Section 1. Name.
The name of this organization shall be: Fire fighters Local 311, Madison, Wisconsin.
Section 2. References.
References to "Local" or "Union" shall refer to the organization as set forth in Section 1. References
to "Association" or "International" or "IAFF" shall refer to the International Association of Fire
Fighters.
Section 3. IAFF Constitution.
This Union, its officers, representatives and members shall recognize, observe and be bound by the provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the interpretations rendered by the International General President, the resolutions, decisions, and directives of the International Executive Board, or officers of the Association when made in conformity with the authority granted by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association, and the resolutions adopted and policies established by the delegates at conventions. Article XIII of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association is recognized as providing the basic rules governing this local.
Section 1. Jurisdiction.
The primary jurisdiction of the local includes all commissioned personnel as determined by the collective bargaining agreement or law who are probationary or permanent employees of the Madison fire Department.
The secondary jurisdiction of this local may include all full time commissioned personnel as determined by the collective bargaining agreement or law who are probationary or permanent employees of a fire department, emergency medical, or rescue service organization or related services within Dane County, Wisconsin.
Section 2. Authority.
The authority for conducting the business of this local shall come from: First, the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters; second, the Constitution and By-Laws of this local as contained herein provided the first does not apply; third, Local 311 Union Policy as outlined in the Constitution and By-Laws of this local Article VII, Section 7, provided the first and second do not apply; fourth, the provisions of the parliamentary procedure manual used by the IAFF where the first, second and third do not apply. A request for a ruling may be submitted to the International in the event the above do not apply.
Section 3. Objectives.
The objectives of this union are: a) to negotiate collective employment agreements; b) to enforce that contract and existing common practices through appropriate legal remedies, as governed by state statute and city ordinance; c) to promote harmony and goodwill among our membership and to respect our individual differences; d) to promote health and safety in our dangerous workplace and in our community; e) to maintain and strengthen adequate disability and pension laws for personal and dependent coverage; f) to value apprenticeship training and professional standards as a way of continually improving our position of professional firefighters.
Section 1. Membership-Active.
Any person, who at the time of making application, is engaged in service within the jurisdiction of this local, as given in Article II, shall be eligible for active membership. Any eligible person who completes an application and pays an initiation fee to this local shall be eligible to be initiated and sworn into this local. The Secretary/Treasurer shall notify the applicant of the next scheduled general membership meeting to appear for initiation and swearing in ceremony. An applicant must be initiated and sworn in to be an active member. Anyone eligible for membership shall not be refused membership or, upon acceptance, be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or by reason of disability.
Section 2. Membership-Honorary.
For meritorious service to this local or for distinguished public service, a person or persons may be elected as honorary member(s) by a majority vote of the general membership. Honorary members shall not pay initiation fees, dues, other charges, or have a voice or vote in this local. Such membership may be revoked for cause.
Section 3. Maintenance of Good Standing.
Membership in good standing includes any person who has fulfilled the requirements for membership in this local and who has not voluntarily withdrawn, become ineligible for continued membership, or has been suspended or expelled as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters, or the Constitution and By-Laws of Local 311.
Section 4. Separation.
When any member in good standing is separated from the fire service, the local union may allow said member to retain active membership or in lieu thereof, upon request of said member, shall issue a withdrawal card. This local union may issue withdrawal cards only to those members who leave the fire service or EMS in good standing or who are precluded by law or local ordinance or contractually from maintaining union membership by virtue of their fire department position. A former member holding a valid withdrawal card will not be charged a reinstatement fee upon reentry into the organization. A member who is duly elected as an officer of the International Association of Fire Fighters, or elected or appointed as a representative of or to an affiliated labor organization, shall retain his/her active membership in this local.
Section 5. Delinquent Members.
Dues for active members shall have their union dues deducted from their pay check, as provided by contract. All other union members, such as those on disability pay or on leave of absence (but not on worker's compensation), shall pay monthly dues of ten dollars ($10) to retain active membership. These dues shall be paid at the beginning of the month, and shall be considered delinquent if not paid by the 15th day of the month following the month such dues are payable. If a member becomes delinquent in their dues by more than sixty (60) days, they shall be automatically suspended and lose all rights and privileges in the Local and the International as well, as provided by the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
The Secretary/Treasurer of this local shall notify a member when they miss a dues payment, and inform them that they will be automatically suspended if they become more than sixty (60) days delinquent. Such suspended member is not entitled to any voice or vote in the local union or in the affairs of the IAFF until delinquent dues are paid in full.
