Public Service Alliance of Canada
Environment Component
Local 20147
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By-law 1 Name and Headquarters
Section 1: This Component shall be known as the Environment Component, Public Service Alliance of Canada and shall be referred to in these By-Laws as the "Component"
Section 2: This Component shall have its headquarters in the National Capital Region
Section 3: This Component shall be composed of groups of members hereinafter referred to as Locals
Section 1: To unite all public service employees for which this Component has jurisdiction in a single democratic organization.
Section 2: To obtain for all public service employees assigned to this Component the best standards of compensation and other conditions of employment and to protect the rights and interest of all public service employees
Section 3: To subscribe unconditionally to and uphold the provisions of the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Section 1: All public service employees for which this Component has jurisdiction shall be eligible for membership in this Component.
Section 2: Through application by a Local and with the approval of the National Executive of this Component, a member who has retired may be granted Honourary Membership for outstanding service to the Component.
Honourary members shall not be required to pay dues and shall not be entitled to voice or vote at meetings or to election to office but shall be entitled to all other rights and privileges of membership.
Section 3: A Life membership may be awarded to any member who, through personal and devoted efforts in the affairs of the Component, has performed exemplary services for the membership.
The awarding of Life membership shall be controlled and decided by the National Executive which shall establish regulations to govern the awarding thereof.
Section 4: With the exception of Honourary and Life Members, all members shall be required to pay dues.
Section 5: With the exception of Honourary and Life Members
, all members shall be issued a membership identification card approved by the National Board of Directors of the Public Service Alliance of Canada
By-Law 4 Membership Responsibility
Section 1: Every member of this Component is deemed to agree to abide by and be bound by the provisions of these By-Laws and the Public Service Alliance of Canada Constitution upon applying for or continuing membership in the organization.
Section 2: A member shall not hold office in another union, organization or group which is in active competition with the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Section 3: Upon being granted membership and for the term of such membership, each member is deemed to nominate, constitute and appoint this Component and the Public Service Alliance of Canada as agents to negotiate with the employer on behalf of the member.
Section 1: the membership dues shall not be less than the amount determined by the Component Triennial national Convention, in addition to the amount assessed by a Local in accordance with By-Law 6, sections 20 and 21
Section 2: Members shall also be required to pay dues as determined by the triennial Convention of the Public service Alliance of Canada.
Section 3: The payment of dues by members shall be by payroll deduction except where facilities are not available, in which case payment shall be made by cash and paid not later than the month in which they became due.
Section 1: A Local shall have the power to deal with the Departmental officials in the locality concerned on matters affecting the interests of its members.
A Local shall also have the authority to initiate action on matters having broader effect than the interests of its members, by submission in writing to the National Executive, or by resolution to the Triennial National Convention of this Component, or by submission in writing to the Area Council of the Public Service Alliance of Canada
Section 2: A Local may be composed of all the members of the Component within a locality as determined by the National Executive. A Local may, in the interests of its members, and more efficient operation, be divided into Groups on the basis of common interests.
Section 3: Each Local shall adopt By-Laws for the conduct of its affairs and such By-laws shall not conflict with the provisions of these By-Laws.
A copy of all such By-Laws shall be forwarded to the National Office immediately following their approval by the Local.
Section 4: A Local may make provisions in its By-Laws for the holding of regular monthly meetings and special meetings of its members.
Section 5: Each Local shall hold a regular annual membership meeting for the purpose of receiving annual reports from its officers, consideration of such business as may be required by its By-Laws and the holding of annual election of officers as required by these By-Laws
A copy of the Minutes of this meeting and of any other meeting of the Local membership shall be forwarded to the Regional Vice-President for the region and the National Office.
Section 6: The elected officers of each Local shall hold monthly executive meetings unless circumstances prohibit.
Section 7: Election of officers of the Local shall take place at the annual membership meetings.
Section 8: A Nominations Committee should be appointed in the unit concerned and the Chairperson of such committee may appoint such assistants as necessary.
Section 9: Each Local shall elect:
(a) In accordance with provisions of these By-Laws, not less than three officers, who shall be President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer to conduct its affairs. Such officers shall be elected annually at a general membership meeting of the Local and their duties shall be consistent with By-Law 11 of these By-Laws. Notwithstanding the above requirements, Local officers may be elected for a two-year period if such a provision is included in the By-Laws of the Local;
(b) Stewards having regard to the plan of organization, distribution of employees at the workplace and the administrative structure implied by the grievance procedure.
Section 10: All officers shall take office at the end of the meeting at which they are elected.
Section 11: Stewards shall be elected for a period of time as per Local By-Laws
Section 12: At any time, 50% plus one of the members represented by a Steward may revoke the mandate of the Steward and elect a replacement in accordance with these By-Laws.
