(a) All persons engaged in the communications field and other fields of endeavor, both public and private sectors, excepting those excluded by law, shall be eligible for membership in the Union.

(b) All persons who are officers of labor organizations representing workers within the jurisdiction of the Union shall be eligible for membership in the Union.

(c) Members of the Union who are on leaves of absence from their employment or who are employed on a full-time or part-time basis by the Union or a Local or who are or may be retired for any reason may continue to be active members.

(d) No person, otherwise eligible for membership, shall be denied membership in the Union because of sex, race, color, creed or nationality.

(e) No person, otherwise eligible for membership in this Union, shall be admitted to membership if the person has been fined, suspended or expelled by a Local in this Union, until the person has complied with the terms of such fine, suspension or expulsion.

Section 2-Applications

(a) Membership in the Union shall be obtained and maintained through membership in a chartered Local of the Union.

(b) Each application for membership shall be accompanied by the initiation fee established by the Local which shall not be less than two dollars ($2.00) nor more than five dollars ($5.00), without approval of the Executive Board.

(c) The Union's portion of an initiation fee shall be one dollar ($1.00). Each Local shall pay the Union its portion of initiation fees in such manner as required by the Convention or the Executive Board.

(d) The Executive Board may waive the Union's portion of the initiation fee. A Local may waive its portion of the initiation fee with approval of the Executive Board.

(e) In the event an application for membership is denied, the initiation fee shall be refunded to the applicant.

(f) Each Local shall establish a membership committee or membership committees which shall act upon applications for membership. Membership committees shall accept or reject such applications subject to the right of the Local to overrule the committee.

(g) A Local shall not establish qualifications for membership which contravene qualifications set forth in this Constitution.

Section 3-Transfers

(a) The Executive Board shall establish rules and procedures for the transfer of the membership of a member of the Union who changes employment from the jurisdiction of one Local to another.

(b) The transferred member shall not be required to pay an initiation fee if the transfer is initiated not later than thirty (30) days after the effective date of the change in employment.

(c) The member shall be granted such transfer of membership if the member is in good standing.

(d) All Locals shall be supplied with certificate of transfer forms by the Union.

(e) Members of a Local who are or may be retired for any reason, or who are, or who may be on leaves of absence, may elect to continue to be active members or to assume the status of associate members. In the event any such person elects to become an associate member, the person shall lose voting privileges but shall not be required to pay dues.

Section 4-Termination

(a) Membership in the Union shall be terminated when any member shall accept a position which would render the person ineligible for membership, except that a member who temporarily assumes such a position may retain membership for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, provided during such period such member shall not hold any office within the Union.

(b) Membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in this Constitution.

(c) A withdrawal card shall be issued by the Local upon application of a member in good standing leaving the jurisdiction of the Union. Should the holder of a withdrawal card later return to the jurisdiction of the Union, that person shall not be required to pay an initiation fee if such card is presented to the Secretary of the Local having jurisdiction of the member within thirty (30) days of that person returning to the Union's jurisdiction. Failure to present the card within the time limit specified herein shall void the rights and privileges granted by such withdrawal card.

(d) Membership in the Union shall be terminated following receipt of a member's written request sent to the Local of the Union in which the membership is maintained.

Section 5-Retired Members' Clubs

(a) All associates or dues paying members of the Union who are or may be retired by reasons of age or disability shall be eligible to join in a CWA Retired Members' Club with such rights and prerogatives as granted herein or may be granted by the Convention or Executive Board. Retired members may attend the Convention, will be issued appropriate credentials, and be seated in space reserved for such members.

(b) Application for membership shall be made to the appropriate Retiree Club. If the applicant was a member of the Union in good standing at the time of his or her retirement he or she shall be admitted to membership in the appropriate Club.

(c) Each member of a Club shall pay the membership dues established by the Club.

(d) Clubs shall be units of the Union and shall be chartered by the CWA Executive Board.

(e) Clubs shall be identified by number. Club jurisdiction shall be assigned and described at the time Charters are issued.

(f) Application for Charter shall be in writing upon forms provided by the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union and shall be signed by at least five (5) persons eligible for membership in the Club.

(g) Clubs shall adopt bylaws which are consistent with this Constitution and the programs of the Union.

(h) Clubs chartered after January 1, 1989 shall become affiliated with Retired Members' Council. Clubs chartered before January 1, 1989 shall have the option of becoming affiliated with Retired Members' Council.

Section 6-Retired Members' Council

Section I-Membership Dues

(a) Each member of the Union shall pay the membership dues established by the member's Local. Membership dues shall be collected in the manner as determined by the Convention or the Executive Board.