Local 311 may accept for membership within this local: paid, full time fire fighters, emergency medical, or rescue services personnel.
Section 2. Approval: Local 311.
The Executive Board and General Membership shall approve by majority vote any affiliation, merger, amalgamation, annexation or consolidation of IAFF members or organization(s) within Local 311.
Section 3. Approval: Other IAFF Organization(s).
The other IAFF member(s) or organization(s) who wish to be considered as members of Local 311, must petition this local for membership. This written petition shall include but is not limited to: 1) a statement desiring affiliation with Madison firefighters Local 311; 2) fire service or related present employment; 3) a list of all paid full time firefighters or related personnel within that service organization(s) including names, addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and date of hire; and 4) signatures of a majority of people on that list of IAFF eligible personnel.
Section 4. Dissolution.
Either A or B applies.
A) Dissolution: Local 311. Madison Fire Fighters Local 311 members may terminate the association with other IAFF fire service, emergency medical or rescue service organization(s) by a majority vote of the Executive Board and general Membership. This termination shall be at a date certain no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days into the future.
B) Dissolution: Other IAFF organization. The other associated IAFF organization(s) within this local may terminate its association with Local 311 by a signed petition stating their desire to terminate at a date certain no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days into the future.
Section 5. Assets and Liabilities.
The organization(s) or group of individual IAFF member(s) desiring association with Local 311 shall provide a detailed statement of their group assets and liabilities with their petition for membership with Local 311 as outlined in Section 3. This statement shall be signed by a majority of individuals if no formal IAFF organization exists. If an IAFF organization(s) presently exists then this statement of assets and liabilities shall be signed by all primary union officers of the petitioning organization(s).
Section 6. Return of Assets and Liabilities.
Dissolution must be approved as outlined in Section 4. The smaller associated organization leaving shall depart with substantially the same assets as when they entered Local 311 as described in Section 5. Local 311 shall return assets either in cash or in kind within 60 days of dissolution vote or notice.
Regularly scheduled General Membership meetings of this union shall be held monthly at a time and place to be designated by the primary officers with approval from the Executive Board. The meetings shall be so scheduled so that no platoon shall miss more than one meeting every three (3) months. A meeting under this section shall not commence nor proceed without a primary union officer to chair this meeting. There shall not be consumption of alcoholic beverages, nor smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, nor use of tobacco products during a General Membership meeting.
Section 2. Executive Board Meetings.
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Executive Board of this union shall be held monthly at a time and place to be designated by the primary officers with the approval of the Executive Board. The meetings shall be so scheduled so that no platoon shall miss more than one meeting every three (3) months. A meeting under this section shall not commence nor proceed without a primary union officer to chair this meeting. There shall not be consumption of alcoholic beverages, nor smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, nor use of tobacco products during an Executive Board meeting.
Section 3. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the General Membership or Executive Board may be called by either the President, upon the written request of four (4) members of the Executive Board or upon the written request of ten (10) members of this union. There shall be no consumption of alcoholic beverages, nor smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, nor use of tobacco products during Special meetings.
Section 4. Contract Ratification Meeting.
The Labor Agreement(s) negotiated between Local 311 (Madison Firefighters) or Local 311 (other affiliated IAFF organization(s) and the City of Madison or other municipal government(s), firefighting, emergency medical, or rescue service organization(s) shall be approved by their respective members.
Section 5. Quorum.
Twelve (12) members, one of whom shall be a primary officer shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at a general membership meeting. Seven (7) Executive board members, one
of whom shall be a primary union officer, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
at an Executive Board meeting.
Section 6. Rights of Members.
Every active member in good standing shall have the right to attend any General Membership meeting or Special Union meeting and to participate in such meeting in accordance with the parliamentary manual used by the IAFF. Every active member in good standing shall have the privilege to observe only, at any Executive Board meeting. Members shall conduct themselves in such a manner as to not interfere with the legal or contractual obligations of the association or of this local.
Section 7. Rules for Meetings.
The rules contained in the parliamentary manual used by the IAFF shall govern the meetings of this local in all cases not in conflict with this Constitution and By-Laws or the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Fire Fighters, or the interpretation of these documents.
