Constitutional amendments

Delegates approved six amendments to the UAW Constitution.

Yvette Thompson-Gordon of UAW Local 1435 and a UAW Constitution Committee member said they carefully reviewed 87 proposed amendments.

Another committee member, Peter Murphy Jr. of UAW Local 2210 said, “We were very thorough and realized that tough decisions had to be made, and we felt that from what we had seen that had been accomplished.”

“We all know that we have experienced some difficult times in this economy,” said Jerry Arnold of UAW Local 12 in Toledo, Ohio. “We appreciate the support of the staff and the officers.”

Vice presidents

Delegates approved a constitutional change that, after July 1, 2010, gives the International Executive Board (IEB) the option of reducing the number of vice presidents from four to three in the event an existing vice president position is vacated.

Appeals and signatures

Delegates also approved new language that requires appeals to be made in writing, except as otherwise provided for in the constitution, and includes an original physical signature. The change means that electronic submissions and electronic signatures will no longer be accepted on matters of appeal.

Laid-off members voting

Newly approved language states that members in good standing who are on indefinite layoff from the employer may not be a candidate for, or vote in, an election for a nonexecutive local union office that has grievance handling, contract bargaining or contractual administrative duties unless specifically authorized to do so by local union bylaws or applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Fund transfers

New constitutional language authorizes transfers of up to $25 million annually through 2013 from the International Strike Assistance Fund to the union’s General Fund.

Public Review Board (PRB)

Language on the PRB changes the number of board members from seven to six. Also, in case a position is vacated, the IEB has the authority to reduce the number of board members to five.

Salaries

Another change updates the constitution to reflect recent modifications in salaries and benefits of IEB officers, members and staff. The changes reflect equality of sacrifice from IEB officers and members and staff to help the union through difficult financial times. These changes include wage freezes, furlough days, reduced holidays, and eliminated cost-of-living increases for UAW staff and officers. The change in benefits is the result of recent renegotiated contracts between the UAW and the Staff Council, which negotiates economics and benefits on behalf of UAW staff.

Sandra Davis