ARTICLE 1 - GENERAL................................................................................................... 5

A. NAME..................................................................................................................................... 5

B. AFFILIATIONS......................................................................................................................... 5

C. HEADQUARTERS..................................................................................................................... 5

D. HEADQUARTERS LOCATION..................................................................................................... 5

E. CONFLICTS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUTION............................................................. 5

F. OFFICIAL SEAL........................................................................................................................ 5

ARTICLE 2 - OBJECTIVES.............................................................................................. 6

A. GOALS................................................................................................................................... 6

B. INTERNAL COMMITTTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES.................................................................... 6

C. DISCRIMINATION.................................................................................................................... 6

D. LEGISLATIVE OR REGULATORY ACTIVITIES............................................................................... 6

E. GROWTH................................................................................................................................ 7

ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP............................................................................................ 8

A. INITIATION FEES..................................................................................................................... 8

B. CONDUCT............................................................................................................................... 8

C. COLLECTIONS......................................................................................................................... 8

D. REINSTATEMENT FEE.............................................................................................................. 8

E. CHANGE OF ADDRESS.............................................................................................................. 8

F. AUTHORITY............................................................................................................................ 9

G. REAPPLYING FOR MEMBERSHIP................................................................................................. 9

ARTICLE 4 - STRUCTURE............................................................................................ 10

A. LOCAL OFFICERS................................................................................................................... 10

B. LOCAL EXECUTIVE BOARD...................................................................................................... 10

C. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT.......................................................................................................... 10

D. DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENT................................................................................................... 10

E. DUTIES OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY /TREASURER............................................................... 10

G. DUTIES OF THE SECTION CHAIRMAN...................................................................................... 10

H. DUTIES OF THE CHIEF STEWARD............................................................................................ 10

I. DUTIES OF THE STEWARDS................................................................................................... 11

ARTICLE 5 - ELECTION AND MEETINGS...................................................................... 12

A. ELECTIONS........................................................................................................................... 12

B. ELECTION COMMITTEE.......................................................................................................... 12

C. NOMINATIONS...................................................................................................................... 12

D. VACANCIES........................................................................................................................... 12

F. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS.......................................................................................... 13

G. LOCAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS...................................................................................... 13

H. POSTPONING MEETINGS........................................................................................................ 13

I. NOTIFICATION OF MEETINGS................................................................................................. 13

J. QUORUM.............................................................................................................................. 14

K. MINUTES.............................................................................................................................. 14

ARTICLE 6 - COMMITTEES.......................................................................................... 15

A. STANDING COMMITTEES........................................................................................................ 15

B. AD HOC COMMITTEES........................................................................................................... 15

C. COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES........................................................................................................ 15

D. LIABILITY OR INDEBTEDNESS.................................................................................................. 15

E. FINANCIAL CONSULTANT....................................................................................................... 15

ARTICLE 7 - GRIEVANCES........................................................................................... 16

A. GREIVANCE HANDLING........................................................................................................... 16

B. LOCAL GRIEVANCE SCREENING COMMITTEE............................................................................ 16

C. RECORDS............................................................................................................................. 16

D. BYPASSING THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS.................................................................................... 16

ARTICLE 8 - FINANCE AND EXPENSES........................................................................ 17

A. MONTHLY DUES..................................................................................................................... 17

B. BUDGET................................................................................................................................ 17

C. ROUTINE EXPENDITURES....................................................................................................... 17

E. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.................................................................................................... 18

F. SALARIES............................................................................................................................. 18

H. PER DIEM.............................................................................................................................. 18

I. LOST TIME........................................................................................................................... 18

J. LOCAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS...................................................................................... 18

K. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS........................................................................................................ 18

L. STEWARD MEETINGS............................................................................................................. 19

M. FINANCIAL REPORT............................................................................................................... 19

N. UNION BUSINESS................................................................................................................... 19

ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS..................................................................... 20

A. PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES.................................................................................................... 20

B. VOTING................................................................................................................................ 20

C. APPLICABILITY...................................................................................................................... 20

PREAMBLE

Local 547, Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO is a labor organization, established for and dedicated to the welfare, protection and professional interest of Sections that represent Flight Crew Training Instructors for aviation organizations with flight operations in private or public sectors.

This Local is pledged to the objectives of constant and unremitting efforts for the preservation and enhancement of all aviation and aerospace professions and specialties without encroachment or overlap of traditional responsibilities performed by operations control and support categories, including all necessary activities required for upgrading licensing, training and qualification regulations.

