UCPEA Sanctuary Union Resolution:
Whereas, tens of thousands of undocumented students face renewed threats of deportation; and
Whereas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been conducting raids and arresting immigrants and citizens alike regardless of justification, with no regard for their lives, how long they’ve lived in the U.S., how dependent their families are upon them, or their community ties; and
Whereas, UCPEA staff and officers will not share any personal member information unless required by law; and
Whereas, labor unions have a responsibility and privilege to stand in solidarity with all working-class people; and
Whereas, the American Federation of Teachers continues to declare its support for sanctuary schools and campuses; and
Whereas, per Article 5 of our contract, we continue to enthusiastically embrace our responsibility to represent all of our members and will not be impeded or intimidated from exercising that responsibility, regardless of the member’s race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability (including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and past or present history of mental illness), veteran’s status, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive system, gender identity or expression, or membership in any other protected classes as set forth in state or federal law;
Be it resolved that:
- UCPEA will join efforts to resist any attempt to intimidate or discriminate against undocumented community members or to deny them their full rights to due process and a fair hearing;
- UCPEA will not share member information with federal agents enforcing immigration policy except where required by law;
- UCPEA will not cooperate with federal agents enforcing immigration policy except where required by law;
- UCPEA will hold “Know Your Rights” trainings and share legal resources with our members;
- UCPEA will continue to strengthen workplace protections for immigrant members through the collective bargaining process;
- UCPEA declares and will mobilize support for Sanctuary Unions, Sanctuary Cities, and Sanctuary Campuses;
- UCPEA members collectively proudly declare ourselves a Sanctuary Union and a member of the growing network of sanctuary institutions that will do everything within their power to ensure the safety and security of all members of our community regardless of their immigration status.
Codifying the Contract Action Team in the Constitution and Bylaws
Current Language
Article VII: Committees
Section 2:
NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE AND BARGAINING TEAM:
The Negotiating Committee shall be comprised of the members of the Executive Board and area Stewards and is a standing committee. The Executive Board shall appoint the Bargaining Team one year prior to the anticipated onset of contract negotiations. The Bargaining Team shall be comprised of the First Vice President, Executive Director, the Vice President for Social Justice or a member from the Social Justice Committee, case work staff as designated by the Executive Director, a staff member from AFT-CT and no less than five (5) members from the membership. The Executive Board shall solicit nominations from the Negotiating Committee to fill the members-at-large seats on the Bargaining Team. The Bargaining Team is charged with direct negotiations with the University on contract issues. The First Vice President and the Executive Director shall normally serve as the official spokespeople for UCPEA during negotiations with the University.
Ten (10) months prior to the anticipated onset of contract negotiations, a membership survey shall be conducted by the Negotiation Committee. The purpose of the survey is to determine the membership’s priorities for the ensuing contract negotiations with the University. The results of this survey shall be shared with the membership prior to the onset of contract negotiations.
New Language
Article VII: Committees
Section 2:
NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE BARGAINING TEAM, AND CONTRACT ACTION TEAM:
The Negotiating Committee shall be comprised of the members of the Executive Board and area Stewards and is a standing committee.
The Executive Board shall appoint the Bargaining Team one year prior to the anticipated onset of contract negotiations. The Bargaining Team shall be comprised of the First Vice President, Executive Director, the Vice President for Social Justice or a member from the Social Justice Committee, case work staff as designated by the Executive Director, a staff member from AFT-CT and no less than five (5) members from the membership. The Executive Board shall solicit nominations from the Negotiating Committee to fill the members-at-large seats on the Bargaining Team. The Bargaining Team is charged with direct negotiations with the University on contract issues. The First Vice President and the Executive Director shall normally serve as the official spokespeople for UCPEA during negotiations with the University.
Appointment of the Chair of the Contract Action Team (CAT) shall take place as follows: One year prior to the anticipated onset of the negotiations, the Chief Union Steward shall send a notice at least ten (10) business days prior to the next meeting of the union stewards soliciting nominations for the position. All current Union Stewards are eligible for nomination. The Chief Union Steward shall also seek nominations during that meeting. Nominees shall have an opportunity to address the group. A vote shall be conducted by the Chief Union Steward at this meeting. The Chair of the CAT shall be appointed by a majority vote of those Union Stewards in attendance at the meeting.
The Contract Action Team shall consist of the First Vice President; members designated by each of the Vice President for Political Affairs, the Vice President for Communications, and the Vice President for Membership Services; case work staff as designated by the Executive Director; and no fewer than three (3) members-at-large from the membership for a minimum of eight (8) CAT members. Every effort shall be made to ensure ten (10) or more committee members. All members-at-large shall be nominated by the CAT Chair.
The Contract Action Team shall: (1) keep the membership informed about the status of contract negotiations through direct, member-to-member outreach; (2) sign up members to observe contract negotiations; (3) share member feedback with the Bargaining Team; (4) turn out member support for a strong contract; and (5) document problematic contract language. The Contract Action Team shall meet at a minimum monthly during contract negotiations. Meetings shall be bi-monthly outside of negotiations.
Ten (10) months prior to the anticipated onset of contract negotiations, a membership survey shall be conducted by the Contract Action Team. The purpose of the survey is to determine the membership’s priorities for the ensuing contract negotiations with the University. The results of this survey shall be shared with the membership prior to the onset of contract negotiations.
Proposed changes to ARTICLE VII: Election of Delegates, Section 1
ARTICLE VII
Section 1:
ELECTION OF DELEGATES:
Association officers elected by secret ballot may serve as convention delegates without nomination or election under this section.
Members shall be notified of upcoming state and national conventions including their date, time and location. The notice will include the deadline for nominations for the position of delegate and the timeline for the election of delegates. The notice shall be sent at least 7 (seven) days prior to the election. Nominees and elected delegates must be members in good standing. The nomination process will be overseen by the Nominating Committee.
Prior to the announcement of the nomination period the UCPEA Executive Board shall determine the maximum number of delegates UCPEA will send to any given convention and pass a rule as to the allocation of funding. The delegates shall be elected by the members in good standing via a secret ballot. The ballot for the election of delegates shall remain open for 72 hours.
Each member in good standing shall be allowed to cast one vote for each delegate position or the total number of nominees, whichever is less. Nominees who receive votes from the majority of the members voting shall be delegates. In the event more nominees are elected delegate than there are delegate positions, the delegate positions shall be filled by those nominees with the most votes. Nominees who are elected delegates but do not receive a delegate position shall serve as alternate delegates.
Ties shall be resolved by consent of the tied delegates or in the absence of consent, a flip of a coin. Results of the election shall be announced to the membership within 10 business days or published in the next union newsletter, whichever occurs first.