Section 8. Executive Board Voting.
Voting at Executive Board meetings shall be done in accordance with the parliamentary manual used by the IAFF, except that the call of the roll, may be demanded by 30% of the Executive Board members present and voting. Upon such roll call, each Executive Board member is entitled to one vote for each member in good standing who is usually and customarily assigned to the fire station, work site, or other IAFF organization(s) affiliated with Local 311, which each Executive Board member represents.
Section 1. Officers.
The elected officers of this local shall be:
a) one (1) President, IAFF Delegate, PFFW Delegate;
b) one (1) vice-President, IAFF Delegate, PFFW Delegate;
c) one (1) Secretary/Treasurer, PFFW Delegate;
d) one Executive Board member from each fire station;
e) one Executive Board member from the forty (40) hour week fire personnel;
f) one Executive Board member from the Other Affiliated IAFF Organization(s). Collectively these officers form the Executive board of the local, with equal privilege of motion, discussion, and vote (except as outlined in Article V, Section 8) at Executive Board meetings, and other duties as described further in this document;
g) delegates and alternates to the Biannual IAFF Convention and the Annual PFFW Convention. Members elected to the above positions shall be considered officers of the local. The primary officers are the President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2. Eligibility for Office.
Active members who have been in good standing with the local for at least one (1) year shall be eligible to hold the offices identified in Section 1.
Section 3. Terms of Office.
a) President: Three (3) year term, election beginning in 2002.
b) Vice-President: Three (3) year term, election beginning in 2000.
c) Secretary/Treasurer: Three (3) year term, election beginning in 2001.
d) Executive Board Members: One (1) year term, elected every year.
e) Convention Delegates and Alternates: One (1) year term, elected every year.
Primary officers and Executive Board members shall take their oaths of office and assume their duties at the beginning of the March Executive Board meeting. This meeting shall be held within the first ten (10) days of March.
Section 4. Elections Committee.
An Elections Committee of three (3) or more persons shall be appointed by the President, subject to Executive Board approval. The committee will consist of union members who do not currently hold nor are currently seeking an elective union office. Attention should be paid to fairness, impartiality, and honesty when appointing and approving this committee.
The Elections Committee shall select a chairperson at their first meeting. The Elections Committee shall be responsible for receiving nominations, drafting, distribution and tabulating ballots. They shall be aware of federal regulations governing the election of union officers and shall operate within the IAFF Constitution and By-Laws.
The Elections Committee shall notify each candidate of their right to appoint one observer, who shall be permitted to witness the manner of distributing ballots and who shall be permitted to attend the meeting at which the votes are tabulated.
The Elections Committee shall see that the Secretary/Treasurer shall preserve the ballots and all other records of all elections for one year following such an election.
Section 5. Nominations.
Nominations for all union elected positions shall be in December. Nominations shall be in writing. Notice of nominations shall be posted in all fire stations or work sites for all members in good standing to observe. All members in good standing shall be given at least fifteen (15) days advance notice in writing of the date, time and place at which nominations shall be made, and the date, time and place at which elections shall be held.
Section 6. Elections: General.
The Elections Committee shall conduct a general election in February of every year. The election shall be conducted fairly and impartially and the voting shall be by secret ballot. All additional rules for elections shall be approved as union policy as outlined in Article VIII, Section 7.
Section 7. Elections: Primary Officers.
For primary officers the candidate receiving a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) shall be declared elected. If an initial ballot does not produce a majority vote, the two candidates with the most votes shall be placed on a ballot for a run-off.
Section 8. Elections: Convention Delegates and Alternates.
The President and Vice-President as provided for in Article VI, Section 1 and 2, are elected as delegates to both the IAFF and PFFW Conventions. The Secretary/Treasurer as provided for in Article VI, Section 3 is elected as an alternate to the IAFF Convention and as a delegate to the PFFW Convention. Additional delegates and alternates to the IAFF and PFFW Conventions shall be elected by secret ballot of the members in good standing. A minimum of fifteen (15) days written notice, posted in fire stations and work sites, will be given for nominations and elections for additional delegates and alternates. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be the first delegate, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be the second delegate, and so on until all delegate positions are filled. The candidate with the highest number of votes who is not elected as a delegate will be the first alternate, and so on until all the candidates are ranked. In the event that any delegate can not attend, the first alternate shall be offered the position first. Subsequent offerings shall be in order of election result. In the case of a tie, the candidate with the most job seniority shall take precedent.
