Proposed Changes

Update: 10/27
Vote: PASS
69 total votes
66 in favour
3 opposed

Changes Summary:

• Spells out CAT – Contract Action Team
• Changed Contact Person/Chief Contact to Lead CAT
• Removed Chief and replaced with Lead
• Retains Member Organizer as an elected position and not an appointed one.
• Adds language that members working with the Union in on a MOC or MLDP are not required to take a leave of absence from their elected roles.
• Updated language regarding elections. Ballots will be electronic and in both English and Spanish.
• Cleans up language to allow a member to present a resolution for the membership to vote on if Executive Board rejects the proposal. If approved by members, Executive Board will automatically endorse it.
• Up the amount of money Executive Board can spend without approval from membership from 5k to 10k. This is for things such as holiday parties, ice cream events, etc. You can find out more about what your dues are used for by clicking here.

SEIU LOCAL 503, OPEU, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON LOCAL 085 BYLAWS 

ARTICLE I: NAME 

The name of this organization shall be the SEIU Local 503, OPEU, University of Oregon Local 085. 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE 

The University of Oregon Local 085 is a subdivision of the Union and is established for the purpose of representation of its members as set forth in and in accordance with the Bylaws of the Union. 

ARTICLE III: DEFINITION 

1. Union – Service Employees International Union, Local 503, Oregon Public Employees Union (SEIU Local 503, OPEU). 

2. Bargaining Unit – Classified employees at the University of Oregon, legally represented by the Union. 

3. Local – Union members in the bargaining unit. 

4. Member in Good Standing – Member whose dues are paid up to date and who supports the Union’s goals, including strike activities. 

5. Contract – Collective bargaining agreement between the Oregon Universities and SEIU Local 503, OPEU. 

6. Bargaining Delegate – Member elected by the Local in accordance with the Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures of the Union and the Local Bylaws. 

7. Lead Bargaining Delegate – Bargaining delegate elected to represent University of Oregon Local 085 on the Higher Education bargaining team. 

8. Lead CAT – Member who collects and disseminates union-related communications in the workplace. The Lead CAT appoints contactContract Action Team persons. 

9. Bargaining Committee – Composed of elected bargaining delegates from the Local who formulate policies, procedures, and activities for the Local for the purpose of contract bargaining. The Lead Bargaining Delegate shall organize the committee. The committee shall consist of a representative number of union members, as stipulated in Article XIV. 

ARTICLE IV: LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES 

The Local Representatives of the University of Oregon Local 085 shall be the President, Vice President, Lead ContactCAT, Lead Steward, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Organizer 

(non-voting), Lead General Council Delegate, Newsletter Editor, and Lead Bargaining Delegate. These Local Representatives, plus the Immediate Past President, shall comprise the Executive Committee of University of Oregon Local 085. Local Representatives shall hold not more than one position at a time except for Lead General Council Delegate, Lead Bargaining Delegate, and Membership Organizer. The Lead General Council Delegate, the Lead 

Bargaining Delegate, and the Membership Organizer may serve concurrently as (1) Lead Bargaining Delegate, (2) Lead General Council Delegate, (3) Membership Organizer, and (4) one other Local Representative position. Local Representatives who hold more than one position shall have only one Executive Committee vote. 

ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF THE LOCAL 

The primary responsibilities of the Local shall be: 

1. To represent the members of the bargaining unit. 

2. To enforce and to administer the contract. 

3. To develop and maintain a system of communication for bargaining and for general information. 

4. To ratify the collective bargaining contract. 

5. To foster and protect the general goals of the Union. 

ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LOCAL 

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall: 

1. Represent the interests of the members of the Local in the collective bargaining process. 

2. Meet between Local meetings to transact necessary business of the Local. 

Section 2. Order of Business: The order of business at all meetings shall be determined by the President and shall generally include: 

1. Call to order, 

2. Approval of the agenda, 

3. Approval of minutes, 

4. Communications, 

5. Reports from each voting executive member, 

6. Reports from special committees, 

7. Unfinished business, 

8. New business, 

9. Adjournment. 

ARTICLE VII: DUTIES OF LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES 

Section 1. PRESIDENT. The President shall: 

1. Preside over general membership meetings. 

2. Maintain and regularly distribute a calendar of meetings and events, and a list of Executive Committee members to the Executive Committee. 

3. Serve as a voting member of and preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee. 

4. Appoint members to University of Oregon and Local 085 committees, with approval of the Executive Committee, except the President shall not appoint Stewards or Bargaining Committee members. 