The Local is also dedicated to the principle that all power is derived from the Membership and that this Local will respond with a vigilant, innovative and selfless leadership, selected democratically and cooperating with a loyal, constructive and united Membership, and with the International Union to the benefit of all.

ARTICLE 1 - GENERAL

A. NAME

This organization will be known as Local 547, Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO and may be referred to hereinafter as “Local” or “Local 547”.

B. AFFILIATIONS

This Local may be affiliated with associations, councils or other established entities that are deemed to be in the best interests of the total Membership or any segment thereof in accordance with the International Constitution, and in accord with the policy of the International Executive Council on Local Union affiliations, or with the explicit approval of the International Executive Council.

C. HEADQUARTERS

Reference to "Headquarters" will mean Headquarters of Local 547, Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO. Reference to the "International Union" will mean the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO.

D. HEADQUARTERS LOCATION

Headquarters location of this Local will be within 15 miles of the US Airways Flight Training Center in Charlotte, NC.

E. CONFLICTS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUTION

Nothing in these bylaws will conflict, or be construed to conflict, with the International Constitution.

F. OFFICIAL SEAL

The Official seal of this Local is as established in Article XIV, Section 2, of the International Constitution.

ARTICLE 2 - OBJECTIVES

A. GOALS

The objectives of the Local will be to act as an effective instrument in improving the working conditions, wage scales, work cycles and schedules; retirement plans and trusts agreements, job security and all other benefits that should rightfully accrue to all Members, individually or collectively, according to the nature of the profession or specialty.

B. INTERNAL COMMITTTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES

The Local may establish internal committees, special representatives or any other structure to oversee and promote the interests of each profession or specialty which it represents, and shall maintain the necessary lines of communication with the Transport Workers Union International Representatives, Air Transport Division Representatives and Committees, Representatives of Government and other Regulatory agencies, Federal, State, and Local Government Administration, International Civil Aviation Organizations, AFL-CIO Departments or Affiliates, or any other functioning organization under direct control of the Local.

All such committees or representatives will serve on a volunteer basis (except for expenses specifically authorized by the Local Executive Board), and will report to the President and Local Executive Board, and will make no commitments or statements other than those within parameters defined by the Local Executive Board. Representatives and committees established under this Article will be made by appointment of the President.

C. DISCRIMINATION

There will be no discrimination or disparity of effort in the exercise of pursuing the professional objectives of any represented person, profession, or specialty. There will be no discrimination in any manner that may come within the purview of this Local regarding veteran’s status, race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin. The words he, him and his are used in the generic sense when they appear in this Agreement, and refer to both male and female employees.

D. LEGISLATIVE OR REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

This Local will participate to the fullest extent possible in all proposed legislative or regulatory activities affecting the Membership in coordination with the International and the Legislative Director.

E. GROWTH

Recognizing rapid and fundamental changes in technology and functional responsibilities in the aerospace field, it will be the objectives of the Local to anticipate and act to further the interests of the Membership. The Local shall also invite to affiliate with this Local all persons working in the field of aviation, aerospace, or transportation (subject to the policies of the Local Executive Board, the Constitution of the Transport Workers Union International, and the AFL-CIO, each as amended).

ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP

A. INITIATION FEES

Employees in the service of any company, private, public or quasi-public, under a TWU contract within the jurisdiction of Local 547 will pay an initiation fee of Thirty U.S. Dollars ($30.00) so long as that fee is not disallowed by the International Constitution.

Any current Members, in good standing of any sections or divisions of other TWU Locals who may become covered by this Local, will be exempt from payment of initiation fees upon presentation of credentials in accordance with the International Constitution.

B. CONDUCT

No Member will perform his duties in such a manner as to place an unfair burden on his fellow workers or as to bring discredit to this Local. No Members will make known the internal affairs of this Local to non-Members or to those negotiating against the Local in collective bargaining discussions.

C. COLLECTIONS

No Member will make a collection in the name of the Local regardless of its purpose, without the prior approval of the Local Executive Board.

D. REINSTATEMENT FEE

Members who lost membership status under Article XIII, Section 3 of the International Constitution and subsequently re-apply for membership in Local 547 will pay a reinstatement fee of One Hundred U.S. Dollars ($100.00) so long as that fee is not disallowed by the International Constitution.

E. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

It will be the responsibility of each Member to notify the Local Executive Board in writing, in advance of an address change. If a Member’s address is no longer valid, neither the Local nor the International shall be held responsible for that Member’s lack of receipt of correspondence, notices, or ballots mailed to the expired address.

F. AUTHORITY

All power and authority originates with the Membership of this Local as defined in the International Constitution. Election of Local Officers and Local Executive Board Members is subject to the International Constitution and the procedures set forth therein.

The Transport Workers Union shall be the sole bargaining agent of Local 547. No Member or Members of the Local shall negotiate or confer with any management or agents thereof, without due authority, on matters pertaining to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, or working conditions without due authority from the International Union.

G. REAPPLYING FOR MEMBERSHIP

Any person who reapplies for membership after having had his name removed from any Local 547 Seniority List will be subject to all rules applicable to a new Member.

ARTICLE 4 - STRUCTURE

A. LOCAL OFFICERS

The Local Officers will be a President, a First Vice-President, and a Financial Secretary/Treasurer.

B. LOCAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Local Executive Board will consist of the Local Officers as required by the International Constitution.

C. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT

The President will preside at all Membership, Local Executive Board, and any other special meetings of the Local. The President will attend all Air Transport Division President’s Council and other meetings, Local Negotiations and International Conventions. The President will have all the duties and powers enumerated in Article XVI of the International Constitution.

D. DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President(s) will assist the President in the discharge of his duties in such manner and extent, as the President will determine in accordance with the International Constitution. In event that there are multiple Sections covered by the Local then each Section shall be represented by a Vice President (who shall serve as Section Chairman) and will have primary emphasis on their Section. Each Vice President shall be responsible for handling Grievances their Section.

E. DUTIES OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY /TREASURER

The Financial Secretary/Treasurer will perform all duties as set forth in Article XVI of the International Constitution. The Financial Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for filing of Federal Reports, posting of all notices on the Local Website and Bulletin Boards and for keeping records of all meetings of the Local Executive Board. The Financial Secretary/Treasurer will perform other such duties as assigned by the President, Local Executive Board and as required by the International Constitution

G. DUTIES OF THE SECTION CHAIRMAN

The Section Chairman will perform all duties within their Section as assigned by the President and by the Local Executive Board.

H. DUTIES OF THE CHIEF STEWARD

The Chief Steward will keep the Stewards informed as to the business of the Local and will review all grievances before they are filed and refer denials of grievances to the Local Officers or Local Executive Board as appropriate. The Chief Steward will serve at the discretion of the Local Executive Board. A Vice President may assume the duties of the Chief Steward upon direction of the Local Executive Board.

I. DUTIES OF THE STEWARDS

If there are multiple Sections within the Local, then each Section shall be represented by a Vice President (acting as the Section Chairman) and eacht Vice President shall nominate Member(s) from their Section for the position of Steward(s) in their respective Section. The Local Executive Board shall have the authority to approve or to reject these appointments. Steward(s) will serve until resignation or appointment of a successor. The number and location of the Stewards will be subject to approval of the Local Executive Board. All Steward appointments expire with the installation of the Local Executive Board.

ARTICLE 5 - ELECTION AND MEETINGS

A. ELECTIONS

Local Officers will be elected by Secret Ballot and will serve concurrent terms of office. The term of office for all elected officials will be three (3) years.

Ballots will be distributed immediately after the August General Membership Meeting with the counting of ballots on the last business day before September 15th. Installation of Local Officers will take place immediately following the counting of the ballots.

B. ELECTION COMMITTEE

The Local Executive Board, at its July Board Meeting, will appoint the members of the Election Committee. The Election Committee will accept, confirm, and publish nominations and distribute, receive and count ballots.

C. NOMINATIONS

Any Local 547 member may nominate members for President, Vice President, and Financial Secretary/Treasurer. Nominations for all elected positions will open immediately after the August General Membership Meeting and will close at 5:00 PM on September 15th. Any Local 547 members wishing to nominate another Local 547 member for an elected position must present a nomination form to the Elections Committee containing signatures of 10% of the members eligible to vote for that office.

To be eligible for nomination to any office in Local 547, a Member must meet the requirements as outlined in the TWU Constitution. In the event that multiple Sections are represented by the Local then each Vice President nominee must be a member of that Section.