Section 9. Elections: Executive Board.
Nominations for Executive Board are in December of every year. The election of Executive Board members will be conducted by the Elections Committee in February of every year at the general election.
Section 10. Access To Members.
Every candidate has the right to use inter-departmental mail as provided in the Labor Agreement. The Secretary/Treasurer shall make available, to any candidate who requests it, a roster of current members in good standing, including their mailing addresses. Candidates shall also be allowed to post campaign literature on Union bulletin boards at fire stations/work sites, in accordance with the Labor Agreement.
Section 11. No Local Funds For Candidates.
No funds received by this local through initiation fees, dues assessments, or otherwise, shall be contributed or applied to promote the candidacy of any person in the election of union officers. This section does not prevent the expenditure of union funds for notices, or other reasonable and necessary expenses to conduct union elections.
Section 12. Vacancies in Office.
a) A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice-President who shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term of office.
b) A vacancy in the office of the Vice-President shall be filled by a secret ballot election at the next regularly scheduled Executive Board meeting. Any active union member can be nominated by an Executive Board member and elected as the new Vice-President and this person shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
c) A vacancy in the office of Secretary/Treasurer shall be filled by a secret ballot election at the next regularly scheduled Executive Board meeting. Any active union member can be nominated by an Executive Board member and elected as the new Secretary/Treasurer and this person shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
d) A vacancy on the Executive Board other than primary officers, shall be filled by Presidential appointment subject to Executive Board approval.
e) Absence from three consecutive Executive Board meetings shall automatically relieve an Executive Board member of that position. Primary officers are members of the Executive Board and are included in this provision.
Section 1. President.
The President in accordance with this Constitution and By-Laws and at the direction of the Executive Board or General Membership, shall be the principal executive officer of this union and shall in general, supervise and control all the business and affairs of the union. He/she shall preside at all meetings whenever possible, of the local and of the Executive Board and shall, for all purposes be deemed the chairperson thereof. The President shall conduct meetings in a business-like manner and preserve order and decorum therein. The President may appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms as needed. The President may sign, with the Secretary/Treasurer, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments which the Executive Board and/or General Membership has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Executive Board or the General Membership. In general, he/she shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Board or the General Membership, and may assign to other officers such duties as are not inconsistent with their oath of office. The President shall call a special meeting when he/she deems necessary. The President shall have a deciding vote in case of a tie, or the President shall have a vote that will establish a tie. The President may elect not to cast a vote as outlined in the preceding sentence. The President shall have the power to fill a vacancy on the Executive Board subject to Executive Board approval. The President shall appoint the chairpersons of all committees except as this relates to the Vice-President and the Elections Committee. The President shall in the case of a member's death, contact the family and offer the assistance of the union. The President shall by virtue of election automatically be a delegate to all affiliated organizations meetings and conventions. The President shall discharge on behalf of the local union such duties as may be imposed upon them by applicable law including the execution and filing of any reports to federal and state authorities, and shall cause to be maintained by the local union such records as the law requires to be kept in support of reports filed.
Section 2. Vice President.
The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have the power of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the President, the Executive Board of the membership. The Vice-President shall, upon the death, resignation or removal of the President, assume the position of the President. The Vice-President shall chair two (2) committees. The Vice-President shall be the committee chair of his/her choice of one (1) committee before the President appoints said chairs, with exception of the Bargaining Committee. The Vice-President, by virtue of election, shall automatically be the second delegate to all affiliated organizations' meetings and conventions.