Section 13: Subject to By-Law 5, Section 26, a Local may designate any one of its elected officers as a full-time officer of the Local and may employ a person or persons to assist in carrying out the work of the Local.
Section 14: An officer of a Local on vacating an office shall deliver all documents, monies or other property of the Component or Local to the successor.
Section 15: A Local which is composed of three or more Groups shall, if requested by a Group or Groups, hold regular meetings composed of the Local Officers and not more than four delegates from such Groups or Groups in the Local, and such meetings may be held in lieu of the requirements in Section 4 and 6 of this By-Law
Section 16: Local Presidents and Group Chairpersons shall preside at the meetings of their respective units and shall be responsible for the efficient and proper conduct of such units.
Section 17: Local Vice-Presidents and Group Vice-Chairpersons, in the absence of their respective Presidents and Chairpersons, shall carry out the duties of their respective offices.
Section 18: Local and Group Secretary-Treasurers shall keep accurate records or meetings of their respective units and shall be responsible for maintaining proper files of documents, financial records and all correspondence.
Section 19: The Secretary-Treasurer of the Local shall submit a financial statement to all regular meetings of the Local.
Section 20: A Local may assess additional dues as authorized by a two-thirds majority vote of its membership in attendance at an annual or special meeting. Such additional dues shall be rebated to the Local concerned by this Component.
Section 21: A Local may amend the additional amount of dues once annually as authorized by a two-thirds majority vote at a membership meeting provided one month's notice of intent has been given to the Local membership.
Section 22: Locals shall approve three (3) signing officers, two (2) of whom shall sign all cheques. Financial disbursements shall be consistent with Local By-Laws.
Section 23: A Local may, with the approval of the national Executive, acquire such space and facilities as may be necessary for the conduct of the affairs of the Local.
Section 24: Local Presidents shall ensure that the Local submits to the National Office audited annual Local financial statements before March 1st of each year.
The audit shall be signed by two Local members other than the signing officers of that Local.
The national Office shall not remit a Local's portion of dues after March 1st until such statement has been received.
Section 25: The fiscal year for all Locals shall be the calendar year.
Section 26: No Local shall enter into any financial contractual understanding or agreement which exceed the Local's By-Laws or is binding to the Component.
Section 27: All financial records of Locals shall be retained for the legal period prescribed by the Income Tax Act.
Section 28: All financial records of Locals shall be maintained in an approved manner as advised by the National Executive.
Trusteeship
Section 29: A Local which has not carried out the responsibilities required by these By-Laws shall be considered inactive and the National Executive shall have the authority to appoint a trustee with responsibility to manage the Locals affairs and to bring about it's reactivation with minimum delay.
Section 30: Should a Local dissolve or be suspended, all documents, property and funds shall be returned to the care and safekeeping of the National President to be placed in trust by the National Executive until such time as the Local may be reinstated or re-organized or, in the absence of the latter, used for organizational purposes for the membership normally under the jurisdiction of the former Local or for amalgamation of the Local's former membership into another or new Local as the National Executive may direct.
Section 1: The Triennial National Convention of this Component, consistent with its area of jurisdiction as provided by the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada shall be the supreme governing body.
Section 2: The National Convention shall deal with all resolutions and matters brought before it from
(a) the National Executive, and
(b) the Locals of this Component
and shall establish for the period between National Conventions the general policies of this Component.
Section 3: The place and date of each triennial National Convention shall be decided by the National Executive with such decision transmitted to the Locals not later than six months prior to the opening date of such Convention. The Triennial National Convention shall be held at a date consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Section 4: Accredited delegates to the National Convention of this Component shall be composed of delegates from Locals, the National Equal Opportunities Representative, the Regional Equal Opportunities Representative, and officers of the National Executive of this component.
Section 5: Each accredited delegate present at a National Convention shall be entitled to one vote on each subject and proxy votes shall not be permitted.
Section 6: At least three months prior to the opening date of a Triennial National Convention, the National Executive shall appoint from the accredited delegates such committees as may be necessary for the conduct of the business of the Convention.
Delegates shall be advised of their Committee assignment by the National Executive at least two months prior to the opening of the Convention, and shall be supplied with an official copy of the agenda proposed by the National Executive.
Section 7: At least four (4) months prior to the opening date of the Triennial National Convention, at a general meeting of its members, each Local shall elect a member or members in good standing as a delegate or delegates, and alternate or alternates, to the Convention on the basis of the following membership table which shall be established by using the membership list from September of the year prior to the Convention.
Up to 200 members, 1 delegate; and
201-400 members, 1 additional delegate; or
401-600 members, 2 additional delegates; or
601-800 members, 3 additional delegates; or
and for each 200 additional members or majority fraction thereof, one additional delegate.
Section 8: Immediately following election of Local delegates and alternates to a National Convention, the Local President shall ensure that on a form supplied by the National Office, the names of the Locals accredited delegates and alternates be submitted to the National Office.
