL 43 – April 10, 2018

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

It goes without saying our Members have the expectation that their elected Officers are fiscally responsible and make solid financial decisions, including the scheduling of the locations at which AFA Board of Directors Meetings are scheduled. There is also an expectation that these Meetings are to be scheduled in locations where there are Flight Attendant bases to encourage as many Members-in-Good-Standing to attend these BOD Meetings.

Within the framework of fiscal responsibility is the need to balance the time commitments and other schedule obligations of the Union leadership. The scheduling of BOD Meetings in locations with limited air service can make attaining these competing priorities difficult while increasing costs for those participating.  Given the participation of the leadership of our AFA airlines travel from the far corners of the world, traveling to locations with limited air service can add days to the travel time.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

WHEREAS, the elements of inclusion and fiscal responsibility expected from AFA leaders can present conflicting priorities; and,

WHEREAS, AFA Members have a desire and interest in being able to see their Union’s democratic process at work; and,

WHEREAS, Members in good standing are afforded the opportunity to attend these meetings under our Constitution & Bylaws; and,

WHEREAS, the Union Leadership and our Members rely on air service to travel to and from the locations where these meetings are scheduled, a regular schedule of service by more than one airline increases our ability not only to attend but to reliably and efficiently schedule these meetings.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article V.D.1.b. be amended as follows:

b. The regular annual Board of Directors meeting shall be held at the location designated by the Board of Directors. Reasonable and adequate hotel accommodations, in the form of single rooms, will be provided, unless otherwise specified. If price, availability, location and amenities are comparable, preferred lodging is at a union hotel. Special consideration shall be given to those hotels that provide rooms with windows that open and food availability twenty-four (24) hours a day located within the hotel, such as room service or lounge menu availability. No consideration shall be given to any potential BOD meeting locations with no less than two (2) commercial airlines who maintain scheduled air service into the location from more than one city. Such request is to be approved by the AFA-CWA Board of Directors.

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

 

Agenda Item              25 

Committee                 7

Subject:  BOD Meetings – Cities in which BOD Meetings are Scheduled

 

The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as amended:

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article V.D.1.b. be amended as follows:

b. The regular annual Board of Directors meeting shall be held at the location designated by the Board of Directors. Reasonable, safe, secure, and adequate hotel accommodations, in the form of single rooms, will be provided, unless otherwise specified. If price, availability, location, transportation, and amenities are comparable, preferred lodging is at a union hotel. Special consideration shall be given to those hotels that provide rooms with windows that open and food availability twenty-four (24) hours a day located within the hotel, such as room service or lounge menu availability.

  

Signature:      Tim Hopkins, Committee Chairperson

  

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice   X    Division of the House       Roll Call      

 

_______Adopted              Date:   4/10/18            Time: 10:48 am

      X     Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

 

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 24[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:     Petition Clarification (Article III.D.9.a.)

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

When a recall meeting petition is requested for multiple elected officers, should a separate petition be required for each Local Officer being subjected to recall?

SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED:        SPR 78 – March 9, 2018

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Article III.D.9. contains the governing language specific to member petitions pertaining to requesting a meeting to discuss circulation of a recall ballot.  A key provision is that a petition must be clearly marked with a single intended purpose.

As written, this provision is not clear whether a single or multiple petitions are required when the petitioner seeks a recall meeting to discuss the recall of more than one Local Officer.  This provision should be clarified to stipulate that a separate petition is required for each and every Local Officer being subjected to recall.

This clarification will ensure that it is clear to a member being presented with a petition that the petition is for just that individual.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

WHEREAS, Article III.D.9.a. stipulates that a member’s petition must be clearly marked with a single intended purpose; and,

WHEREAS, when multiple Local Officers are being subjected to the recall process, the single intended purpose would be more clear if separate petitions are completed for each individual subjected to the process;

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article III.D.9.a. be amended as follows:

9. Petitions

a. Any member who wishes to circulate a petition must first contact the office of the International Secretary-Treasurer to record the statement of the petition. Any petition that is circulated among members of a Local Council must be clearly marked with a single intended purpose.  If the petition is for the purpose of requesting a Special Local Council meeting to discuss circulation of a recall ballot, then the petition shall be limited to one Local Officer.  The petition bearer shall have sixty (60) days from the date the petition is recorded to submit the final petition to the International Secretary-Treasurer.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all remaining sections of Article III.D.9. remain unchanged.

