Updated CWA Constitution Available

The CWA Constitution has been reprinted with amendments made at the 2004 Convention as well as changes to the Internal Appeals Procedures by the union's Executive Board.

Local unions can order copies through the Secretary-Treasurer's office for $1 apiece. Individual members should contact their local union office to obtain a copy. The Constitution also is available online at the Secretary-Treasurer's website, www.cwa-secy-treas.org.

Convention delegates last year amended several sections to include the new AFA-Sector and AFA-CWA Vice President in areas that deal with the role of union officers.

Changes in the Internal Appeals Procedure include the following new language:

• "A Local, with Executive Board approval, that negotiates contracts, handles all grievances, arbitration cases, legal expenses and dues collection in those bargaining units that do not exceed 150 potential members may be rebated 70 percent of the dues collected for that bargaining unit. These Locals are known as '70/30 split Locals.' Where a '70/30' split Local makes a decision not to arbitrate a grievance, the grievant shall have no internal appeal rights under these procedures and the Local shall so advise the grievant."
  
  
• Under Section III, Arbitration Complaints: "In cases where either the Local or the National Union settles a grievance, the grievant will have no further right to appeal pursuant to these appeals procedures."
  
  
• Under Section III, Subsection C, Appeal of President's decision: "6. The decision of the Executive Board on an appeal by a grievant shall be final and the grievant shall have no further right of appeal. 7. The decision of the Executive Board may be appealed by a Local or the Vice President to the next Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article VII, Section 1, Paragraph (b) of the Constitution."