5. Attend District meetings and report back to the Executive Committee. 

7. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

8. Ensure all timelines outlined in the Bylaws and Local strategic plan are met. 

9. Serve as an automatic bargaining delegate for the University of Oregon. 

Section 2. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT. The Immediate Past President shall: 

1. Advise the President. 

2. Serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee except in the event of a tie. 

3. Serve on such committees as may be designated in these Bylaws or to which they are appointed by the President. 

4. There is no alternative or replacement for Immediate Past President. 

5. The Immediate Past President may hold another Local Representative position. 

6. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

7. Serve as the tie-breaker in the case of a tie vote. 

Section 3. VICE PRESIDENT. The Vice President shall: 

1. In the absence of or upon request of the President, perform the duties of the President. 

2. Replace the President for the unexpired term in the event of the death, incapacity, resignation, or removal of the President. 

3. Assist the President in all their duties, including building relationships with other unions and community groups. 

4. Be responsible for the oversight of all Union bulletin boards on campus. 

5. Sit on the SEIU Local 503, OPEU Higher Ed Council, and report back to the Executive Committee and Lead Bargaining Delegate. 

6. Work closely with the Lead ContactCAT and activists on campus, and attend all ContactContract Action Team meetings. 

7. Be responsible for logistics of all campus actions planned by the ContactContract Action Team and/or Lead ContactCAT. 

8. Be responsible for conducting periodic informational meetings in individual departments or buildings. 

9. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee. 

10. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

Section 4. LEAD CONTACTCAT. The Lead Contact CAT shall: 

1. Be responsible for the Contact Contract Action Team, including recruiting, training, flyer distribution and mobilization for actions. 

2. Maintain a database of all contacts and activists, and create and print various reports necessary for mobilization, such as lists of members by zone. 

3. Schedule and preside over all Contact Contract Action Team meetings. 

4. Be responsible for the Contact Contract Action Team to ensure that the system works at all times. 

5. Plan and prepare, with the Vice President, actions on campus. 

7. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

Section 5. LEAD STEWARD. The Lead Steward shall: 

1. Preside over all meetings of the Grievance Committee. 

2. Be responsible for the local enforcement of the collective bargaining agreement. 

3. Schedule and chair all Steward meetings. 

4. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee. 

5. Meet contractual obligations as set out in collective bargaining agreement or SEIU Local 503’s Bylaws. 

6. Attend all committee meetings where a member unless excused by committee chair of said committee. 

7. Communicate key issues and management misconduct to the Executive Committee and especially to the Lead Bargaining Delegate. 

Section 6. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall: 

1. Record minutes for all meetings of the Local and Executive Committee. 

2. Distribute minutes to the Executive Committee at least three (3) days prior to the next meeting. 

3. Be responsible for all correspondence and for scheduling meeting sites and for catering at meetings as needed. 

4. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee. 

5. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

Section 7. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall: 

1. Maintain the financial records of the Local. 

2. Be responsible for all requests and disbursement of funds on behalf of the Local, including the Local Strike Hardship Fund. 

3. Maintain up-to-date budgets and prepare and distribute written quarterly reports to the Executive Committee, and report to the membership quarterly. 

4. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee. 

5. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

Section 8. LEAD GENERAL COUNCIL DELEGATE. The Lead General Council Delegate shall: 

1. Train, discuss, and organize the Delegates to the General Council in preparation for the next General Council. 

2. After the General Council, the Lead General Council Delegate shall convene a meeting of all General Council Delegates to organize a report back to Local. Report to Local due in October. 

resolution suggestions. The Lead General Council Delegate shall solicit help from SEIU Local 503 to put resolution into proper format and submit by deadline. 

4. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee. 

5. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

Section 9. NEWSLETTER EDITOR. The Newsletter Editor shall: 

1. Be responsible for ensuring that the Newsletter reaches the membership in a timely manner. 

2. Schedule and chair meetings of the Newsletter Committee. 

3. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee. 

4. Attend committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

Section 10. LEAD BARGAINING DELEGATE. The Lead Bargaining Delegate shall: 

1. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Committee. 

2. Solicit and accept input from the Executive Committee on bargaining issues important to the Local membership. 

3. Represent Local 085 on the Higher Education Bargaining Team. 

4. Chair meetings with the Bargaining committee as frequently as needed during active bargaining; If issues arise during off-bargaining season, the Lead Bargaining Delegate shall convene the Bargaining Committee to resolve issues. 

