CONSTITUTION

OF

THE SASKATOON

LABOUR COUNCIL


In Effect – October, 1956



Article I


This Labour Council shall be known as the Saskatoon Labour Council and is chartered by the Canadian Labour Congress.


It shall consist of organizations affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress which become affiliated to this Council.


These Organizations shall conform to the Constitution and rules and regulations of this Council as set forth herewith.


This Labour Council shall not be dissolved while there are 10 organizations remaining in affiliation


Article II


The purposes of this Labour Council are:


  1. To support the principles and policies of the Canadian Labour Congress.


  1. To promote the interests of its affiliates and generally to advance the economic and social welfare of workers.

  2. (a) To assist affiliated organizations in extending its benefits of mutual assistance and collective bargaining to workers.

(b) To assist in the organization of the unorganized into Unions for their mutual aid, protection and advancement, giving recognition to the principal that both Craft and Industrial Unions are appropriate, and equal, and necessary as methods of union organization.

  1. To encourage all workers without regard to race, creed, creed, colour or national origin to share in the full benefits of Union organization.

  2. To secure legislation which will safeguard and promote the principles of free collective bargaining, the rights of workers and the security and welfare of all people.

  3. To protect and strengthen our democratic institutions, to secure full recognition and enjoyment of the rights and liberties to which we are justly entitled, and to preserve and perpetuate the cherished traditions of democracy.

  4. To promote the cause of peace and freedom in the world and to assist and co-operate with free and democratic Labour movements throughout the world.

  5. To aid and encourage the sale and use of union made goods and services through the use of the union label and other symbols, to promote the labour press and other means of furthering the education of the labour movement.

  6. To safeguard the democratic character of the Labour movement and to observe and respect the autonomy of each affiliated union.

  7. While preserving the independence of the Labour movement from political control, to encourage workers to vote, to exercise their full rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and to perform their rightful part in the political life of municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

  8. To stimulate support for the principle that our Countries natural resources and means of production should be developed primarily for the satisfaction of Human needs rather than for private profits.

  9. To protect the Labour movement from any and all corrupt influences and from the undermining effects of Communists, Fascists and all other totalitarian agencies which are opposed to the basic principles of our democracy and free democratic unionism.



Article III – Membership



Section 1 – The Labour Council shall be composed of


  1. Local unions, branches and lodges of national and international unions, regional and provincial organizations affiliated to the Canadian Labour congress.

  2. Local Unions in the area chartered by the Canadian Labour Congress.

Section 2 – Any organization affiliated with this Labour Council may be expelled from membership in the Council by a two-third majority roll call vote at a meeting of the Council. Any decision to expel may be appealed to the Executive Committee of the Canadian Labour Congress within two months. The decision shall be in force and effect during appeal.


Section 3 – It shall be the duty of each affiliated organization to furnish the Secretary with a statement of their membership in good standing, semi-annually, and the names and addresses of their elected officers.


Section 4 – Any organization controlled or dominated by Communists, Fascists, or other totalitarians, or whose policies and activities are consistently directed toward the achievement of the programme of purpose of the Communist party, any Fascist organization, or other totalitarian movement shall not be permitted as affiliates of this Labour Council.


Article IV – Meetings


Section 1 – The regular meeting of this Labour Council shall be the governing body of the Council, except as provided in Article XII, its decisions shall be by majority vote.


Section 2 – Regular Meetings of this Council shall be held on the 3rd Friday of each month. Meetings shall commence at eight o'clock sharp.


Section 3 – (a) Special meetings of the Council may be called by the direction of the Executive Council or on request of affiliated organizations representing a majority of the total membership of the Council as evidenced by the records of the Secretary.


(b) In the event a majority as provided in sub-section (a) requests a special meeting, the Executive Council shall call such meeting within 5 calendar days and shall give all organizations 5 calendar days notice of the time and place of holding the special meeting together with a statement of the business to be considered at the meeting.


(c) Representation at special meetings shall be on the same basia as regular meetings.


