DISCIPLINARY POWERS 

and PROCEDURES in 

UNION CONSTITUTIONS

Bulletin No. 1350

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

W. Willard Wirtz, Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Ewan Clague, Commissioner

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DISCIPLINARY POWERS

and PROCEDURES in

UNION CONSTITUTIONS

Bulletin No. 1350

May 1963

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

W. Willard Wirtz, Secretary 

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Ewan Clague, Commissioner

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Preface

This study of union disciplin ary pow ers and p ro ced u res is the third in 

a s e r ie s of bulletins analyzing union governm ent and adm in istration . E a r lie r 

studies dealt with constitutional provision s governing the election and tenure of 

union o fficers (B L S Bulletin 1239, 1958) and tru steesh ip arran gem en ts (B L S

Bulletin 1263, 1959). The p resen t study reflects current in terest in the extensive 

pro v isio n s regulating disciplin ary actions which are em bodied in the L ab o rM anagem ent R eporting and D isc lo su re Act of 1959. F e d e ra l legislation dealing 

with union behavior cre ate s new needs for com prehensive studies to provide 

back gro u n d in fo rm atio n fo r (1) ad m in istra tio n , en fo rcem en t, and evalu ation of the 

act, (2) review by unions of th eir p r o c e d u re s, and (3) public understanding.

The study is concerned with the fo rm al ru les of discipline in the constitutions of national and international unions in the United States. Within the 

fram ew ork of union constitutional law, it is com prehensive both in te rm s of the 

num ber of unions covered and in the scope of the disciplin ary p ro c e ss studied. 

The study attem pts to d e scrib e the whole— hence, the frequ en tu se of sta tistic s— and 

to illu strate the sp ecific by the am ple use of excerp ts fro m identified constitutions. 

The extent to which actual p ractice re p re sen ts a m odification or d eparture from 

the written clau se, or operates in the absence of a sp ecific clau se, w as not 

in v estigated ; this lim itation is brought to the r e a d e r 's attention at ap p ro p riate 

p lace s in this report.

The B u reau of L abor S tatistics initiated this study shortly after the 

LM RD A was enacted, at the requ est of, and with financial a ssista n c e from , the 

B u reau of L ab or-M an agem ent R eports, which ad m in isters those p rov ision s of the 

act for which the U. S. D epartm ent of L ab or has respon sib ility . Although the 

study re late s b a sic a lly to union d isciplin ary rules existing at the tim e the act 

w as put into effect, the final chapter d e sc rib e s changes in this a r e a subsequently 

introduced into union constitutions. T hese changes p resu m ab ly w ere designed to 

conform to the a c t's requ irem en ts as interpreted by the unions. The B u reau 

of L ab or S tatistics, which takes respon sib ility for the contents of this bulletin, 

is grateful for the a ssista n c e and cooperation tendered by the B u reau of L ab o rM anagem ent R eports.

This bulletin w as p rep ared in the B u reau 's D ivision of Industrial and 

L ab or R elations by H arry P. Cohany, Leon E. Lunden, and David A. Swankin, 

u n d e r the g e n e r a l d ir e c t io n of J o s e p h W. B lo c h .

m

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Contents

C hapter I. Introduction -------------------------------------- 1

Sco pe and m eth od ________________________________________________________________________ 2

S u m m a r y of f i n d i n g s ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Chapter II. Sum m ary discipline of m e m b e rs and local union officers ---------------------- 9

D is c ip lin e fo r nonpaym ent of fin a n c ia l o b lig a tio n s ------------------------------------------------- 10

Sum m ary discipline for offenses other than nonpayment of financial obligations ---- 15

A p p e a ls f r o m s u m m a r y a ction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22

Chapter III. Grounds for discipline requiring trial of local union officers

and m e m b e r s --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

General grounds _________________________________________________________________________ 26

Grounds in local as against international trials ----------------------------------------------------- 34

Chapter IV. T rial powers and procedures at the local union level _____________________ 36

Prevalence of provisions ________________________________________________________________ 36

P e r s o n s s u b je c t to t r i a l --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38

Invoking t r i a l m a c h in e r y -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39

C o m p o sitio n of the t r i a l a g en cy -------------------------------------------------------- 48

S co pe and p e n a lt ie s ______________________________________________________________________ 55

Chapter V. T ria l procedures of local union officers and m em b ers at the international

union l e v e l ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65

P r e v a l e n c e of p r o v i s i o n s _____________________________________________________________ 65

P e r s o n s s u b je c t to t r i a l _________________________________________________________________ 66

Extent of international jurisdiction _____________________________________________________ 67

Com positions and powers of trial authority ----------------------------------------------------------- 78

Chapter VI. Rights of the accused and related m atters -------------------------------------------- 85

S ta tu s of the a c c u s e d ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 85

D u e - p r o c e s s s a f e g u a r d s --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 91

N otice s a f e g u a r d s ________________________________________________________________________ 102

A p p ea l p r o v i s i o n s ________________________________________________________________________ 106

T im e l im it s --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 117

C h a p te r VII. D is c ip lin e of in te r n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s --------------------------------------------------------- 128

S u m m a r y d i s c ip lin e of in te rn a tio n a l o f f i c e r s --------------------------------------------------------- 129

Im p e a c h m e n t of in te r n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s ------------------------------------------------------------------- 132

D u e - p r o c e s s p r o v i s i o n s --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 140

R ecall of international officers _________________________________________________________ 146

D is c i p l i n a r y p o w e rs a v a i la b l e to the A F L - C I O ------------------------------------------------------- 152

Chapter VIII. Influence of the labor-m anagem ent reporting and disclosu re act on

discipline provisions of union constitutions---------------------------------- 154

A p p lic a b le p r o v i s i o n s of the l a w _________________________________________________________ 155

A m en d m en ts to union co n stitu tio n s ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 156

I l lu s t r a t iv e co n stitu tio n s --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 162

T a b le s:

C hapter I.

1-1. Constitutions of national and international unions studied by union

s i z e and a ffiliatio n , e a r ly 1961 ------------------------------------------------------------

1-2. P rocedu res for disciplining m em bers, local officers, and international 

officers, national and international union constitutions,

e a r ly 1961 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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C ontents— Continued

T ables---Continued

Page

Chapter II.

I I - 1. S u m m a ry d iscip lin e for nonpaym ent of fin a n c ia l o b ligation s and for other

reason s, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 _______ 9

II-Z. Sum m ary discipline for reason s other than the nonpayment of financial 

obligations, by persons affected and affiliation, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------ 10

II-3. Sum m ary discipline for rea so n s other than the nonpayment of financial

obligations, by persons affected and level initiating disciplinary action,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------- 11

II-4. Discipline for nonpayment of dues, national and international union

constitutions, early 1961 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1Z

II-5. D iscipline for nonpayment of fines, national and international union

c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 ____________________________________________________ 1Z

II-6. D iscipline for nonpayment of a sse ssm e n ts, national and international

union c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 13

II-7. Selected grounds for sum m ary discipline by level, persons affected, and

penalties, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 _____ 17

II-8. Specified provisions for appealing sum m ary actions, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------ Z3

Chapter III.

Ill- 1. P r o v is io n s r e f e r r in g to groun ds fo r discip lin in g m e m b e r s and lo c a l

officers at local or international union levels, by persons affected and

affiliation, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ____ Z5

III-Z. Types of grounds for trial of m em bers and local officers at the local or 

international level, national and international union constitutions,

e a r ly 1961 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z6

III-3. P revalen ce of selected o ffen ses punishable under national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------ Z8

III- 4. P erso n s subject to trial at the local or international level on selected

grounds, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 _____ Z9

Chapter IV.

I V - 1. P r o v isio n for t r i a l s of m e m b e r s and lo c a l union o f f ic e r s at the lo c a l

union level, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ___ 36

IV-Z. F o rm of charges in local union trial procedures, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------ 41

IV -3. S a feg u a rd s relating to c h a rg e s in local union tria l p ro ce d u re s, national

and international union constitutions, early 1961 ___________________________ 41

IV-4. Agent receiving charges in local union trial procedures, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------ 4Z

IV -5. Publication of ch a rg es to the local union m e m b e rsh ip p rio r to trial,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------- 43

IV-6. P relim in ary review of charges before trial at the local union level,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 _________________ 43

IV-7. Local union trial bodies, national and international union constitutions,

e a r ly 1961 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49

IV-8. Selected im partiality provisions in local union trials, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 _______________________________ 5 3

IV-9. Specifications of im partiality for local union trial authorities, national

and international union constitutions, early 1961 ___________________________ 54

IV -10. Extent of local union trial body as decisionm aking authority, national

and international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------ 56

IV -11. Final decision authority in local union trials, national and international

union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------------------------- 58

IV-1Z. Size of vote required to im pose penalties other than expulsion in local

union trials, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 __ 59

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C ontents— Continued

T ab le s— Continued 

Chapter IV .— Continued

IV -13. Size of vote required to expel in local union tria ls, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------- 60

IV - 14. Size of votes for expulsion and le sse r penalties in local union tria ls,

national and international union constitutions, early 1 961 ---------------------- 61

Chapter V.

V - l . T r i a l of m e m b e r s and l o c a l o f f i c e r s at the in te rn a tio n a l le v e l, n ation al

and international union constitutions, early 1961 --------------------------------- 65

V-2. Extent of international trial jurisdiction, national and international union

c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1 9 6 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 66

V-3. P erso n s specifically authorized to invoke international jurisdiction,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------- 71

V-4. F o rm of charges in international level trial proceedings, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------- 73

V-5. Safeguards relating to charges at the international level, national and

in te r n a tio n a l union c o n s tit u t io n s , e a r ly 1961 ----------------------------------------- 75

V-6. P relim in ary review of charges in international trial procedures,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 77

V - 7. In tern a tio n a l t r i a l auth ority, n ation al and in te r n a tio n a l union

c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 78

Chapter VI.

