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Union Democracy
Essence of UnionismEssence of Unionism2
Driving Force for establishing common Driving Force for establishing common purposepurpose
Builds community of committed membersBuilds community of committed membersIt is the keystone that protects the It is the keystone that protects the
foundation of the Labor Unionfoundation of the Labor UnionRemove Democracy and it destroys the Remove Democracy and it destroys the
spirit of the membership thus destroying spirit of the membership thus destroying the strength of the unionthe strength of the union
Purpose of Union DemocracyPurpose of Union Democracy
Promote participation in union activitiesPromote participation in union activities
Promote fair electionsPromote fair elections
Promote communication-free speechPromote communication-free speech
Promote transparencyPromote transparency
Union DemocracyUnion Democracy4
Process that keeps union leaders responsive Process that keeps union leaders responsive to the majority of membersto the majority of members
Protects the rights of the minorityProtects the rights of the minority
Recognizes the importance of the individualRecognizes the importance of the individual
Governance my persuasion – not by Governance my persuasion – not by commandcommand
LMRDALMRDA5
Labor-Management Reporting and Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (1959) Disclosure Act (1959)
Protects the democratic rights of union Protects the democratic rights of union members.members.
Includes Includes ““Bill of RightsBill of Rights””Creates democratic rights and practicesCreates democratic rights and practices
Bill of RightsBill of Rights
Equal rights and privilegesEqual rights and privilegesFreedom of speech and assemblyFreedom of speech and assemblyRight to secret ballot voteRight to secret ballot voteRight to sue the unionRight to sue the unionProtection from improper disciplineProtection from improper disciplineRight to receive copy of the contractRight to receive copy of the contract
Equal Rights and PrivilegesEqual Rights and Privileges
Nominate candidatesNominate candidatesVote in elections or referendumsVote in elections or referendumsAttend union meetingsAttend union meetingsParticipate in union meetingsParticipate in union meetingsVote on union business at meetingsVote on union business at meetingsSubject to reason rules in union Subject to reason rules in union
constitution/bylawsconstitution/bylaws
Freedom of SpeechFreedom of Speech
Right to criticize union officialsRight to criticize union officialsRight to express viewpoint at union Right to express viewpoint at union
meetingmeetingRight to distribute literature outside the Right to distribute literature outside the
union meetingunion meetingRight to hold separate meetings without Right to hold separate meetings without
interferenceinterference
Right to Secret BallotRight to Secret Ballot
Right to vote on duesRight to vote on dues
Right to vote on initiation feesRight to vote on initiation fees
Right to vote on assessmentsRight to vote on assessments
Union Discipline ProtectionUnion Discipline Protection
The right to specific, written chargesThe right to specific, written chargesThe right to confront and cross-examine The right to confront and cross-examine
accusersaccusersRequires adequate time to prepare Requires adequate time to prepare
defensedefenseRight to a fair and full hearingRight to a fair and full hearingDecision is based only on evidenceDecision is based only on evidence
Examples of Discipline CausesExamples of Discipline Causes
Participating in wildcat strikesParticipating in wildcat strikesAdvocating decertificationAdvocating decertificationNon-payment of duesNon-payment of duesCrossing a picket lineCrossing a picket lineInterfere with unionInterfere with union’’s legal/contractual s legal/contractual
obligationsobligations
Union Officer ResponsibilitiesUnion Officer Responsibilities
Manage funds, and property, solely for Manage funds, and property, solely for benefit of union and its membersbenefit of union and its members
Officers that embezzle or Officers that embezzle or stealsteal union assets union assets commit a Federal crimecommit a Federal crime
Must be bondable if assets exceed $5000Must be bondable if assets exceed $5000File Forms (LM 2/3/4) annually File Forms (LM 2/3/4) annually File reports concerning loans and benefits File reports concerning loans and benefits
LMRDA - ReportingLMRDA - Reporting13
File with Department of LaborFile with Department of LaborConstitution and bylawsConstitution and bylawsFinancial Reports on (LM forms)Financial Reports on (LM forms)Report includes assets, liabilities, Report includes assets, liabilities,
receipts, receipts, Also includes officer and staff salaries, Also includes officer and staff salaries,
loansloansLM reports available to the publicLM reports available to the public
Officer ElectionOfficer Election
Hold elections at least every 3 yearsHold elections at least every 3 yearsElections conducted per Elections conducted per
constitution/bylawsconstitution/bylawsPreserve records minimum 1 yearPreserve records minimum 1 yearMail election notice – 15 days in advanceMail election notice – 15 days in advanceProhibited from using union funds to Prohibited from using union funds to
campaigncampaignPermit observers and inspection of vote Permit observers and inspection of vote
listlist
Restrictions Restrictions
Crime conviction - prohibited holding Crime conviction - prohibited holding office 13 years office 13 years
Outstanding loan may not exceed $2000Outstanding loan may not exceed $2000
Union may not pay fines for LMRDA Union may not pay fines for LMRDA violationsviolations
ConclusionConclusion