PRESIDENT

Phil Sanner

Dave Rogers

Steve Lepera

Jeff Ryder

Steve Ellingson

Louis Jones

Will Linne

Drew Kostal

Greg Chaloner

Jeramy Langwell

Jason Prescott

EMERITUS OFFICERS

Brian Moore, President Emeritus

Jeff Ryder, Treasurer Emeritus

PREAMBLE: We, the members of the Vacaville Fire Fighters  IAFF Local 3501, in order that we have a strong professional Union, closer bond of fellowship, and provide for the members thereof, do establish these By-Laws.

ARTICLE I PURPOSE

Section 1.

The purpose of this Union is to unite the Fire Fighters of the City of Vacaville Fire Department. It shall further be the purpose of said Union to represent those city employees who are members of this Union, in their employee relations and labor relations with the City of Vacaville and to accrue moneys to offset the cost of professional assistance in accomplishing these purposes.

The Vacaville Fire Fighters Association also known as Vacaville Firefighters IAFF Local 3501 is the recognized bargaining group for the Fire Fighters for the City of Vacaville.

It shall be the policy of this group to comply with all regulations, federal and state, relating to equal opportunity employment (EOE) and The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the provisions contained within. These provisions may include but are not limited to sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability (physical or mental) and sexual orientation.

All current members of the Vacaville Fire Fighters  Local 3501 shall enjoy equal, non-biased opportunity within the Union. These opportunities may also extend to individuals who have held prior membership in the bargaining unit.

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

Membership. All Professional Fire Fighters as spelled out in the MOU, full-time paid Fire Fighters of the City of Vacaville Fire Department are eligible for active membership in this Union. Such membership carries the privilege of holding office, voting and/or sharing or participating in the affairs or benefits of this Union.

Section 2.

Dues. Monthly dues shall be calculated at a minimum one and one-half percent of monthly, entry level Fire Fighter base pay plus thirty dollars per month (to be deposited in the binding arbitration/major legal expense fund).  For the Apprentice classification the monthly dues shall be calculated at a minimum of one and one-half percent of entry level Apprentice base pay plus thirty dollars per month (to be deposited in the binding arbitration/major legal defense fund). If it is determined by the Board of Directors that the one and one-half percent of base pay does not maintain pace with increased maintenance cost, The dues may be paid at a determined amount by a vote of the general membership. Dues shall be payable via payroll deduction twice monthly. Any member that is more than ninety days late in payment of any debts, dues or assessments to the association may be declared delinquent by the Board of Directors. All privileges and/or benefits of membership may be revoked at the discretion of the Board of Directors for any members deemed delinquent.

The following union officers shall have the costs of their total dues paid for by the local's administrative fund:

President

Vice-President

Secretary

Treasurer

Labor Team Leader

Political Action Coordinator

Section 3.

Application. The Board of Directors shall act upon all requests for membership and shall extend membership to all persons therefore, unless in its discretion and with the concurring approval of two-thirds of the voting members of the Union it is felt that the granting of a membership in the Union to a particular applicant would be detrimental to the aims or purposes of the Union. Active membership commences upon payment of the first month’s dues.

Section 4.

Revocation of Membership. The Board of Directors may consider the revocation of the membership of any member of this Association if in its discretion and with the concurring approval of two-thirds of the voting members of this Union it is felt that the continued membership of any member of this Union would be detrimental to the aims or purpose of this Union. Any member whose membership in this Union is revoked, shall have no claim against this Association, its officers or members for any benefits or accruals that may be alleged to exist.

Section 5.

Honorary Membership. Any regular member may nominate a person for honorary membership in this Association. The member making the nomination shall present information supporting the candidate, either in person or in writing, to Executive Board. The Board will discuss the merits of the candidate and at the next regular meeting shall present their recommendation to the general membership. Honorary membership shall be granted upon the approval of two-thirds of the voting members of the Union. Criteria for prospective Honorary members should include such qualities as past participation in this Union’s activities, an interest in the aims and purposes of this Union and past contributions the candidate may have made. Other merits may be considered by the Board in making its recommendation. Honorary members shall be entitled to attend meetings of this Union and may speak on issues, but shall not be entitled to hold any office or vote on any matters concerning this Union. Additionally, they shall be entitled to attend this local's social activities and participate in its group functions. 