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

Agenda Item              24

Committee                 8

Subject:  Petition Recall – Single Person (Article III.D.9.)

 

The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.

 

 

Signature:      Robert Barrow, Committee Chairperson

 

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice      X        Division of the House            Roll Call      

 

___X___Adopted Unanimously       Date:  4/10/18        Time: 1:43 pm

_______Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 23[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    Membership Contact Information (New Section II.K.)

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

Should the Policy Manual be amended to clarify that all membership contact information belongs to the Union and must be protected?

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

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

During the period of Officer transition after elections, at times it is unclear to some that contact information of members is the property of the Union.

While this has always been the case, it should be clarified, and the importance of protecting this confidential member information should be re-emphasized.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that a new Section II.K. be added as follows:

K. Email Lists and Contact Information

To protect the privacy of AFA Members, contact information such as home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, etc., must be protected.  As with all physical property of the Union, contact information may not be sold, distributed, or released to individuals or organizations that are not directly supporting the mission of AFA-CWA.  If contact information is distributed to outside organizations (e.g., a mail house) then an appropriate confidentiality agreement must be signed.  To ensure members can be contacted, the International Office must have access to all contact information and remains the ultimate owner of this data.

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

Agenda Item              23

Committee                 6

Subject:  Membership Contact Information (Section II.K.)

 

The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.

 Signature:      Erica Levy, Committee Chairperson

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice   X__  Division of the House     Roll Call      

 

___X___Adopted Unanimously        Date:  4/10/18       Time: 1:36 pm

_______Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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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.

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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

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 21[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    Local Council Dissolution (Article III.A.5)

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

Should the threshold number of members in a Local Council dissolution or termination as assessed by the Executive Board pursuant to Article III.A.5. be revised?

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

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The purpose of the discussion was focus on the minimum size of 10 members at the prospective Council and whether it should be changed.  This provision has not changed since placed in the Constitution and Bylaws when AFA was part of ALPA.

In discussing this topic, the SPC viewed this topic with a focus on how to best represent members at a Council where the size has dwindled.  The SPC recognized that there is no “magic” number, but was clear that a location with only 10 members cannot generate sufficient number of volunteers to provide representation.  The “pool” of potential volunteers is just too small.

This agenda item would not affect any Single Council Airline as this is the only existing council.

This agenda item would not affect any Council at a Multi-Council at this time as all Councils are above this minimum.

Given the existing language in this section, closure of a Council would not be automatic, but would require a discussion and decision of the Executive Board.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

WHEREAS, a Council that has reduced in size to 10 members is not of sufficient size to provide representation to these members; and,

WHEREAS, dissolving a Council at a Single Council Airline by virtue of its size is not contemplated by this change; and,

WHEREAS, the Executive Board continues to be empowered to dissolve a Council by virtue of its diminished size, closure would not be automatic, but would require a discussion and decision of the Executive Board;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article III A.5. be amended as follows:

5. Local Council Dissolution

A Local Council shall be automatically dissolved when the domicile ceases to exist or when the Union ceases to be the bargaining representative for the flight attendant members of the carrier. The Executive Board is empowered to terminate or dissolve a Local Council if its members diminish to 10 fifty (50) or fewer, or if other factors which led to its initial establishment are demonstrated to be no longer applicable.  Six months prior to the start of any Term of Office, the International Secretary-Treasurer will notify the Executive Board if membership has dropped below the minimum at any Council.

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

 

Agenda Item              21

 

Committee                 5

 

Subject:                      Local Council – Dissolution (Article III.A.5.)

 

 

The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.

 

Signature:      Melissa Osborne, Committee Chairperson

 

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice ___         Division of the House _         Roll Call  X 

 

___X___Adopted          Date: 4/11.18           Time: 10:17 am

_______Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 20[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    Executive Board Meeting Dates

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

Should the time period to conduct the regular annual Executive Board meeting be expanded?

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

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The current time frame for the regular annual Executive Board meeting is August 1 through October 1.  Expanding this time frame until December 15 will facilitate planning of the Executive Board meeting and enable lower costs to conduct the meeting.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article VI.C.1. be amended as follows:

C. Meetings

1. A regular meeting of the Executive Board shall be held annually between August 1 and October 1 December 15. The place and date of the meeting may be determined by the Board of Directors in session or by mail ballot sent to the Executive Board members by the International President. The Executive Board will meet by teleconference in quarters when a regular meeting of the Executive Board is not scheduled.

