Laura Fuchs and Educators Taking Action ran on amending the WTU Bylaws to increase checks and balances and begin the process of transferring more power to our members and out of the hands of the WTU President.
Check out this video to learn more:
Then read the bylaws changes for yourself (link allows comments): Link to Proposed Changes
It is time to amend the WTU Constitution and Bylaws to increase accountability, transparency and democracy, and ensure the voice and power of our members is respected.
Our WTU Executive Board will be voting on the following proposed changes:
Change 1: Decrease the power of the WTU President over finances and follow the suggested AFT Model.
The current bylaws allow the WTU President to spend the vast majority of member money without any say by anyone else and little to no required transparency. This is out of step with the rest of the AFT. We are proposing to use the language provided by our parent union, the American Federation of Teachers, to give the WTU Executive Board greater authority over how money is spent. This will make all spending subject to votes, greater transparency and greater member control.
Change 2: Move the WTU Budget Process to occur before money starts getting spent
- The current bylaws have the budget get approved in September, the problem is that money is already being spent that budget cycle starting in July. We are proposing a simple change to move the approval to the June Membership meeting, which would then have the WTU Representative Assembly approve the budget in May, giving significant time to have a voice in the process before money starts getting spent.
Change 3: Strengthen and clarify the powers of the WTU Representative Assembly.
The Rep Assembly is already supposed to be the governing body of the WTU, but it is not treated that way, with most decisions being made by the WTU President without input. The proposed language would align our bylaws with the Chicago Teachers Union to ensure that every school has a voice on all major decisions made by the WTU.
Change 4: Ensure members can vote on all contract changes and labor actions.
The WTU currently allows members to vote on the contract, but that is not a protected right in our Constitution and Bylaws. This has caused some Memorandum of Agreements (or MOAs) to be approved by the WTU President without a vote by membership. The proposed language would ensure that members get a vote on all contract changes and that any major labor action (like a strike) would have to be approved by a vote by all our members.
The Overall Process: See WTU Bylaws Article XI https://www.wtulocal6.net/constitution_and_bylaws
- Section 1. A proposed amendment to the Constitution or By-Laws must be sponsored in writing by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board or by not less than 800 members of the organization.
- Section 2. The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the membership in writing and shall be voted on at the meeting following its submission.
- Section 3. If the proposed amendment is adopted by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting, it shall be deemed to have become a part of this Constitution or ByLaws.