Former members of the local who have not yet retired but who have left the local because of promotion or reassignment to a non-represented position within the fire department shall have the opportunity to become an "Honorary Active-Service Member". These individuals will be responsible to pay sufficient dues to cover the costs of the IAFF and CPF monthly service dues only. These members shall have no right of representation from the local. Honorary active-service members shall, with permission of the Executive Board, have access to the free resources provided by the IAFF and CPF. All honorary active-service members and/or candidates shall comply with the rules and responsibilities as outlined in the above section.

ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.

The affairs of the Union shall be administered by the President with the assistance of the Executive Board and various committees.

Section 2.

The Executive Board shall consist of seven members; the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three other members of the Union duly elected to the office of Director.

Article IV Elections 

Section 1. All elected Union positions will serve a minimum two-year term beginning after the October Election Meeting of that year. These offices include the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, (3) Directors, and (4) Labor Team Representatives.  

 Section 2. The terms of Office shall be staggered in such a way so that approximately one-half of the Officers are elected or re-elected every year. In even numbered years the Offices of President, Secretary, Director # 1, Director #3, Labor Team #2 and Labor Team #4 shall be up for election. In odd numbered years the Offices of Vice-President, Treasurer, Director  #2, Labor Team #1 and Labor Team # 3 shall be up for election.

 Section 3. Nominations shall be accepted from the members by the Secretary at the September meeting and at any time during the next fourteen days. At such time the Secretary shall collect the nominations and verify that each nominee has accepted his/her nomination.  All those accepting shall be placed on the appropriate ballot for the October meeting.

 Section 4. Ballots shall be prepared prior to the October General Meeting. All the nominees are to be listed on their respective ballots. Any member’s name may be listed on any or all of the ballots. The Secretary shall type each ballot stating the office and listing each nominee. He/She shall then make sufficient copies of each for the election. Absentee Ballots may be used in accordance with Article X, Section 3 of these by-laws.

 Section 5. The election shall take place at the October meeting. The Ballot Master and one assistant Ballot Master (selected by the President) shall distribute the ballots. Offices shall be voted on in the order listed in Section 2. Any member elected on one ballot shall be removed from all subsequent ballots. Neither the Ballot Master nor his/her assistant may be candidates for any office. They shall both collect and count the ballots. The number of ballots cast shall balance with the number of members voting or the vote is invalid and shall be taken again. All Officers shall be elected by Majority vote. If the person receiving the most votes receives fifty percent or less of the total votes cast, the two persons receiving the most votes shall have a run-off election. The new Officers shall take office immediately following the meeting.

Section 6-Convention Delegates by Virtue of Office and Convention Delegate/Alternate Delegate Elections

For the purposes of sending delegates to the CPF and IAFF biennial conventions, the offices of President and Secretary shall be automatically declared delegates by virtue of office. This shall require no special nomination or election. In the event that either office cannot attend, then the convention delegate election process should be followed as set forth below.

In the event that the local votes to send a number of delegates or alternate delegates to either convention in addition to the President and Secretary, then a special nomination and election shall be held. The Secretary shall accept nominations starting two weeks prior to the meeting that is three months prior to the convention. An election by secret ballot shall be held at the general meeting that is three months prior to the convention.

The general membership shall decide, on a year-by-year, convention-by-convention basis as to which expenses will be paid for the delegates and alternate delegates and the use of union leave based on availability.

  ARTICLE V RECALL, RESIGNATIONS AND VACANCIES

Section 1.

Recall. Any officer of the Union may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting of the Union. Such a vote is to based upon written charges signed by at least twenty-five percent of the members of the Union and submitted to any Board Member one week prior to the meeting of the vote.