(b) Locals shall establish membership dues.

(c) The Convention may establish minimum membership dues.

(a) The Convention shall establish per capita dues to the Union.  Locals shall be required to pay the

(b) per capita dues to the Union within the time and in the manner set forth by the Convention or the Executive Board.

Section 3-Local Special Assessments

(a) Locals may levy a special assessment in cases of emergency or when income from dues and initiation fees is inadequate to finance necessary expense of the Local.

(b) Before a Local may levy a special assessment it shall:

(1) Give the reason for the assessment to the members subject thereto;

(2) Obtain approval by majority vote by secret ballot of the members in good standing voting at a general or special membership meeting, after reasonable notice of the intention to vote upon such question, or by majority vote of the members in good standing voting in a membership referendum conducted by secret ballot.

Section 4-Union Special Assessments

(a) A special assessment may be levied by the Convention. A special assessment may be initiated by the Executive Board, and submitted to referendum in accordance with Article XXII.

(b) The sums collected by assessments under this Section shall be used only for the purposes of the assessments, except that any unexpended surplus of such assessment shall be allocated to the contingency fund of the Union and may be reallocated by the Convention.

(c) A complete record of all monies collected by assessments under this Section shall be kept by the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union, and shall be available for inspection by duly authorized representatives of any Local.

Section 5-Non-Payment of Dues

Section 1-Charter

(a) A Local shall be a unit of the Union and shall be chartered by the Executive Board.

(b) Locals shall be identified by number.

(c) Local jurisdiction shall be assigned and described at the time Charters are issued.

(d) No Local Charter shall be issued which grants jurisdiction in conflict with that of another Local except as herein provided.

Section 2-Applications

Application for Charter or change of jurisdiction shall be in writing upon forms provided by the Secretary- Treasurer of the Union and shall be signed by at least five individuals who are eligible for membership in the Local.

Section 3-Jurisdiction Changes

(a) The Convention or the Executive Board by an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) may change the jurisdiction of any Local.

(b) Locals may combine or waive jurisdiction by an affirmative vote of a majority of those voting by referendum in each Local affected.

(a) In jurisdictional disputes between Locals the District Vice President will make every reasonable effort to obtain an agreement among the involved Locals. If no agreement can be reached the matter will be resolved by the following procedure:

1. Upon agreement of the Locals involved, an election shall be conducted in accordance with rules and procedures adopted by the Executive Board and shall be conducted under the supervision of the District Vice President.

2. If the Locals will not agree to an election, the dispute shall be referred to an independent referee appointed by the Executive Board and approved by the Convention. The decision of the referee may be appealed to the CWA Convention within thirty days of receipt of the referee's decision. Such appeals shall be presented to the Convention by the Convention Appeals Committee. The only responsibility of the Appeals Committee shall be to convey the decision and opinion to the Convention without making any recommendation.

(b) Where appropriate, the Secretary-Treasurer shall issue a revised charter reflecting the outcome of any of the above procedures.

Section 5-Causes for Revocation or Suspension of Charter

The Charter of a Local may be revoked or suspended by the Executive Board for:

(a) Failure to meet any financial obligation to the Union within sixty (60) days after it is due;

(b) Refusing or neglecting to install a successor to any Officer removed by the Union;

(c) Refusing or neglecting to make returns and reports required by the Union;

(d) Refusing or neglecting to bring a member to trial within thirty (30) days after being directed to do so by the Union;

(e) Resorting to a civil suit or criminal action against the Union or any Officer thereof before exhausting remedies within the Union organization;

(f) Refusing or neglecting to conform to or abide by any directions or decisions of the Convention, Executive Board or referendum vote of the membership;

(g) Refusing or neglecting to conform to this Constitution or the policies of the Union as set forth by the Convention.

Section 6-Procedure for Revocation

The Charter of any Local shall not be revoked until the Local has been given proper notice of the charges against it and an opportunity to be heard in its defense. It may be represented by counsel. The Local shall be given at least ten (10) days to prepare its defense after receiving notice from the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of any charges. The hearing will be conducted before a member or members of the Executive Board of the Union who shall be required to make a report and recommendations thereon to the Executive Board. A vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board of the Union shall be required for a finding of suspension or revocation of a Charter or any other penalty that may be imposed. In the event penalties other than suspension or revocation are imposed, such findings shall state that if the Local fails to comply with the finding or to appeal within the allotted time, its Charter will be automatically revoked. The findings shall be published to all Locals.

(a) A Local may appeal the findings of the Executive Board to the next Convention by giving written notice to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union within thirty (30) days after the publication of the findings of the Executive Board of the Union. No findings shall become effective pending the disposition of the appeal.