Confirmed nominees will be afforded the opportunity to address the Membership for not more than five (5) minutes, in person or in writing, at the August General Membership Meeting. This meeting will be held before August 10th. In the event a nominee is unable to attend either or both meetings, another Member will read the nominee’s statement.

D. VACANCIES

In the event that a vacancy occurs in the office of President, a Vice President will act as President for the remainder of the term. All vacancies in any office, except the office of President, will be filled by secret ballot if there are more than six (6) months remaining in the term, the Local Executive Board may elect to assign those duties to another Executive Board Member and leave the office vacant.

E. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Delegates to the International Convention will be the Local President, Vice President, Financial Secretary/Treasurer in that order and to the extent and number entitled by the International Constitution.

F. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Each Section will hold General Membership Meetings quarterly on a date determined by the Local Executive Board. These meetings may be held more frequently, if needed, and they may be conducted using electronic means (i.e. video conference) providing all participants are able to hear each speaker and hear and observe votes and actions of the Local Executive Board. Special meetings may be called by action of the Local Executive Board. The President will chair all General Membership, Local Executive Board and Special meetings.

G. LOCAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

The Local Executive Board will meet once each month, or as needed on a day fixed by the Board. The President, with five (5) days notice to each Board Member, may call special meetings of the Local Executive Board. A majority of Local Executive Board Members will constitute a quorum. In the event of a tie vote, the President will cast a second vote as a tiebreaker. These meetings may be conducted using electronic means (i.e. video conference) providing all participants are able to hear each speaker and hear and observe votes and actions of the entire Local Executive Board.

H. POSTPONING MEETINGS

Nothing herein will prevent the President from postponing a meeting (i.e. due to a holiday or some unforeseen incident).

I. NOTIFICATION OF MEETINGS

Except in emergency situations where telephone notice may be made to those Members affected, notice of General Membership and Special Meetings will be published on the Local 547 Website (http://local547.twuatd.org) and by posting on work area bulletin boards ten (10) days in advance of the meetings, and will stipulate date, time, place and agenda.

J. QUORUM

Those present will constitute a quorum for all General Membership and Special Meetings properly called.

K. MINUTES

Minutes will be kept of all meetings and a record will be kept of attendees, those excused or unable to attend, resolutions introduced, (passed or failed) and notations as to voice vote or numbers voting in a roll call.

ARTICLE 6 - COMMITTEES

A. STANDING COMMITTEES

The President may appoint from among the Membership the following permanent Standing Committees to assist the Local Officers and report at regular intervals to the Local Executive Board:

· Safety

· Negotiations

· Grievance

· Veterans

· Working Women

· Education

· COPE

· Retirement

· Jumpseat and Employee Travel

B. AD HOC COMMITTEES

The President may appoint Ad Hoc Committees, from time to time as may be necessary, for efficient conduct of the Local.

C. COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

Committees will engage in such activities as may be required by their respective functions under the supervision of the President or the Local Executive Board.

D. LIABILITY OR INDEBTEDNESS

No committee may incur liability or indebtedness on behalf of the Local without authorization from the Local Executive Board.

E. FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

The Local Executive Board may retain a financial consultant as deemed necessary to provide services to the Local.

ARTICLE 7 - GRIEVANCES

A. GREIVANCE HANDLING

Grievances will be handled in accordance with the Section’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

B. LOCAL GRIEVANCE SCREENING COMMITTEE

Denied grievances will be brought to the Local Executive Board before they are advanced to arbitration. They shall have the authority to proceed with the grievance or to withdraw any grievance it considers to be without sufficient merit under the collective bargaining agreement in accordance with Article XXIII of the International Constitution.

C. RECORDS

The Vice President, with the assistance of the Chief Stewards, will keep a written record of all grievances, settlements, related correspondence, and references.

D. BYPASSING THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS

No Members will by-pass the grievance machinery of these bylaws to handle his or another employee's grievance.

ARTICLE 8 - FINANCE AND EXPENSES

A. MONTHLY DUES

Any person accruing seniority on a seniority list of Local 547 will be required to pay monthly dues starting the date of employment, if such date occurs prior to the fifteenth day of the month or the next month if it occurs after the 15th, subject to provisions contained in the TWU Constitution.

B. BUDGET

The Local Executive Board will adopt a budget at the first meeting following installation, or at such other meetings as may be deemed necessary and the Local Officers will be guided by such budget in conducting the affairs of the Local.