Section 2.

Resignations. Resignations from office shall be presented to the Secretary, in writing, for reading at the next general meeting.

Section 3.

Vacancies. Vacancies in elective offices may result from resignation, retirement, promotion, removal or death. All such vacancies shall be filled by the election process at the next general meeting.

Section 1.

General Members. Each member should take an active interest in the workings of the Union. He/She shall attend every monthly meeting and special meetings whenever possible. He/She is obligated to assure that the officers of the Union are acting in the best interest of its members in accordance with these By-Laws and seek to discourage any such actions contrary to these By-Laws. Members shall conduct themselves in a responsible manner when representing the Union. The general membership shall have final approval on all budget matters of the Union.

Section 2.

President. The President shall be responsible for directing the business of the Union. He shall preside over all general meetings and meetings of the Executive Board.. He shall make committee appointments as necessary in accordance with these By-Laws and be an ex-officio member of every committee. The President shall decide questions of order at meetings. The President shall notify all new safety employees of the City of Vacaville Fire Department of the existence of the Union, explain to them the nature of it, and invite their membership in the Union. He/She shall perform such other duties necessary to carry out the provisions of these By-Laws or the wishes of the majority of the members of the Union.

Section 3.

Vice President. The Vice President shall work closely with the President in all matters of the Union. He/She shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of, and have the powers of, the President.

Section 4.

Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to all correspondence relating to the general business of the Union. The Secretary shall post notices of all general meetings of the Union. Said notices shall contain, as a minimum, the time, date and place of each meeting. The Secretary shall also post any communications or correspondence which he receives and which is pertinent to the business or activities of the Union. The Secretary shall keep a written record of the proceedings of all general meetings and meetings of the Executive Board. He/She shall post the minutes of all general meetings of the Union for review by the general membership. The Secretary shall maintain the files of the Union.

Section 5.

Treasurer. The treasurer shall furnish, prepare and keep a full set of books of account of the Union, showing every detail of the business and the Union’s accounts. He/She shall maintain accurate records of all receipts and disbursements of every name and nature, the amount of cash on hand, and the amount of money owed by the Union or owed to it, and such other information as may be, in the judgment of said Treasurer, pertinent, or such as may be required by the Union. The Treasurer shall make a report at every regular meeting of the Union, stating,(1) all credits and debits and (2) balances of the checking and savings accounts of the Union.

Section 6.

Directors. The Directors shall meet as part of the Executive Board to consider and act on all matters of an emergency nature that cannot wait until the next regular meeting of the membership. Directors shall also be authorized to meet as part of the Executive Board and act on all items of business that were scheduled on the agenda of a regular meeting but could not be acted upon at that meeting due to lack of quorum. Any decision made by the Executive Board shall be in the best interests of the Union.

The Directors as part of the Executive Board shall have the power to authorize expenditure of funds which cannot wait until the next regular meeting of the membership. Such expenditures shall be within the Association budget and also in the best interests of the Union.

Section 1.

Selection. The President shall make all committee appointments unless otherwise stated in these By-Laws. The first person appointed to a committee shall be the chairperson of that committee. Each committee shall remain active until such time as it is duly excused by the President.

Section 2.

Any member appointed to a committee shall remain so until excused by the President. Resignation from a committee must be in writing and submitted to the President. Committee vacancies shall be filled by the President (excluding the Labor Relations committee)

Section 3.

Responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the chairperson of a committee to report on the activities of that committee at each regular meeting of the Union. The report, if lengthy or detailed must be suitably written or typed and submitted to the President prior to the meeting.

Section 4.

Accountability. No committee is authorized to incur debts on behalf of the Union without the prior approval of theUnion (in form of a motion) or, in the case of an emergency, the approval of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws. Every committee shall be held accountable for all expenditures incurred.

Section 5.

Correspondence. It shall be the responsibility of each committee to handle all communications and correspondence pertaining to the business of that committee. Any such correspondence shall be coordinated through the Secretary of the Union for purposes of maintaining the Union files.