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM 

Agenda Item              20

Committee                 2

Subject:  Exec Board – Expand Date Window of Regular Meeting (Article VI.C.1.)

 

The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.

 

 

Signature:      Rick Gonzalez, Committee Chairperson

 

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice   X           Division of the House            Roll Call      

 

____X__Adopted Unanimously     Date: 4/10/18      Time: 9:15 am

_______Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 19[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    Elections – Running for Multiple Positions (Article VIII.C.1.f.)

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

Should the C&B be modified to clarify that a candidate may only be considered for one position in an election?

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

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Constitutionally, Article III.C.1.a provides that each Local Council will have three elected Officers: President, Vice President, and Secretary.  The long-standing interpretation of this section is that three different members will occupy these three positions.  For example, the Local President may not also be Local Vice President, Secretary.  The same would apply to the other two positions, as well as to that of Council Representative if it existed at the Council.

As a member may not be elected to more than one of these positions in the same election, the long-standing practice has been to allow a candidate to occupy only one position on a Local Council Officer ballot.  In essence, while a member may be nominated for more than one position, the member must choose which position s/he will occupy on the ballot.

This limitation prevents a situation where the same member receives the most votes for two different positions, which would be contrary to the intent of Article III.C.1.a.

This amendment does not change any existing practice, policy, or procedure.  It is intended to provide clarification of the long-standing interpretation and practice in Local Officer elections.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article VIII.C.1.f.3. be amended as follows:

3. The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall cause the names of all nominees who received at least two (2) nomination ballots and who have indicated their commitment to serve to be placed on the official Local Council election ballot ensuring that no member may occupy more than one (1) position on that election ballot.

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

Agenda Item              19

Committee                 7

Subject:  Elections – Running for Multiple Positions (Article VIII.C.1.f.)

 

The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.

 

Signature:      Tim Hopkins, Committee Chairperson

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice   X           Division of the House            Roll Call      

 

___X___Adopted        Date: 4/10/18         Time: 1:42 pm

_______Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 18[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    Direct Membership Election (DME) of MEC Officers

NOTE: Due to the length and formatting complexity of this document, it must be presented here in PDF format.

Click here to view the document

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

 

Agenda Item              18

Committee                 8

 

Subject:                      Elections – DME of MEC Officers

 

The Committee recommends the resolution not be adopted.

 

Signature:      Robert Barrow, Committee Chairperson

 

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice   X    Division of the House       Roll Call      

 

_______Adopted            Date:  4/11/18             Time: 11:10 am

_______Adopted as Amended

___X__ Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 17[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:     Transitional Local Councils – Filling of Vacancies (Article III A.2.d.)
(and administrative edits)

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

Should the filling of vacant Local Officer positions at Transitional Council’s be examined to determine if vacant positions could be filled by appointments?

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

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Changes in Articles III.A.2.a. and 2.e. are editorial amendments to clarify existing meaning.

More importantly, the purpose of this agenda item is the substantive change in Article III.A.2.d., which is to amend this provision so that vacancies at Transitional Councils will be filled through appointments to better meet the needs of new Transitional Councils.

As a Transitional Council, by definition, does not yet have a Collective Bargaining Agreement, the top priority is to negotiate first CBA.

At Transitional Councils, turn-over among appointed and/or elected Leaders tends to be high.  This turn-over in leadership has caused delays in negotiations as the Transitional Council (and the NMB) waits for the election process to run its 2-3 month duration for nominations and elections.  Even a single vacancy requires a Special Election, which inevitably causes delay and turmoil within the Council.

Appointments would enable negotiations to proceed without delay, and would only be for the remainder of the term.

The Transitional Council would continue to retain the right to petition for an election, if this was the desire.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

WHEREAS, changes in Articles III.A.2.a. and 2.e. are editorial for clarification; and,

WHEREAS, the highest priority of a newly established Transitional Council is successful conclusion of the negotiations of the first collective bargaining agreement, and filling of vacancies at a Transitional Council currently requires Special Elections which disrupt and delay these negotiations;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article III.A.2 be amended as follows:

2. Establishment of Transitional Local Councils for Newly Organized Carriers

a. Local councils established on newly organized carriers without prior Union representation and without a collective bargaining agreement shall be designated Transitional Local Councils.

b. Each Transitional Local Council shall have the following elected Officers: President and Secretary.

