GAO Employee Organization Draft Constitution

Briefing and feedback session for bargaining unit employees

Presented by the Interim Council Constitution Committee

Agenda

1. Background

2. Process to develop constitution

3. Overview of constitution components

4. Next steps

5. Issues for BU for input

6. Questions

Background

• Establishes the components of the union structure and how they relate

• Establishes basic operations of how the union will function, including– Forms of representation,

leadership, and elections

• Must be in place before elections for first permanent assembly and officers

• Does not address – “Nitty gritty” rules of how the union

operates (by-laws or policy manual)

– How the union will relate with management (contract)

The constitutionInterim Council was charged to develop the constitution

Development

• Design (completed in April)

• Message (completed in June)

• Product (August – September)

• Interim Council (IC) formed the Constitution Committee to draft the constitution

• The Committee developed an approach similar to a GAO audit to develop the constitution

Structure

Large model

Executive (5 officers)

Assembly (35 delegates)

Stewards

(to be determined)

President

VP, Grievance &Dispute Resolution

VP, Field Operations

Treasurer

Secretary

HQ (13)

Field (11)

PDP (3)

CA

Diversity (6)

Band I

Structure

Small model

Executive (5 officers)

Assembly (21 delegates)

Stewards (to be determined)

President

VP, Grievance &Dispute Resolution

VP, Field Operations

Treasurer

Secretary

At-Large (15), at least:-6 field-2 PDP

Diversity (6)

Constitution: Opening

• Preamble – states purpose and guiding principles, such as fairness, openness, accountability, etc.

• Name: GAO Employee Organization/IFPTE Local 1921

Constitution: Membership

• Outlines the two types of membership– Full: Current bargaining unit employees

– Associate: Retirees, other employees (not bargaining unit)

• Lists privileges of membership for each type

Constitution: Assembly

• Delegates represent members

– Provide input to officers for negotiations

– Set policy and dues

• Also trained to serve as stewards

• Two models under consideration:– 35 delegates, similar to current IC– 21 delegates, smaller body elected at-large

Constitution: Stewards

• Provide support, education and outreach

• Assist bargaining unit with– Adverse actions

– Grievances

– Meetings

• Envision more stewards than delegates—at least one in each unit/office

• Activities coordinated by the Vice President for Grievance and Dispute Resolution

Constitution: Officers

• Five officers:

– President

– VP, Grievance & Dispute Resolution

– VP, Field Operations

– Treasurer

– Secretary

• Implement union policy as set by assembly, by-laws and constitution

• Responsible for day-to-day union operations

Constitution: Committees

• Two key committees established by the Constitution:

– Grievance: • Ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreement• Evaluates grievances• Makes recommendations to Assembly

– Election: Runs elections

• Assembly may establish other committees as needed

Constitution: Other

• Nomination and voting procedures for union offices

• Finances

• Succession/removal from office

• Amendments

• Separation of duties

• Political independence and nonpartisanship

Next steps

• Listening sessions with Bargaining Unit

• Constitution Committee will draft full text of constitution

• IC will vote to approve draft

• IC will administer referendum before bargaining unit to ratify constitution

• After ratification, the IC will work with Election Committee to begin election process

Issues for further input

Size of the Assembly

Which is the preferred model -

1. Larger Assembly with delegates elected by unit and at-large diversity seats or

2. Smaller Assembly all elected at-large?

Issues for further input

Chair of the Assembly

Who should chair this body?

1. The President or

2. A Delegate the Assembly would select as chair?

Issues for further input

Proportional Representation

Should units/offices need to meet a minimum threshold of union members to have their own Delegate on the Assembly? (large model only)

Questions?