Section 6.

Negotiations Committee Special Appointments The President shall have the right to appoint other members of the local to the Negotiations Committee besides those elected as labor representatives. These appointments shall be confirmed by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. Those appointed and confirmed shall serve in the capacity of a member of the negotiations team until the end of the negotiating/contract period.

Section 1.

Labor Relations Committee shall function as follows:

Committee Description: The Labor Relations Committee maintains the primary responsibilities regarding all issues that effect wages, hours and working conditions. These responsibilities include but are not limited to negotiating labor contracts, management of grievance issues and meet and confer communications with management. This committee will be comprised of the president, chairperson and three additional labor representatives. It shall be the responsibility of this group or designees to develop strategies and arguments regarding negotiation items. This responsibility extends to meet and confer and grievances. It shall be the responsibility of the chairperson to assess and document "items of interest" for negotiations purposes on no less than a semi-annual basis. These results shall be tabulated and presented to the association membership and shall be the primary basis for negotiation items. The chairperson of the Labor Relations Committee is subject to all direction provided to him/her by the executive board.

A. Selection. The Labor Relations Committee shall consist of the president a chairperson and three members elected by the general membership. Vacancies may occur by (1) resignation or (2) removal by a majority vote of theUnion. Any member wanting to serve on the committee shall express an interest at any regular meeting. All vacancies shall be filled from the list of those expressing interest by vote of the Union.

B. Purpose. The committee shall be the labor relations specialists of the Union and work to protect and maintain the rights and the benefits of the members of the Union.

C. Duties. The committee shall: (1) advise and/or assist the President of all matters related to labor relations. (2) Maintain a complete file of all wages and benefits of Union members. (3) Negotiate memorandums of understanding (MOU’S). Such MOU’s shall not be binding until approved by a majority vote of the Union. (4) Represent all on behalf of the Union and such other grievances as requested by individual members, but shall represent no grievance contrary to the best interests of the Union. Any action taken by the committee shall be coordinated with the President.

D. Authority. The committee shall be authorized to formulate proposals and reach tentative agreements with the City Management on behalf of the Union and initiate all grievances they determine to be necessary to protect the rights or benefits of the Union or its individual members. The Union has the final authority and may direct the committee to initiate or discontinue a grievance at any time.

E. Grievance procedure. It is the position of the Vacaville Fire Fighters Association Local 3501 that the merit of all grievance issues shall be reviewed by the associations members and or their elected representatives. The purpose of this policy is to avoid Union intervention of grievance issues that it’s membership may not support. It is the intention of this policy that grievances will be acted on only with the direction of the executive board or general membership. All grievance issues shall be reviewed by the labor committee for recommendation as to action. This recommendation shall be provided to the executive board and or general membership prior to determining any course of action. Other parties that may be included in assessing grievance issues include but are not limited to the association membership, professional labor representative and legal council. The term grievance in relationship to this policy shall be interpreted to mean: "A circumstance regarded as just cause for protest which has resulted in hardship or harm." Any issue which meets the criteria of this definition must be documented on a City of Vacaville grievance form which is available from the executive board or the City of Vacaville. Upon a decision by the executive board or the general membership to act on a grievance it shall be filed by the Labor Relations Chairperson or his/her designee. It shall be noted that all employees have a legal right to file a grievance whether it is supported by the Union membership or not. All grievances shall be filled in accordance with the current "Grievance Procedures" of the City of Vacaville.

Section 2.

Good and Welfare Committee shall function as follows:

A. Purpose. To provide suitable correspondence for the Union in matters of the general welfare of members, families of members, or others, as appropriate.

B. Duties. To send condolences and/or flowers, get well cards, congratulations, etc., as appropriate.

C. Authority. The committee shall be authorized to make expenditures as necessary, and shall at all times, consider the limitations of the Association budget when carrying out the functions of the committee.

Section 3.

Vending Committee shall function as follows:

A. Purpose. To maintain the vending machine concessions at each station. These concessions are to be self-supporting while providing a service to station personnel.