Section 9: Delegates to the Triennial National Convention of the Public Service Alliance of Canada shall consist of the National Executive, National E.O Representative, and additional delegates elected from the floor at the Component Convention in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada
Section 10: Locals may send observers to National Conventions at Local expense or at Component expense according to the policy adopted by the Component. Observers shall not have the right to vote or participate in debate at National Conventions.
Members shall have the right to attend National Conventions as observers at their own expense.
Section 11: A Special National Convention shall be called on the request of the National Executive provided that two-thirds of the National Executive vote in favour or on the request of 51% of Locals in good standing of this Component.
Section 12: Delegate entitlement to Special National Convention shall be in accordance with Section 7 of this By-Law and the numerical table specified therein.
Section 13: A Special National Convention of this Component shall deal only with the business for which it was called, unless such Special Convention agrees, by a two-thirds majority vote of its assembled delegates, to consider other business of an urgent or necessary nature within the time limits set for such Special national Conventions.
Section 14: (a) Resolutions to a National Convention shall be passed at a Local general meeting and submitted to the National Office prior to the deadline established by the National Executive.
(b) Supplementary Resolutions to a National Convention shall be submitted to the National Office 48 hours prior to the opening date of a convention and such supplementary resolutions shall be the last order of business unless otherwise decided by a two-thirds majority of the delegates voting in convention.
Section 15: The Triennial Convention shall establish the salary of the National President
Section 16: Nominees for National Executive office must be voting delegates to the National Convention and in attendance at the time of election.
Section 17: The election of the National President and the National Vice-President shall proceed in that order and the election of the Regional Vice-Presidents shall proceed in the order listed in By-Law 10, Section 1
Section 18: The National President shall ensure that the Minutes of the National Convention proceedings are prepared and printed 120 days after the termination of the sitting of the National Convention and shall ensure such Minutes are mailed to each accredited delegate and members of the National Executive and all Locals.
By-Law 8 Amendments to By-Laws
Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the delegates voting at any National Convention of the Component.
Section 2: The By-Laws also may be amended by approval of a two-thirds majority of those voting in a membership referendum ordered by a two-thirds majority of the national Executive.
Section 3: Unless otherwise specified, any amendment to these By-Laws shall become operative immediately upon adoption.
Section 4: These By-Laws and subsequent amendments shall be printed and distributed in both official languages.
Section 1: All elections shall be by secret ballot and decided by a majority of the votes cast.
Section 2: In the event of more than two candidates for office, the candidate receiving the fewest number of votes shall be dropped from the ballot whenever a majority of the votes cast is not accorded any candidate.
This procedure shall continue on each succeeding ballot for the position until a candidate receives a majority.
Section 3: All officers of this Component shall take office at the end of the meeting or Convention at which they are elected.
Section 4: The Oath of Office shall be administered to all officers immediately before taking office.
Section 5: As the election for each office is called, the Nominee or Nominator, or seconded of each Nominee whose name has been filed with the Nominations Committee or nominated from the floor, may speak to the national Convention for not more than three minutes on behalf of the nominee.
Section 6: Members of the National Executive shall not be eligible for election to Local or Area Council office.
Section 1: The National Executive shall be composed of the National President, the National Vice-President, and one Regional Vice-President from each of the following regions: Newfoundland/Labrador, Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario-Hull, Prairie and Northern, and British Columbia/Yukon, and a PSAC Executive Vice-President who shall have voice but no vote.
Section 2: (a) The National President and the National Vice-President shall be nominated and elected at each regular Triennial National Convention of the Component by the voting delegates attending such convention.
(b)(i)The Regional Vice-Presidents and Alternate Regional Vice-Presidents shall be elected from among the respective regional delegates at the Triennial National Convention and immediately following these elections, the results thereof shall be conveyed to the delegates on the floor of the Convention.
(ii)The Alternate Regional Vice-President will perform the duties of the Regional Vice-President when the incumbent Regional Vice-President has resigned or when the National President, in consultation with the National Executive decides that the position has been vacated.
Section 3: All members of the National Executive shall be required to be members in good standing of this Component excepting the Public Service Alliance of Canada Executive Vice-President.
Section 4: The Executive Assistant shall attend all meetings of the National Executive during the tenure with voice but no vote.
Section 5: A quorum of the National Executive shall be the National President, or in the absence of the national President, the National Vice-President and a majority of other members of the National Executive.
Section 6: The National Executive shall meet as and when required, but not less than twice annually, at the call of the National President.
Section 7: Between conventions, all executive powers of the component consistent with these By-Laws shall be vested in the National Executive.
Section 8: The National Executive shall have the power to make such regulations as are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of this Component, provided such regulations do not conflict with the provisions of these By-Laws. Such regulations shall be promulgated within 60 days of their adoption and shall be subsequently subject to ratification by National Convention of this Component.