5. Report bargaining updates at Executive, CAT, and brown bag meetings as required. In the Lead Bargaining Delegate’s stead, an alternate may provide updates. 

6. Maintain regular communication with the Alternate Lead Bargaining Delegate regarding bargaining progress and issues. 

7. Attend Regional Bargaining Strategy meetings, as feasible. 

8. Attend all committee meetings as assigned unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

Section 11. MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZER. The Membership Organizer shall: 

1. Be appointed or removed by a majority vote of the executive committee. 

1. Be responsible for the recruitment of new members and the retention of current members. 

2. Assist the Lead ContactAT with development and maintenance of the Contactract Action Team. 

3. Receive all agency new employee lists, all agency bargaining unit lists, and all Local 085 membership lists and shall use these lists to recruit new members and correct discrepancies. 

4. Be responsible for the Union presentation at the New Employee Orientation. 

5. Send out a letter to non-members annually, urging them to become members. 

6. Schedule and chair meetings of the Membership Organizing Committee. 

7. Serve as a  non-voting member of the Executive Committee. 

8. Attend committee meetings as assigned where a member, unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

ARTICLE VIII: APPOINTED POSITIONS 

Section 12. HISTORIAN. The Historian shall: 

1. Be appointed by the Executive Committee. 

2. Assemble Local 085 memorabilia, including but not restricted to, minutes of the meetings, Newsletter, local newspaper articles, contracts, etc. 

3. Advise the Local and Local Representatives on past practices, Local history and labor-related politics. 

4. Serve as a member of the Newsletter Committee. 

5. Attend all committee meetings where a member unless excused by the committee chair of said committee. 

6. The Historian may hold a Local Representative position. 

Section 23. DATABASE MANAGER. The Database Manager shall: 

1. Be appointed by the Executive Committee. 

2. Maintain the electronic database for Local 085 of all bargaining unit employees. 

3. Assist the Vice President, Membership Organizer and Lead CATontact with their respective committees, including production of reports and labels for mailings. 

4. Provide labels for the Local Newsletter or other purposes, as needed, as directed by the Newsletter Editor. 

5. The Database Manager may hold a Local Representative position. 

ARTICLE IX: REMOVAL OF LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES AND STEWARDS 

Local Representatives and Stewards are subject to removal from their positions if any member makes a written, signed complaint to the Executive Committee, and if the complaint addresses issues of misconduct and/or failure to perform duties. The Executive Committee will then meet with the complainant and respondent to determine, by majority vote, if removal is appropriate. If removal occurs, the Executive Committee will, in writing, give the reasons for removal. 

ARTICLE X: RESIGNATION OF LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES AND STEWARDS 

A Local Representative may resign by submitting a written resignation to any Local Representative, or by verbally informing at least two members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will meet within two weeks of receiving the written or verbal resignation, and at that meeting, shall vote on whether or not to accept the resignation. A steward may resign by submitting a written or verbal resignation to the Lead Steward. 

ARTICLE XI: VACANCIES OF LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES AND STEWARDS 

Section 1. Leave of Absence. A Local Representative or steward may request a leave of absence from official duties, as outlined in these Bylaws, for a period of time to be recommended by committee chair and approved by the Executive Committee. Local Representatives who take a full leave of absence from their job at the University of Oregon shall also be required to take a leave of absence from their Local 085 Local Representative position, unless otherwise approved by the Executive Committee or on a temporary leave to work with SEIU 503 as a MOC or

MLDOP. The Local Representative requesting leave shall recommend a 

temporary replacement for their position to the Executive Committee for approval one (1) month prior to the leave beginning, if possible, with the exception of the President and Immediate Past President. 

Section 2. Replacement of Local Representatives. When a vacancy occurs, the Executive Committee may hold a special election or fill the unexpired term by appointment. An exception to this is a Presidential vacancy, in which case the Vice President will assume the President’s office. If there is no Vice President, the Executive Committee may hold a special election or fill the unexpired term of President by appointment. 

Section 3. Filling Steward Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy on the Stewards Council the Lead Steward shall appoint a replacement, with the approval of the Stewards Council and the Executive Committee. 

ARTICLE XII: ELECTIONS 

Section 1. Time Table. Elections shall be held between January and April of each even-numbered year with installation of Local Representatives taking place on May 1. 

1. The members of the Election Committee shall be announced by the President before nominations open. 

2. Nominations shall be open for at least three (3) weeks. 

3. Candidate statements will be provided to the membership concurrent or prior to the delivery of ballots. 

4. Voting shall be conducted by secret electronic ballot and may be held by mail or electronic ballotoffered in both English and Spanish. 