B. Duties. To make purchases and stock machines on a regular basis, and to maintain an accurate accounting of debits and credits. To transfer excess funds to the Treasurer of the Union for deposit into the appropriate account.

C. Authority. The committee shall have the authority to maintain a cash balance suitable for the purchase of items and to make those purchases as necessary.

Section 4.

Vacation and Sick Leave Committee shall function as follows:

A. Purpose. To protect the interests of the Union members in regards to vacation and sick leave hours.

B. Authority and Duties. The committee shall be responsible for and have the authority to: (1) Keep an accurate record of vacation and sick leave hours used and accrued by Union members each pay period and, (2) Keep members advised of, and seek to have the City Finance Department correct any errors found.

Section 5.

Political Action Committee

The executive board is authorized to establish a political action committee.
The name of this committee shall be the Vacaville Firefighters, Local 3501
Political Action Committee. The general purpose of the committee is to
support and further the political goals and policies of the Local. The
specific purposes are:

1). To support candidates and positions on ballot measures endorsed by the
union.

    A). One or more member of the PAC shall interview Candidates up for
election, or re-election. This interview will help with the deciding factor
of the Local's endorsement. The PAC will have the option to be involved with
all of, but not limited to the following elected seats.

        a). City Council
        b). County Board of Supervisors
        c). State Assembly
        d). State Senate

    B). All of the seats that are stated above will require different levels
of support. It will be the decision of the Executive Board and the President
with recommendations from the PAC as to the level of support that will be
given. The following will outline some options and levels of support.

        a). Candidate may use our NAME (Vacaville Firefighters Local #3501)
on any of their handouts showing that the union supports them as a candidate.
        b). Vacaville Firefighters Local #3501 will have the option to commit
to a stated number of hours to support a candidate's campaign. This may
include, but not limited to

            1). Campaign sign distribution
            2). Stuffing envelopes for mailings
            3). Helping with phone banks
            4). Office support
            5). Precinct walks

        c). 3501 may donate a stated amount of money to the candidate's
campaign.
        d). 3501 may put on a BBQ or some other means to gather supporters in
the community
        e). 3501 may exercise our membership with CPF and use the sign
trailer or production facilities to ensure name recognition for the
candidate.

2). To further the common good and general welfare of the residents by
promoting improvements in educating the public about firefighter protection
and safety.

3). To promote the welfare of our active and retired members and firefighters
in general.

4). To encourage the improvement of benefits, compensation, working
conditions and retirement status of our active and retired members and
firefighters in general.

Members of the Local may make contributions to the Committee directly or
through payroll deduction. This amount may be changed from time to time. The
Committee may accept contributions from persons who are not members subject
to the approval of the Executive Board.

The control and direction of the Committee shall be vested with the Executive
Board, which shall consist, of the members of the Executive Board of our
Local. The Board shall have control over the funds, affairs of the PAC, and
shall establish policies to guide the PAC. The Board may delegate all or some
of the responsibilities of the PAC to a separate committee comprised of
members appointed by the Board.

Section 6

Grievance and Legal Defense Committee

This committee is made up of the seven members of the Executive Board. They review grievances filed, pending or other grievance and/or legal defense requests from the membership and decide action or make recommendations.

The committee will communicate regularly and discuss the facts of such requests and determine the validity of the grievance and/or legal defense application. Any grievance petition authorized by this committee will then be forwarded to the Labor Team for further action in accordance with existing City grievance procedures. Any request for legal defense that has been approved by this committee shall be handled in conjunction with the Local’s attorney’s office. All decisions shall be decided by majority vote of the committee members available at that time. (Minimum 5 members)

Any request for grievance and/or legal defense that has been denied by this committee may be petitioned to the general membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting by the member initially requesting such consideration. A two-thirds vote of the assembled membership will be required to overturn this committee’s decision.

The criteria used to approve or disapprove legal defense shall include, but not be limited to, the following;

·        Recommendations of the members of the committee.