Section 3. Secretary/Treasurer.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall, in the absence of the President and Vice-President, perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have the power of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall have the duty to take charge of the seal, correspondence, papers, documents, draw and sign all warrants, conduct all correspondence, and read at each general membership meeting, a summary of all communications received. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the minutes of all Executive Board and General Membership meetings and maintain the attendance sheets of said union meetings. The book in which these minutes are recorded shall be at all Executive Board meetings and General Membership meetings of this union. The Secretary/Treasurer shall act as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Executive Board and shall keep all proceedings of the Executive Board and file same with other reports of the union. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for all such property, books and office equipment that is required and placed in his/her charge by the Executive Board for the transaction of business of these offices, and such office equipment and books shall be accounted for and reported to the Executive Board annually. The Secretary/Treasurer shall take charge of and file all financial correspondence, books and papers. The Secretary/Treasurer shall collect and receive all dues, revenues, and assessments of the union and properly deposit same to the credit of Firefighters Local 311, in a bank, savings and loan, or credit union designated by the Executive Board. Monies shall be drawn out of savings deposit from time to time as circumstances make necessary, or upon orders properly issued by the Executive Board and duly countersigned by the President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a record of all monies received and expended, and make a financial report monthly at all Executive Board meetings and General membership meetings. The Secretary/Treasurer shall submit the books and receipts to the Executive Board or any other duly authorized body, for their audit or approval when called upon to do so. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be bonded with surety in such form and in such amount as shall from time to time be required by the Executive Board, who shall judge and approve the sufficiency of such bond and surety, and keep and preserve the same. The Secretary/Treasurer shall perform any and all duties of the office during their term, and turn over to their successor all monies, books and property that may be in their possession. The Secretary/Treasurer shall discharge on behalf of the local union such duties as may be imposed upon them by applicable law, including the execution and filing of any reports to federal and state authorities, and they shall cause to be maintained by the local union such records as the law requires to be kept in support of reports filed. The Secretary/Treasurer shall forward the annual audit of the local to the IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer with the seal of the local not later than the first (1st) of June of each calendar year. The Secretary/Treasurer shall perform any and all duties as may contribute to the general good of the union, and at the expiration of his or her term of office, turn over to their successor all properties of the union that may be in their possession. The Secretary/Treasurer, by virtue of election, shall automatically be the third delegate to all affiliated organizations meetings and conventions except the IAFF Convention.
Section 4. Executive Board.
The Executive Board is the representative body of the general membership. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to supervise and hold in trust all such properties of the union as not in constant use. The Executive Board shall require all union officers who are so required, to be bonded and to show evidence of such bond. A majority of the Executive Board shall attend all special meetings that may be called. The majority attendance is the total number of Executive Board members that attend either day of the special meetings. The Executive Board shall investigate all accusations against any member(s) or officer(s) for violations of the Constitution and By-Laws of this union. The Executive Board shall file a written report of the findings of the above investigation, with the Secretary/Treasurer and this report shall be referred to the general membership for final action according to Article IX. The Executive Board shall respect the privacy rights of union members when such members request that they do so. The Executive Board shall supervise the proceedings of all grievances. The Executive Board shall supervise all resolutions, bills, and acts before the state legislature, the Madison Common Council, and the Police and Fire Commission which affect the interests of this union for the purpose of education, discussion and action. The Executive Board shall approve all position statements or opinions of this local. The Executive Board shall vote on and make all union endorsements for political office.
Section 5. Executive Board Member.
The Executive Board member shall maintain a union briefcase to include but is not limited to; 1) parliamentary procedure manual used by the IAFF, 2) IAFF Constitution and By-Laws, 3) PFFW Constitution and By-Laws, 4) Local 311 Constitution and By-Laws, 5) current labor agreement, and 6) pertinent union notes, files and information including the IAFF Steward's manual. This union briefcase shall be brought to all Executive Board meetings and fire station/work site reports. The Executive Board member shall turn over to their successor when elected and properly installed, all union property in their charge. The Executive board member from each fire station or work site shall maintain the union bulletin board. The Executive board member shall post all approved union notices and remove all non-approved notices. The Executive board member shall see that all fire station or work site personnel have easy access to the fire station or work site copy of 1) parliamentary procedure manual used by the IAFF, 2) IAFF Constitution and By-Laws, 3) PFFW Constitution and By-Laws, 4) Local 311 Constitution and By-Laws, 5) current labor agreement, 6) pertinent union communications including the IAFF Steward's manual, and 7) a list of all scheduled General Membership meetings and Executive Board meetings. The Executive Board member shall report back to their fire station or work site personnel, on all three (3) shifts, a verbal summary of items of discussion and motions that took place at the monthly Executive Board meeting. The Executive Board member shall notify the Secretary/Treasurer of any and all serious illnesses, deaths, retirements, dismissals, resignations, and injuries of any union member(s). The Executive Board member will report any information that they may have about the above health/employment conditions to the Executive Board at their next meeting. Executive board members shall be a member or chairperson of at least one committee.
Section 6. Bonded Union Officers.