  1. Except as provided in sub-section (b) a special meeting shall exercise the same authority as regular meetings.

Section 4 – (a) Representation at meetings shall be on the following basis: From affiliated local unions, branches and lodges, 4 delegates for 100 members or less, and 2 additional delegates for each additional 100 members or major fraction thereof, with a limit of 8 delegates from any one local.


(b) Upon election of a delegate to President of the Council, his or her local shall be entitled to further representation by one.


Section 5 – The number of members of each organization for the purpose of selecting delegates to the council shall be the average monthly number on which per capita tax is paid.


Section 6 – The secretary shall furnish each affiliate with credential blanks which shall be attested as required on the blanks and deposited at a regular meeting of the Council before new delegates may be seated in Council.


Section 7 – Any organization suspended or expelled by the Canadian Labour Congress or this Council shall not, while under such penalty, be allowed representation in the Council. Any organization which is in arrears to the Council for per capita tax three months or more shall not be entitled to recognition or representation in the Council


Section 8 – (1) Any person suspended by or expelled from any organization affiliated to this Council shall not be seated as a delegate nor allowed representation in this Council.


    (2) Any organization controlled or dominated by Communists, Fascists, or other totalitarians, shall not be allowed representation in this Council.


Section 9 – It shall be the duty of all delegates accredited to this Council to attend all regular and special meetings and shall be accorded voice and vote at these meetings. Any delegate who is absent from three consecutive meetings, without showing just cause may be suspended. Upon his or her suspension, it shall be the duty of the Registrar to notify the local concerned in order that they may send a new delegate to fill the vacancy.


Section 10 – Fifteen registered delegates representing at least six affiliated Unions shall constitute a Quorum for the transaction of business.


Section 11 - The rules and order of business governing meetings shall be:


  1. The President , or in his absence or at his request, one of the Vice-Presidents shall take the chair at the time specified, at all regular and special meetings. In the absence of the President or his designated representatives, a chairman shall be chosen by the Executive Council.

  2. No questions of a sectarian character shall be discussed at meetings.

  3. When a delegate wishes to speak he shall be recognized by the chairman and shall give his name and the organization he represents and shall confine his remarks to the question at issue.

  4. A delegate shall not speak more than once upon a subject until all who wish to speak upon a subject have had an opportunity to do so.

  5. A delegate shall not interrupt another except it be to call a point of order.

  6. If a delegate be called to order, he shall, at the request of the Chairman, take his seat, until the question of order has been decided.

  7. Should a delegate persist in unparliamentary conduct, the Chairman, shall be compelled to name him and submit his conduct to the judgment of the meeting. In such case the delegate whose conduct is in question should explain and then withdraw from the meeting, and the meeting will determine what course to pursue in the matter.

  8. When a question is put, the Chairman after announcing the question shall ask: “Are you ready for the question?” If no delegate wishes to speak, the question shall be put.

  9. Questions may be decided by a show of hands, or a standing vote, but a roll call vote may be demanded by 30 percent of the delegates present. In a roll call vote each delegate shall be entitled to one vote.

  10. Two delegates may appeal the decision of the chair. The Chairman shall put the question thus: “Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?” The question shall not be debated except that the Chairman may make an explanation of his decision.

  11. In case of a tie vote, the Chairman shall cast the deciding vote.

  12. When the previous question has been moved, no discussion or amendment of either motion is permitted. If the majority vote that the “Question be now put” the original motion has to be put without debate. If the motion to put the question is defeated, the discussion will continue on the original motion.

  13. A motion may be reconsidered providing the the mover of the motion to reconsider voted with the majority, and notice of motion is given for consideration at the next meeting, and said notice of motion is supported by a two-thirds of the delegates qualified to vote.

  14. In all matters not regulated by these rules of order, “Bourinot's Rules of Order” shall govern.

Section 12 – An authorized representative of the press, and/or Radio, and/or TV, shall be admitted to all regular meetings. If, however, there are matters to be discussed upon which we do not wish publicity, by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council, they shall be asked not to publicize such information.




