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Below is a copy of the proposed amendment change to Article XXVII, sections 1 through 4, along with an accompanying letter which was sent to all IBEW Local Unions in the U.S. and Canada. We would like to thank those brothers involved in drafting the proposal along with I.B.E.W. L.U. #666, Richmond, Va. for sponsoring the petition.

THANK YOU!



August 01, 2003

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As you may or may not know, on July 12, 2002, Local Union 666 agreed to sponsor a petition for a referendum vote on amending our Constitution regarding elections of International Officers. After mailing out the proposed Amendment and letter requesting necessary support, we have received input and concerns from several locals expressing the desire for subtle fine tuning of the originally proposed Amendment. So after reviewing those concerns our local has amended the originally proposed Amendment.

At Local Union No. 666's regular monthly meeting on March 07, 2003 a motion was made on the floor to amend the proposed Amendment for a referendum vote originally proposed in July, 2002. Enclosed is the entire amended proposed Amendment with amended changes made to the original proposal underlined.

As you can read all reference to COPE contributions were removed in Article 3, Sec.1, Subsection (b). In addition Subsection (c) was inserted to this Article and Section.

The words "at least" were inserted in Article 3, Sec. 4. amending the time requirement for the election of the local union election judge.

As before, we are requesting that you present this letter at your next regularly scheduled meeting, as provided for in our Constitution, for consideration by your members. In addition our membership invites your membership, upon their approval, to join us in submitting this petition to the International Secretary-Treasurer (IST) for approval by the International Executive Council (IEC). If granted, a referendum vote on the Amendments will be participated in by all Local Unions.

A proposal to amend the Constitution of the IBEW should not be taken lightly. Therefore we feel that any such proposal should be prefaced with an explanation as to why it is being proposed. To Wit:

Common men of uncommon courage wrote the original IBEW Constitution over 100 years ago. Those who proposed workers rights in that day and age took their lives in their hands to do so. They were men with dignity, honesty, pride, and common sense. With forethought they wrote our Constitution with the future in mind, by including in its very last Article, several ways to amend and adapt our Constitution to meet the challenge of today's changing times. Not surprisingly so they left us, the membership, a mechanism that provides us a tool to direct our leadership in the path we as a whole body seek and deserve. It is in that spirit that we ask you to join us in this effort, which allows all members an involved and equal opportunity to democratically choose that direction.

The one thing that needs to be made clear is that a vote for the petition is not a vote for the Amendments. It is simply a vote for democracy. A vote for a voice in our political process. A vote that facilitates the opportunity for our IEC to honor the membership's wishes of having a say in the method in which our International Officers are elected.

Upon the completion of such a vote, and presuming a positive outcome, a second vote would take place deciding the desires of the membership. Either change is due through a personal voice or that the current method, a delegate/per-captia vote, is still effective and desired. Which ever way, the membership will rightfully decide their desired path.

In closing we would like to thank your local for rightfully taking the time to discuss this petition with your membership. We sincerely hope that you will support us in submitting this petition to the IST for consideration by the IEC. If so desired by your membership, we humbly ask that your Local Union return a letter of support to our Local Union.

Sincerely and Fraternally
The Membership of
IBEW Local Union 666



» reference: Article XXVII - Amendments to the IBEW Constitution

Proposal for Constitutional Amendment

As Amended on March 7,2003

In the interest of brotherhood and advancement of the idea of democratic elections in the I.B.E.W., we do hereby respectfully propose these changes be made to the Constitution in accordance with, and abiding by, the rules as set forth in Article XXVII of the I.B.E.W. Constitution. Amendments to this Constitution, Sections 1 through 4.

Form 40-Rev. 6/98

Description of changes.

  • Wording that is in this type will remain as written.
  • Wording to be removed will be struck through.
  • Wording to be inserted will be underlined.

Article 3. Section 1.

