General Laws

Sec. 1. The Executive Board shall act as the Trial Board to hear charges and try members (except officers and representatives of a Local Union, Railroad Council, or System Council) for violation of the IBEW Constitution, these bylaws, or an approved working agreement. All charges against a member must be in writing and signed, specifying the provision(s) of the Constitution, bylaws, or working agreement allegedly violated. A brief factual written statement of the act(s) considered to be in violation, including relevant dates, places and names, should be given by the charging party. A copy of the charges must be furnished to the accused by the Recording Secretary with notice of when to appear before the Trial Board.

Sec. 2. A charged member may, upon request, have an IBEW member in good standing as Counsel. However, no lawyer, as such may serve as Counsel in a hearing of the Trial Board. No person not a member of the IBEW may be present at such hearing, except as a witness.

If the accused fails to appear after having been notified in writing to appear, the Trial Board shall hear and determine the case just as though the accused were present. When a member files charges against another member and fails to appear before the Trial Board to prosecute the case, unless reasonable excuse is given, he/she shall be subject to discipline by the Trial Board.

Sec. 3. A majority vote of the Trial Board shall be sufficient for a decision, which is to be in writing. The Trial Board report of its findings and sentence, if any, shall be reported to the next regular meeting of the Local Union. The action of the Trial Board shall be considered the action of the Local Union, and the report of the Board shall conclude the case.

Sec. 4. All financial obligations (including but not limited to fines, assessments, and unpaid dues and fees) owed by a member under the IBEW Constitution or the bylaws of this Local Union shall constitute debts owed by the member to the IBEW or the Local Union, and may be recovered through court action brought by the IBEW or the Local Union. If it is necessary for the Local to institute legal proceedings in order to recover any such debt, the individual member shall also be liable for all costs of said proceedings, together with a reasonable attorney's fee incurred by the Local, the amount thereof to be fixed by the Court.

Sec. 5. Each member shall keep the Financial Secretary informed of his/her correct address. The Financial Secretary, in turn, shall notify the International Secretary.

Sec. 6. The parliamentary rules of this Local Union shall be those stated in Article XV of the IBEW Constitution.

Sec. 7. The IBEW Constitution is hereby made a part of these bylaws. Where there is doubt about any section of these bylaws or where such might appear to be in conflict with the IBEW Constitution, then the IBEW Constitution shall control and must be followed.

Sec. 8. Words in these bylaws in the masculine gender shall include the feminine.

Sec. 9. Members shall be supplied with copies of the IBEW Constitution, these bylaws, and the working agreement upon request to the Local Union.

Sec. 10. The handling of jobs for unemployed members shall be under the full supervision and direction of the Business Manager. The Business Manager shall devise such means as are considered practical and fair in the distribution of available jobs to qualified members. Members shall not violate such established rules or plans.

Sec. 11. Members shall show their working cards or dues receipts upon request.

Sec. 12. The Local Union may spend a sum, as determined by the Executive Board, for a suitable tribute upon the death of a member or the spouse of a member. A committee may also be appointed to extend the sympathy of the Local Union to the family of any deceased member.

Sec. 13. A member who wishes to resign from the Local must submit the resignation in writing to the Local Union, and it shall become effective upon receipt by the Local Union.

The Local Union shall acknowledge receipt of the resignation and shall advise the member in writing that all rights and/or benefits of membership are forfeited upon the effective date of the resignation.

The above procedure shall also apply to a member on a Participating Withdrawal Card except that the resignation is to be submitted by the member in writing to the International Secretary-Treasurer with a copy to the Local Union for processing.

Sec. 14. Members of this Local Union shall be selected on an alphabetical basis, according to zip code, for picket duty and associated organizing activities. They shall serve on their designated date and be required to serve no more than eight (8) hours until the roster has been completely exhausted.

(a) The selections shall be made by the Business Manager or his representative. Whenever possible, at least forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be given prior to the designated date.

(b) A member may volunteer for picket duty and receive credit for the time served.

(c) A member shall not refuse to serve his/her turn for picket duty when called without a reasonable excuse.  However if a member is unable to serve, he may in lieu of picket duty pay to the Local Union up to eight (8) hours' wages.