All officers and employees of the union who handle funds or property of the union shall be bonded in such amounts as may be required by the IAFF Board of Trustees and the General Secretary/Treasurer of the IAFF, in compliance with applicable law, the expense of the first five thousand dollars ($5000) shall be borne by the IAFF. Union officers who are newly bonded shall provide evidence of such bond to the Executive Board and yearly thereafter. The local shall have sufficient bond to cover at least ten percent (10%) of its current liquid assets.
Section 7. Members Recourse.
The members of this union shall have recourse of referendum and/or recall on the written petition of twenty (20) per cent of the union membership. This petition and/or copies shall be given to all primary union officers. The secretary shall mail to each fire station and work site a copy of said petition within five (5) days of receipt of petition. This petition shall be posted on the union bulletin board. A referendum means to put a decision before the union membership in written ballot form within fifty (50) days. A recall means that a special election shall be held for the office or offices stated on the recall document within fifty (50) days. The recall document shall automatically be referred to the Elections Committee.
Section 1. Standing Committees and Committees.
Standing Committees and Committees shall be appointed by the President, subject to the Executive Board's approval.
Section 2. Special Committees.
Special Committees may be established by the membership as per the parliamentary procedure manual used by the IAFF.
Section 3. Standing Committees, Committee and Special Committee Chairs.
All standing committee chairs, committee chairs and special committee chairs shall be appointed by the President, except as this related to the Vice-President and the Elections Committee or when the motion or resolution creating the special committee provides for an election. The chair of any committee is empowered to recruit any member of this union to aid and serve on their committee(s), or to limit the size of their committee, except as this relates to the Elections Committee. Standing Committee, Committee and Special Committee chairs may be removed as chairs, by the President subject to Executive Board approval, with exceptions mentioned above.
Section 4. Representatives to Labor Organizations.
Union representatives to the South Central Federation of Labor, Labor Temple Association and the Wisconsin AFL-CIO shall be appointed by the President for a term of one (1) year. These union representatives shall act and vote under the direction of the Executive Board, reporting at Executive Board meetings as required by the Executive Board.
Section 5. Union Positions, Opinions or Statements.
The union has a position, opinion or a statement on a subject only after this position has been written in motion form and passed at an Executive Board meeting. No union officer nor individual union member of this local shall make or issue statements of union positions or opinions at any meeting convened for the purpose of national, state or local governmental bodies unless that position has been passed by the Executive Board. If individual members of this union wish to speak before convening government bodies, elected officials or the news media on fire department or union/labor issues, they are to preface their remarks as to speaking only for themselves and not as a representative of this local. The President shall, if time is of the essence, take a telephone vote of the majority of the Executive Board before issuing any position, statement or opinion that will be construed as being an official union position. The President of his/her designee is the union spokesperson for the news media.
Section 6. Committee Reports.
All committees shall report verbally their proceedings and findings at each General Membership meeting, and Executive Board meeting when requested or appropriate. In the case where a definite time has been named for making a report by a motion of the General Membership or Executive Board, this report shall be made in writing. A committee's final report shall be made in writing and signed by a majority of the committee. Committee chairs that wish to advocate a union/committee opinion or position to the public through elected or appointed government officials or the news media shall state in motion form to the Executive Board what this local is for or against. This motion shall include the plan for presenting and advocating this position. Any committee report, position opinion or statement that will be advocated to the public must be approved by the Executive Board as outlined in Article VII, Section5.
Section 7. Union Policy.
Union practices and procedures shall be codified as needed. Union policy shall be approved by the General Membership and the Executive Board. These policies shall be properly recorded by the Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 1. Initiation Fees, Reinstatement Fees, Dues and Assessments.
Initiation fees shall be established by union policy. Dues, initiation fees, reinstatement fees, and assessments are made and can be increased or decreased according to the provisions in the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Constitution and By-Laws, Article XIII, Section 4. Option B of Section 4 shall be the method of voting.
Section 2. Reinstatement To Union.
A former member of this local upon re-entering service to the Madison Fire Department and re-entering the jurisdiction of this local and desiring to become a member of this local again can present his or her application at a General Membership meeting. There will be no reinstatement fee or additional initiation fee. A member who has left the employment of the Madison Fire Department to enter the Armed Forces of the United States, can upon re-employment with the Madison Fire Department and re-entering the jurisdiction of this local, assume payment of dues commencing with their re-employment. There will be no reinstatement fee or additional initiation fee. A ten ($10.00) dollar reinstatement fee required by the IAFF must be paid by the local if the returning member does not have a withdrawal card. Waiver of this fee is permitted if the returning member presents an IAFF withdrawal card.