V I - 1. Statu s of the a c c u s e d in lo c a l and in tern ation al lev e l t r i a l p r o v isio n s,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 85

VI-2. Suspension of local union m em bers or officers before charges were filed,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 86

VI-3. P erso n s empowered to suspend an accused before charges were filed, 

and grounds for such action, national and international union

co n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 87

VI-4. Provision s for suspension after filing of charges at the local union level,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------- 88

VI-5. P erso n s em powered to suspend an accused after charges were filed at 

the local level, national and international union constitutions,

e a r ly 1961 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 89

VI-6. Provision for suspension after filing of charges at the international level,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 90

VI-7. Number of selected du e-process safeguards specified in local and in ternational union trial procedures, national and international union

constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 91

VI-8. Selected du e-p rocess safeguards in local and international trial p ro ­

cedu res, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 -------- 92

VI-9. A ssistan ce of counsel in local and international trial proceedings,

national and international union constitutions, early 1 961 ----------------------- 100

VI-10. Record of proceedings in local and international tria l procedures,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------- 101

VI-11. Method of notifying the accused of charges by level, national and

in te r n a tio n a l union c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 ------------------------------------------- 103

V I-12. Notice of trial body decision and of right to appeal by level,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 105

VI-13. Appeal from decisions of local or international level trial bodies,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 107

VI-14. P erso n s authorized to appeal from local or international trial decisions,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 109

V I-15. Status of m em bers and local officers pending appeal, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------- 111

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C ontents— Continued

T ab le s— Continued

Chapter V I.— Continued

V I - 16. F in a l appeal b od ies, national and international union constitutions,

e a r ly 1961 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 112

V I - 17. Public review of union d iscip lin ary actions, national and international

u n io n s, e a r ly 1961 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 115

V I - 18. M axim um tim e allowed to file c h a rg e s by level, national and international

union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------------------------- 118

V I - 19. M axim u m tim e allowed to notify the a c c u se d a fter c h a rg e s w ere filed

by level, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 -------- 119

V I-20. M axim um tim e allowed to convene tria l body by level, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------------------------- 120

VI-21. Minimum tim e between notice of trial and convening the trial body by

level, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------ 121

VI-22. M aximum tim e allowed local level tria l bodies to render a decision,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 123

VI-23. M aximum tim e allowed international level trial body to render a final

decision, national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ------ 125

VI-24. Tim e lim its in appeal procedures, national and international union

c o n s tit u t io n s , e a r ly 1961 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 125

VI-25. Frequency of international executive board meeting, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------- 126

V I- 26. F r e q u e n c y of con ven tion s, n ation al and in te r n a tio n a l union

c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 126

Chapter VII.

V II- 1. Method of disciplin ing national o ffic e r s, national and international union

constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 128

VII-2. Appeals from sum m ary discipline of international officers, national

and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------- 130

VII-3. Grounds for impeaching national officers, national and international

union c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 ------------------------------------------------------------- 132

VII-4. T rial body in impeachment proceedings, national and international

union c o n stitu tio n s, e a r ly 1961 ------------------------------------------------------------- 136

VII-5. T rial bodies and bodies empowered to hand down final decision (except

in appeals), national and international union constitutions, early 1 9 6 1 ---- 138

VII-6. Vote required to im pose penalty in impeachment c a se s, national

and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------------------- 139

VII-7. F o rm of charges required to initiate impeachment proceedings,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 140

VII-8. Selected du e-p rocess rights of accused in impeachment proceedings,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ---------------------- 142

VII-9. Final appeal body in impeachment procedure, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------- 144

VII-10. Role of referendum in impeachment proceedings, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ------------------------------------------ 145

VII-11. Contents of petitions to recall national officers, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------- 147

VII-12. Requirem ents for initiation and endorsem ent of recall petitions,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------- 148

VII-13. Agent adm inistering recall of national officers, national and

international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------------------------- 149

VII-14. Issu es to be decided and size of vote required in recall procedures,

national and international union constitutions, early 1961 ----------------------- 151

A ppendixes:

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Disciplinary Powers and Procedures in Union Constitutions

Chapter I. Introduction

Union discipline m ay be defined as the fo rm al p roced u re estab lish ed by 

a union to im pose sanctions upon m em b ers or o fficers for violations of duties to 

the union. It is both substan tive— the sp ecificatio n of p roh ib ited conduct— and 

p r o c e d u ra l— the fo r m a l m a c h in e ry fo r en fo rcem en t. In its p r o c e d u r a l a s p e c t s , 

union discipline en c o m p asses four types of p ro c ed u re s— su m m ary , re c all, trial, 

and im peachm ent. B riefly , su m m ary p ro c ed u res allow the im position of punishm ent without a hearing or trial; re call is a p roced u re for rem oving local or 

international o fficers by a vote of the m em b ersh ip ; and trial and im peachm ent 

are p ro c ed u res for the im position of discipline after hearing b efore a legally 

constituted tribunal, with im peachm ent lim ited in scope to disciplining in ternational o fficers.

A fifth type of procedu re— im position of tru steesh ip by a national or 

international union over a subordinate body— is p rim a rily a m ean s of disciplining 

a subordinate body rath er than an individual. Thus it falls outside the scope of 

this s t u d y , 1 e x c e p t w h e r e the im p o s it io n of a t r u s t e e s h i p a l s o in v o lv e s d isc ip lin in g 

m em b ers or o ffice rs.

R eliance on fo rm al discipline proceedin gs is by no m ean s the only m ethod 

by which unions police their internal a ffa irs, nor does fo rm al discipline play an 

e s p e c ia l ly p ro m in e n t r o ll in the n o r m a l c o u r s e of union a f f a i r s . In its in te rn a l 

a f f a ir s , a union functions m o r e like a p o litic a l o rg an izatio n than a ru le -e n fo rc e m e n t 

agency. It is g e n e ra lly m o r e con cern ed with the ob jective of m ain tain in g its 

e f f e c t i v e n e s s than with pu n ish in g v i o l a t io n s , p e r s e , o r in a c h ie v in g ‘' j u s t i c e 1' in 

a leg a l se n se . In any union, known v iolatio n s m ay be ign o red , if triv ia l, or m ay 

be handled by m o re in form al m ean s than through the constitutional discipline 

p r o c e ss. The extent to which the discipline p r o c e ss would be em ployed m ay be 

determ ined by a num ber of fa c to rs, such as the nature of the offense, the identity 

of the violator, and whether there is faction alism within the union, or the existence 

of a riv al union.

R e g a rd le ss of the d egree of utilization of the discipline p r o c e s s, its 

availability and its constitutional b a se a re im portant. The union m u st be able 

to prevent or punish activity which m ight threaten its existen ce; to p ro sc rib e 

b e h a v io r which in t e r f e r e s with the c a r r y in g out of c o lle c tiv e b a rg a in in g o b lig a tio n s; 

and to enforce stan dards of conduct, the violation of which m ay bring the nam e 

of the union into disrepu te. To m em b ers and o ffice rs, the discipline p r o c e ss 

spelled out in the union's constitution prov ides an a ssu ra n c e or safeg u ard s im ilar in kind, if not in d egree, to a citizen 's confidence in the m achin ery of 

ju stice— availab le but, hopefully, never requiring test.

1 T r u s t e e s h i p m a y be im p o s e d fo r r e a s o n s o th er than, o r in ad d itio n to, 

discipline. F o r an an aly sis of union tru steesh ip p ro v isio n s, see Union Constitution 

P r o v i s i o n s : T r u s t e e s h i p , ( B L S B u lle tin 1263, 1959).

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2

On the other hand, abuse of d isciplin ary pow er m ay have sev ere cons e q u e n c e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y fo r any in d iv id u al who i s u n ju stly p u n ish ed . 2 F u r t h e r ­

m o re, unw arranted use of discipline by those in pow er to su p p ress bona fide 

opposition is irreco n cilab le with traditional concepts of d em o cracy, and blights 

the reputation of respon sib le trade unionism .

A balance m u st therefore be struck between legitim ate u se s and actual 

or potential a b u se s, which are not alw ays self-evident. C o n gress, in p assin g the 

Lab or-M an agem en t Reporting and D isc lo su re Act of 1959, attem pted to protect 

m em b ers again st such ab u ses by specifying m inim um stan dards as to safeg u ard s, 

with w hich a u n io n 's d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o c e s s h ad to c o n fo r m . 3 E v e n b e f o r e the 

p a ssa g e of that law, how ever, the im position of union discipline had been subject 

to scrutiny by State courts. Such review dates back to before the turn of the 

c e n tu ry , 4 and h a s b e e n b a s e d on the r e a s o n a b l e n e s s of the g r o u n d s fo r d is c i p l in e 

and the f a i r n e s s of the p r o c e d u r e . 5 B e c a u s e of the r e q u i r e m e n t s of the L M R D A , 

the y e a rs ahead w ill probably see courts as w ell as adm in istrativ e agen cies take 

a g re a te r in terest in union proceedin gs.

Yet, as courts and adm in istrativ e agen cies scrutin ize union actions with 

g re a te r care, questions relating to the adequacy of stan dards and p ro c ed u res m ay 

ultim ately be reso lved , in large m e a su re , by the stan dards and p ro ced u res 

adopted by unions g en e rally . It is re a so n a b le to a s s u m e that v a rio u s ch an ges 

in union constitutions are in the offing, as unions striv e to bring their prov ision s 

into conform ity with the law. B e cau se of its broad b a se , the p rese n t study will 

se rv e as a ben ch m ark again st which to m e a s u r e the nature and d irection of 

these changes.