·        Local 3501 attorney’s recommendations.

·        Nature of the case as it relates to the scope of duties as a Fire Department employee.

·        Nature of the case as it relates to labor issues.

The committee will not approve legal defense assistance for cases involving off-duty conduct, i.e. driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or any other illegal activities. Also the committee will not approve legal defense for cases not related to the scope of duties as a Fire Department employee.

ARTICLE IX MEETINGS

Section 1.

Regular Meetings. The General Membership shall meet monthly at a date and time chosen in advance by a majority of the Executive Board. The exact date of the next meeting shall be announced by the Secretary at least one week prior to the meeting and will be posted by email and on the website as soon as possible. 

Section 2.

Agenda Meeting. The Executive Board shall meet one week before the regular meeting to set the agenda for that meeting. The agenda shall be posted on the Union bulletin board (or web site) at Station 1 by Monday, the week of the meeting.

Section 3.

Special Meetings of the Union may be called by the President as he/she deems necessary. Written notice shall be posted on the Union bulletin board in all stations no less than three days prior to said meeting starting time, place and subject of meeting. The President must call a special meeting within seven days of receiving a request for such a meeting signed by at least ten voting members.

Section 4.

Emergency Meetings of the Union may be called by the Executive Board as they deem necessary. They shall endeavor to contact all members, by any means available, to advise them of the time, place and purpose of the said meeting.

Section 5.

Quorum. A quorum shall exist at general meetings when at least five members of the general membership and four duly elected members of the Executive Board and/or Labor Team are present to vote. A quorum shall exist at Executive Board meetings when a simple majority of the Board is present.

Section 6.

Rules of Procedure. Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern the conduct of all meetings except as may be otherwise provided by these By-Laws.

Section 7.

The Order of Business for all regular meetings of the Union shall be as follows:

(1) Call to order.

(2) Roll call.

(3) Minutes of the last meeting.

(4) Communications.

(5) Treasurer’s report (posted on web site)

(6) Reports of committees.

(7) Unfinished business.

(8) New business.

(9) Items from the floor.

(10) Setting of the next meeting date.

(11) Adjournment.

Section 1.

Voice vote. All voting or balloting by this Union shall be by voice vote, except in such cases as: Amendments to the By-Laws; election of officers; or in other matters as deemed appropriate by a majority of the members.

Section 2.

Secret Vote. When a voice vote is not permitted pursuant to the preceding section, a secret ballot shall be used. Secret ballots shall be prepared by the Secretary of the Union with the assistance of the President. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to see that the ballot is distributed to every eligible voting member in attendance. However, a mail ballot may be designated by the Board of Directors where deemed appropriate. When a mail Ballot is utilized, a minimum of five (5) days shall be allowed for members to submit their completed ballots. The President may require that each secret ballot be accounted for and each ballot be placed in a plain envelope, signed by the individual member submitting said secret ballot and that the envelope be sealed. Any envelope received that is not sealed shall be deemed invalid.

Section 3.

Absentee ballots. Absentee ballots shall be accepted only for votes regarding MOU ratification or change, by-law changes, election of officers, or capitol expenditures greater than $10,000. For purposes of MOU ratification and election of officers, absentee ballots must be submitted to the executive board prior to the meeting being called to order. For MOU changes, by-law changes, and capitol expenditures; absentee ballots must be submitted to the executive board during a period specified by the executive board. This period of time shall not exceed 14 days following the call for the question. These ballots shall be prepared by the Secretary or his/her designee and shall clearly state the issue or candidates being voted on. In order to be a valid submittal of an absentee ballot, the ballot must be placed in a sealed envelope with the member's signature on the outside of the envelope. 

Section 4.

Proxy Votes. As a rule, proxy votes will not be accepted at general meetings of the Union. Special cases may be reviewed, on an individual basis, by the Board of Directors.

Section 1.

Liability of members. No member of this Union, either regular or honorary, shall be personally or otherwise liable for any of the debts, liabilities and/or obligations of this Union.