5. Election results shall be reported to the Executive Committee and to all candidates within five (5) days after the elections committee has certified the election results and no later than seven days prior to installation. 

Section 2. Qualifications. A member may qualify for Local Representative candidacy by: 

1. Being in good standing, and 

2. Consenting to hold office. 

Section 3. Election Committee. The Election Committee shall consist of three (3) active or retiree members appointed by the President. The Committee shall: 

1. Seek candidates for positions in the Local. 

2. Review ballots. 

3. Certify and announce election results, as well as perform any other tasks required for conducting Local elections. 

Section 4. Term of Office. The term of each Local Representative position shall be two (2) years. 

Section 5. In the event a member wins election to more than one Local Representative position, the member shall accept one Local Representative position of their choice and decline the remainder, unless the member is allowed to hold more than one position under the Local 085 Bylaws. Filling of the declined position(s) will be made by the other candidates of the declined position(s), in the order of the number of votes received. If no alternates exist, or all alternates 

decline, then Article XI, Section 2 – Replacement of Local Representatives is invoked. 

ARTICLE XIII: GENERAL COUNCIL DELEGATES AND RESOLUTIONS 

Any member of the Local may write resolutions to the General Council. Resolutions shall be forwarded to the President for presentation to the Executive Committee. The Local may, by majority vote at a Local-wide meeting, decide to endorse or not to endorse the resolution. Resolutions not endorsed by the Executive Committee shall be returned to the writer with a written explanation for the Executive Committee’s decision, informing the member of the right to resubmit the resolution. If Executive Committee rejects the proposed resolution, member may present resolution directly to Local membership and, if signed by the required number of members per the Union’s Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures, at which time itresolution will be automatically endorsed by the Executive Committee.  

The membership will have a chance to review and discuss all available resolutions at the last regular Local meeting before the General Council. 

Section 1. Delegates to the General Council. Delegates shall be elected in accordance with the Union’s Bylaws. The Lead General Council Delegate shall be elected by a vote of all elected General Council Delegates within fourteen (14) days following installation. Delegates shall be allocated to the Local by the Union’s Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures and elected at large. 

Section 2. Duties: 

1. Delegates shall meet and elect an alternate Lead General Council Delegate. 

2. Represent the membership at the General Council and any special session of the General Council. 

3. Report to the membership at meetings and in the newsletter on proceedings of the General Council. 

ARTICLE XIV: BARGAINING DELEGATES 

Bargaining delegates shall be elected in accordance with the Union’s Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures. The Local President shall serve as an automatic delegate, with the remaining number of delegates allocated to the Local by the Union’s Bylaws and Administrative Policies and Procedures to be elected at large by the general membership during Local Representative elections. Except for a vacancy in the Lead Bargaining Delegate position, which shall be filled by the Alternate Lead Bargaining Delegate, vacancies will be filled by the alternates from the general election in the order of the number of votes received. 

If no alternates exist, the Lead Bargaining Delegate shall appoint a replacement, with the ratification of the Executive Committee. 

Section 1. Duties of Bargaining Delegates. Bargaining Delegates shall: 

1. Attend bargaining conferences as voting representatives of Local 085. 

2. Attend Bargaining Delegate meetings during bargaining as convened by the Lead Bargaining Delegate, and provide input and support to the Lead Bargaining Delegate. 

3. Meet and elect a Lead Bargaining Delegate and an Alternate Lead Bargaining Delegate, who shall be ratified by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. 

Section 2. Alternate Lead Bargaining Delegate. The Alternate Lead Bargaining Delegate shall: 

2. Replace the Lead Bargaining Delegate at the bargaining table whenever necessary. 

3. Serve as the secondary contact for reporting bargaining updates to Executive, CAT, and brown bag meetings. 

Section 3. Removal of Bargaining Delegates. The removal of Bargaining Delegates shall be by the same procedure and for the same reasons as defined in Article IX. 

ARTICLE XV: UNION STEWARDS 

Section 1. Selection. Union Stewards shall be elected at a local meeting or via electronic voting at a date set by the Executive Committee between May and June of even-numbered years. The number of Union Stewards shall be determined by the Local’s bargaining contract. The term of office shall be two years, starting on July 1 of even-numbered years. The Lead Steward shall be elected from among the Stewards, and ratified by the Executive Committee. 