Scope and Method

This study is b ased on an an aly sis of p ro v isio n s in union constitutions 

and thus is lim ited to the fo rm al a sp e cts of union disciplin e. A constitution 

em bodies the union's b a sic law and estab lish es the legal fram ew ork for all ex ­

ecutive and ju dicial actions. The d isciplin ary p r o c e ss, as to both pow ers and 

p ro c ed u re s, m u st conform to the unions'constitutional ru les, if it is to be a valid 

e x e rc ise of union governm ental pow ers. At the sam e tim e, w ritten p ro v isio n s,

2 In a d d itio n to the e m b a r r a s s m e n t , h u m ilia tio n , and s o c i a l o s t r a c i z a t i o n 

that the individual m ay suffer, and his disqualification from further participation 

in the a ffa irs of the union, being ousted from m em b ersh ip m ight subject him to 

lo ss of job. However, Sections 8(a)(3) and 8(b)(2) of the National L ab o r R elations 

Act, as am ended, have a m itigating effect in this resp ect on em ployees who w ork 

in em ploym ents covered by that law. As interpreted, these sections prohibit the 

d isch arge of an em ployee under a union secu rity clau se in a collective bargaining 

agreem en t m erely for the lo ss of union m em b ersh ip for any reaso n other than 

failure to p ro ffer dues.

3 S e e ch. VIII fo r an a n a l y s i s of the e ffe c t of the L M R D A on union d i s ­

cipline p ro v isio n s.

4 A r e v ie w of an e x p u lsio n p r o c e e d in g in 1889 (P e o p le ex r e l . D e v e r e ll 

v. M u sical Mut. P ro tectiv e Union, 118 New York 101, 23 N. E. 129) is repo rted 

in an a r t i c l e by C lyde W. S u m m e r s , " T h e L a w of Union D i s c ip li n e : What the 

C o u r t s do in F a c t . " Y ale L a w J o u r n a l , New H aven, Conn. , D e c e m b e r I9 6 0 , 

pp. 175-224.

5 One a u th o rity found fiv e g ro u n d s on w hich the c o u r ts h av e s e t a s i d e e x ­

p u lsio n s: (1) P ro c e d u r a l violation of constitution or by law s; (2) expu lsion not

au th o rized by constitution or b y law s; (3) p ro c e d u re did not affo rd a fa ir h earin g, 

even though it conform ed to the constitution and bylaw s; (4) expulsion, though 

au th o rized in constitution or by law s, w as u n re aso n ab le ; and (5) expu lsio n w as in 

bad faith. See article, "Internal A ffairs of L ab or Unions Under the L ab or R eform 

A c t of 1 9 5 9 , " by A r c h ib a ld C ox, M ic h ig a n L a w R e v ie w , A p r i l I9 6 0 , pp. 8 1 9 -8 5 4 .

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despite their significan ce, tell only p art of the story of union d isciplin e. B e cau se 

this study excludes any investigation of the disciplin ary p r o c e ss in action, it does 

not reveal how these frequently com plex clau ses are in terpreted in actual situ a ­

tions and to what extent, if any, p ra c tic e s depart from fo rm al pronouncem ents.

There a re other lim itations to be taken into account. F o re m o st, p e r ­

h aps, are the difficulties encountered in interpreting leg alistic docum ents, p a r ­

ticularly when they show, as union constitutions frequently m ay, evidence of 

haste or inexperience in drafting. Identical p h ra se s m ay c a rry different m eanings 

in different unions, as shaped by p artic u lar preceden ts and traditions. A lso, 

combining sim ila r p rov ision s into gen eral cate g o rie s, for p u rp o ses of sta tistic a l 

presen tation , gives equal weight here to p rov ision s which are c a rry o v e rs from 

the p a st and a re p resen tly irrelev an t and those which are currently applicable. 

In addition , the a n a l y s is of d is c i p l in a r y p r o v is io n s p r e s e n t s fo r m id a b le d iffic u ltie s 

of its own. R arely is the subject treated as a unit in a union constitution, with 

all asp ects and steps clearly delineated. Instead, d irect and indirect referen ces 

are scattered throughout the text of the constitution, som e appearing in sections 

dealing with the pow ers of o ffic e rs or executive b o d ies, oth ers in those d escrib in g 

the adm in istration of local unions, obligations of m em b ersh ip , etc. B ecau se of 

these co m plexities, inadvertent o m issio n s and e r ro r s m ay have occu rred in p a r ­

ticular situations without significant effect on the ov erall re su lts.

F o r this study, the constitutions of 158 national and international unions 

w e r e a n a ly z e d (tab le 1-1). 6 T h e s e 158 u n ion s a c c o u n te d fo r 16. 9 m illio n m e m b e r s ,

T ab le 1-1. Constitutions of N ational and International Unions Studied

by Union Size and A ffiliation, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

Union m em bership

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M em bers Unions • Members

A ll c o n stitu tio n s-------------------------------- 158 16, 923.1 122 14, 2 2 8 .8 36 2, 694. 3

Under 1,000 m e m b e r s------------------------ 9 4 .4 4 1. 8 5 2. 6

1, 000 and under 5, 000 m e m b e r s---------- 30 8 1 .5 14 3 9 .0 16 4 2 .6

5, 000 and under 10, 000 m e m b e r s-------- 14 102.2 10 7 5 .8 4 2 6 .4

10, 000 and under 25, 000 m e m b e r s------- 21 357.7 20 345. 1 1 1 2 .6

25, 000 and under 50, 000 m e m b e r s------- 17 6 0 7 .4 15 5 4 5 .7 2 6 1 .6

50, 000 and under 100, 000 m e m b e r s----- 27 1, 809.1 23 1 ,5 3 8 .8 4 270. 3

100, 000 and under 200, 000 m e m b e r s---- 19 2, 862.5 17 2, 602. 5 2 2 6 0 .0

200, 000 and under 500, 000 m e m b e r s---- 14 4 ,5 1 5 .5 14 4 ,5 1 5 .5 _ _

500, 000 m embers and o v e r------------------ 7 6, 582.9 5 4, 564. 7 2 2 ,0 1 8 .2

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

6 The D i r e c t o r y of N atio n a l and In tern a tio n a l L a b o r U nions in the U nited 

S tates, 1959 (B L S Bulletin 1267, I960) listed 184 national and international unionsT 

Of the 27 u n ion s l i s t e d th e r e that w e r e not in clu d e d in th is stu d y , 19 w e r e c o m ­

p o s e d m a in ly of g o v e r n m e n t e m p l o y e e s , and the c o n stitu tio n s of 8 unions w e r e not 

available. One union that w as included in the study, the International G uards Union 

of A m e r ic a (Ind. ), w as not liste d in that D ire c to ry . See appendix A fo r a l is t of 

unions studied.

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or about 93 percen t of the total m em b ersh ip of all national and international unions 

with h ead q u arters in the United S t a t e s .7

The an aly sis focused on the disciplin ary m e a su re s which m ay be invoked 

at the local or international level again st m em b ers and local o ffic e rs, and the 

rights of the accu sed during the p roceed in gs. Subsequent chapters d e sc rib e p r o ­

vision s regulating trials and re c all proceedin gs again st international o ffic e rs, and 

‘c h a n g e s in union c o n stitu tio n s s in c e the p a s s a g e of the L M R D A .

Constitutions w ere analyzed for com m on c h a ra c te ristic s whose p rev alen ce 

w as then m e a su re d in term s of the num ber of constitutions and the num ber of 

union m e m b e rs. An approach of this so rt, essen tially sta tistic a l, in an a re a 

m ark ed by g reat d iv ersity has shortcom in gs; at tim e s, fine shadings of m eaning 

and unique featu res are lost. On balan ce, how ever, it w as felt that this technique 

would yield m o re m eaningful inform ation on constitutional disciplin ary proceed in gs 

as a whole than could be provided through d escrib in g, individually, the discipline 

p r o c e ss of a few selected unions.

E xcept for chapter VIII, the study is p rim a rily a su m m ary of union law s 

in effect p rio r to enactm ent of the L ab or-M an agem ent R eporting and D isc lo su re 

Act, although a fourth of the constitutions studied w ere dated subsequent to the 

p a ssa g e of the act. 8

Sum m ary of Findings

All of the 158 constitutions studied provided for som e fo rm of d isciplin e. 

M em bers and local o fficers w ere each subject to discipline under p ro v isio n s of 

all but two constitutions, while international o fficers w ere subject to discm lin e 

under all but nine (table 1-2). Neither size nor affiliation w as of significance 

with re gard to the type of discipline authorized or its application. F o r unions 

of all size and affiliation, the combination of trial and su m m ary p ro c ed u res w as 

the m o st comm on for both m em b ers and local o ffice rs. Im peachm ent w as m o st 

frequently the sole proceeding available to discipline international o ffice rs.

Union constitutions v aried greatly with re gard to both the substantive 

g r o u n d s fo r w hich d is c i p l in e could be i m p o s e d , 9 and the p r o c e d u r a l s t e p s to be 

followed once it w as initiated. One explanation for this variation w as the d iffering d egree of specificity of both substantive and p ro ced u ral p ro v isio n s. At 

one extrem e w ere those unions which specified m o st if not all p h ase s of the 

discipline p r o c e ss in minute detail. At the other extrem e w ere unions whose 

constitutions w ere couched in broad te rm s, specifying few if any d etails.

The variation in patterns of p roced u re stem s larg ely from the m ultiple 

form of union governm ent, As a gen eral rule, the local union w as the body with 

plenary origin al ju risdiction , while the international union, in c a se s involving

7 The co n stitu tio n and b y la w s of su b o r d in a te b o d ie s w e r e e x c lu d e d f r o m 

the scope of this survey. A cu rso ry check revealed that in m any in stan ces local 

unions either have very b rief or no constitution or bylaw s of their own, thus 

governing th em selv es in whole or in p a rt by the constitution of their p aren t body. 