Section 3. Entering this Local from Another Local.
A member of the IAFF, who having been employed with a fire service other than that covered by the jurisdiction of this local, who wishes to become a member of this local, shall present his/her application at a General Membership meeting. There shall be no reinstatement fee or additional initiation fee. A ten ($10.00) dollar reinstatement fee required by the IAFF must be paid by the local if the returning member does not have a withdrawal card. Waiver of this fee is permitted if the returning member presents an IAFF withdrawal card.
Section 4. Resignation from Union.
A member of this local who voluntarily submits their resignation while still eligible for membership in this local, may be reinstated by this local and shall present his/her application at a General Membership meeting. There shall be no reinstatement fee or additional initiation fee. A ten ($10.00) dollar reinstatement fee required by the IAFF must be paid by the local if the returning member does not have a withdrawal card. Waiver of this fee is permitted if the returning member presents an IAFF withdrawal card.
Section 1. Misconduct, Charges, Trials and Appeals.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Constitution and By-Laws govern issues of misconduct, charges, trials and appeals. The system for filing, trying, adjudicating any charges are contained in Articles XV, XVI, XVII and XVIII of that document and shall be made available to any member by the Secretary/Treasurer of this union upon request.
Section 1. Management.
Funds and property of the local may not be invested, used or disbursed except upon approval of the General Membership and/or Executive Board.
Section 2. Fixed Expenditures.
The primary officers shall work cooperatively on developing a budget for each fiscal year. The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31. This budget shall be submitted to the Executive Board no later than the September Executive Board meeting. The budget shall be acted on by the Executive Board and said budget once approved by the Executive Board shall be sent in writing to the October General Membership meeting. If the vote is in the affirmative then the budget is adopted. If the vote is in the negative then the primary officers shall incorporate all necessary and appropriate suggestions and re-submit this budget for approval at the November Executive Board meeting. Upon approval by the Executive Board this budget shall be sent in writing to the November General Membership meeting. This process will continue to repeat until a budget is adopted. No union funds shall be dispersed without the approval of the General Membership and/or the Executive Board. All items of expenditure shall be reasonable and necessary for the lawful functioning of the local.
Section 3. Flexible Expenditures.
All resolutions or motions that appropriate two hundred dollars ($200) or less shall be made at either an Executive Board meeting or a General Membership meeting. All resolutions or motions that appropriate two hundred one dollars ($201) or more shall required approval by both a (1) General Membership meeting and (2) an Executive Board meeting.
Section 4. Officer Salaries.
President: Forty percent (40%) of the salary of a firefighter.
Vice-President: Twenty percent (20%) of the salary of a firefighter.
Secretary/Treasurer: Twenty percent (20%) of the salary of a firefighter.
Executive Board Members: One and one-half percent (1.5%) of the salary of a firefighter.
Committee Chairs: One and one-half percent (1.5%) of the salary of a firefighter.
Union officers shall be paid on or about the last working day of each month for services performed during that month. Executive Board members and Committee Chairs shall be paid as determined by the Executive Board and Secretary/Treasurer, but no less often that on a quarterly basis. The salary of a firefighter is range 1, step 5, zero (0) incentive or longevity, as outlined in the labor agreement. That figure shall be computed to reflect a monthly figure.
Section 5. Gifts.
The local shall not contribute any union funds as a cash award or annuity to any living individual, except as retirement gifts.
Section 1. Amendments.
This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at two (2) consecutive regularly scheduled General Membership meetings of the local to repeal, create or revise sections of this Constitution and By-Laws. Changes to this Constitution and By-Laws shall be proposed in writing and copies given to members present by the Secretary/Treasurer at the General Membership meeting one month prior to its consideration. The proposed amendment(s) to this Constitution and By-Laws shall be posted at each station/work site at least fifteen (15) days prior to the first meeting at which the vote will be taken.
Section 2. Approval.
A proposed amendment to this constitution and By-Laws shall be submitted for approval to the International Association of Fire fighters (IAFF) General President, after adoption by the local membership, but prior to printing or issuance.