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CONSTITUTION OF THE GRENADA TECHNICAL AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION

FOUNDED 25TH MAY, 1958

REGISTERED 2ND JUNE, 1958

AFFILIATED TO:
TUC., GRENADA, 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1958
UNI (FORMERLY P.T.T.I.), 1ST OCTOBER, 1963
I.U.F., 22ND MARCH, 1965
IRO-FIET, 1ST SEPTEMBER, 1976
I.M.O., 1991

P R E A M B L E

The Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union, founded in 1958, is a free Trade Union Body, established to defend and further the economic social interest of workers of all kinds.

The Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union stands in defence of democracy; supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as contained in the United Nations Charter; stands in opposition to colonialism, imperialism, zionism and apartheid.

Further, it stands in support of and commits itself to the struggle for international peace and disarmament, and supports the concept of peaceful co-existence between states and people of different social systems.
It opposes and rejects war as an instrument for setting interstate conflicts, and supports the principle of the inviolability of the sovereignty of states.
It supports the struggle to have the Caribbean become a Zone of peace, free from all foreign military bases, foreign military exercises and free from nuclear weapons.

It commits itself to the struggle for a New International Economic Order:

Recognizing that the current economic order has and continues to create a continued state of impoverishment of our region and the wider third world,

Recognizing that the future prosperity of the people of the English Speaking Caribbean rest importantly on our unity;

The Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union pledges it support and commits itself to the integration of the English Speaking Caribbean and integration based upon true independence and sovereignty of the region.

Finally, the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union supports and commits itself to actively work for the protection of the environment, and supports the concept of balanced development which integrates economic and social development with protection of the environment.

RULE 1 TITLE AND OFFICE

(a) The name of the Union shall be the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers= Union (hereinafter referred to as AThe Union.@)

(b) The Registered Office of the Union shall be at TAWU House, Green Street, St. George’s, Grenada, W.I.

(c) For the purpose of administrative convenience, the Union may also have Branch Offices at such places as the Executive Committee of the Union may select.

RULE 2 OBJECTS

The objects of the Union shall be as follows:-
(a) To secure the complete organisation in the Union of all technical and other workers in Grenada.

(b) To obtain and maintain just proper rates of wages, hours of work and other conditions of employment, and generally to protect the interest of its workers.

(c) To regulate the relations and settlement of disputes between members and employers, between one member and another, and between members and other workers by amicable agreement whenever possible.

(d) The promotion of legislation in the interest of its members.

(e) The furtherance of lawful political objectives affecting workers.

(f) To start, acquire, print, publish and circulate or otherwise deal with newspaper or newspapers or other publications.

(g) Promoting and co-ordinating schemes of mutual assistance among unions in Grenada and elsewhere and supporting by appropriate means other unions engaged in disputes.

(h) Collaborating wherever possible conducive to the attainment of the objects, with other Trade Unions in Grenada and elsewhere and with international Trade Organisations.

(i) The giving of financial assistance to members when on strike, provided the strike is approved by a resolution of the Union.

(j) The defence of the interest of members against employers or combinations of employers.

(k) The provisions of grants and endowments to Colleges and Institutions.

(l) To purchase or otherwise acquire real and personal property for the objects and purposes of the Union and to sell, lease, exchange, mortgage or otherwise deal with all or any of the real and personal property of the Union.

(m) Generally to promote the material, social and educational welfare of the Union.

RULE 3 MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership shall be open to all technical and other workers, provided always that the Management Committee of the Union shall have the exclusive right to determine the eligibility of a worker for membership of the Union.

2. The Entrance Fee for membership shall be a minimum of $10.00 or any other sum so approved by the General Council. The resolution to amend the Entrance fee must be supported by at least two thirds (2/3) of the delegates present and voting at the General Council Meetings.

3. All members shall purchase their Membership Identification Card and Rule Book (Constitution) at such price as may from time to time be fixed by the General Council.

4. Every applicant for membership shall be proposed by a member and seconded by another member.
Both the Proposer and Seconder of an applicant for membership into the Union shall themselves be members of the Union in good standing. Both of them shall vouch for the applicant=s fitness for membership.

5. Every applicant seeking admission into the Union shall appear in person with his/her Proposer and Seconder at a meeting of the Management Committee.
However, the Management Committee of the Union may in special circumstances waive the requirement of appearing before it; provided, that the Management Committee shall designate the President General or other Management Committee member(s) to personally interview the said applicant(s) to determine his/her fitness for membership.

6. Application for membership shall be made on the prescribed form signed by the Applicant and by the Proposer and Seconder and shall contain an undertaking by the Applicant to be bound by this Constitution and by any rules made thereunder.

7. The Union may expel from the Union any member whose conduct shall in the opinion of the Management Committee be injurious the character or interests of the Union or renders him unfit to be a member of the Union.
Before a member is expelled, his conduct shall be inquired into by the Management Committee of the Union and shall be given full opportunity to defend himself and to justify and explain his conduct.
If a majority of the Management Committee shall call upon the member to resign and if he does not resign shall report to the Union and recommend the Union to expel him.
A member expelled shall forfeit all the privileges of membership and all rights against the Union.
Provided always that the Management Committee may substitute a fine not exceeding $25.00 or suspension from membership for a period not exceeding three months instead of the request for resignation of the member.

RULE 4 CONTRIBUTION, ARREARS

1. Except where otherwise stated in these rules, each member shall pay a monthly contribution as Union Dues, which sum shall be applied towards the general purpose and activities of the Union.

2. Any member three (3) months in arrears of contribution shall forfeit all claims for benefits and privileges and shall be deemed an unfinancial member, but upon payment of all his arrears such a member shall be entitled to benefits after a lapse of three (3) months following the payment of his arrears.
No member shall have any claim on the funds or activities of the Union while he remains unfinancial within the meaning of this section.

3. Any member six (6) months in arrears shall automatically cease to be a member. Such a person has the option to reapply for membership.

4. Unfinancial members shall not be entitled to any privileges, rights or benefits except as set out above.

5. Monthly contributions (Union Dues) shall be payable by each member at the rate of:

(a) Fifteen ($15.00) per month or (1.5%) one and one half percent of basic salary or wage whichever is the greater. (Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

(b) The (1.5%) one a half percent payable, shall be calculated to the nearest dollar; such that a member earning $1,500.00 per month shall pay $23.00 and a member earning $1,459.00 per month shall pay $23.00 also but one earning $1,570.00 per month shall pay $24.00 per month and so on a so forth.
(Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

6. Contributions (Union Dues), levies and other deductions payable by members to the Union shall be paid by wage or salary paysheet deductions or in such other manner as the Management Committee or General Council may from time to time decide.

RULE 5 STRUCTURE OF THE UNION

The structure of the Union shall be:-
(a) National Conference
(b) General Council
(c) Management Committee
(d) Regional Branches

RULE 6 NATIONAL CONFERENCE

1. The National Conference shall be the Supreme Authority of the Union and be held once every three (3) years not later than the 31st March of the 3rd year or in such other month as the Management Committee may from time to time determine.

2. Except where otherwise stated in these rules, all financial members of the Union shall be eligible to attend, participate and vote in the proceedings of the National Conference.

3. The National Conference shall receive and consider reports on the activities and audited accounts of the Union for the preceding period, review the budget and policy for the preceding years, consider and determine the budget and policy for the ensuring term, and such appeals and other matters as may be brought before it, including resolutions from Branches, the Management Committee and General Council and Elected Officers.

4. The National Conference shall be summoned by the Management Committee.

5. The Management Committee shall prepare the full agenda of the National Conference and shall submit it to the Branches not later than twenty-one (21) days before the date of the National Conference.

6. Decisions taken at a duly constituted National Conference and Special National Conference shall be binding on all members of the Union (Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

RULE 7 SPECIAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

1. A Special National Conference may be called by the Management Committee, General Council or by a signed petition from financial members.

2. Where a Special National Conference is called on a signed petition of financial members, the signed petition must be supported by at least 20% of the financial members of the Union.

3. The signed petition must clearly spell out the matters intended to be addressed by the Special National Conference and only those matters shall be dealt with by the Special National Conference; providing, that the General Council immediately proceeding the holding of the Special National Conference may amend the items to be dealt with upon application by the persons signing the petition.

RULE 8 GENERAL COUNCIL

1. The General Council shall meet not less than once every six (6) months or more often if necessary; provided that in the year in which a regular Triennial National Conference is held, the General Council shall meet not less than once.

2. The Government of the Union and the conduct of all its business in periods between the National Conference shall be vested in the General Council.

3. The General Council shall comprise the Management Committee of the Union and Delegates. Each workplace shall have the right to be represented by one (1) delegate for every (25) members or any part thereof.

4. Subject to Section 3 above, Shop Stewards shall automatically be delegates to the General Council. Delegates to the General Council shall comprise elected delegates and nominated delegates.
Two-thirds (2/3) shall be elected and one-third (1/3) nominated by the Management Committee but approved by a simple majority of the elected delegates.

5. Delegates to the General Council shall be elected by secret ballot from amongst members of the Union at the various workplaces represented by the Union.

6. Nominated delegates approved by the General Council shall have the same rights and privileges as elected delegates.

7. There shall be the following Standing Committees of the General Council:

(a) Finance Audit and Budget Committee
(b) Occupational Health and Safety Committee
(c) Women=s Affairs Committee
(d) Sports and Cultural Committee
(e) Education and Research Committee

8. The Chairperson of each of the above Committees shall themselves be members of the Management Committee.

9. The General Council shall make such Rules and Regulations as it sees fit to govern its proceedings. Such Rules and Regulations shall be embodied into the STANDING ORDERS of the General Council and shall be binding upon all General Council Delegates; provided, that no Rule under the Standing Orders of the General Council shall be inconsistent with the Rules under the Union's Constitution.

10. The General Council shall have powers between National Conference to determine all matters on which these Rules and Standing Orders or Regulations made hereunder are silent or from which any ambiguity or difficulty of interpretation or otherwise may arise, and its decisions or any such matter shall be final for all purposes.

11. The General Council shall have authority to fine, suspend or expel any member who, after investigation, is found guilty of conduct detrimental to the interest of the Union.

12. The General Council shall have powers to fill any vacancy on the Management Committee and to remove any or all Officers of any Branch in consultation with the Branch concerned of the Union, if in the opinion of the General Council such a step is necessary.

13. The General Council may from time to time appoint such Special Committee or Sub- Committees which when appointed may co-opt any number of members it thinks will be of assistance in carrying out its functions.

14. The decisions of the General Council shall be binding on all members of the Union unless reversed by National Conference or Special National Conference.

RULE 9 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

1. The Management Committee shall be responsible for the direction and supervision of all aspects of the Union's activities in conformity with the decisions of the National Conference, Special National Conference and General Council.

2. (1) The Officers and Members of the Management Committee shall be:

(i) President General
(ii) 1st Vice President
(iii) 2nd Vice President
(iv) General Secretary
(v) Asst. General Secretary
(vi) Treasurer
(vii) Three (3) Trustees
(viii) Secretary/Chair Women's Affairs Committee
(ix) Secretary/Chair Occupational Health & Safety Commission
(x) Secretary/Chair Sports & Cultural Committee
(xi) Three (3) Ordinary Members
(xii) Alternate 1
(xiii) Alternate 2
(xiv) Alternate 3

(2) There shall be three (3) Alternates to the Management Committee of the Union, and that the Alternates shall be designated Alternates One, Two and Three respectively.

(3) The three (3) Alternates to the Management Committee shall have the right to attend all Management Committee meetings, and to fully participate and deliberate in its proceedings but shall not have the right to vote on any matter save and except that there is an absence of any full member at a meeting of the Management Committee.

(4) The right to vote at a Management Committee shall be accorded the alternates such that where any one full member is absent from a Management Committee meeting, then Alternate 1 shall have the right to vote; where two (2) full members are absent from a Management Committee meeting, Alternates 1 and 2 shall have the right to vote and so on and so forth.

(5) Alternate members to the Management Committee shall be elected to the Management Committee in the same manner and shall have the same term of office as other members of the Management Committee.

3. The term of office of the members of Management Committee shall be three (3) years.

4. Notwithstanding anything said to the contrary only members of the Union, who have had at least two (2) consecutive years of financial membership on the day immediately prior to an election for office on the Management Committee, shall be eligible to be elected to the Management Committee of the Union.

5. Any member who has been financial for a continuous period of twelve months immediately prior to the day, on which the election of officers is held, is eligible to cast a vote at any election of officers to the Management Committee of the Union.

6. Any member of the Management Committee who absents himself from three (3) consecutive meetings without an acceptable excuse to the Management Committee shall be deemed to have automatically forfeited his seat and to have resigned.

7. The Management Committee shall convene at least once in each month.

8. Subject to Rule 9.3, the Management Committee shall set the date for the elections of Officers to the Management Committee.

The elections of Officers to the Management Committee shall be held no later than the 31st March at the end of the Triennial term of the Management Committee.

RULE 10 DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

1. The President General shall be elected by secret ballot vote and shall hold office for three years. He shall be paid such salary as may from time to time be fixed by the Union. He shall be eligible for re-election. He shall preside at all meetings of the Union and meeting of the Management Committee of the Union.
He shall be responsible for the proper conduct of the business at all meetings. He shall sign the Minutes of each meeting at the time they are approved. He shall countersign all orders, bill, cheques, or any other important document for the Union. In conjunction with the General Secretary and Treasurer, he shall superintend the General Administration of the Officers of the Union and shall endeavour to secure the observance of these Rules by all concerned.
He shall see that all Officers of the Union and its branches perform their duties and in case of irregularities, he may use his authority as he may see fit. He shall be kept financial during the term of office.

2. The Vice Presidents shall be elected by ballot vote and shall hold office for three years. They shall be eligible for re-election. In the absence of the President General, or at his request, the 1st Vice President shall preside at meetings of the Union and Management Committee meeting.
In the absence of the President General and 1st Vice President, the 2nd Vice President shall act. In the absence of these three officers, the meetings shall elect its own chairman who shall exercise, for the occasion, the power conferred on the President General.
The Vice Presidents may be paid such salaries as may from time to time be fixed by the Union.

3. The General Secretary shall be elected by ballot vote and shall hold office for three years. He shall be eligible for re-election. He shall conduct the business of the Union. He shall attend all meetings of the Union and of the Management Committee and shall have the right to speak and vote. He shall prepare the Annual Report for submission to the National Conference.
He shall be paid such salary as may from time to time be fixed by the Union. He shall be kept financial during his term of office.

4. The Assistant General Secretary shall be elected by ballot vote and shall hold office for three years. He shall be eligible for re-election. He shall be subordinate to the General Secretary, take instructions from him and in his absence perform his duties. He shall receive such salary as the Union may from time to time determine.

5. The Treasurer shall be elected by ballot vote and shall hold office for a period of three years. He shall be eligible for re-election. He shall keep full and accurate accounts.
He shall, when required by the Trustees, the Management Committee or the President General render a true account of the funds of the Union and shall, when required by the Management Committee, deliver to whom he directed, all papers, monies, receipts, or any property belonging to the Union. He shall be paid such salary as the Management Committee may from time to time determine.

6. Three Trustees shall be elected by ballot vote and shall hold office for three years. They shall be eligible for re-election.

7. The Trustees for the time being shall have vested in them all the real and personal property whatever belonging to the Union and they shall deal with it as the Union may direct.

8. All monies (except such as may be allowed by the Management Committee to be kept at the central office) shall be deposited in the Banks to the accounts of the Union.

RULE 11 BRANCHES

1. The Union shall have branches organised. Each branch as organised must apply to the Management Committee for registration as a Branch. The Management Committee shall thereupon notify the Branch in writing that it has been registered or propose to the Branch that, in the interest of administrative convenience, it be registered as part of another Branch.

2. The Union shall have three (3) Regional Geographic Branches, namely:

(a) St. Andrew=s and St. David=s
(b) St. Patrick=s, St. Mark=s and St. John's
(c) Carriacou and Petit Martinique
Other Regional Geographic Branches may be established by the Management Committee or General Council.

3. Each Branch shall operate under the supervision of the Unions= Secretariat and shall report on its activities periodically upon request by the Secretariat, Management Committee, General Council or National Conference.

4. A Branch shall consist of not less than twenty-five (25) members working and residing in the geographic area by the Branch.

5. A member working but not residing in a geographic area covered by a Branch, or residing but not working in a geographic area covered by a Branch may elect to be a member of the Branch, provided that no member shall belong to more that one Branch at the same time.

6. A member of one Regional Geographic Branch may transfer to any other Branch upon notification in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Branch to which the said member intends to join.

7. Election of officers to the Branch Committee shall be by secret ballot vote, and shall be conducted in the same manner as established by Rule 12 - Elections.

8. Each Branch as organised shall forward monthly to the Management Committee through the Central Office, the name and address of its members together with all entrance fees, contributions, levies, fines or dues collected from members.

9. Any Branch of which the membership shall for a period of six (6) months fall below twenty-five (25) members, shall be disbanded and its members transferred by the Union to another Branch.

10. The Union shall have power to suspend or disband the working of any Branch which refuses to carry out any decision of the Union or for any other reason which in the opinion of the Union is in the interest of the Union and the members of the disbanded Branch which have no claim whatever on any of the funds of the Union or any part thereof.
Provided, however, that such members of the Branch who are willing to observe the decisions of the Union may with approval of the Union be attached to the nearest Branch in the area of the parent body.

11. Each Branch shall be governed by a Branch Committee which shall consist of a Branch President, a Branch Vice President, a Branch Secretary/Treasurer, a Branch Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and not more than nine (9) nor less than three (3) financial members all of whom shall be elected annually by the Branch. The Branch Committee shall meet at least once per month.

12. The Officers and members of the Branch Committee shall be elected at a General Meeting of the Branch in the month of April each year.

13. Branch Auditors may be appointed annually by the Union to audit the books of the Branches. A Branch Auditor shall not be an Officer of the Branch whose books he is appointed to audit nor shall be appointed to audit the books of the same branch for two years in succession.

14. The members of the Branch shall meet at least once in every two (2) months or as often as the business of the Branch warrants and not less than fifteen (15) financial members shall form a quorum.

15. A Cash Statement certified by the Branch Auditor shall be presented at the meeting of the National Conference.

16. The Branch President shall preside over all meetings of the Branch and sign all Minutes. He shall supervise the working of his Branch and its Officers, and shall have the right to inspect all Branch papers and books. He may order a Special Meeting of the Branch or of the Branch Committee whenever necessary.

17. The Branch Vice President shall assist his Branch President and in his absence, act for him and when so acting shall exercise the power and prerogatives of the Branch President and be subject to the same limitations as the Branch President.

18. The Branch Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the accounts and conduct the business of the Branch in accordance with the Rules and shall carry out the instructions of the Branch Committee in conformity with the general policy of the Union. He shall summon and attend all the meetings of the Branch and all Branch Committee meetings and shall keep proper records of such meetings. He shall be legally responsible for all monies and property of the Union passing through his hands.
He shall transmit to the General Secretary within five (5) days of the meetings, copies of Minutes of all meetings held by the Branch.

19. The Assistant Branch Secretary/Treasurer shall assist the Branch Secretary/Treasurer in the performance of duties, be subordinate to him and in his absence act for him.

20. The funds of every Branch shall be the common property of the Union.

RULE 12 ELECTIONS

1. Election of Officers
All candidates for office must be proposed and seconded on the official nomination forms provided for that purpose. All nominations shall reach the General Secretary not less than fourteen (14) days before the date of the election.

2. A Member may be nominated for more than one Office.

3. The Management Committee shall appoint a Chief Elections Officer and the Chief Elections Officer shall publish by public advertisement or circulate to all members, all nominations for all Officers, not less than seven (7) days before the date of the elections.

4. Polling shall take place at the Union's Headquarters or at any other Centre and between such hours as Management Committee may decide from time to time.

5. Polling shall be by ballot on official ballot paper prepared by the Secretariat of the Union.

6. Procedure for the conduct of elections.

(a) Posting of list of Members
At least twenty-eight (28) days prior to the date set for the elections of officers to the Management Committee of the Union, a list of members shall be posted in all workplaces covered by the Union and such other places as the Chief Elections Officer may deem necessary. The list of members shall remain posted for a period of not less than seven (7) working days.

(b) Corrections to list of Members
During the period the list of members remains posted, the Chief Election Officer shall receive and consider submissions from members for corrections to the said list of members.

(c) Posting of Corrections to list of Members
A corrected list of members shall be posted in the same workplace and such other places as the original list for a period of not less than ten (10) working days prior to the date set for election.

(d) Candidates for Elections
Any member of the Union qualified to stand for election and who wishes to contest the election shall complete the relevant sections of the Nomination Form to be supplied by the Union's Secretariat.

(e) Nomination Day
A date for nomination of candidates to contest the election of members to the Management Committee shall be set by the Chief Elections Officer and shall not be less than ten (10) working days prior to the date of elections.

(f) Posting of list of Candidates
A list of candidates nominated to contest the elections shall be posted in all workplaces and such other places as the original and corrected lists of members, for a period of not less than seven (7) working prior to the date of elections.

(g) Withdrawal from contesting the elections
A candidate may withdraw from contesting the elections no later than four (4) working days prior to the date of elections. Any candidate wishing to withdraw from contesting the elections shall do so in writing and deliver same in person to the Chief Election Elections Officer.

(h) Voting
Voting shall be conducted at such place or places, on such date and at such time as the Management Committee or General Council may specify.
Voting shall be on ballot paper to be provided by the Union=s Secretariat. Votes shall be counted on the same day of the election.

7. Appointment of Chief Elections Officer and Elections Officers.
The Management Committee shall appoint the Chief Elections Officer and any number of Elections Officers as it may deem necessary.

8. Powers, Rights and Responsibilities of Chief Elections Officer and Elections Officers.
The Chief Elections Officer shall have overall responsibility for the conduct of the elections.

9. Scrutineers
Each candidate shall be allowed one scrutineer to observe the casting of ballots and counting of votes on his behalf.
Scrutineers will have the right to draw to the attention of the Election Officer any discrepancy he may observe during the conduct of elections.

10. General
A member may contest as many Officers as he wishes.

In the event that a member wins more than one office, that member shall have the right to decide which office he wishes to hold.
Any member who has won more than one office must, within seventy-two (72) hours of the declaration of successful candidates, indicate which post/office he has decided to relinquish.
In the event that a candidate wins more that one post/office and has relinquished one of them, a by-election shall be held to decide on a winner of that post/office which has become vacant.
A by-election to determine the winner of a post/office which has become vacant shall be held within thirty (30) days after the date of election.
In the event that a member who has won more that one post/office fails to decide within seventy-two (72) hours which post/office he has decided to relinquish the newly elected members shall have the power to decide for that member.
The rules for the conduct of a by-election shall be the same as those for the election of officers.
In the event that there is only one candidate for a post/office, that candidate shall automatically be declared winner.

11. Assumption of Office
The newly elected Management Committee shall take office no later than fourteen (14) days from the date upon which it had been elected, and shall be presented at the National Conference nearest to which it had been elected; such that in no case, shall the National Conference be held more than fourteen (14) days after the elections of the Management Committee.

RULE 13 QUORUM

1. The quorum for a National Conference and Special National Conference shall be not less than ten percent (10%) of the financial members of the Union. (Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

2. Where a duly convened Triennial National Conference or Special National Conference fails to achieve the requisite quorum at any period of one (1) hour after the scheduled start of the National Conference or Special National Conference, subject to Rule 10 the President General or any other such Officer authorised by the Constitution shall call to order the members so assembled for the Triennial National or Special National Conference.
(Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

3. The Conference then on a motion to proceed which is duly moved and seconded shall be debated by those members present and if passed by a majority of 2/3 of those present shall become the quorum for all purposes; provided, that there are no less than 150 members in good standing present.
The President General subject to Rule 10 shall then call the Triennial National Conference or Special National Conference to order. (Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

4. Where the scheduled Triennial National Conference or Special National Conference is convened under sections 2 & 3 above, any matter having to do with amending the constitution shall only have effect if ratified by an island wide workplace secret ballot which shall be held within twenty-one (21) days from the date of the Triennial National Conference or Special National Conference under sections 2 & 3.
(Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

5. A Triennial National Conference or Special National Conference so convened under sections 2 & 3 shall have the same rights, powers and privileges as a quorated Triennial National Conference or Special National Conference and its decisions shall have full force and effect.
(Amended by resolution of the 6th Triennial National Conference, Trade Centre, February 22nd 2007).

6. A quorum for the General Council shall not be less than one-third of the General Council members eligible to attend.

7. A quorum for the Management Committee shall not be less than seven (7) of the Management Committee members thereof.

8. A quorum for Branch shall not be less than fifteen (15) financial members of the Branch.

RULE 14 AUDITORS

1. The Auditors appointed by the Registrar or by the Union at the National Conference shall audit the accounts of the Union at the close of each financial year and shall certify and report thereon to the Management Committee. The financial year shall close on the thirty-first day of December in each year.

2. The Audited Statement shall be laid before the Union at the National Conference and a copy made available to members of the Union at the Union=s General Office and at each Branch Office.

RULE 15 LEVIES

1. The Union may, in furtherance of the objects to the Union, impose a levy upon members of the Union.

2. If any member fails to pay a levy within three (3) months of its imposition the amount shall be treated as arrears of contributions and dealt with accordingly.

RULE 16 STRIKES & LOCKOUTS 1. In the event of any dispute arising, the members concerned shall make the same known to the Secretary of the Union or the appropriate Branch Secretary/Treasurer who will report same immediately to the General Secretary, but in no case shall a cessation of work be threatened or take place without the sanction of the Union.

2. The approval of the Union shall be given at a meeting called for that purpose and the decision thereon shall be taken by ballot vote.

RULE 17 LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Consistent with Rule 2 (j) the Union shall have power to provide legal assistance for any financial member upon any matter connected with his employment, provided the Union is satisfied that the case is one on which its is advisable that legal advice or assistance shall be taken and provided also the necessity for legal advice or assistance is not caused by drunkenness, willful neglect of duty, or by criminal act on the part of the member.

RULE 18 EDUCATIONAL WORK

The Union may undertake the education of its members through meetings, classes and bulletins reporting the activities of the Union. Further it may publish literature or have financial interest in any firm which publishes literature conducive to the promoting of the interest of Trade Unionism and may take such other action as will promote the industrial, cultural and political knowledge of its members.

RULE 19 MEMBER'S OBLIGATION

On being accepted into membership in the Union each member shall give the following pledge:

I............................................ do solemnly declare in the presence of the officers and members here assembled that I seriously pledge my work and honour and to obey implicitly the decisions of the Union and to obey its Rules and Regulations as at present in force or which may be hereafter amended, and shall do all such things incumbent upon me as a loyal Trade Unionist.

RULE 20 IRREGULAR DISCUSSION OF UNION'S BUSINESS

It shall be irregular for any Officer or Member of the Union to discuss the business of the Union in public or with persons who are not Members of the Union and any Officer so charged and found guilty shall forfeit his office or be suspended from membership or be fined any sum not exceeding ten dollars ($10.00) or be expelled. Any other member found guilty of such breach shall be fined five dollars ($5.00) for the first offence, for the second offence he shall be suspended from membership for three (3) months and for a further offence of similar nature he shall be expelled.

RULE 21 CONDUCT OF MEMBERS

1. Any Officer or Member who is charged with plotting against fellow Officers or Members shall on proof of the offence forfeit his office or be suspended from membership or be fined any sum not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) or be expelled; and if a Member be fined for the first offence for the second offence he shall be suspended from membership for six (6) months or may be expelled from the Union.

2. Any Officer or Member attending a meeting with motives to create disharmony among Members assembled and thereby disturbing the peaceful and harmonious working of the same shall be subjected to the same penalties as under Sub-Rule 1 hereof.

RULE 22 RESPECT FOR OFFICERS

All Officers and Members are required to show due respect to the Officers of the Union who have been duly elected. Anyone charged and found guilty of disrespectful conduct in this connection if he be an Officer shall for the first offence either forfeit his office or be suspended from office.
If he be an ordinary Member he shall for the first offence be fined the sum of seven dollars ($7.00). Anyone found guilty of a second offence may be suspended from membership for six (6) months or may be expelled.

RULE 23 INSUBORDINATION

Any Officer found guilty of insubordination to those in high authority shall either forfeit his office or be suspended from office or fined any sum not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00).
Any ordinary Member found guilty of such offence shall either be fined any sum not exceeding ten dollars ($10.00) or be suspended from membership for any period not exceeding three (3) months. Any one found guilty of a second offence may be suspended or expelled.

RULE 24 MEMBERS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LIQUOR

Any Officer or Member entering any meeting of the Union or of a Branch under the influence of liquor which is noticeable by Members assembled shall be ejected from the said meeting and charged before the Union or Branch and for the first offence if proved be fined five dollars ($5.00) on the second offence, ten dollars ($10.00) and on third offence he may be suspended from membership for any period not exceeding three (3) months or may be expelled.

RULE 25 INSPECTION OF BOOKS

The books concerning the Union as a whole shall be kept at the Central Office and contain a list of names of all members of the Union. Any financial member desiring to inspect the books at the Central Office shall give forty-eight (48) hours notice to the General Secretary.

RULE 26 INVESTMENT OF FUNDS

The funds of the Union which are not required for current expenses may be invested by and in the name of the Trustees of the Union with the approval of the Management Committee of the Union.

RULE 27 DISSOLUTION

Whenever the number of financial members in the Union is reduced to thirty (30) by death or otherwise, a majority of at least two-thirds of the remaining members may at a meeting at the Registered Office dissolve the Union.
After all debts and liabilities duly incurred by the Union have been discharged the funds remaining shall be paid out to the financial Members in proportion to their contribution.

RULE 28 RULES

Rules may be made, amended or rescinded by a two-thirds majority of the members present at a National Conference or at a Special Meeting called for that purpose.

RULE 29 DISCIPLINE

When a Member is put on trial for disciplinary purposes such trial shall be conducted by the Management Committee of the Union and the member so tried shall be heard in this defence, or if he so desires, be represented by any Officer or by a person duly authorised by him in writing to appear on his behalf.

RULE 30 MISCELLANEOUS

All decisions in respect of election of officers, amendments of rules, strikes, walkouts and dissolution of the Union shall be taken by Secret Ballot.

RULE 31 STANDING ORDERS

1. This Constitution shall provide for Standing Orders for the National Conferences, General Council and Management Committee Meetings of the Union.

2. These Standing Orders shall regulate and govern the affairs and conduct of the aforementioned bodies where this constitution is silent.

STANDING ORDERS OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

ARTICLE 1

1. The conduct of the Triennial National Conference and Special National Conference shall, subject to the Constitution of the Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union (hereinafter referred as THE UNION) be governed by the STANDING ORDERS OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE herein contained.

2. No Rule, Provision or Order made here or anywhere else which violates the Constitution of the Union shall stand. The Constitution of the Union at all times shall take precedence.

ARTICLE 2 POWERS TO REGULATE NATIONAL CONFERENCE BUSINESS

1. Subject to the Unions Constitution and the Rules contained in these Standing Orders the National Conference shall regulate its business through these Standing Orders. Wherever an issue arises on which the Standing Orders or Union Constitution is silent, the National Conference shall decide by a simple majority.

ARTICLE 3 CHAIRMANSHIP

1. Chairmanship of the National Conference shall be held by the President General and in his absence by the 1st Vice President or 2nd Vice President, in that order.

2. When the President General and Vice Presidents are absent the General Secretary or Assistant General Secretary (in that order) shall Chair the Conference.

3. Where all of the above Officers are absent or unable to perform the functions of Chairman, the Conference shall elect a Chairman from amongst the remainder of the existing Management Committee Members.

ARTICLE 4 AGENDA

1. The Agenda of the National Conference shall be set by the Management Committee of the Union and shall include:
a) Opening Prayers
b) Playing of National Anthem and
c) Union Song
d) Credential Report from General Secretary
e) Open Forum

2. The Agenda for the National Conference shall be circulated to all the Branches of the Union no later than twenty-one (21) days before the date of the said Conference.

3. The Agenda for National Conference can only be amended by the National Conference for which it is set and only in the following manner:
(1) The proposed amendment shall be put to the meeting by the President or other Presiding Officer immediately after the Roll Call.
(2) The proposed amendment shall be read twice after being proposed and seconded by any member of the Union in good standing.
(3) The amendment shall succeed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
(4) The Mover of a motion to amend the Agenda shall be allowed to speak twice.
In the first instance a maximum of five (5) minutes shall be allowed the Mover to present the motion to the National Conference, after which, any other Member may speak on the motion for not more than five (5) minutes.
(5) After the motion has been seconded, the Mover may if he/she so chooses to speak for a maximum of three (3) minutes.
(6) If no other contending or amending motion is moved by any other National Conference participant during debate on the principal motion, the Chair shall put the motion to the vote after which there shall be no further debate or discussion on the amendment to the Agenda.
(7) Where there is a contending or amending motion, the said motions shall be put to the vote in the order which they were made.
(8) Strictly no issue other than the proposed amendment to the Agenda shall be discussed by the National Conference during debate on the motion to the Agenda.

4. No motion for amending the Agenda shall be entertained without being seconded.
(1) Except as may be otherwise decided by a simple majority of the Members present, voting on all matters at meetings of the National Conference shall be either by the showing of hands, standing or by voice.

5. The Chairman of the National Conference shall have both an original and a casting vote. The Chairman=s casting vote shall only be exercised in the case of a tied vote on any matter voted on at the National Conference.

ARTICLE 5 EXEMPTIONS

1. Where a motion to amend the Agenda seeks to change the order in which the items appears in the Order of Business but not introducing an item or issue not appearing on the Agenda, such a motion can be moved at any time.
2. A motion so moved shall be seconded and only the Mover be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes to explain the reasons for the motion.
3. No debate shall be entertained on such a motion. The Chair shall immediately put the motion to the vote.
4. The motion succeeds only if it is supported by no less than a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Delegates presenting and voting.

ARTICLE 6 RULES OF DEBATE

1. Time and Manner of speaking:
A member wishing to speak shall rise in his/her chair. No Member shall proceed to speak unless called upon by the Chair.
2. If two (2) or more members rise at the same time, the Chair shall call upon the Member who first catches his/her eye.
3. Interruptions:
No member shall interrupt another Member except:
(a) by rising to a APoint of Order@ or,
(b) by rising to a APoint of Information
4. When a member rises to a APoint of Order or to a “Point of Information”, this Member who had the floor shall immediately take his/her seat. However, the Member shall not proceed to speak unless called by the Chair.
5. When called by the Chair, the Member shall state his/her name and place of employment, then proceed to speak on the question.
6. Members shall address each other either as Brother/Sister or Comrade.
7. All Members shall, when given the floor, address their contributions to the Chair. No Member shall use abusive, threatening or obscene language while addressing the Conference.
8. The Chair shall have the absolute right to rule a Member AOut of Order@ and ADemand his or her removal from the Meeting@ for violating of 6.7 or persistent disruption of the Meeting. A member so named shall immediately leave the meeting.
9. A Member so Aordered@shall only be entitled to return to the Conference after:
(a) verbally stating his/her objection to be Aruled out of order@ and Aasked to leave the Meeting.
(b) by nominating another Member to speak on his behalf.
(c) securing a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote to return by Members overturning the Chair=s decision.

. Notwithstanding anything said to the contrary, under no circumstances shall a Member who physically assaults another Member, threatens violence or uses obscene language, be allowed to return to the Conference.

ARTICLE 7 AMENDMENTS

1. Subject to Article 5, amendments to the Standing Orders of the Triennial National Conference shall first be served on the Conference in writing, either through the Unions Secretariat or during the proceedings of a National Conference Meeting.
2. The Conference at which notice is served shall appoint a Standing Orders Committee comprising five (5) members in good standing including the President General, the General Secretary, one other Management Committee Member and any two other financial Members, whose appointment shall be ratified by the National Conference.
3. The Standing Orders Committee shall receive and deliberate on the proposed amendments, then present a resolution seeking to give effect to the amendment or to make recommendations either to the meeting at which the National Conference was served or at a subsequent meeting.
4. A resolution to amend the Standing Orders of the National Conference shall require at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote in favour to succeed.

STANDING ORDERS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL

ARTICLE 1 CHAIRMANSHIP

1. Chairmanship of the General Council shall be held by the President General, Vice President or any other Management Committee member in accordance with Rule 10 of the Constitution.

ARTICLE 2 QUORUM

1. In accordance with Rule 13 of the Constitution, the Quorum for a General Council Meeting shall not be less than one-third (1/3) of the General Council members eligible to attend.

ARTICLE 3 SITTING OF GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING

1. In accordance with Rule 8 of the Constitution the date, time and venue of the General Council meeting shall be set by the Management Committee.

ARTICLE 4 NOTICE OF GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING

1. Twenty-one (21) days written notice shall be given for the Regular bi-Annual Meetings of the General Council.
2. Where necessary, Extra-Ordinary Meetings of the General Council may be held. Ten (10) days written notice of an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the General Council shall be given.
3. FORM OF NOTICE
Notice of Regular and Extra-Ordinary Meetings of the General Council shall be done by way of circular letter sent to the Shop Steward and posted on the Notice Board at each work centre.

ARTICLE 5 ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Unless the General Council otherwise directs, the business of each Meeting of the General Council shall be conducted in the following Order:-

PLENARY AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. National Anthem/Opening Prayer/Singing of Union Song
3. Credential Report by General Secretary
4. Minutes
5. Correspondence/Reports/Petitions/Resolutions
6. Unfinished Business
7. Committees
8. Lunch
9. Committee Reports
10. Other Matters

2. a) The Agenda for the Regular Bi-Annual Meetings of the General Council shall be circulated to Delegates no later than ten (10) working days before the date of the said Meeting.
b) The Agenda for all Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the General Council shall at all times accompany the notice for the said Extra-Ordinary Meeting.

3. The Agenda for the General Council Meeting may be amended by the Meeting for which it is set but only in the following manner:
(1) The proposed Amendment shall be put to the meeting by the President or other Presiding Officer immediately after the Roll Call.
(2) The proposed amendment shall be read twice after being proposed and seconded by any of the delegate properly seated.
(3) The Amendment shall succeed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
(4) The Mover of a motion to amend the Agenda shall be allowed to speak twice. In the first instance a maximum of five (5) minutes shall be allowed the Mover to present the motion to the General Council, after which any other Delegate may speak on the motion for not more than five (5) minutes.
(5) After the motion has been seconded, the Mover may if he/she so chooses to speak for a maximum of three (3) minutes.
(6) If no other contending or amending motion is moved by any other Delegate during debate on the principal motion, the Chair shall put the motion to the vote after which there shall be no further debate or discussion on the amendment of the Agenda.
(7) Where there is a contending or amending motion, the said motion shall be put to the vote in the order that they were made.
(8) Strictly no issue other than the proposed amendment to the Agenda shall be discussed by the Delegates during debate on the motion to amend the Agenda.
(9) No motion for amending the Agenda shall be entertained without being seconded.

ARTICLE 6 VOTING

1. Except otherwise decided by a simply majority of the Delegates present, voting on all matters at Meetings or the General Council shall be either by the show of “hands,” “standing” or by “voice”.
2. EXEMPTIONS
(1) Where a motion to amend the Agenda seeks to change the order in which the item appear in the Order of Business but not introducing an item or issues not appearing on the Agenda, such a motion can be moved at any time.
(2) A motion so moved shall be seconded and only the Mover shall be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes to explain the reasons for the motion.
(3) No debate shall be entertained on such a motion. The Chair shall immediately put the motion to the vote.
(4) The motion succeeds only if it is supported by not less than two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Delegates present and voting.

ARTICLE 7 RULES OF DEBATE

1. TIME AND MANNEIR OF SPEAKING
(1) A Delegate wishing to speak shall rise in his/her chair. No Delegate shall proceed to speak unless called upon by the Chair.

(2) If two or more delegates rise at the same time, the Chair shall call upon the Delegate who first catches his/her eye.

2. INTERRUPTIONS
(1) No Delegate shall interrupt another Delegate except:-
(a) by rising to a “Point of Order”, or
(b) by rising to a “Point of Information”.
(2) When a Delegate rises to a “Point of Order” or to a “Point of Information”, the Delegate on the floor at that point in time shall immediately take his/her seat. However, the Delegate shall not proceed to speak unless called by the Chair.
(3) When called by the Chair, the Delegate shall state his or her name and place of employment, then proceed to speak on the question.
(4) Delegates shall address each other either as Brother/Sister or Comrade.
(5) All Delegates shall when given the floor, address their contributions to the Chair. No Delegate shall use abusive, threatening or obscene language while addressing the meeting.

2.6 The Chair shall have the absolute right to RULE a Delegate “Out of Order” and “Demand his or her Removal from the Meeting” for violation of 2 (5) or for persistent disruption of the Meeting.
A Delegate so named shall immediately leave the meeting.

2.7 A Delegate so “Ordered” shall only be entitled to return to the Meeting after;
a) verbally stating his/her objection to be “Ruled Out of Order” and “Asked to Leave the Meeting”.
b) nominating another Delegate to speak on his behalf.
c) Securing a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote by the remaining Delegates overturning the Chair’s decision.
Notwithstanding anything said to the contrary, under no circumstances shall a Delegate who physically assaults another Delegate, threatens violence or uses obscene language, be allowed to return to the Meeting.

ARTICLE 8 AMENDMENTS OF STANDING ORDERS

1. Amendments to the Standing Orders of the General Council shall first be served on the Council in writing, either through the Union’s Secretariat or during the proceeding of a General Council Meeting.
2. The Meeting at which notice is served shall appoint a Standing Orders Committee comprising five (5) Delegates including the President General, the General Secretary, one (1) other Management Committee Member and any two (2) other Delegates, whose appointment shall be ratified by the General Council.
3. The Standing Orders Committee shall receive and deliberate on the proposed amendments, then present a resolution seeking to give effect to the amendment or to make recommendations either to the meeting at which the General Council was served or at a subsequent meeting.
4. A resolution to amend the Standing Orders of the General Council shall require at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote in favour to succeed.

ARTICLE 9 STANDING COMMITTEES

In accordance with RULE 8.7 and 8.8 of the Constitution of the Union there shall be the following five (5) Standing Committees of the General Council.
(a) Finance, Audit and Budget Committee
(b) Occupational Health and Safety Committee
(c) Women’s Affairs Committee
(d) Sports and Cultural Committee
(e) Education and Research Committee