  • Paragraph (a

    • The officers of the I.B.E.W. shall be the International President, International Secretary-Treasurer, eleven (11) International Vice Presidents, International Executive Council Chairman and eight (8 International Executive Council members. The officers shall be nominated and elected, by duly elected delegates, at the International Convention. The officers shall be nominated by any duly elected delegate to the International Convention of the I.B.E.W., or by petition, with at least one thousand (1000) signatures of members in good standing representing at least 4 L.U.'s, and sent to the I.E.C. for their confirmation, as specified in Article 3. Section 2. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to be declared the winner. If a candidate does not receive a majority of all votes cast, the two candidates receiving the most votes shall be reinstated on the ballot and a run-off election shall be held. The referendum vote shall be held three (3) months before the International Convention. If a run-off election is necessary, it must be held no later than one (1) month before the International Convention. They shall assume their office thirty (30) days after their election, and shall serve for five (5) years or until there successors are elected and qualified.

  • Paragraph (b)

    • Campaign contributions shall be allowed as follows:

    1. Individual campaign donations shall be allowed in the amount(s) of one hundred (100) dollars per candidate, by any member in good standing of the I.B.E.W., and may not be transferred to any other candidate.

    2. A candidate may use his or her own money to campaign, provided that this amount does not exceed ten (10) thousand dollars.

    3. Any money raised in a campaign by a candidate not used in said campaign, shall be given to the I.B.E.W.s general fund, and used for charitable purposes (donations to charities must be given to only nationally recognized organizations, unless approved by the I.E.C.) as designated by the newly elected International President.

    4. Any candidate determined to be in violation, by the International Executive Council, of the limits set forth in this Constitution, shall forfeit all donated campaign contributions to the International general fund (for the above stated purposes) and remove his or her name from the election process for a period of five (5) years. Charges brought by members in good standing, against any candidate may be filed by any duly elected President or Vice-President of any L.U. to the International Executive Council, upon written receipt of such charges.

  • Paragraph (c)

    • Nominations for officers must be delivered to the I.E.C. by December 31 of the year preceding the International Convention, or other election year. The I.E.C. will, upon confirmation of candidates, publish a list of eligible candidates in the March issue of the I.B.E.W. Journal in the International Convention, or other election year. Candidates will be allowed a one half (1/2) page statement to be published in the I.B.E.W. Journal, at no cost to the candidate, addressing the issues relevant to the office for which they are nominated. This statement will be published one month prior to the election. Statements shall be listed in alphabetical order, using the candidates surname.

    Article 3. Section 3.

    The elections of the International President, International Secretary-Treasurer, and International Executive Council Chairman shall be by referendum secret ballot, per capita tax vote when there is more than one candidate, and shall require a majority of all votes cast to constitute an election. When there are more than two candidates for the same office, at every unsuccessful balloting the one receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped, the voting to continue until one has received a majority over all. However, the choice for International Vice Presidents, the International Executive council (except the I.E.C. Chairman) and delegates to other Conventions shall be recommended to the Convention by each district. The Convention shall adopt the district's recommendation as its own action, by the I.S.T. casting one ballot for the districts choice. The choice of each district shall be decided by a majority of the L.U.'s of the district represented at the Convention - and present at the time the choice is made - on the basis of one vote for each L.U., by secret ballot, not by a delegate or per capita tax vote. If the district is unable to determine its choice, then the Convention shall decide any contest by a roll call, per capita tax vote. The vote of each L.U. shall be decided by a majority of its delegates. If the delegates of a L.U. are equally divided, then the L.U. shall have no vote. Where there are more than two candidates for the same office in the district, at every unsuccessful balloting the one receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped, the voting to continue until one has received a majority over all. (Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to conflict with the above section.) when there is more than one candidate running for the same office, it shall require a majority of all votes cast as specified in Article 3, Section 1 to constitute an election.

    The election of International Executive Council Members shall be by referendum secret ballot in each of the eight (8) IEC districts represented as specified in Article 8 Section 11, when there is more than one candidate, it shall require a majority of all votes cast, as specified in Article 3 Section 1, to constitute and election,

    The election of International Vice Presidents, shall be by referendum secret ballot, by the L.U.'s represented by that I.V.P.�s district, when there is more than one candidate for that district, it shall require a majority of all votes cast as specified in Article 3, Section 1 to constitute an election.

    The election of delegates to other conventions shall be recommended and determined at the International Convention by each district. The choice of each district shall be decided by a secret ballot vote, by the majority of delegates representing that district and present at the time the choice is made. In case of a tie, voting will continue until one has received a majority over all.

