Throughout the world, members of unions routinely
vote on collective bargaining agreements that control their workplace
destiny. Do you?
Under the current L.I.U.N.A. Constitutional
provision (see provision below) regarding Bargaining-- there is
nothing that prohibits you from being given the right to vote
on your collective bargaining agreement.
Article XI of the Uniform District Council
Constitution gives certain rights to the negotiating committee
and the District Council delegates. However, nothing prohibits
the negotiating committee and delegates from waiving their right
under Article XI and presenting a proposed contract to the members
to obtain ratification.
Since nothing prohibits membership ratification,
shouldn't you demand the opportunity to ratify your contract?
Ask your delegate to the District Council
to request the Negotiating Committee to put the proposed contract
to all the members affiliated with the District Council for a
secret ballot ratification vote. Express yourself self,
not only as regards negotiations for a successor Agreement, but
in the future, demand a commitment from persons from your local
union running for delegate to the District Council that they provide
you an opportunity to vote on Collective Bargaining Agreements.
In the year 200l when you nominate and elect
delegates to the 22nd Convention for the Laborers' International
Union of North America. Demand their support for a revision of
the Constitution as regards Bargaining. Compare the revised version
below with the current provision.
The revised version guarantees you
the right to vote on future Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Considering how long it has been since you last voted on your
own workplace destiny. Isn't it about time to make your voice
heard and demand that the Rank and File ratify Laborers' Collective
Bargaining Agreements?
Phone: (203)-335-7943
Fax: (203) 335-1261
e-mail: liuna665@aol.com
Bargaining shall be conducted by a Negotiating
Committee appointed by the District Council. The Business Manager
of the Council shall be the chairman ex-officio In the composition
of the Negotiating Committee the District Council shall give due
regard to representation from all the affected Local Unions. Prior
to negotiations the Local Unions which shall be affected thereby
shall submit to the District council their bargaining proposals.
The Business Manager and the Negotiating Committee of the Council,
after consultation with all the affected Local Unions, shall cause
the preparation of the District Council's agreement proposals.
During the course of negotiations the Business Manager shall keep
all the affected Local Unions advised of the progress of negotiations.
If the delegates to the District
Council have given the Negotiating Committee authority to enter
into an agreement, when agreement is reached by the Committee
no further ratification shall be required. In all other cases.
If agreement is reached by the Committee, it shall require ratification
by a secret ballot vote of delegates
all the affected members affiliated with the Council. Where a
Local Union negotiates an agreement and thereby serves as the
District Council's Negotiating Committee, that agreement shall
require ratification by a secret ballot vote of delegates
all the affected members affiliated with the council like all
other agreements negotiated by the Council under this Article.
If the delegates to the Council have given the Negotiating committee
the authority to call a strike in the event agreement is not reached,
the Negotiating Committee shall be authorized to call a strike
only after all affected members affiliated with the Council by
secret ballot vote have sanctioned the strike authorization of
the delegates to the Council. In all other cases, where the Negotiating
Committee has not reached an agreement, strike sanctions can only
be authorized by secret ballot vote of the
delegates all affected members
affiliated with the Council.