Agenda Item #19
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
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:
- 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.
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
Agenda Item #18
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
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
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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
Agenda Item #17
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
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:
- 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.
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
Agenda Item #16
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
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
- 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.
- 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:
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.
- 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
Agenda Item #15
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: Election Handbook (Article VIII.D.)
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
Should the AFA-CWA Election Handbook be referenced in the AFA Constitution and Bylaws?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: Strategic Planning Committee – March 9, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For the past several Category Election cycles, the Election Handbook has been an important tool that is sent to all nominated candidates. It contains many excerpts from the Constitution and Bylaws, and provides additional explanations to assist candidates for Local Officer positions.
Amending this provision does not change any practice or procedure, but merely clarifies by informing members of the Election Handbook.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article VIII.D. be amended to add a new D.4. as follows:
Article VIII.D.
- AFA-CWA Election Handbook
The AFA Election Handbook is a member’s guide to the AFA-CWA election process and is available on the Union’s website. Upon request, printed copies may be provided by the International Office.
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 15
Committee 4
Subject: Election Handbook Reference (Article VIII.D.)
The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.
Signature: Todd Failla, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board:
Voice X Division of the House Roll Call
___X___Adopted Unanimously Date: 4/10/18 Time: 9:26 am
_______Adopted as Amended
_______Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn
Agenda Item #14
Posted on Mar 6, 2018 in 2018 Agenda Items
ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA, AFL-CIO
FORTY SIXTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
APRIL 9 – APRIL 11, 2018
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
SUBJECT: Election Category Assignment at time of Council establishment by Executive Board (Article III.A.3.)
STATEMENT OF QUESTION:
Should the assignment to Election Categories be assigned later than at the time of establishing the Council?
SOURCE AND DATE SUBMITTED: Strategic Planning Committee – March 9, 2018
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The assignment of election categories at the time a council is established at newly organized airlines has triggered Local Officer elections that are not necessary.
At a newly organized carrier, the new council will experience its first Local Officer elections fairly soon after the Council is established and the Department of Labor (DOL) allows the term to be three years. The ratification of the first agreement causes a mid-cycle requirement for elections, which results in a second shortened term.
The length of subsequent term is then shortened due to the earlier decision concerning the election category.
To prevent a needless shortening of a term of office, the decision to assign an election category for newly established councils, especially at newly organized airlines, should be made at the time of the election subsequent to the ratification of the first agreement.
This would likely reduce the number of unnecessary Local Officer elections, so has the potential of reducing costs.
At airlines that have a collective agreement at the time the council is established, the election category could still be assigned at the time the council is established.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Article III.A.3.a. be amended as follows:
- Authority to Establish Councils
a. The Executive Board shall have the authority to establish Local Councils and to create new Councils for the purpose of representation, and make assignments to election categories. For new Transitional Councils, the International Secretary-Treasurer will assign the election category at the time of the Local Officer election, subsequent to the ratification of the first agreement.
b. The number and location of Local Councils shall be recommended by the Master Executive Council and final determination shall be made by the Executive Board.
2018 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FORM
Agenda Item 14
Committee 5
Subject: Election Category Assigned by EB at Time of Establishment (Article III.A.3.a.)
The Committee recommends the resolution be adopted as proposed.
Signature: Melissa Osborne, Committee Chairperson
Action Taken by the Board:
Voice X__ Division of the House __ Roll Call __
__X_ __Adopted Unanimously Date: 4/10/18 Time: 9:29 pm
_______Adopted as Amended
_______Not Adopted
_______Tabled
_______Recommitted to Agenda Committee
_______Withdrawn