Article V – Officers


Section 1 _ The officers of the Council shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar and 10 Executive Members and the immediate Past President.

Section 2 – Each officer shall be a member in good standing of an affiliated organization.


Section 3 – Officers shall be elected by the Council at the annual meeting which will be held on the first meeting in January of each year.


Section 4 – Election of officers shall be by secret ballot, a majority of votes cast will be required before any candidate can be declared elected, and second and subsequent ballots shall be taken if necessary to obtain such majority. On the second and subsequent ballots the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes in the previous ballot shall be dropped. In case of a final tie vote the presiding officer shall cast the deciding vote.


Section 5 – The election of each officer shall be completed before nominations for the next office may be accepted.


Section 6 – (1) Officers of the Council shall be installed by Past-President or by any Member of the Council, or by any staff personnel chosen for that purpose.


    (2) Immediately upon being elected to office, the officers shall take the following obligations:

I sincerely promise and declare, that I will be true to the principles of the Labour Movement. That I will support and obey the policy of the Canadian Labour Congress, and will do everything in my power to promote the welfare of the Labour Movement. I further promise and declare, that I am not associated in any manner whatsoever with any group which expounds or promotes or encourages, any doctrine or philosophy contrary to or subversive to the fundamental principles and institutions of the democratic form of government of Canada, and at the end of my term of office I will deliver up to the Council, or to my regularly elected successor, all books, papers, belonging to the Council.


Section 7 – The term of officers of the Council shall commence upon the completion of the elections.


Section 8 – In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, one of thr Vice-Presidents shall perform the duties of the President until a successor has been elected. In the event of a vacancy in the office of any of the table officers, the Executive shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy until such time an election is held.


Section 9 – Executive officers shall hold title to any real estate of the Council as trustees of the Council. They shall have no right to sell, convey or encumber any real estate without first submitting the proposition to a meeting and such proposition is approved.



Article VI – Standing Committees


Section 1 – The standing committees of the Council shall be:


  1. Legislative Committee.

  1. Organizing Committee.

  1. Education Committee.

  1. Audit Committee.

  1. Political Education Committee.

  1. Hall Committee.

  1. Labour Day Committee.

  1. Co-op Co-ordinating


Section 2 – In addition to the standing committees, the council may elect or appoint further special committees.


Article VII – Duties of the Officers


Section 1 – Presidents

(a) The president shall function as the chief executive officer of the Council. He shall supervise the affairs of the Council, sign all official documents and preside at all regular and special meetings of the Council.


(b) Subject to appeal to the Canadian Labour Congress the President shall have authority to interpret this constitution and his interpretation shall be conclusive and in full force and effect unless reversed or changed by the Executive Council or a meeting, or the Canadian Labour Congress.


Section 2 – Vice-Presidents

The Vice-Presidents shall aid the President in his duties as chief executive officer of Council and act on his behalf when requested to do so.


Section 3 – Secretary

The secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Council and the Executive Committee, issue notices of all special meetings, attend to all correspondence, shall furnish, when necessary, an abstract of all important measures which have been considered by the Council, with results arrived at, and shall furnish the Chairman of all Committees the names and addresses of the members of his Committee. He shall receive such remuneration as the Council from time to time decides, and shall be supplied with a telephone.


Section 4 – Treasurer

The Treasurer shall keep a correct record of the receipts and disbursements of the Council. Receive all per Capita paid to the Council together with other monies accruing to it, present a quarterly report to the Council, keep a record of the names and addresses of the Presidents and Secretaries of all affiliated locals and ladies auxiliaries. He shall report annually all financial transactions of the Council, he shall place all monies belonging to the Council in a chartered bank or Credit Union, pay all bills authorized by the Council by cheque signed by the President and himself or the Secretary and himself. He shall receive such remuneration as the Council may from time to time decide, and shall be supplied with a telephone.