Section 2.

Liability of Union. The Union shall be liable for any debts, liabilities and/or obligations incurred in its name, if such debts, liabilities and/or obligations are incurred by a regular member of this Association, with the approval of the Union.

Section 1.

Donations, gift's legacies and/or contributions in any amount or in any form, from time-to-time, may be accepted if it is agreed upon by the membership and/or the Board of Directors and it is shown to be in the best interests of the Union.

Section 1.

Accounts. The Union shall maintain at least one checking account and one savings account. These accounts are to be administered by the Treasurer. Each account shall bear the names of the four Union officers and will require two signatures to authorize any transactions.

A. Checking Account. This account shall be the working capital of the Union. The Treasurer shall make transactions between savings and checking as necessary to provide adequate working capital.

B. Savings Account. This shall be the reserve account for the Union. Quarterly deposits shall be made from checking to cover periodic expenses such as: IAFF dues, CPF dues, seminars, T.V. maintenance and purchases as detailed in the annual budget. The savings account may be drawn upon to:

1. Maintain balance in checking.

2. Pay IAFF monthly dues.

3. Pay CPF monthly dues.

4. Fund annual seminars and conventions.

5. Pay legal costs not covered under IAFF and CPF contracts for

legal representation.

6. Pay for T.V. repairs and purchases.

7. Provide immediate assistance to the dependents of any member upon

his/her death.

8. Pay the cost of setting up fundraising activities.

Section 2.

Budget. An Union budget shall be prepared listing receipts and expenditure

of the Union for the coming fiscal year. The fiscal year shall run from January 1 to December 31. This budget shall be prepared by the President and Treasurer with input from the membership and shall be presented in preliminary form at the November meeting for discussion and consideration. The final budget shall be proposed at the December meeting; adoption requires the approval of a majority of the members present and voting.

Section 3.

Receipts. The monthly city payment of dues shall be deposited into the Union

checking account. Income from fundraising activities shall be divided so as to return all

money borrowed from savings plus 25% of the remaining money. The other 75% shall

be added to funds set aside for Union activities.

Section 4.

Expenditures. The treasurer shall be authorized to expend funds as the adopted

budget provides. Any item that falls within the budget, but is not specified in the budget

may be approved by a simple majority of the membership present and voting at any

general meeting. Approval for any other expenditures must by requested in writing one

week prior to a regular meeting. Such requests shall be placed on the agenda and will

require the approval of two-thirds of the members present and voting.

Section 1.

Records. The Union shall keep and maintain adequate and correct records

of its properties and business transactions.

Section 2.

Logo. The official logo of the Union shall be the service mark as registered

with the Secretary of State of the State of California on January 8, 1982.

Section 1.

Ratification. These By-Laws shall become effective when approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting at a general meeting of the Union.

Section 2.

Amendments. May be presented to the President, in writing, prior to any general meeting of the Union. Such amendments shall become effective immediately upon approval of two-thirds of the members present and voting at that general meeting.

Section 3.

Reference. The original or a copy of the current By-Laws, as amended to date, certified by the Secretary of the Union, shall be retained in the Union files available for inspection by the membership.

ARTICLE XVI  UNION LEAVE

Section 1

In accordance with the MOU, a bank of hours funded by voluntary donations of accrued vacation has been established for the purpose of conducting union business. All members of the local are eligible to receive union leave for time off related to the conducting of official business for the local. This official business may include meetings, meet and confers, seminars, negotiations, training, conventions, some political action activities, etc.

Section 2

Any use of union leave under 24 hours must be approved by the President.

Any use of union leave in excess of 24 hours total time off must be approved by the President and three other members of the Executive Board.

Section 3

An official log of union leave hours taken and their purpose will be kept by the Secretary and will be made available for review to any member.

Section 4

Up to eight hours of union leave per month shall be made available to the Local President to conduct the administrative affairs of the local. These hours shall not be subject to the approval of the Executive Board. Any hours in excess of these must approved by three members of the board.