Internal By-laws
Of Local 70020 – Technicians and Tradespersons
- As adopted and amended in it’s entirety at the November 18, 2003 Annual General Meeting.
- and as amended at the November 27, 2007 Annual General Meeting.
- and as amended at the April 18, 2012 Regular General Meeting.
- and as amended at the November 20, 2013 Annual General Meeting.
By-law 1	Name and Jurisdiction
Section 1
This Local shall be known as Local 70020 – Technicians and Tradespersons of the Government Services Union, Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Section 2
The jurisdiction of this Local shall be as determined from time to time by the National Council of the Government Services Union, PSAC.
Section 3:
The title shall alternate regularly from French to English and vice-versa, so as not to give precedence of one language over the next one.
By-law 2	Objectives
Section 1
This Local shall protect, maintain, and advance the interests of the members coming under its jurisdiction.
Section 2
This Local shall subscribe unconditionally to and accept as its governing documents, the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the By-laws of the GSU, and these By-laws.
By-law 3	Authority and Responsibilities
Section 1
The Local shall have the authority to deal with management representatives in their locality on matters affecting the interests of the membership. The Local shall also have the authority to initiate action on matters having broader effect than the interests of the Local membership, by submission in writing to the National Council or by resolution to the Triennial National Convention of the Union or by submission in writing to the relevant body of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Section 2
The Local may designate one of its elected officers as a full-time officer of the Local and may employ a person or persons to assist in carrying out the work of the Local. Any financial undertaking shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Local.
Section 3
The Local may acquire such space and facilities as may be necessary for the conduct of the affairs of the Local. Any financial undertaking shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Local.
Section 4
The executive shall have the authority to establish any committee it deems necessary for the conduct of Local business.
Section 5
The Local may adopt regulations for the conduct of the affairs of the Local. Such regulations shall not in any way conflict with the provisions of the Constitution of the Public Service Alliance of Canada or of the GSU By-laws.
By-law 4	Membership
Section 1	Regular
The Local shall be composed of all members of the GSU in its jurisdiction, as determined from time to time by the National Council.
Section 2	Associate
The Local may retain as associate members former members of the Local whose employment has been terminated.
Associate members shall not be eligible to hold elected office in the Union, shall have voice but not vote in meetings of the Local, but may be accorded such other privileges of membership for such length of time as may be provided by the Local.
Section 3
Upon applying for membership, each member is deemed to have agreed to abide by and to be bound by the provisions of the Constitution of the PSAC, the By‑laws of the GSU, and these Local By‑laws.
By-law 5	Membership dues
Section 1
Each member of this Local shall pay such dues as set by the Convention of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, by the Convention of the GSU and by this Local.
Section 2
The amount of Local membership dues for Regular Members shall be established by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at a meeting called for the purpose of establishing dues.
Section 3
Associate Members of this Local shall be exempt from paying dues.
By-law 6	Executive Committee
Section 1
The Executive Committee of this Local shall consist, at a minimum, of three positions:
a)	President
b)	Vice-president
c)	Secretary
d)	Treasurer
Note that the position of Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer can be combined into two different positions to meet the requirement of a minimum of three as follows:
i)	Vice-President/Secretary
ii)	Vice-President/Treasurer
iii)	Treasurer/Secretary
Section 2
The members of the Executive Committee shall be nominated and elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Local, and shall hold office for a period of one  year.
Section 3
The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the Local between general meetings.
Section 4
Should an elected office become vacant for any reason, it shall be filled by election in accordance with the By-law governing the election of Officers.
By-law 7	Duties of Officers
Section 1	The President shall:
a)	convene and preside at all special and regular meetings of the Executive Committee and the Local;
b)	submit a written Activity Report to the Annual General Meeting of the Local covering the period between Annual General Meetings;
c)	in consultation with the Local Executive, deal with local representatives of the employer on matters affecting the interests of the members of the Local.
d)	perform other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Committee
Section 2	The Vice-president shall:
a)	assist the President in his or her duties and replace the President when requested to do so, or in the case of absence, incapacity, resignation, or death;
b)	attend all meetings of the Executive Committee and of the Local;
c)	perform other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Committee.