c. Promptly after certification of the representation election, the International President will solicit input from the Flight Attendants of the newly organized carrier for names of potential appointees to the positions of the Transitional Local Council Officers. Each potential appointee must receive a minimum of two recommendations and must sign a commitment to serve. Appointment by the International President will be made no later than thirty (30) days after certification of the representation election results. Appointed Transitional Local Council Officers are temporary and shall serve until officers of the Council have been duly elected in accordance with Article VIII.C.1.a.

d. The term of office of the elected Transitional Local Council Officers shall commence upon certification of the election results. The maximum term of office is three (3) years, except that thirty (30) days after an initial contract is ratified, the International Secretary-Treasurer will initiate the election process for regular officers. Should a vacancy in either office occur, the Master Executive Council will appoint a Temporary Officer with the approval of the International President, and the International Secretary-Treasurer shall immediately initiate election procedures and that appointee will complete the remainder of the term. Elected Transitional Local Council Officers shall be considered Officers of the Union and shall have all the same rights and privileges of Local Council Officers as authorized under the Constitution and Bylaws of AFA-CWA.

 

e. Elected Transitional Local Council Officers shall have all Constitutional jurisdiction and duties of regular Local Council Officers. There shall be no Transitional Local Executive Council. Transitional Local Council Committees shall be those necessary for member communications and negotiations.

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Date:   4/9/2018

Time:   7:30 pm

2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

Agenda Item              17

Committee                 7

Subject:  Filling Vacancies at Transitional Councils (Article III.A.2.d.)

 

The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.

 

Signature:      Tim Hopkins, Committee Chairperson

 

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

 

__X____Adopted Unanimously   Date: 4/10/18   Time: 1:39 pm

_______Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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[tabs slidertype=”top tabs” fx=”slide”] [tabcontainer] [tabtext]Agenda Item 16[/tabtext] [tabtext]Final Action[/tabtext][/tabcontainer] [tabcontent][tab]

ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO

FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

SUBJECT:    Election Time Lines – Shortened (Article VIII.C & Section I.G.)

STATEMENT OF QUESTION:

Should the timeline for elections be revised to provide less time between election closing and assumption of office?

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

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The purpose of the discussion was to determine if election Count Dates should be closer to the actual start of the term of office.

This change would provide the flexibility to begin the election process at a later point, so that the Count Date is closer to the actual start of the Term of Office.

While this change would maintain a 30 day notice at the conclusion of the election, it would tighten up the front-end start of elections.  An important point to note is that this change would have no effect on the duration of the Term of Office.

It was recognized that there needs to be some “transition time” between the Count Date and the start of the term.  Two weeks was considered too short to prepare, but the current 2-3 months was considered much too long as little gets done.  A 30-day period was considered sufficient to accommodate both outgoing & incoming Officers.

In a situation where the incoming Officer wants additional assistance from the outgoing, then the outgoing Officer can be asked to assist during the start of the new administration.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that are all sections within Article VIII that pertain to the time line in Local Officer elections be amended as follows:

ARTICLE VIII – Nomination and Election of Officers

C. Local Council Officers and CWA Convention Delegates

1. Nomination Procedures

a. No later than one hundred and fifty (150) days before the start of the term of office, the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall cause nominating ballots, commitment to serve statements and cover letters to be mailed to all active members of all Local Councils within the United States scheduled for election as provided in Paragraph 3. of this Section. For all Local Councils located outside of the United States the time frame shall be two hundred and ten (210) days before the start of the term of office. The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall notify the Local Council President thirty (30) days prior to distributing said nominating ballots.

For newly organized carriers, the nominating ballots, commitment to serve statements and cover letters shall be mailed to all active members of Local Councils no later than sixty (60) days following the appointment of Temporary Local Council Officers.  Every effort should be made to ensure that at least 50% of the Flight Attendants have become members.

b. Nomination procedures shall be conducted by secret ballot.

c.  (1) Each active member in good standing may nominate one (1) candidate for the office of President, Vice President and Secretary.

(2)  The member shall be responsible for determination of that member’s nominee’s commitment to serve prior to nomination.

d. Nominating ballots, executed by active members in good standing, shall be sent to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union prior to the count date specified on said nominating ballot.

e. Nominating ballots of active members in good standing shall be certified and tallied under the supervision of the Ballot Certification Committee at the International Office.

f.     (1.) The Ballot Certification Committee shall determine a candidate’s commitment to serve as an elected Officer by any one (1) of the following:

           (a) Receipt of a commitment to serve card with the nomination ballot.