(b) A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Convention shall be required to sustain the finding of the Executive Board in the event such finding is appealed.

Section 8-Temporary Administration

(a) Should there be a final decision revoking the Charter of a Local, the Executive Board of the Union may temporarily take control of its affairs through a temporary administrator, who shall take such action, subject to the direction of the Executive Board of the Union, as may be necessary to guarantee the continuance of the Union and protect its interests.

(b) The Executive Board may appoint a temporary administrator to temporarily conduct the affairs of a Local after receiving a request from the Officers or membership of a Local for such action.  In the event the Local or its Officers shall object to the appointment of a temporary administrator, the President shall give notice in writing to the Local of the reasons which were the basis for the appointment of the temporary administrator; shall appoint a member of the Executive Board to hold a hearing for the purpose of determining the reasons for and the objections of the Local or its Officers to the appointment of a temporary administrator. The Local shall be entitled to reasonable notice of the time and place of the hearing which shall not be less than ten (10) days. The Local or its Officers may be represented by Counsel. At the conclusion of the hearing, the member of the Executive Board holding the hearing shall make a report with recommendations to the Executive Board which shall affirm, reverse or modify the appointment of the temporary administrator. The decision of the Executive Board may be appealed to the next Union Convention.

Section 9-Authority, Duties and Obligations of Locals

The authority, duties and obligations of chartered Locals, their officers and members, in addition to those otherwise set forth in the Constitution or in their respective Bylaws and rules, shall be:

(a) To represent the workers in their respective jurisdiction relating to Local matters;

(b) To actively implement all Union Programs and carry out the policies established by the District, State or Area meeting at which it is required to be represented;

(c) To abide by the Constitution, the decisions of the Convention, the Executive Board of the Union and the decisions resulting from the referendum procedure;

(d) To adopt Bylaws and Rules not inconsistent with this Constitution and to repeal, amend, or modify such Rules and Bylaws as may be inconsistent therewith, voluntarily, or at the direction of the Executive Board of the Union, subject to the right of appeal to the Convention;

(e) To establish and maintain actively functioning organizing, education, legislative-political, community services committees, and such other committees as may be necessary to effectuate the policies of the Local, the Union and the District, State or Area;

(f) To participate actively in the political and legislative processes on a city, state, provincial and national level, with special regard to legislation affecting the welfare of the members, and do all things reasonable and necessary to accelerate the adoption of laws which may be beneficial and to encourage defeat or cause the repeal of laws which may be detrimental to the workers;

(g) To respect picket lines of any Local of the Union engaged in a strike authorized and conducted in accordance with this Constitution;

(h) To provide for the bonding of Local Officers and other persons who handle Union funds and property;

(i) To hold Local meetings at such time, place and frequency as the members may decide by vote;

(j) To hold Local elections by secret ballot with provision of reasonable opportunity for all members to vote in accordance with the Bylaws or Rules established by the Local and this Constitution;

(k) To elect by secret ballot delegates and alternate delegates to the Union Convention as provided in this Constitution and to designate the Chair of such delegation;

(l) To establish a quorum and other rules of conduct of Local meetings;

(m) To maintain adequate files and records and have made an annual audit of the financial records of the Local by competent persons; make available Local financial statements to the membership at least annually; furnish to the Union's Secretary-Treasurer in acceptable form, an annual financial statement;

(n) To furnish the Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Union with copies of Bylaws and Rules of the Local and copies of revisions as they may be made;

(o) To require participation of all Local officers and stewards in appropriate training schools and programs;

(p) To establish a program designed to keep rank and file members informed of Union activities;

(q) To process grievances through the step below the top level of the grievance procedure preceding arbitration, where applicable;

(r) To represent the members of the Local at all District, State or Area Meetings, and at quarterly meetings of Local Representatives with their International Staff, at such times and places as may be set by the Vice President, or the Vice President's accredited representative;

(s) To maintain an active internal membership development program;

(t) To maintain an active organizing program and budget monies to support the Local's efforts as well as assisting the Union in reaching a goal of 10% of resources to be spent on growth.

(u) To do all other things necessary for the proper disposition of matters which may come before the Local for consideration.

Section 10-Contract Responsibility

No Local shall be authorized to make contracts or incur liabilities for the Union.

Section 11-Assets

All assets of a Local shall be considered a trust fund of the Union to be held and administered by the Local for the members of the Union belonging to the Local so long as the Local remains a chartered Local of the Union. If the Charter of a Local is revoked, its assets will become the property of the Local succeeding to the jurisdiction. If there is no succeeding Local, the assets shall become the property of the Union.

Section 12-Prohibition Against Incorporation