Constitution Article 5

Article 5 ‐ Membership

Section 1

Any person employed in the Postal Service classified as a Mail Handler or other employee who comes within the Mail Handler craft or jurisdiction, or any employee in the classifications set forth in Article IV herein or in any other present or future classifications within the jurisdiction of this Union, shall be eligible for regular membership in this Union. In order to participate in the Mail Handlers Health Benefit Plan or any other Union‐related insurance benefit program that may be established, employees in the Mail Handler craft or otherwise within the jurisdiction of this Union, as defined by Article IV, Section 1, are required to be regular members of this Union.

Section 2

Individuals employed in any branch, department, or agency of the federal government, including the Postal Service, or individuals who are tribal or other employees who do not otherwise qualify for regular membership in this Union may be admitted to associate membership in this Union upon the payment of the dues provided in Article 14 or on such other terms and conditions as shall be permissible under applicable law and regulations and as shall be determined by this Union. The National Postal Mail Handlers Union shall be entitled to retain fifty‐one cents ($0.51) per pay period as per capita tax on such dues of associate members who are on dues check off. In the case of associate members who are not on dues check off, and who are not postal employees, the National shall receive ten dollars ($10.00) per year associate membership fee from the forty‐two dollar ($42.00) associate membership dues per year. The Local may pay the ten dollars ($10.00) per associate member dues prior to January 31st. The National shall have the right to deduct the associate member fee from the Local dues check off on a quarterly basis should the Local fail to pay its associate members fee. Membership by a Federal employee in any other affiliate of LIUNA shall constitute associate membership in this Union for the purpose of participation in the Mail Handlers Health Benefit Plan and any other National or Local Insurance or Benefit Plan which may be established.

Section 3

An individual shall obtain membership in this Union by executing and submitting to this Union or a Local Union thereof an application for membership or a dues deduction authorization form and by making at least one full payment of dues.

Section 4

It shall be the duty of all members to faithfully abide by this Constitution and the rules and regulations of this Union, to uphold and defend the rights of every other member under this Constitution and to aid and support enforcement of the duties of every other member under this Constitution, and to support the enforcement of, and maintain the integrity of, collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the Union.

Section 5

Members who have retired from employment and who at the time of retirement were members in good standing in this Union shall be entitled to maintain their membership. Such members who continue to pay regular dues shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of membership, except the right to run for office or delegate and the right to nominate or vote for Union officers or delegates. Any such member who does not continue to pay dues shall be entitled, in the alternative, to maintain an honorary membership.

Section 6

Associate members are members of this Union and shall be entitled to participate in activities of the Union and of its subordinate bodies affecting their rights as associate members or as members of Union benefit plans; provided, however, that associate members shall not be entitled to vote or serve as officers or delegates, or to attend those portions of Local Union meetings not affecting their rights as associate members or as members of Union benefits plans.

Section 7

All members in good standing shall have equal rights and privileges in this Union and every member shall have the right, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, to nominate candidates, to run for office, to support candidates of their choosing without fear of reprisal, to vote in elections and referenda, to attend membership meetings of his or her Local Union, to express any views, arguments, or opinions, to meet and assemble freely with other members, and to participate in the discussions, deliberations and voting upon the business of membership meetings; provided however that only working members employed by the Postal Service or any other employer with operations directly or indirectly related to postal and mail handling operations may nominate or vote for Union officers or delegates.

Section 8

No member may be fined, suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined except for the nonpayment of dues unless such member has been served with specific, written charges, given a reasonable opportunity to prepare his or her defense, and afforded a full and fair hearing.

Section 9

All regular members employed by the Postal Service shall be entitled to ratify or reject by majority vote national contracts or parts thereof tentatively agreed to through negotiations prior to expiration of existing contracts in accordance with procedures published by the National Executive Board in a timely fashion prior to ratification. Members shall be furnished with the text of any proposed changes and deletions together with their ballots. The outcome of the membership referendum shall be binding. The fundamental commitment of this Union to membership ratification of national contracts requires that the timetable of negotiations will be arranged to ensure a binding referendum on tentatively agreed‐upon national contracts or parts thereof reached prior to expiration of existing agreements.