Section 2. Duties of Stewards. The Union Stewards shall: 

1. Represent employees in the grievance procedure. 

2. Enforce the collective bargaining agreement. 

3. Take legitimate suggestions and complaints to the proper office or Union representative for action. 

4. New stewards are required to attend SEIU grievance training or LERC steward training within six (6) months of accepting office. The Lead Steward can appeal the deadline to the Executive Committee. 

5. Must attend all Stewards Council meetings unless excused by chair. 

ARTICLE XVI: STRIKE HARDSHIP FUND AND MEMBER NEEDS COMMITTEE 

Section 1. Chair of the Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee. The Chair of the Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee shall: 

1. Be a member of the Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee and elected by the Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee and ratified by the Executive Committee. 

2. Schedule and chair all meetings of the Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee. 

3. Work closely with the Local 085 Treasurer to keep an accurate accounting of the strike hardship fund and to ensure the committee follows any laws or regulations required. 

4. Perform all duties as a member of the Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee. 

Section 2. Selection. Ten (10) members of this committee shall be elected by the general membership at a local meeting or via electronic voting at a date set by the Executive Committee between May and June of even-numbered years and shall be installed on July 1. 

Section 3. Purpose. 

1. The purpose of this committee is to fundraise for the Local 085 hardship account, provide financial support to members during strike activity, and coordinate with community organizations for member’s needs. 

2. Strike Hardship Fund: Local 085’s Strike Hardship Fund was set up with the express purpose of providing faster, less extensive aid to members who have a financial hardship during a strike. Members must have honored strike activity to be eligible for strike hardship funds. Local 085’s Strike Hardship Fund is not meant for disbursement during non-strike times. 

3. Member Needs: The committee shall coordinate with community organizations regarding available resources for Local 085 members. Members may self-refer or Local Representatives/committee members may refer a member in need to the appropriate organization. 

Section 4. Duties. The Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee shall: 

1. Raise funds for the locally controlled strike hardship fund. 

2. Inform membership of statewide and local hardship fund(s) application process, rules and general information regarding the various funds. 

3. Facilitate the hardship application(s) from members for money from various hardship funds available under SEIU Local 503, OPEU and within Local 085. 

4. Make recommendations to the Executive Committee for disbursement of strike hardship funds. 

5. Inform membership of community organizations available for additional resources. 

ARTICLE XVII: LOCAL MEETING PROVISION 

Section 1. Local 085 shall hold general membership meetings at least once each quarter. A quorum for the meetings shall be ten members, including at least one Local Representative. 

Section 2. Meetings will be held either at noon or in the evening, at a place to be determined by the Executive Committee. Additional meetings may be called for any date at the request of the Executive Committee. Local members shall be notified at least five (5) calendar days before the date of the meeting. 

Section 3. Ten or more members of the University of Oregon Local 085 may call a general membership meeting for any date by written request to the Executive Committee at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. 

ARTICLE XVIII: STANDING COMMITTEES 

Section 1. The following standing committees of the University of Oregon Local 085 are now in existence and under the direction of the Executive Committee: 

serve as the executive arm of the Union Stewards’ Council and shall work with the Lead Steward to coordinate Union Steward functions. 

2. Union Stewards Council — The Union Stewards Council is a committee of all Union Stewards that shall meet regularly at the call of the Lead Steward. The Lead Steward shall preside over all meetings of the Union Stewards’ Council. 

3. Newsletter Committee — Assist Editor with production of newsletter, including 

proofreading and disbursement. 

4. Strike Hardship Fund and Member Needs Committee — Fundraise for the Local 085 hardship account, provide financial support to members during strike activity, and coordinate with community organizations for members’ needs. 

5. Membership Organizing Committee — Assists the Membership Organizer and Executive Committee with projects to educate, motivate, retain and gain members. 

Section 2. The Chairs of the above committees shall give periodic reports regarding their committee at Local 085 meetings either upon request of the Executive Committee or from any member. It is highly recommended that committee decisions that impact the bargaining unit be reviewed for input by the Executive Committee. 

ARTICLE XIX: FUNDING 

All monies Local 085 will be kept in a Central Ledger account and the Local’s Treasurer will make disbursements. The Executive Committee can authorize expenditures less than $105,000 in accordance with the Union’s Administrative Policies and Procedures. All other expenditures will be authorized by the membership. 

ARTICLE XX: AMENDMENTS 

The Bylaws of University of Oregon Local 085 may be amended at a local meeting by a two thirds majority of members present. There must be five days’ advance notice to the membership that an amendment to the Bylaws will be voted on. 

END OF BYLAWS 

DATE OF RATIFICATION: