Ballots are out!

Ballots for the Constitution Vote have been mailed to your personal email.

• The voting is scheduled to run from 12pm EDT today (6/1) until 12pm EDT on June 15th.

• If you did not receive an email from invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com, please contact the Election Committee Chair Ron Gay here.

2021 Proposed Constitutional Amendments

Earlier this year, the Staff Union reconvened a constitution committee to review the constitution.  The committee consisted of the following members: 

• Erin Spaulding, Chair, Staff Representative

• Mike Garry, D1 Staff Representative

• Richard Hatch, D2/13 Staff Representative

• Grant Welch, D3 Campaign Lead

• Tony Shaffer, D6 Staff Representative

• Enida Shuku, D7 Senior Campaign Lead

• Emma Kinema, D9 Campaign Lead

• Donna Porter-Jones, IUE Campaign Lead

The committee reviewed the constitution to evaluate for any changes needed.   The following six proposals will be put forward to the membership for an online vote via Election Buddy:

• Proposal #1: Remove references to the Alliance in Articles 5, 7 & 9.

• Proposal #2: Effective in the 2023 Election Cycle, change the IUE-CWA Board members to At-Large Positions instead of the prior practice of electing by IUE regions.

• Proposal #3: Remove gendered language and replace with gender neutral language.

• Proposal #4: Add option to nominate officers and representatives via e-mail.

• Proposal #5: Add the At-Large SIF/Growth Fund Executive Board Member to the Bargaining Committee.

• Proposal #6: Modifications to Article XIV – Recall and Trial Procedure Language. Add recall for stewards and clarify recall process for Executive Board.

 For complete details of the changes please visit here: 2021 Proposed Constitutional Changes

 The above six proposals are recommended by the Constitution Committee and the Staff Union Executive Board. Voting will begin on June 1, 2021 and the polls will be open for two weeks. Voting instructions will be sent to your personal email address on file with the Staff Union.

 Any questions about the changes can be directed to any member of the Constitution Committee, a Staff Union Executive Board member or via email at cwastaffunion@gmail.com.    

2021-2022 Budget Approved At Membership Meeting

On March 20, 2021 the Staff Union E-Board held a national membership meeting via Zoom. During the meeting the annual 2021-2022 budget was approved by the membership. Our budget runs on fiscal year from April 1st - March 31st. Historically we spend 40-60K on eboard meetings throughout the year on travel expenses. As with most other organizations, the Staff Union has seen a decline in expenses due to a new way to do business via Zoom during the Covid-19 pandemic . A highlight of this year’s budget include money for mobilization expenses in preparation for next years contract, other monies were spent on arbitrations for members who the Staff Union believe were unjustly terminated by CWA. For a full copy, go here.

Adjustable Pension Plan Information

At our most recent membership meeting, we’ve gotten some questions on the benefits of the APP (Adjustable Pension Plan). Please go here to access the APP SPD or refer to this one-page summary.

Constitution Committee Update

The Constitution Committee has met twice to finalize recommendations to be sent out for a membership vote.  The recommended changes and voting information will be sent out in May. 

Erin Spaulding is chairing the committee along with members Mike Garry, Richard Hatch, Grant Welch, Tony Shaffer, Enida Shuku, Emma Kinema, and Donna Porter.