In so m e in s ta n c e s, h ow ever, p a r tic u la r ly in l a r g e r lo c a l un ion s, d e ta iled by law s 

w ere noted and these often supplem ented, so m etim es substantially, the constitutional p ro v isio n s of the international union. The extent to which d isciplin ary p r o ­

vision s in local union bylaws differ from those adopted by the international union 

m e rits a full sc a le study of its own.

8 S e e a p p e n d ix A fo r d a t e s of the c o n stitu tio n s th at w e r e a n a ly z e d fo r 

this study.

9 S e e in ch. Ill the s u b s e c t i o n e n titled " S p e c i f i c O f f e n s e s " (p. 27) fo r a 

d iscu ssio n of the variation in grounds for discipline.

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T ab le 1-2. Procedures for D isciplining Members, Local O fficers, and International O fficers,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Type of provision1

Members

AFL-CIO U naffiliated

Unions

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll co n stitu tio n s-------------------------------- 158 1 6 ,9 2 3 .1 122 1 4 ,2 2 8 .8 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing for

disciplining m em bers2 ---------------------- 156 16, 914.0 121 1 4 ,2 2 5 .5 35 2, 6 8 8 .5

T r i a l ------------------------------------------- 39 4, 358.3 28 4, 091. 1 11 2 67.2

Su m m ary -------------------------------------- 1 2 .0 - - 1 2 .0

T rial and su m m a ry ------------------------ 116 12, 553.7 93 1 0 ,1 3 4 .4 23 2, 4 1 9 .3

No provision for disciplining

m e m b e r s--------------------------------------- 2 9.1 1 3. 2 1 5 .9

Constitutions providing for

disciplining lo c al officers --------------- 156 16, 882 .0 120 14, 187. 7 36 2, 694. 3

T r i a l------------------------------------------ 32 4, 0 4 6 .0 23 3 ,8 1 4 .7 9 231.3

Su m m ary-------------------------------------- 2 5 .2 1 3 .2 1 2 .0

R e c a l l----------------------------------------- - - - - - -

T rial and su m m a ry ------------------------ 107 1 1 ,6 4 7 .8 85 9, 2 3 2 .7 22 2, 415.1

R e c a ll and t r i a l ----------------------------- 7 317.1 4 2 7 5 .4 3 4 1 .7

R e call, trial, and su m m ary------------- 8 865 .9 7 8 6 1 .7 1 4 .2

No provision for disciplining

lo c al o ffic e rs----------------------------------- 2 4 1 .0 2 4 1 .0

Constitutions providing for

disciplining international officers 2 ----- 149 16, 701.3 117 1 4 ,0 1 5 .0 32 2, 686.3

Su m m ary -------------------------------------- 6 118.4 4 1 0 8 .4 2 10.0

R e c a l l----------------------------------------- 13 892.5 6 6 4 0 .8 7 251.7

Im p e ach m en t-------------------------------- 82 9, 166.9 69 7 ,5 2 3 . 1 13 1, 6 43.8

R e call and su m m a ry ---------------------- 5 227.8 4 127.8 1 100.0

Im peachm ent and su m m a ry ------------- 25 2, 522. 3 21 2 ,5 1 1 .8 4 10.5

Im peachm ent and r e c a ll------------------ 11 2, 196.4 9 2, 136. 1 2 6 0 .3

Im peachm ent, recall, and sum m ary---- 7 1, 576 .9 4 9 6 6 .8 3 610.1

No provision for disciplining

international o f fic e r s------------------------ 9 221.8 5 213 .8 4 8 .0

1 For purposes of this tab le, sum m ary discipline excludes all provisions authorizing such action only for nonpaym ent of fin an cial obligations.

2 A dditive.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

m em b ers and local union o ffice rs, had a m ore lim ited origin al ju risd iction , r e ­

stricted , in the m ain, to em ergen cy situations and offen ses again st the in ternational union. F o r any p artic u lar union, the degree of local autonomy as co m ­

p ared with the degree of cen tralized control in the international w as often reflected 

in the division of authority between local and international trial bodies. International unions known to be highly c e n tralize d tended to retain ju risd ic tio n o v er c a s e s 

that a ro se out of situations inim ical to the international union's b e st in tere sts.

The m ultiple lev els of governm ent thus gave rise to two b a sic pattern s 

of trial p roced u re— one for tria ls originating at the local level, and one for trials 

originating at the international level. A s to the fo rm e r, a typical pattern w as 

a s fo llo w s: (1) F ilin g of c h a r g e s by a m e m b e r o r lo c a l o f f ic e r ; (Z) s e r v i c e of

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ch arges on, and notice of trial to, the accu sed ; (3) trial before the local go v ern ­

ing body; (4) decision by the m em b ersh ip as to guilt or innocence; (5) appeal to 

a d istric t council or other in term ed iary body, if any; (6) appeal to the in te rnational executive board; and (7) appeal to the international convention.

As to trials originating at the international level, the following gen eral 

pattern p rev ailed : (1) Filing of ch arges by an international authority; (2) serv ic e

of ch arges on, and notice of trial to, the accu sed; (3) trial b efo re, and decision 

by, the international executive board; and (4) appeal to the convention.

V ariation s from the foregoing pattern s at any or all steps w ere comm on. 

F o r exam ple, ch arges m ight be subject to p relim in ary review before trial; a 

local trial m ight be held before the m em b ersh ip in the first instance; or the a p ­

p e a l m ig h t be d ir e c t e d to the in te rn a tio n al p r e s id e n t. In addition , the n a tu re of 

the appeal p ro c e ss w as not the sam e in all unions; in som e, it w as, in reality, 

a new trial, while in oth ers, it w as lim ited to a review of the record . Still 

another distinct pattern occu rred in those in stan ces w here an international w as 

authorized to take ju risd iction over a case alread y pending at the local level, 

but which for one reaso n or another would not or could not be c a rrie d to a conclusion there. Add to this the sep arate and v aried p ro ced u res for trial of in ternational o ffic e rs, re call of o ffice rs, and su m m ary discipline, and the v ariety of 

p ro c ed u res b eco m es alm o st as num erous as the num ber of unions.

P erh ap s the m o st im portant elem ent to be weighed in evaluating any 

ju dicial sy stem is the protection afforded the accu sed to in sure a fair trial. 

Union constitutions w ere found to contain a host of due p r o c e ss safeg u ard s. 

N oneth eless, only three p artic u lar safeg u ard s— notice of ch arge s, notice of trial, 

and right to counsel (profession al or nonprofessional)— appeared in a m ajo rity of 

constitutions. As mentioned, a substantial num ber of union constitutions lack 

detail in their discipline p ro v isio n s. F o r these unions, it m ay be that, in p r a c ­

tice, any or all of these due p r o c e ss safeg u ard s exist.

Still another consideration in evaluating the adequacy of the discipline 

p r o c e ss is the total tim e that e la p se s until all internal rem ed ies have been e x ­

hausted and the ca se is finally reso lved . Undue delay m ay be as detrim ental to 

the in d iv id u al c o n c e r n e d a s any o th er f a i l u r e of due p r o c e s s . 10 1 Union c o n stitu tio n s 

w ere found to be alm o st totally lacking a sp ecific o v erall tim e lim it. Even e x ­

cluding the final appeal to the convention, union constitutions w ere not drafted in 

such a way as to in su re a speedy trial. Indications alread y existed that this is 

one of the a r e a s in w hich union c o n stitu tio n s w ill be a m e n d e d in the fu tu re . 11

A s a g e n e r a l r u le , u n ion s did not p r o v id e fo r an "in d ep e n d e n t ju d i c i a r y , 11 

either within or outside the union, to ad m in ister the discipline p r o c e ss. A few 

unions, such as the United Auto W orkers and the U p h o lsterers, have estab lish ed 

an o u tsid e ju d i c i a r y in the fo r m of p u b lic r e v ie w b o a r d s . 12 It w ould s e e m that 

only a few unions are presen tly p rep are d to adopt sim ila r ste p s, partly b ecau se 

of a gen eral sen se of confidence in existing sy ste m s, born out of tradition and 

pride; p artly b ecau se of a reluctance to delegate ju risd iction over vital internal 

a ffa irs to o u tsid ers; and, p erh ap s, b ecau se of the absence of concerted dem ands 

for such changes from the rank and file.

10 C o n g r e s s , in e n actin g the L M R D A , c o n s id e r e d the s u b je c t of undue d e la y , 

in Section 101 (a)(4). See ch. VIII fo r fu rth er d isc u ssio n .

11 S e e ch. VIII, fo r a d i s c u s s i o n of c o n fo rm in g a m e n d m e n t s m a d e by unions 

in this a r e a since enactm ent of the LM RDA.