Section 9: The National Executive shall have the authority to hire or dismiss National Office employees of this Component; however, the National Executive must ensure that the rights of the membership are upheld with respect to representation in both official languages and that the business of the Component is conducted in an orderly and timely manner.
Section 10: All actions by the National Executive on behalf of this Component between conventions may be subject to review at the next Triennial National Convention.
Section 11: The National Executive shall be considered as being in business session through out the period of the National Convention and its elected members shall have all rights and privileges due National Convention delegates.
Section 12: The National Executive shall submit a year-to-year budget for the ensuing three-year period for approval to each Triennial National Convention.
Section 13: The National Executive shall have the authority to establish any committee necessary for the conduct of the affairs of this Component. The National President shall be ex officio a member of any committee so formed.
Section 14: The full-time elected President shall reside in the Ottawa-Hull area.
Section 15: Should changes to the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada bring about a conflict between these By-Laws and that Constitution, the National Executive shall have authority to amend these By-Laws.
Such amendments shall be the minimum required to eliminate any conflict with the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Section 16: Any member of the National Executive who is on authorized leave of absence without pay, for reason other than union affairs for a period in excess of ninety (90) days, shall forthwith resign from office in the Component
This period of time, however, may be extended by the National Executive for good and sufficient reason.
Section 17: Substantive motions at National Executive meetings shall by recorded vote which shall be published with the Minutes of the meeting.
By-Law 11 Duties of the National Executive
The National President shall:
(a)function as the Chief Executive Officer of the Component.
The President shall exercise supervision over the affairs of the Component and sign all official documents;
(b) be Chief Financial Officer of the Component;
(c) preside at all meetings of the National Executive;
(d) preside at all sessions of the National Convention;
(e) interpret the By-Laws of this Component for the administration and management of the Component and the interpretation shall be conclusive and in full force and effect unless reversed by the National Executive or National Convention;
(f) ensure that the National Executive carriers out the directives and policies established by the National Conventions of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and this Component, in accordance with the authorities of each as provided by the Constitution and By-Laws;
(g) call a meeting of the National Executive at least twice annually or when requested by a majority of the national Executive;
(h) report on activities in writing to meetings of the National Executive and report in writing at least twice annually to Component Locals;
(i) report in writing to the Triennial National Convention on the activities of the National Executive and such other committees over which the President may have presided;
(j) perform such other duties as are within the authority of presiding officers of deliberative bodies.
Section 2: The National Vice-President shall:
(a) upon delegation perform the duties of the National President in case of absence or on the resignation of that officer;
(b) attend all meetings of the National Executive;
(c) attend all sessions of the National Convention;
(d) perform such other duties as may be assigned by the National President or National Executive;
(e) report on activities in writing to meetings of the National Executive;
(f) attend at least the first National Board of Directors meeting following election to office.
Section 3: Regional Vice-President shall:
(a) attend all meetings of the national Executive;
(d) in general, be responsible to the National Executive for the affairs of the region and perform such duties as may be required by the National Executive;
(e) visit the Locals within their regions at least once annually;
(f) have the authority to examine the records and accounts of any Local or Group of this Component within their respective regions;
(g) upon request, assist any Local or Group of this Component within their respective region;
(h) following their election as such, be required to resign any Local, Group, Area Council or National Director Office within one month of such election;
(i) report to Locals in the Region at least once annually on activities of the Regional Vice-President;
(j) report annually to the National Executive on each Locals activities in the region.
(k) sear in elected Local Officers.
Section 4 : The Executive Assistant shall be responsible to the National President for the proper discharge of the assigned duties.
Section 5: An officer of this Component on vacating an office shall deliver all documents, monies or other property of the Component or Local to the successor.
Section 1: The financial records of this Component shall be audited once annually by a firm chartered or certified accountants approved by the National Executive.
A copy of the financial statement shall be forwarded to each Local and the Public Service Alliance of Canada immediately upon completion of the annual audit.
Section 2: There shall be two signing officers of the Component, one being the National President or person acting in his/her stead as designated by the National Executive, the other being the Executive Assistant or Accountant or person acting in their stead as designated by the National Executive.
Section 3: The signing officers of this Component shall be bonded in the amount as determined by the National Executive.
Section 4: In the case of an emergency, the National Executive shall have the authority to designate one or more of its members as signing officers of this component.
Section 5: The fiscal year of this Component shall be the calendar year.
Section 6: All financial records of this Component shall be retained for the legal period as prescribed by the Income Tax Act.
Section 7: Cheques and money orders shall be made payable to the "Environment Component, Public Service Alliance of Canada."
Section 8: All financial records of this Component shall be maintained in an approved manner as advised by the auditors.