Section 3	The Secretary shall:
a)	attend all meetings of the Local and Executive Committee;
b)	keep an accurate account of the proceedings of each and distribute the minutes to the appropriate members and the GSU National Office;
c)	be responsible for maintaining proper files of documents and all correspondence;
d)	perform such other duties as pertain to the office or as are assigned by the Executive Committee.
Section 4	The Treasurer shall:
a)	be responsible for the financial records of the Local;
b)	be responsible for the preparation and presentation of financial statements at membership and executive meetings as required;
c)	collect all moneys payable to the Local and deposit such funds in a financial institution approved by the Executive Committee;
d)	be responsible for the disbursement of funds payable by the Local in settlement of its just debts;
g)	attend all meetings of the Executive Committee and of the Local;
h)	perform other such duties as pertain to the Office or as are assigned by the Executive Committee;
i)	ensure that an up‑to‑date listing of all members is kept.
Section 5	General
Any officer of the Local, on vacating an office, shall deliver all documents, moneys, or other property of the Local to his or her successor or to the President.
By-law 8	Shop Stewards
The Executive Committee shall attempt to arrange for the election or where necessary, the appointment of Shop Stewards.
By-law 9	Meetings
Section 1	Executive Committee Meetings
a)	The Executive Committee shall hold regular meetings for the proper conduct of the Local’s affairs.
b)	Executive Committee meetings will be open to the general membership. Notices of these meetings will be posted on Local website (http://www.gsu-ssg.ca/e/locals_ncr_70020.cfm) under the “events” tab advising the membership of the time and location of the meetings.
c)	A quorum for Executive Committee meetings shall be a simple majority of elected officers.
Section 2	Membership Meetings
a) The governing body of the Local shall be the Annual General Meeting, which
shall be held in the third (3rd) week of the month of November
      each year.
b)	Members of the Local shall be given advance notice of the scheduled Annual General Meeting at least 50 days before the meeting to give them time to prepare motions and amendments to the By-laws if they wish.
c)	The date, time, location and the proposed Agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall be advertised to the members of the Local at least 25 days before the meeting.
d)	The date, time, location and the proposed Agenda of all other membership meetings shall be advertised to the members of the Local at least 20 days before the meeting.
e)  Regular membership meetings may be held as determined by the Local Executive or by decision of the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
1)	The Local shall hold one (1) Regular meeting in the month of May.
In the event that a Regular meeting is cancelled due to important circumstances, the Executive committee shall strive to advise the members in the briefest delays, giving the reasons for such a cancellation.
f)	The agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be presented by the Executive Committee and shall include but not be limited to the following:
1)	Call to Order by the Chairperson
2)	Roll Call of Officers
3)	Minutes of previous general meeting
4)	Report of President
5)	Report of Treasurer
6)	Audited Financial Statements
7)	Approval of Local Budget
8)	Committee Reports
9)	Amendments to By-laws if any
10)	Nomination and Election of Officers
11)	Nomination and Election of Auditors
12)	Other Business
13)	Adjournment
g)	A quorum for an Annual General Meeting shall be a majority of the Local Executive Committee and at least 5 members of the Local. A quorum for other general meetings shall be a majority of the Local Executive Committee and those members in attendance.
h)	A Special Membership Meeting shall be called at the request of a majority of the Local Executive or at the written request of 25% of the membership or 30 members (whichever is less.) The Local Executive shall decide the time and place, but, it shall be held within a period of thirty (30) calendar days of the request. A special meeting shall deal only with the matters for which it was called unless the members present agree by a two-thirds majority to consider other matters of an urgent or necessary nature.