12 S e e ch. VI, p. 114, fo r a d i s c u s s i o n of the r o le of p u b lic re v ie w b o a r d s .

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Thus, except as re fe rre d to, the entire ju dicial p r o c e ss norm ally runs 

its co u rse within the union, thereby focusing attention on the agents authorized 

to im pose or uphold punishm ent. At the local level, the pow er to discipline u su ­

ally w as p artially retained by the m em b ersh ip and p artially delegated to the e x ­

ecutive. At the international level, executive agen cies e x e rc ise d n early com plete 

pow er to disciplin e, both as trial bodies for international level tria ls and as ap ­

p e llate bodies for lo cal lev el tr ia ls . It is frequently ch arged that the cen tralizatio n 

of final authority in the international executive agency constitutes an e x c e ssiv e 

concentration of pow er without adequate ^checks and b alan ces. H owever, in the 

adm inistration of union a ffa irs, including disciplin e, the international authority, 

by virtue of its experience and objectivity, m ay act as a re stra in t again st i r r e ­

sponsibility and ab u ses at local lev els. On the other hand, when a d isciplin ary 

proceeding a r is e s out of a factional dispute which threatens the incumbent ad ­

m in istration or when other types of situations involve o ffic e rs, the international 

au th o rity m a y not be the u ltim a t e s o u r c e of f a i r n e s s and im p a r t i a l i t y . 13

In m o s t union co n stitu tio n s, the m e m b e r s h ip , a s s e m b le d in convention, 

held ultim ate pow er to im pose, m odify, or withhold punishm ent, since the final 

appeal usually went to that body. As a p ra c tic a l m atter, how ever, b ecau se of 

the p r e s s u r e s of tim e and other b u sin e ss, the convention, as a rule, can hardly 

be con sidered an adequate appeal body, and any p o ssib le in ju stices that have not 

been rem edied at an e a rlie r stage are not likely to be rem edied by a m eeting of 

hundreds or thousands of uninterested d elegates.

The influence of the LM RDA, as determ ined through the an aly sis of 

7 0 c o n stitu tio n s a m e n d e d a f t e r the a c t , w a s r e f l e c t e d in a v a r i e t y of a m e n d m e n t s 

designed to conform to five specific requ irem en ts of the law— protection of the 

right to sue, w ritten sp ecific ch arges, reason able tim e to p re p a re a defense, right 

to a full and fair hearing, and abolishm ent of su m m ary disciplin e. Significant as 

the fin d in gs in th e se 7 0 c o n stitu tio n s w e r e , it is p r o b a b ly s t i l l too e a r l y to m e a s u r e 

the full effect of the LM RD A on discipline p ro v isio n s, sin ce the courts have not 

yet had adequate opportunity to in terpret these gen erally broad requ irem en ts of 

the law.

13 No r e l i a b l e s t a t i s t i c s a r e a v a il a b le on a b u s e s in union d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o ­

ceedings. Individual court c a se s arisin g out of union d isciplin ary p ro ced u res are 

often cited as evidence of highhanded tactics and denial of due p r o c e ss rights. 

T ypically, they involve only the m o st flag ran t a b u se s of executive authority. On 

the other hand, other equally repreh ensible violations m ay have taken place without coming to the attention of the courts (and the public), since m em b ers w ere 

reluctant or did not have the m ean s to institute legal p roceed in gs.

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Chapter II. Summary Discipline of Members and Local Union Officers

Su m m ary discipline m ay be defined sim ply as punishm ent or a penalty 

visited upon a union m em b er or officer without proceeding through the co m b in atio n of s a f e g u a r d s c o m m o n ly c a ll e d "d u e p r o c e s s . " (See c h a p te r VI. ) It m a y 

be autom atic and, in a sen se, self-inflicted, as when a m em b er wilfully fails 

to pay dues with the knowledge that such delinquency m ean s expulsion. No connotation of sev erity is n e c e ssa rily attached to the term , as it is used in this 

study; punishm ent m ay range from a nom inal fine for failu re to vote in a union 

election to expulsion and lo ss of job, depending on the nature of the offense. 

Nor does su m m ary discipline m ean that punishm ent is final and irrev o cab le; a p ­

p eals and h earin gs pro ced u res m ay be available, as indicated in this chapter, 

but such a sp e cts of due p ro c e ss follow rather than p reced e the act of su m m ary 

discipline.

This chapter deals with two types of offenses by m em b ers and local 

union o fficers for which su m m ary discipline w as authorized by union constitutions 

at the tim e the a n a ly sis w as p re p are d : (1) Nonpaym ent of fin an cial obligations to 

the union (dues, fin es, and a s s e s s m e n t s ) and (2) neglect of duty and re sp o n sib ilitie s, 

dual unionism , strik eb reakin g, and other offen ses not involving the financial 

obligations of m em b ers.

V irtually every national and international union constitution exam ined a u ­

th o riz e d s u m m a r y d is c i p l in e . Of 158 c o n stitu tio n s stu d ied (tab le I I - 1), 155 co n tain ed 14

T ab le I I - l. Sum m ary D iscipline for Nonpayment of Financial O bligations and for Other Reasons,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Summary discipline provisions

Unions Members

AFL i i

Oo

1

U naffiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions ----------------------------------------- 158 16,923. 1 122 14, 228.8 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing for sum m ary

discipline ------------------------------------------------- 155 16,742. 1 120 14, 103.8 35 2 ,6 3 8 .3

For nonpayment of fin an cial obligations

and other reasons --------------------------------------------------- 111 1 1 ,8 7 0 .5 88 9, 6 27.9 23 2, 242.7

For nonpayment of fin ancial o b lig a tio n s------- 32 4, 4 9 5 .8 24 4, 288.7 8 207 .0

For other r e a s o n s-------------------------------------- 12 375. 8 8 187.2 4 188. 6

Constitutions not providing for summary

discipline ------------------------------------------------- 3 181.0 2 125.0 1 5 6 .0

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

14 A s noted e a r l i e r , the c o n stitu tio n s a n a ly z e d in th is stu d y w e r e p r i m a r i l y 

those in effect p rio r to the enactm ent of the L ab or-M an agem ent Reporting and 

D isc lo su re Act of 1959. That act, by requiring a "full and fair h earin g" before 

a m em b er can be fined, suspended, expelled, or otherw ise disciplined (except 

for nonpayment of dues), has d ra stically curtailed the right of unions to re so rt 

to su m m ary p ro ced u res to im pose discipline. The findings in this chapter, th e re ­

fore, serv e p rim a rily as a benchm ark of p ractices perm itted p rio r to the p a ssa g e 

of the LM RDA. R eferen ce should be m ade to ch. VIII, where changes in su m m ary 

discipline prov ision s since the 1959 enactm ent are treated.

9

690-094 0 -6 3 -2

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s u m m a r y a u th o rity and only 3 did not— n a m e ly , the L ongshorem en® s and W a r e ­

h o u s e m e n s Union (ind. ), the S e a fa r e r s * International Union, and the M arin e 

and Shipbuilding W orkers of A m erica. The bulk of the constitutions (111) perm itted 

su m m ary action both for nonpayment of financial obligations to the union and for 

other re aso n s. Only 32 constitutions lim ited grounds for su m m ary action e xclu ­

sively to nonpaym ent of financial obligations, while 12 allow ed su m m a ry p u n ish ­

m ent only for reaso n s other than failu re to m eet financial obligations.

Thus, of the 155 constitutions perm itting su m m ary action, 143 authorized 

disciplin e for nonpayment of dues, and 123 for re aso n s other than nonpayment of 

financial obligations. Of this latter group, local union o fficers or m em b ers w ere 

s u b je c t to s u m m a r y d is c i p l in e in 11 6 c o n stitu tio n s (ta b le I I - 2, I I - 3); the r e m a in in g 

7 s u m m a r y p r o v i s i o n s a p p lie d e x c l u s i v e l y to in t e r n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s .

D iscipline for Nonpayment of F in an cial Obligations

When a w orker joins a labor organization, he a ssu m e s an obligation to 

support the union by way of dues and when required, by paym ent of sp ecial a s s e s s ­

m en ts. This is a b asic com m itm ent entailed in signing the m em b ersh ip card; 

it s u b m its the new m e m b e r to the n e c e s s a r y d is c ip lin e of an o r g a n iz a t io n su p p o rte d 

by m em b ersh ip contributions. Delinquency in these paym ents is often viewed not 

only a s a t h r e a t to the union1 s only o r m a j o r s o u r c e of re v e n u e , but a s a w e a k e n ­

ing of the u nion1 s b a s i c in t e r n a l d is c i p l in e , w hich, if it w e r e to s p r e a d , co u ld 

s e r io u sly im p a ir the unionts effectiven ess or even its existen ce. T h e refo re , 

m em b ers risk punishm ent, due allow ance being m ade for sim ple negligence, for 

failing to pay their dues and other financial obligations. Since the penalties a re 

extrem e, often involving lo ss of employm ent, demand for dues enforcem ent in som e 

unions is frequently tem pered by a ready acceptance of any reason able excu se.

T ab le II—2. Sum m ary D iscipline for Reasons Other Than the Nonpayment of Financial O bligations, by Persons

A ffected and A ffiliation, N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

Sum m ary discipline provisions

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions ----------------------------------------- 158 16,923. 1 122 14, 228.8 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing for summary

disciplin e* ----------------------------------------------- 2 123 12,246. 3 96 9 ,8 1 5 .1 27 2, 4 3 1 .3

Members ----------------------------------------------- 1 4 0 .0 1 4 0 .0 - -

Local union officers --------------------------------- 22 1,217. 1 19 1 ,2 0 7 .7 3 9 .4

International officers ------------------------------- 7 183. 3 4 173.3 3 10 .0

Members and lo cal union officers -------------- 57 6 ,5 4 3 .7 43 4, 8 5 2 .4 14 1 ,6 9 1 .4

Local union and international o f f ic e r s---------- 12 475. 3 9 4 65.0 3 10. 3

M embers, lo cal union, and international

officers ----------------------------------------------- 24 3 ,7 8 6 .9 20 3 ,0 7 6 .7 4 7 1 0 .2

Constitutions not providing for summary

discipline ------------------------------------------------- 35 .4 ,6 7 6 .8 26 4 ,4 1 3 .7 9 2 6 3 .0

Constitutions with provisions covering: 3

Members ----------------------------------------------- 82 1 0 ,3 7 0 .6 64 7 ,9 6 9 .1 18 2 ,4 0 1 . 6

Local union officers -------------------------------- 115 1 2 ,0 2 3 .0 91 9, 601.8 24 2 ,4 2 1 . 3

International officers -------------------------------- 43 4 ,4 4 5 .5 33 3 ,7 1 5 .0 10 7 3 0 .5

A dditive.