Section 5 – Registrar


It shall be the duty of the Registrar to receive the name of each delegate upon entering the meeting, and shall record his or her attendance. He shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the President.



Article VIII


Duties of the Standing Committees


Section 1 – Legislative Committee shall deal with all matters pertaining to municipal, provincial, and federal legislation, and shall report to the Councilon all legislation and proposed legislation which affects Labour.


Section 2 – Organizing Committee shall endeaver to and assist in organizing every branch of industry in the City of Saskatoon and surrounding districts and to further the spirit of organization wherever possible.


Section 3 – Education Committee in conjunction with like committees in the locals, promote and encourage further knowledge in all matters of organized and unorganized workers.


Section 4 – Audit Committee shall audit the Treasurer's books and accounts quarterly and present to the Council an annual financial report with a copy mailed to all affiliated locals.


Section 5 – Political Education Committee shall encourage the interest of Trade Unionists in political affairs and promote political policies favorable to organized Labour.


Section 6 – Hall Board Committee shall represent the Council on the Co-op Farmer Labour Hall Association.


Section 7 – Labour Day Committee shall arrange annual labour functions.


Section 8 – All Committees are resonsible to the Executive and the Council for their actions


Article IX – Executive Council


Section 1 – The executive Council shall consist of the President, 2 Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, and 10 Executive Council members and the immediate Past President.


Section 2 – It shall be the duty of the Executive to meet at least once prior to the regular meeting of the Council to consider and prepare business to be brought before the Council and make recommendations thereon, to take into consideration all matters referred to them and report on same, and to act as best suits their judgment in the interest of the Council. The Executive shall bring to the notice of the Council all matters it deems in the best interest of organized labour.


Section 3 – The Executive Council shall meet upon the call of the President. It shall also be necessary for the President to to call a meeting upon the request of the other officers.


Section 4 – The Executive Council shall have the power to conduct an investigation of any situation in which there is reason to believe that any affiliated organization may be dominated, controlled or substantially influenced in the conduct of its affairs by any corrupt influence, or that its policies or activities are contrary to the principles or policies of the Council. Upon the completion of such investigation, including a hearing, if requested, the Executive Council shall have the authority to make recommendations to the organization involved, and the Canadian Labour Congress. It shall have the further authority upon a two-thirds vote of the Council to suspend any organization. Any action of the Executive Council under this section may be appealed to the next meeting of the Council.


Section 5 – A majority of the members of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the Executive


Section 6 – The Executive Council is authorized to reimburse members of the Council for necessary expense in performing their duties for the Council.


Article X – Finances


Section 1 – A per capita tax shall be paid upon the full paid up membership of each organization.


Section 2 – Each affiliated Local Union, branch or Lodge shall pay before the last day of each month, for the preceding month, a per capita tax of 6 cents per member.


Section 3 – Any organization which does not pay its per capita tax on or before the time specified shall be notified of that fact by the Treasurer of the council. Any organization three months in arrears in payment of per capita tax may become suspended from membership in the Council and can be reinstated only after arrears are paid in full.


Article XI – Amendments


Amendments to this Constitution so long as they do not conflict with the constitution of the Canadian Labour Congress, nor its principles and policies, may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present in meeting and voting. Any amendments shall only become effective after approval by the Executive committee of the Canadian Labour Congress. Any amendment to this constitution shall be by written notice of motion.


Article XII – Order of Business


    1.Reading of Minutes of the previous meeting

    2.Reception of credentials and new affiliates

    3.Reports from Locals (not debatable)

    4.Communications and bills

    5.Reports of Committees and Executive.

    6.Unfinished business.

    7.New Business.

    8.Election of and installation of Officers.

    9. Notices of Motion.

    10.Registrars Report.

    11.Inquiries, and Good and Welfare.

    12.Adjournment.



This Constitution drafted by Brothers Don Arnold, Joe Brown, Jack Candline, and Fred McClelland and officially accepted at the merger meeting to form the Saskatoon Labour Council on October 12, 1956.