           (b) Written notification prior to the count date.

           (c) Checking the indicated block on the transmittal envelope.

(2) If a commitment to serve has not been indicated as outlined in C.1.f.(1) above, the AFA-CWA Membership Services Department will contact the nominee through email, phone call(s), and regular mail letter requesting a commitment to serve statement, with the exception that no email, phone calls(s), and regular mail letter will be sent to a candidate with less than two (2) nomination votes.  Verbal confirmation upon receipt of email, phone call(s), and regular mail letter, confirmed in writing, may also serve as notification of a candidate’s commitment to serve.

(3) The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall cause the names of all nominees who received at least two (2) nomination ballots and who have indicated their commitment to serve to be placed on the official Local Council election ballot.

2. Election Procedures

a.    (1) No later than ninety (90) days before the start of the term of office, the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall cause election ballots to be mailed to all active members of those Local Councils within the United States scheduled for elections as provided in Section 3. below. For all Local Councils located outside of the United States, ballots will be mailed one hundred and twenty (120) days before the start of the term of office. The election ballot shall list the names of the nominees for each Local Council office in alphabetical order. Each active member in good standing may vote for one (1) candidate for each Local Council office and the successful candidate for each office shall be that eligible candidate receiving the greatest number of election votes, with no requirement that the successful candidate receives a majority of the valid ballots returned. Nothing in this Constitution and Bylaws shall prohibit the write-in and election of an eligible member for Local Council office. Such election shall be conducted by secret ballot.

(2) Local Council Officer election ballots executed by the active members in good standing of each Local Council shall be returned to the International Office no later than sixty (60) thirty (30) days before the start of a term of office, or before a date established by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. Ballots shall be validated and tallied under the supervision of the Ballot Certification Committee. It shall certify the election results and notify the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union, who shall promptly telephone and e-mail, if available, a copy of such certification to the successful candidates and post this certification on a page of the International Office website. Additionally, the International Secretary-Treasurer will ensure that the current Local President receives a copy of this information for posting on a local bulletin board and website, as applicable. Additionally, the International Secretary-Treasurer will arrange for an e-mail be sent to all members of the respective Council, if their email address is known. All nomination and election ballots and the transmittal envelopes in which they were received, shall be retained at the International Office for at least the duration of the terms of office for which the balloting was conducted.

(3) In cases where ties develop in the election process, the two (2) or more candidates who are tied shall participate in a runoff election by a mail or electronic ballot that will be held as soon as practicable after the initial balloting is completed.

(4) In the event no eligible member is elected as Local Council President, Vice President or Secretary, the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall immediately arrange for additional balloting for such office.

b. The election of Local Council Officers shall be completed and the successful candidates notified of their election by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union no later than the first day of the month preceding fifteen (15) days prior to the term of office.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section I.G.1.e. be amended as follows:

e. In-Person Meeting: No later than thirty (30) fifteen (15) days prior to the start of the new administration, a joint meeting will be held between the outgoing LECP/MECP and the incoming LECP/MECP. During this meeting a review of all administrative issues and a complete accounting of the Union’s assets will be provided by the outgoing LECP/MECP to the incoming LECP/MECP. Special attention will be given to briefing the newly elected officers on the status of all outstanding grievances.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section I.G.2.b. be amended as follows:

b. Union Property: A full accounting and inventory list of all union property assigned to that LEC/MEC will be supplied to the newly elected officers by the current officers no later than thirty (30) days prior to the start of the term of office. These items as applicable shall include, but not be limited to:

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2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM

Agenda Item              16

Committee                 6

Subject:  Election Timelines – Shortened (Article VIII.C & Section I.G.)

 The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as amended:

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that are all sections within Article VIII that pertain to the time line in Local Officer elections be amended as follows:

ARTICLE VIII – Nomination and Election of Officers

C. Local Council Officers and CWA Convention Delegates

1. Nomination Procedures

a. The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall notify the Local Council President thirty (30) days prior to distributing said nominating ballots.
For newly organized carriers, the nominating ballots, commitment to serve statements and cover letters shall be mailed to all active members of Local Councils no later than sixty (60) days following the appointment of Temporary Local Council Officers.  Every effort should be made to ensure that at least 50% of the Flight Attendants have become members.

b. Nomination procedures shall be conducted by secret ballot.

c. (1) Each active member in good standing may nominate one (1) candidate for the office of President, Vice President and Secretary.