2 Includes provisions of 2 constitutions authorizing summary disciplin e; grounds for invoking discipline not

specified.

3 Nonadditive.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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Table II—3. Summary Discipline for Reasons Other Than the Nonpayment of Financial Obligations,

by Persons Affected and Level Initiating Disciplinary Action, National and

International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

11

(M embers in thousands)

Summary discipline provisions

A ll levels Local lev el International

lev el

Local and

international

levels

Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members

Constitutions providing for sum m ary

d iscip lin e1 -------------------------------------- 123 12, 246.3 11 4 7 6 .6 62 3 ,9 2 0 .4 50 7, 8 4 9 .3

Members ----------------------------------------- 1 4 0 .0 1 4 0 .0

Local union officers ------------------------- 22 1, 217.1 4 368.2 17 651.7 1 197. 2

International officers ------------------------ 7 183.3 - - 7 183.3 - _

Members and lo cal union officers -------- 57 6, 543.7 6 6 8 .4 23 1, 338.8 28 5 ,1 3 6 .5

Local union and international o f fic e r s----

Members, lo c al union, and international

12 475. 3 - - 9 400.1 3 7 5 .2

officers ----------------------------------------- 24 3, 7 8 6 .9 - - 6 1, 346.5 18 2, 4 4 0 .4

Constitutions with provisions covering: 2

Members ------------------------------------ 82 10, 370.6 7 108 .4 29 2, 685.3 46 7, 576. 9

Local union officers ---------------------- 115 1 2 ,0 2 3 .0 10 4 3 6 .6 55 3, 737.1 50 7, 849. 3

International officers --------------------- 43 4, 445. 5 - - 22 1 ,9 2 9 .9 3 21 2 ,5 1 5 .6

A dditive.

2 Nonadditive.

3 In each constitution the provisions involve the discipline of lo c al union officers, or m em bers and lo cal union

officers, in addition to international officers, hence the appearance of discipline at the lo cal level.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

P ro v isio n s authorizing discipline for financial delinquency w ere w idesp read . M ost prevalen t w ere dues discipline clau se s (table II-4), followed by 

a ss e ss m e n ts pro v isio n s (table II-6) and finally by fines p ro v iso s (table II-5). 

Only 15 constitutions m ade no p rov ision for dues discipline by a fo rm al co n stitu tio n al c l a u s e . 15

Many constitutions contained pro v isio n s (again, there m ay also be in ­

f o r m a l a r r a n g e m e n t s ) e x o n e r a tin g c e r t a i n m e m b e r s f r o m p a y m e n t s . 16 M e m b e r s 

who are unem ployed, for instance, m ay be exem pt or m ay pay only sharply r e ­

d u c ed " o u t - o f - w o r k d u e s . n S i m i l a r e a s in g o r e r a s u r e of o b lig a t io n s m a y a l s o 

apply to m em b ers on strik e, sick m em b ers, and m em b ers involved in the o r ­

ganizing of their plant.

Although a num ber of constitutions covered dues, fines, and a ss e ss m e n ts 

sim ultaneously in one provision , m o re com m only only dues and a sse ssm e n ts w ere 

treated together. U sually such p rov ision s w ere p art of an article on the rights 

and duties of m em b ersh ip or on the financial obligations of m em b ersh ip . D is ­

cipline for nonpayment of fines w as often handled sep arately , usually in the p r o ­

vision for ch arges, tria ls, and penalties.

15 U n d er a u n io n -sh o p p r o v i s i o n in a c o lle c tiv e b a r g a in in g a g r e e m e n t , 

failure to pay or to tender dues is cau se for autom atic d ism issa l. See Union 

S e c u r it y and C h eck o ff P r o v i s i o n s in M a jo r Union C o n t r a c t s . 1958—59 (B U S B u l ­

letin 1272, I960).

16 F o r the v a r i e t y of t r a d e union a p p r o a c h e s to d efin in g what c o n st itu te s 

union m em b ersh ip— a closely allied question— see D irectory of N ational and International L ab or Unions in the United S tates. 1961 (B B S Bulletin 1320, 1962), 

p p . 44—45.

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Table II-4. Discipline for Nonpayment of Dues, National and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(Membeys in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

D iscipline provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll constitutions -------- -------------- ------------------ 158 16,923. 1 122 14, 228.9 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing for discipline -------------- 143 1 6 ,3 6 6 .3 112 1 3 ,9 1 6 .7 31 2, 449. 7

A utom atic discipline:

After grace period; no notice — -------------- 89 1 0 ,7 0 3 .8 74 8 ,4 7 8 .3 15 2 ,2 2 5 .5

After grace period; notice -------------------- 19 2 ,3 8 5 .7 10 2, 248.5 9 1 37.2

If not paid on due date ------------------------ 8 5 73.7 6 5 4 4 .6 2 29. 1

After grace period; notice only to those

on checkoff -------------------------------------- 2 1, 162.0 2 1 ,1 6 2 .0 -

Subject to disciplin e:

After grace period; no notice ---------------- 16 744. 1 11 6 8 6 .2 5 5 7 .9

After grace period; notice --------------------- 7

1 2

717. 1 7 717.1 - -

Other ------------------------------ --------------------- 7 9 .9 2 7 9 .9 - -

Constitutions not providing for discipline -------- 15 5 5 6 .8 10 312 .2 5 2 4 4 .6

1 constitution allow ed lo cal unions to discipline after a m inim um 6 months* grace period under rigid notice

requirem ents, but reserved summary expulsion to the international union follow ing a 1-year m inim um grace period;

the second constitution authorized discipline but gave none of the d etails com m only found in other constitutions.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T ab le II-5. D iscipline for Nonpayment of Fines, N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961 1

(Members in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

D iscipline provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions ----— ------------------------ --------- 158 16,923. 1 122 14, 228.8 36 2 ,6 9 4 . 3

Constitutions providing for discipline -------------- 83 1 2 ,6 8 5 .4 73 11, 197.9 10 1,4 8 7 . 6

A utom atic discipline:

After grace period; no notice ----------- ---- 48 7 ,7 9 6 .7 44 6, 354.7 4 1,4 4 1 . 9

After grace period; notice --------------------- 10 2, 374. 1 8 2, 338 .2 2 3 5 .9

If not paid on due d a t e ------------------------- 8 373.5 7 369 .2 1 4. 3

Subject to discipline:

After grace period; no notice ---------------- 10 6 9 6 .0 7 6 90.5 3 5 .5

After grace period; notice --------------------- 5

X 2

404. 1 5 404. 1 - -

O th e r------— -------------------------------------------- 1 ,0 4 1 .0 2 1 ,0 4 1 .0 - -

Constitutions not providing for d is c ip lin e ---------- 75 4, 237.7 49 3 ,0 3 0 .9 26 1, 2 0 6 .8

1 constitution authorized discipline but provided none of the details com m only found in other constitutions;

the other constitution approved lo cal union summary action that involved cases where the facts were not in dispute.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

R elatively speaking, pro v isio n s for discipline for nonpayment of fines 

w ere le ss num erous than sim ilar clau se s covering dues and a ss e ss m e n ts . This 

su ggests that sep arate enforcem ent p rov ision s w ere con sidered u n n ecessary , since 

im plicit in the im position of fines is the existen ce of m e a su re s to com pel c o m ­

pliance, either by other su m m ary actions or by invoking the tria l p ro ced u re.

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Table II—6. Discipline for Nonpayment of Assessments, National

and International Unioix Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studi-ed A ffiliation

D iscipline provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions ----------- ------------------------------ 158 1 6 ,9 2 3 .1 122 14, 228.8 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing for disciplin e -------------- 113 1 2 ,7 3 3 .8 89 10, 4 5 8 .2 24 2, 275. 6

A utom atic discipline:

After grace period; no notice ---------------- 69 8 ,7 2 9 .7 56 6, 666. 1 13 2 ,0 6 3 .7

After grace period; notice --------------------- 17 2 ,7 1 0 .5 12 2, 5 8 3 .2 5 127. 3

If not paid on due d a t e ------------------------- 8 5 2 1 .0 6 491.8 2 29. 1

Subject to discipline:

After grace period; no notice ---------------- 12 6 5 7 .4 8 601 .9 4 5 5 .5

After grace period; notice ------------------- 4

*3

28. 1 4 28.1 -

Other ---------------------------------------------- — 8 7 .2 3 8 7 .2 - -

Constitutions not providing for d is c ip lin e ---------- 45 4 ,1 8 9 .3 33 3, 7 7 0 .6 12 4 1 8 .7

1 3 constitutions authorized discipline but gave none of the details com m only found in other constitutions.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

The penalty for nonpayment of dues w as, by and larg e, explicitly and 

forcefully set forth. In con trast, although m any clau se s covering fines and a s ­

se ssm e n ts w ere equally c lear concerning discipline, a significant num ber w ere 

vague. Eight constitutions, for instance, tied fines an d /o r a ss e ss m e n ts to dues 

by stipulating that paym ent of these obligations had to p reced e paym ent of dues. 

Thus a r r e a r a g e s in fines and a ss e ss m e n ts w ere treated as a default in dues, 

utilizing the penalties section of the dues clau se. See, for instance, the form, 

of statem ent offered by the F irem e n and O ilers:

A ll d u e s a r e p a y a b le on the f i r s t d a y of e ac h m onth . . . and a ll

fines and a ss e ss m e n ts levied by the (union) m u st be paid before dues 

are collected.