    In case of a tie in any of these elections (except for delegates to other conventions), the sitting IEC will declare the winner.

    Article 3. Section 4.

    One year prior to all elections the International President, International Secretary-Treasurer and the International Executive Council, shall each appoint an international election judge to oversee the election. These judges shall appoint one (1) district teller for each of the eleven (11) districts.

    The local union membership will elect an election judge at their regular meeting, by a majority vote of those in attendance, at least one month prior to the election, to oversee the election at the designated local polling places, appointing assistant tellers as necessary.

    After all votes have been tallied, Union Judges will immediately post the election results at their LU's Hall and then report the vote tally to their respective District Teller. The District Tellers will report all LU election results to the International Election Judges.

    After receiving from all District Tellers, a record of all votes cast, the international Election Judges shall prepare for publication in the next I.B.E.W official Journal a report of the exact votes cast by each LU.

    The International Judges shall also employ a certified public accountant that shall audit all campaign donations, as specified in Article 3 Section1. Paragraph (b) An audit of said donations shall also be published in the I.B.E.W. Journal.

    At all elections where it becomes necessary to have an electronic, secret ballot vote, the presiding officer shall appoint an election judge and, if necessary, tellers. He shall announce the names of the candidates in rotation. Each candidate may be present or may be represented by a member during the vote tally. All election records shall be preserved for a period of one year.



    OMOV QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

    What is the amendment for?

    This amendment will change the method of election for the IBEW International Officers from the current per-capita tax vote by the delegated at the convention to a referendum vote by the rank & file members for those offices.

    Why would we want to do that?

    With the current system of electing the officers, there is no accountability to the rank & file members. The Constitution sets out the way we are to elect the delegates to the convention to represent us but allows no direction from the members who voted for them. Example: if the memers of Local Union A wanted their delegates to vote for candidate B, there is nothing to stop the delegate from voting for candidate C even though he is elected by you, the member.

    What is a referendum vote?

    A referendum vote is the same kind of election you have for government offices. You go to the polls and cast your ballot for the man or woman you think most represents your positions on the issues that affect your life. The election results are added up and the candidate receiving the majority of all votes cast is declared the winner.

    Could what happened in the last Presidential election happen in this system?

    No. the winner must have a majority of all votes to be declared the winner. There is a provision in the amendment to address the possibility of one candidate not receiving the majority. If there is more thatn two candidates running for the same office and none of those receives a majority vote, the top two candidates will be relisted on a new ballot and a run-off election will be held within the next two months to determine the winner.

    How will I know who I want to vote for?

    Prior to the election, all candidates for office will be given a half page advertisement to be published in the IBEW Official Journal, stating their opinions or promises to you in that ad. They will be able to put anything they want in the JOurnal that is relevent to the issues in the office they seek.

    How will this help me?

    When the officers are elected by the members they are then accountable. They will have to address the issues that affect you personally and if they do not, you will then have the power to vote them out at the end of their term. No more "Business as usual" the rank & file will have a true voice with their vote.

    What if I don't like any of the candidates who are running for office?

    That is the beauty of this amendment. You, as a member, have a way to run for the office yourself. There are two ways to be nominated for an office. Since we will still be having the convention to address the other issues facing the IBEW, we will still have delegates. These delegates had the power to nominate before, and they will still have that power. Any delegate can nominate you for anny office. If you can't ge a delegate to nominate you, there is a second way of nomination that requires the support of 1000members representing four different local unions in a petition form that then can be submitted for nomination instead of having a delgate do it for you.

    How do we get this amendment passed?

    Any amendment that wishes to be submitted to the IEC for considration must be approved by fifteen local unions with no two being from the same State or Province. This proceedure is set forth in the Constitution, Article XXVII, Section 1, Paragraph (a) and must be followed if we are to win this battle. We as members have to propose it at our local meetings and get the membership to vote to approve it. When enough do this, it will be sent to the IEC for consideration and approval for a referendum vote by the entire IBEW. All 800,000 of us if everyone votes. As you can see, we have a lot of brothers and sisters to inform about this amendment.

     

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