(2). The member shall be responsible for determination of that member’s nominee’s commitment to serve prior to nomination.

d. Nominating ballots, executed by active members in good standing, shall be sent to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union prior to the count date specified on said nominating ballot.

e. Nominating ballots of active members in good standing shall be certified and tallied under the supervision of the Ballot Certification Committee at the International Office.

f. (1.) The Ballot Certification Committee shall determine a candidate’s commitment to serve as an elected Officer by any one (1) of the following:

(a) Receipt of a commitment to serve card with the nomination ballot.

(b) Written notification prior to the count date.

(c) Checking the indicated block on the transmittal envelope.

(2)  If a commitment to serve has not been indicated as outlined in C.1.f.(1) above, the AFA-CWA Membership Services Department will contact the nominee through email, phone call(s), and regular mail letter requesting a commitment to serve statement, with the exception that no email, phone calls(s), and regular mail letter will be sent to a candidate with less than two (2) nomination votes.  Verbal confirmation upon receipt of email, phone call(s), and regular mail letter, confirmed in writing, may also serve as notification of a candidate’s commitment to serve.

(3)  The International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall cause the names of all nominees who received at least two (2) nomination ballots and who have indicated their commitment to serve to be placed on the official Local Council election ballot.

2. Election Procedures

a. (1)  The election ballot shall list the names of the nominees for each Local Council office in alphabetical order. Each active member in good standing may vote for one (1) candidate for each Local Council office and the successful candidate for each office shall be that eligible candidate receiving the greatest number of election votes, with no requirement that the successful candidate receives a majority of the valid ballots returned. Nothing in this Constitution and Bylaws shall prohibit the write-in and election of an eligible member for Local Council office. Such election shall be conducted by secret ballot.

(2)  Local Council Officer election ballots executed by the active members in good standing of each Local Council shall be returned to the International Office no earlier than sixty (60) days and no later than sixty (60) thirty (30) days before the start of a term of office, or before a date established by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union. Ballots shall be validated and tallied under the supervision of the Ballot Certification Committee. It shall certify the election results and notify the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union, who shall promptly telephone and e-mail, if available, a copy of such certification to the successful candidates and post this certification on a page of the International Office website. Additionally, the International Secretary-Treasurer will ensure that the current Local President receives a copy of this information for posting on a local bulletin board and website, as applicable. Additionally, the International Secretary-Treasurer will arrange for an e-mail be sent to all members of the respective Council, if their email address is known. All nomination and election ballots and the transmittal envelopes in which they were received, shall be retained at the International Office for at least the duration of the terms of office for which the balloting was conducted.

(3)  In cases where ties develop in the election process, the two (2) or more candidates who are tied shall participate in a runoff election by a mail or electronic ballot that will be held as soon as practicable after the initial balloting is completed.

(4)  In the event no eligible member is elected as Local Council President, Vice President or Secretary, the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union shall immediately arrange for additional balloting for such office.

b. The election of Local Council Officers shall be completed and the successful candidates notified of their election by the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union no later than the first day of the month preceding fifteen (15) days prior to the term of office.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section I.G.1.e. be amended as follows:

e. In-Person Meeting: No later than thirty (30) fifteen (15) days prior to the start of the new administration, a joint meeting will be held between the outgoing LECP/MECP and the incoming LECP/MECP. During this meeting a review of all administrative issues and a complete accounting of the Union’s assets will be provided by the outgoing LECP/MECP to the incoming LECP/MECP. Special attention will be given to briefing the newly elected officers on the status of all outstanding grievances.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section I.G.2.b. be amended as follows:

b. Union Property: A full accounting and inventory list of all union property assigned to that LEC/MEC will be supplied to the newly elected officers by the current officers no later than thirty (30) fifteen (15) days prior to the start of the term of office. These items as applicable shall include, but not be limited to:

(remainder of this is Section is unchanged)

 

Signature:      Erica Levy, Committee Chairperson

  

Action Taken by the Board:            

Voice   X           Division of the House            Roll Call      

 

_______Adopted         Date:       4/10/18         Time: 6:37 pm

___X__ Adopted as Amended

_______Not Adopted

_______Tabled

_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee

_______Withdrawn

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