Another eight constitutions defined fines and a ss e ss m e n ts to m ean dues.

A num ber of dues c lau se s w ere so broadly stated that they covered all 

contingencies, including default in fines and a sse ssm e n ts. D iscip lin ary action 

could be tak e n , f o r i n s t a n c e , in fiv e t r a d e u n io n s, if ‘'o b l ig a t io n s 11 o r “ c o n s t i ­

tutional o b ligation s" had not been m et, or if the m em b er sim ply w as “ in a r r e a r s . “ 

T hree other pro v isio n s opened the door to discipline for nonpayment of fines 

an d/o r a ss e ss m e n ts by stipulating punishm ent for delinquencies in “ dues or other 

paym ents, “ or in “ dues or other m onies owed the international union. “ F o u r 

constitutions stipulated punishm ent for those who owed “ an amount equal to 

3 m o n th s 1 d u e s " o r “ an a m o u n t in e x c e s s of 3 m o n th s 1 d u e s . “

The penalty attached to nonpayment of financial obligations typically w as 

suspension or expulsion. Where both penalties w ere authorized, they usually 

followed in sequence: Suspension for delinquency covering a specified period,

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followed by expulsion for delinquency continued into a longer period. Such a 

p r o c e d u r e w a s a v a il a b le to the A m e r i c a n B a k e r y and C o n fe c tio n e r y W o r k e r s 1 

(A FL-C IO ):

M em bers in a r r e a r s with dues an d /o r a ss e ss m e n ts m o re than 

2 m o n th s s h a ll be su s p e n d e d by the l o c a l union to w hich they b elo n g a s 

well as by the International Union. Suspension shall m ean lo ss of all 

local and International Union p riv ileg es and benefits and of all rights to 

p articipate in local proceed in gs.

M em bers m ay be expelled for being in a r r e a r s with their regu lar 

d u e s o r any a s s e s s m e n t m o r e than 6 m o n th s, p r o v id e d that th ey h av e 

received notice of their delinquency at le a st 24 hours p rio r to the 

expulsion.

A few constitutions so ph rased their penalty clau se that the union took no d irect 

action to su spen d the delinquent m e m b e r; but ra th e r, the m e m b e r* s inaction in 

not paying his obligations w as interpreted as self-su sp en sio n :

. . . W here a m e m b e r a llo w s h is a r r e a r a g e fo r d u e s , f i n e s , and

a ss e ss m e n ts to run over the last day of the second month without p a y ­

m ent, he does thereby suspend h im self from m em b ersh ip in this A s s o ­

ciation, and the fact that the m em b er is not in p o sse ssio n of his monthly 

working card is due notice to him of his suspen sion from m em b ersh ip 

and no fu r t h e r n o tice w ill be n e c e s s a r y . . . (S t r e e t, E l e c t r i c R a ilw a y

and M otor Coach E m ployes).

P recau tion s w ere so m etim es taken to give notice to the delinquent m e m ­

b e r that h is m e m b e r s h i p s t a t u s w as e n d a n g e r e d . 17 The f o r m of n o tic e v a r ie d ; 

som e p rov ision s required written notice, while others set a p rio r suspen sion as 

the first step in an inexorable disciplin ary p ro c e ss leading to expulsion which 

could only be halted by erasin g a r r e a r a g e s.

T ypically, penalties for nonpayment of financial obligations w ere su m ­

m arily applied. In se v e ra l constitutions explicit exceptions fro m trial p ro ced u res 

w ere noted. Among these constitutions was that of the Cem ent, L im e and 

Gypsum W orkers:

E v ery officer and m em b er of the international union shall be entitled 

to a ju st and im p artial trial for any offense of which he m ay be charged 

e x c e p tin g the n on p aym en t of d u e s , f i n e s , and a s s e s s m e n t s . . . .

M ost commonly, a r r e a r a g e s w ere allowed to p e r s is t during a g rac e period 

ra n g in g f r o m 1 m onth to 1 y e a r , a f t e r w hich p e n a ltie s m ig h t be a p p lie d without 

r e q u ir in g n o tic e to the d elin qu en t m e m b e r , 18 a s , fo r e x a m p le , in the B r i c k l a y e r s :

Any m em b er or apprentice in a r r e a r s for dues or a ss e ss m e n ts for 

3 m o n th s s h a ll c e a s e to be a m e m b e r of this Union without n o tic e .

17 S e e t a b le s II-4 , II-5, and II-6 . Such p r o v i s o s a p p e a r e d in 19, 10, and

17 co n stitu tio n s r e fe r r in g , r e sp e c tiv e ly , to d u es, fin e s, and a s s e s s m e n t s .

18 S e e t a b le s II-4 , II-5 , and II -6. R ou gh ly 62, 58, and 61 p e r c e n t of the

clau se s resp ectiv ely covering dues, fines, and a sse ssm e n ts included such p ro v iso s.

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L e s s than 15 p e rcen t of the constitutions in each su b ject a r e a (dues, 

fines, and a sse ssm e n ts) provided for sim ilar grac e period s and also carefully 

p resc rib e d that the delinquent m em b er had to be inform ed that his m em b ersh ip 

w as in jeopardy before autom atic suspen sion or expulsion could be invoked. T ypic al is the R ailroad Signalmen®s constitutional provision :

W henever any m em b er of the Brotherhood shall be in a r r e a r s for 

one quarter with dues or a ss e ss m e n ts , the financial se c re ta ry shall m ail 

said m em b er a notice to his la st known a d d re ss, said notice to specify 

the amount in a r r e a r s . If, after such notice h as been duly fo rw ard ed ”tcTthe 

m em b er, his dues and a ss e ss m e n ts rem ain unpaid for another quarter, 

said m em b er shall be autom atically suspended.

A m ore sev ere procedu re, in eight constitutions covering dues, eight 

covering fines, and eight covering a ss e ss m e n ts , neither g rac e period nor notice 

w as allowed. If dues, fines, or a ss e ss m e n ts w ere not paid by a specified cutoff 

date, the delinquent m em b er ran the risk of swift and autom atic punishm ent. 

S u ch a c l a u s e w a s w ritte n into the R a i l r o a d Y a r d m a s t e r s 1 (A F L ~ C IO ) co n stitu tio n :

M em bership shall term inate at the end of the last day of the period 

fo r which a l l d u e s , a s s e s s m e n t s , and o th er p a y m e n t s h av e b een p a id . . .

Som e unions differentiated, allowing a grace period for dues, but none for a s ­

se ssm e n ts.

Recognizing m itigating circ u m stan c es, one union establish ed a fund from 

which loans could be m ade for paym ent of financial obligations. To protect itse lf 

from another type of delinquency, the union then m ade any m em b er who defaulted 

in paying the loan subject to ch arges and trial.

Among those clau se s c lassifie d as requiring paym ent on the due date 

w ere se v e ra l which provided that a guilty m em b er would stand suspended until 

the fine w as paid; for instance, the B ric k lay ers stipulated that:

Any m em b er or subordinate union again st which any fine shall be 

im posed for any violation of any prov ision of this Constitution shall stand 

suspended until such fine shall have been paid.

T w enty-three dues p ro v isio n s, 15 fines c la u se s, and 16 a s s e s s m e n t s 

p ro v iso s contained asp e c ts of su m m ary discipline, but openly recognized an 

elem ent of d iscretio n to be employed by the enforcing agency. This discretio n 

m ay, in p ractice, be e x e rcise d in other unions. T ypically these pro v isio n s 

stated that a delinquent m em b er "m ay be" penalized or " is subject to" punishm ent. 

O therw ise the clau se s contained all elem ents of the p rev io u sly cited pro v isio n s in ­

cluding g rac e period, notice, and punishm ent.

Sum m ary D iscipline for O ffenses Other Than 

Nonpayment of F in an cial Obligations

A ll but 1 of the 116 c o n stitu tio n s p ro v id in g fo r s u m m a r y d is c i p l in e of 

local o fficers or m em b ers for reaso n s other than failure to m eet financial o b ligations directed su m m ary p ro ced u res at local union o ffice rs, while 82 of these 

prov ision s re ferre d to rank-and-file m em b ers (tables II-2 and II-3). One co n stitution, that of the N ational M aritim e Union, applied su m m ary discipline exclu ­

sively to m em b ers, since the union had no local union o fficers in the com m only 

accepted sen se of the term , but only branch o fficers and port agents who, a l ­

though elected by the m em b ersh ip, w ere directly an sw erable to the international 

union on all m atte rs concerning their duties.

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In defining the p erso n s subject to su m m ary action, som e p ro v isio n s w ere 

le ss than p re c ise . U sually, these clau se s specified that "m e m b e rs" could be 

su m m arily disciplined, im plying, but not explicitly stating, that the term w as 

a l l - i n c l u s i v e , i. e. , m e a n t to in clu d e o f f i c e r s a s w ell a s m e m b e r s . On the o th e r 

hand, an occasio n al union, such as the Stage E m ployes, explicitly defined " m e m ­

b e r s ' : so a s to l e a v e no doubt that o f f i c e r s w e r e in clu d e d .

The pow er to apply su m m ary discipline for reaso n s other than nonpaym ent of dues, fines, and a sse ssm e n ts again st m em b ers and local union o fficers 

w as m o st often vested in the international union (table II- 3). F o r instance, of 

the 115 constitutions em pow ering su m m ary action again st local union o ffice rs, 

55 sanctioned action at the international level alone, while another 50 gave au th o rity jointly to local and international lev els. Thus, 105 of 115 constitutions 

em pow ered international action again st local union o fficers. The rem aining 

10 v e s te d p o w er s o le ly in the lo c a l union. S im ila r l y , in the 82 p r o v is io n s c o v e r ­

ing ra n k and file m e m b e r s , 7 5 p r o v i s i o n s g a v e the in t e r n a tio n a l union a u th o rity 

to levy s u m m a r y punishm ent, 29 a ssig n in g so le ju r is d ic tio n and 46 sh arin g the 

power between local and international unions. Again, the rem aining seven gave 

authority to the local level only.

