Governance & Representation

Overview

Top deliverable: Representative Congress chartered and reporting

From the masses, to the masses: we will build structure that reflects who we are.

Our governance must mirror each bargaining unit. Today, too many units lack a voice in decisions that shape their work lives. We will change that by expanding bylaw reform beyond January, establishing a representative body that matches our real composition, and clarifying responsibilities for officers, trustees, and committees. Executive leadership will focus on execution and compliance while members across units help set the agenda with clear scopes, timelines, and owners.

Structure and inclusion go hand in hand; opening our processes builds trust and participation.

What we’ll do

Amend bylaws for year-round reform (Secretary-Treasurer & Oversight; first 90 days): allow proposing and ratifying amendments outside January to unlock the governance roadmap.
Seat a Representative Congress (Executive Board & Elections; within 6–12 months): upper chamber with one seat per unit (plus staff unit); lower chamber apportioned by membership with a minimum of one seat per unit. The president breaks ties.
Charter joint committees (Executive Board; day 1–90): Organizing, Communications, Education, Legal, Technology & Accessibility, PAC, and Oversight committees will receive charters, budgets, minutes, and monthly reporting duties.
Publish roles & metrics (Recording Secretary & Oversight; quarterly): officer role descriptions, quarterly goals, trustee audit checklists, and a public implementation tracker.
Codify ethics & conflicts (Trustees & Counsel; by month 6): conflict disclosures, competitive bidding, whistleblower protection, dual-signature enforcement, and an independent CPA audit every year.
Adopt an inclusive raffle policy (Executive Board, Counsel & Communications; 0–30 days): monthly all-member drawings for dues-paying members with posted rules, cost caps, and winner reports, alongside small in-room raffles to keep energy high.

Why it matters

When every unit has a seat and a proportional voice, decisions match real conditions across worksites, shifts, and classifications. Transparent roles, published audits, and open bylaw windows build trust and reduce factional noise. Committees channel rank-and-file initiative into repeatable work while the Executive focuses on execution and compliance. Sharing perks beyond the meeting room respects shift workers and caregivers alike, showing that the union sees everyone, not only those who can attend. The result is faster problem-solving, fewer surprises, and a union that feels present everywhere. Structure is strategy: fix the design and participation follows.

FAQ

Is this a second Executive Board?: No. The Representative Congress is advisory and agenda-setting; the Executive Board and full membership retain formal powers.
Why add seats for the staff unit?: Staff members are part of our union, so seating them resolves edge cases and prevents representational gaps.
What prevents bloat?: Charters, budgets, and quarterly metrics keep committees accountable. The Oversight body can recommend sunsetting non-performing groups.
Do raffles require meeting attendance?: No. Monthly all-member drawings include every dues-paying member, while clearly capped in-room raffles keep meetings energetic.