Section 3	Rules of Order
All Local meetings shall be governed by PSAC Rules of Order, as published by the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
By-law 10	Election of Officers
a)	Election of officers shall take place at the Annual General Meeting and will follow the procedure outlined in the PSAC Rules of Order.
b)	All officers shall take office at the end of the meeting at which they are elected.
c)  The oath of office shall be administered to all officers immediately before taking office.
d)  Executive committee eligibility:
1)	Any candidate for a position to the Executive committee shall be a member in good standing of the Local.
2)	If during the previous year the candidate ceased contributing dues to the
     Local due to a Departmental assignment or acting assignment, the      candidate shall be deemed ineligible to run for a position on the Executive              committee.

By-law 11	Finances
Section 1
The fiscal year of the Local shall be from January the first (1st) to December the thirty-first (31st).
Section 2
All members of the Local Executive shall be designated as signing officers, two of whom shall sign all cheques. No disbursements shall be made without authorization by a membership meeting unless such disbursements are within budgetary limits or in accordance with financial guidelines established at a membership meeting.
Section 3
The Treasurer shall submit a financial statement to all regular meetings of the Local and shall submit an audited annual financial statement to the National President of GSU within thirty (30) days following the Local’s Annual General Meeting.
Section 4
a)	The Local shall not enter into any financial contractual understanding or agreement without prior approval of the National Council of the Union. However, any such undertaking shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Local.
b)	The Government Services Union, PSAC has no responsibility for any financial obligations undertaken by a GSU Local.
By-law 12	Discipline
Section 1
Should the Local fail to carry out the responsibilities required by these By-laws, the provisions of the By-laws of the GSU shall be applied.
Section 2
Any member or group of members found guilty of engaging in acts detrimental to the Local as detailed in the By-laws of the GSU, shall be subject to the disciplinary actions detailed therein. Actions taken under this By-law shall follow the procedures set out in the appropriate PSAC Regulation.
Section 3
The following will be in force for all Local meetings:
-	No profanity or foul language shall be uttered either to the Chair or any other member attending the meeting.
-	No disrespect to the Chair or other person attending the meeting.
-	We will not tolerate anyone being disruptive.
-	Everyone will be respectful of the member who has the floor.

The Chair shall serve one warning to any member in violation to the above. Upon a second warning, the Chair shall invite that member to leave the meeting. If the member refuses to leave, the Chair has the right to immediately adjourn the meeting. This decision is non-debatable.
The Local’s Executive committee, after an investigation of this lack of conduct, will forward a written recommendation to the Union National Council of GSU for its own investigation, action to take and recommendations.

By-law 13	By‑laws and Amendments
Section 1
Any proposed changes to these By-laws shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the date set for a general meeting. Proposed amendments must be detailed in the Notice of Meeting.
Section 2
Amendments to these By-laws shall require a two‑thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members attending the meeting.
Section 3
Any amendment shall become operative immediately upon adoption, unless otherwise specified, and shall be circulated to the membership of the Local, with a copy to the National President, GSU. These By-laws and any amendments thereto shall be subject to approval by the National Council of the GSU.
By-law 14	Charter
The members of this Local shall be bound by these By-laws and being so bound shall be entitled to receive the Charter of the GSU. 
By-law 15	General
Section 1	Representation at National Conventions
All delegates who the Local is entitled to send to National Conventions shall be elected at a general meeting of the Local.
a)	Eligibility as a Delegate, Alternate, or Observer to a GSU convention:
           1) A candidate for status as delegate, alternate, or observer to a GSU  
               convention must previously have attended at least two-thirds (2/3) of the 
               previous year’s meetings, and be present at the Local general meeting at 
   which the selection for this status is being taken.
2) If during the previous year the candidate ceased to contribute dues to the     
                Local due to a Departmental assignment or acting assignment, the 
                candidate shall not qualify for status as a delegate, alternate, or observer 
                to the GSU convention.
Section 2	Representation to Area Council
Delegates to the Area Council shall be elected at a general meeting of the Local.