C. ROUTINE EXPENDITURES

The following expenditures will be deemed routine items payable by check signed by the President and Financial Secretary/Treasurer (or Vice President in the event of one of their absences) of the Local, in accordance with these By-laws, without prior approval of the Local Executive Board or Membership:

· per capita levies to the International Union,

· insurance payments covering officers and office personnel on pay status or employed by the Local,

· salaries and expenses for Local Officers,

· expenses to members of Standing or Ad Hoc committees previously authorized by the Local Executive Board,

· lost time wage and work schedule coverage for Members as specifically authorized in advance by the President and Treasurer,

· salaries of office employees (if any) in such amount as has been authorized by the Local Executive Board,

· refunds of dues or initiations,

· office rent and utility bills,

· meeting hall rents and related expenses,

· expenses incurred for telephone, telegraph, stationary, postage, office supplies and printing,

· purchase of office equipment totaling less than Five Hundred U.S. Dollars ($500),

· auditing service payments to Certified Public Accountant(s),

· arbitration costs,

· retirement gifts,

· subscription to publications,

· fire, theft, and liability insurance as defined in the budget,

· miscellaneous items involving expenditures of less than Five Hundred U.S. Dollars ($500) each and,

· Bonding costs as required by the International Constitution.

E. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT

No reimbursement will be made for expenses incurred in the name of the Local without the prior approval of the President and the Treasurer. Receipts must accompany all requests for reimbursement.

F. SALARIES

The salaries of all Local Officers and Executive Board Member(s) at Large will be fixed at a regular meeting of the Executive Board and with the approval of the majority vote at a General Membership Meeting, provided that at least fifteen (15) days prior to the vote, notice of intention to vote upon such question is posted.

H. PER DIEM

When a Member or officer is away from his normal area of work as an official representative of the Local, a per diem will be set by the Local Executive Board. The per diem will be in addition to expenses for hotel and Transportation to and from airports or for any official union business.

I. LOST TIME

The approval of the President and the Financial Secretary/Treasurer will be required before any Member is taken off the job to work for the Local.

J. LOCAL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

Members required to attend Local Executive Board meetings may receive an amount set by the Local Executive Board to offset mileage and other expenses. The President and Financial Secretary/Treasurer may approve work schedule coverage if they believe it is in the best interests of the Local.

K. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Local Officers required to attend General Membership Meetings on their days off may receive an amount set by the Local Executive Board to offset mileage and other expenses. The Local will compensate the company for work schedule coverage if required.

L. STEWARD MEETINGS

All persons required to attend Steward Meetings may receive an amount set by the Local Executive Board to offset expenses such as mileage and other expenses.

M. FINANCIAL REPORT

A financial report is to be given at each Section General Membership Meeting .

N. UNION BUSINESS

Unless other arrangements have been made between a Section and its Management, the Local Executive Board will designate an amount to be paid to Members covering work schedules for the conduct of Local Business. The amount paid for lost time shall be the equivalent wages and overrides and surcharges (assessed by the employer) that said Member would earn while on duty for that work schedule missed.

ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

A. PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES

Proposals for changes, amendments or repeals of the bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Financial Secretary/Treasurer of the Local and will be posted for review of the Membership at the direction of the Local Executive Board.

B. VOTING

These bylaws may be altered, amended or replaced by a referendum majority vote of the ballots cast at any time provided that the proposals will have been posted at all work areas of Members and on the Local’s website for a minimum of fifteen (15) days prior to the vote. Any increase in dues or initiation fees will require approval by a majority of ballots cast in a secret referendum of the Membership.

C. APPLICABILITY

These bylaws and any subsequent amendments will become effective upon approval of the International Administrative committee and the Local Membership and will apply to all employees of companies under a Transport Workers Union of America contract within the jurisdiction of Local 547 regardless of employment.

APPENDIX

Calendar of Events

	Local 547 Membership Activity	Local Executive Board Activity	Special Items
JAN		Meeting	· Financial Report · LM Filings
FEB	General Membership Meeting	Meeting	·
MAR		Meeting	·
APR		Meeting	·
MAY	General Membership Meeting	Meeting	·
JUN		Meeting	·
JUL		Meeting	· Nominations
AUG	General Membership Meeting	Meeting	· Balloting
SEP		Meeting	· Budget Development
OCT		Meeting	· Install Officers · Approve Budget
NOV	General Membership Meeting	Meeting
DEC		Meeting