Important Notice Proposed By-Law Changes

Two changes to Local 3’s By-Laws were recommended by the Local 3 By-Laws and Rules Committee to the General Membership at the memberships June 14, 2012 meeting. Committee Chairman Lawrence Cohen and Committee Secretary Richard Duva reported to the membership that Business Manager Christopher Erikson submitted a change that would increase the working assessment from 1% to 1.5% if the balance of the general fund drops to $12 million. A second change was being requested as per the IBEW Manufacturing ­Department that would read, “The Local Union Business Manager or the Business Manager’s ­appointee shall serve as Delegate to any IBEW System Council that the Local is a Member of.”
Upon the completion of the Committee Report President John E. Marchell read each proposed change. The membership then voted to recommend that the proposed changes be put before the General Membership.  A discussion and vote to either approve or deny the proposed By-Law changes will be held at the July 12, 2012 General Membership meeting.

Current Provisions for Amendments to By-laws:

Article XV AMENDMENTS Sec. I. These By-Laws become effective upon approval by the International President.

Sec. 2. (a) These By-Laws may be amended or changed by any such proposal being submitted in writing and read at two regular meetings of the Local Union, and decided at the second meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
(b) However, assessments, initiation fees or dues shall be changed only by a majority vote by secret ballot of the members in good standing voting at a regular or special membership meeting.
Changes shall be introduced at one Local Union meeting and acted upon at a second Local Union meeting. The proposal cannot be acted on at the time it was proposed. A written notice specifically stating the proposed assessments or changes in initiation fees or dues shall be made to each member in good standing at the member’s last known home address at least 20 days prior to the Local Union meeting at which the membership is to vote on the question.

Sec. 3. No amendments or changes shall become effective until approved by the International President as stated in the IBEW Constitution.

A VOTE ON THE BY LAW CHANGES WILL TAKE PLACE
AT THE JULY 12, 2012
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING!

Voting on the First Change shall be by the General  Membership.
Only those members who will be affected by the proposed increase in the working assessment proposed in the 2nd change will be permitted to vote on the 2nd proposed change. That vote shall be by secret ballot.

PROPOSED BY-LAW CHANGES:

First By-Law change reads…The Local Union Business Manager or the Business ­
Manager’s appointee shall serve as Delegate to any IBEW System Council that the Local is a Member of.

The second By-Laws change reads……Currently the Union is operating on a deficit of approximately $2 million dollars annually.
2009’s deficit equaled $1.8 million dollars
2010’s deficit equaled $2.8 million dollars
2011’s deficit equaled $2.1 million dollars
Annual income from the 1% working assessment runs approximately 9 to 10 million dollars a year depending on the number of hours worked during the year.
Annual income from investments is trending downward and is further compounded by the necessity to sell investments in order to pay for operating expenses.
It is anticipated that if the number of hours worked remains at the present level and ­assessment monies collected remains stagnant, then the $2 million dollar deficit will ­continue for the near future. 
Therefore, variations in the dues structure do not provide stability and revenue for future growth and increased operating expenses. 
Therefore, in order to address this circumstance when the balance in the General Fund falls below $12 million dollars the working assessment shall increase to 1 ½% of Gross Wages.
Furthermore, when the General Fund’s balance rises above $20 million dollars the Finance Committee of the Local will review and make a recommendation regarding the working assessment.  This working assessment shall be paid by all members who are currently required to pay the 1% working assessment that is currently in effect.