Although an occasion al constitution or bylaw s m ight authorize a m e m b e rship m eeting to reso lv e itself into a com m ittee of the whole in o rd er to su m ­

m arily punish an offender, su m m ary discipline was p rim a rily an executive fu nction, with the chief executive officer (local or international) usually em pow ered 

first to determ ine when su m m ary discipline should be invoked and then to a d ­

m in is t e r it. In 39 p r o v is io n s , the in tern a tio n al p r e s id e n t m igh t d e le g a te a deputy 

to act in his stead.

As a check upon the international p r e s id e n t s pow er, 12 constitutions 

provided for a subsequent executive board review and approval of the p r e s id e n ts 

action. Eleven other constitutions took the next precau tion ary step by vesting 

su m m ary power jointly in the executive board and the executive officer, while 

24 gave power solely to the international executive board. On the local level, 

eight constitutions gave su m m ary pow er to the presiden t, five to the executive 

board, and seven to the m em b ersh ip.

R easo n s for discipline other than the nonpayment of financial obligations 

w e r e n u m e r o u s and d i v e r s e am o n g the 123 c o n stitu tio n s (in cluding the 7 that r e ­

fe rred only to the discipline of international o fficers). M ost constitutions contained 

m ore than one ground for su m m ary discipline yielding, in total, m ore than 40 d ifferent grounds. S ev eral of these, believed to be of im portance in union a ffa irs, 

w ere earm ark ed for sp ecial an aly sis and are d isc u sse d below. A sm a lle r num ber 

a re su m m a riz e d in table II-7.

In the m ain, the a n aly sis re v e aled the following pattern: (1) The p r im a r y 

subject of su m m ary p ro ced u res w as the local union officer, although m any covered 

m em b ers; and (2) the international level was m o st often em pow ered to initiate 

su m m ary action, although a significant num ber left power at the local level.

M i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n . W here th e r e w as r e a s o n to b e lie v e that m o n e y w as

being m isap p ro p riated or m ishandled, a num ber of unions, including the T ypograph ical Union, Autom obile W orkers, and Oil, C hem ical and Atom ic W orkers, 

em pow ered the international union to m ove swiftly again st the offending local

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T ab le 11- 7 . Selected Grounds for Sum m ary D iscipline by Level, Persons A ffected, and Penalties,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Sum m ary disciplin e provisions

Grounds for sum m ary discipline

Dual

unionism

Strikebreaking

Secession Resort to

courts

Union law

violation s1

M isappropriation

False

charges

Level at which action is initiated -------- 15 11 4 20 46 14 21

Local union ---------------------------------- 1 1 - - 8 2 8

International u n io n ------------------------ 13 8 4 13 36 12 4

Both l e v e l s ----------------------------------- 1 2 - 7 2 - 9

Persons subject to d is c ip lin e ---------------- 15 11 4 20 46 14 21

Members ------------------------------------ - 1 - - 3 - 2

Local union officers ---------------------- 2 2 2 - 14 10 -

Members and lo c al union o f fic e r s----- 12 7 1 19 23 2 17

International officers ---------------------

Members, lo cal union, and

- 1 - - 1 - 1

international officers ------------------ - - - 1 - - 1

International and lo c al union officers-- 1 - 1 - 5 2 -

Penalty applied -------------------------------- 15 11 ' 4 20 46 14 21

A utom atic fine ----------------------------- - 1 - 2 5 - 6

A utom atic su sp e n sio n --------------------- 3 1 4 1 28 - 4

A utom atic e x p u lsio n ----------------------

Penalty at the discretion of the

10 7 - 16 6 13 -

disciplining body ------------------------ 2 2 - 1 7 1 11

Included in union law violations are refusal to follow orders or directions of union o fficials, as w ell as v io ­

lations of the constitution or bylaws of the union.

officer. The A llied Indu strial W orkers, for instance, authorized action when 

all m onies due to the international union w ere not rem itted by the local union 

as expected:

. . . the o f f i c e r o r o f f i c e r s r e s p o n s i b l e fo r su c h f a i l u r e s h a l l be

subject to su m m ary expulsion or suspension and shall not be allowed to 

hold o ffic e in the o r g a n iz a t io n fo r a p e r i o d of 2 y e a r s . . .

Along sim ilar lin es, the Street, E lec tric Railw ay and M otor Coach Em ployes 

union d ic ta te d that the in t e r n a tio n a l s e c r e t a r y - t r e a s u r e r f i r s t h ad to " a s k 11 the 

local union to rem ove the offending financial officer and, in the event of noncom pliance, then the international s e c r e ta r y - tr e a su r e r could act again st those 

local o fficers who refu sed to cooperate.

T ru stee s or m em b ers of auditing com m ittees who collusively falsified 

local union financial data in o rd er to bury evidence of m isap p ro p riatio n w ere 

subject to su m m ary punishm ent, under a few constitutions. To fo re sta ll financial 

m isconduct in the absen ce of specific constitutional p ro v isio n s, how ever, the 

" c a t c h a l l" union law v io la t io n s c l a u s e m ig h t be a p p lie d when n e c e s s a r y .

J o b D i s c i p l i n e . T he r e la t io n s h ip of m e m b e r s and o f f i c e r s to the jo b 

w as the subject of a num ber of su m m ary discipline p ro v isio n s. Among the a c ­

tivities in this a r e a that w ere punishable by su m m a ry p ro c ee d in g s w ere (1) w o rk ­

ing in a nonunion shop; (2) accepting w ages low er than union stan d ard s; (3) taking 

a job away fro m a fellow union m em b er; and (4) violating union w ork r u le s. In 

its effort to control job ju risd iction , one union (the H o siery W orkers) m ade p r o ­

vision for su m m ary disciplin e of any unem ployed m em b er who failed to re g iste r 

with the union his out-of-w ork statu s.

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Union L o y a lt y . R i v a l r y betw een c o m p e titiv e unions and s o m e t i m e s b e ­

tween clashing ideologies is reflected in union constitutions providing for su m m ary 

disciplin e for dual unionism , notably those of the Hotel and R estau ran t E m p lo y ees; 

Pulp, Sulphite and P ap er M ill W orkers; Autom obile W orkers, and the B ak ery 

W o r k e r s (Ind. )• T he B r e w e r y W o r k e r s ( A F L —CIO), fo r e x a m p le , w hich f o r y e a r s 

had experienced bitter ju risd ictio n al com petition fro m the T e a m ste r s, included the 

following p ro v iso in its constitution:

O fficers or rep resen tativ es of local unions or . . . of the in te rnational union who accept m em b ersh ip or any official or represen tativ e 

position in a riv al or competing labor organization shall thereby autom a t i c a l l y f o r f e i t th e ir m e m b e r s h i p and o f f ic i a l p o s it io n in the l o c a l a n d / o r 

international union as the c a se m ay be.

In one constitution, r e fu sa l to d e c la r e under oath within 30 d ays that he 

did not have dual union m em b ersh ip w as deem ed proof of such m em b ersh ip , and 

the m em b er could then be expelled by the international executive board.

Strikebreaking, or refusing to strik e when called on to do so, or o th erw ise aiding a struck em ployer, could be su m m arily punished in se v e ra l unions, 

among them, Locom otive E n gin eers, the Printing P re ssm e n , and also the G la ss 

Bottle B low ers A sso ciatio n whose clau se is presen ted below:

Any m e m b e r w o rk in g in a p la n t th at h a s b e e n o r d e r e d on s t r i k e . . .

shall autom atically be expelled fro m m em b ersh ip . The nam e or nam es 

of those expelled shall be im m ediately reported to the entire m em b ersh ip 

by the international se c re ta ry .

In stigators of, and participants in, w ildcat strik es w ere likew ise subject to su m ­

m arily applied discipline in a sm all num ber of constitutions, one of which placed 

the burden of proof of innocence upon the accu sed .

To prevent p o ssib le abuse of strik e benefits, the M u sician s, for exam ple, 

ruled that those m em b ers who receive strik e benefits and who then accept another 

engagem ent for which the hours w ere the sam e as those on the regu lar job shall 

by their action autom atically resig n from the union.

Where the threat of se c e ssio n existed, the Mine, M ill and S m elter W orke rs; B rew ery W orkers; B akery W orkers; and G la ss Bottle B low ers, w ere authorized 

to su m m arily suspend local union o ffice rs an d /o r m em b ers. As a gen eral rule, 

the local union would be ad m in istered under a tru steesh ip arran gem en t until such 

tim e as the threat to secede w as d issip ated .

R e s o r t to C o u r t s . V ir t u a lly a ll l a b o r o r g a n iz a t io n s p r o v id e an a p p e a l s 

procedu re for an aggrieved m em b er or officer from the d ecisio n s of either a local 

or international trial body. If the aggrieved elects to litigate his com plaint in 

the courts rath er than to follow the p re sc rib e d appeals m achinery, under the te rm s 

of a num ber of constitutions, he could be su m m arily expelled, usually by the in te rnational union. The International Brotherhood of E le c tric a l W orkers; P a p e rm a k e rs; 

Packinghouse W orkers; Rubber W orkers; Mine, M ill and S m elter W orkers (Ind.); 

and the B u ild in g S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s 1 (In tern atio n al) Union p r o v id e d the n e c e s s a r y 

authorization for such c a se s. T ypical of such p rov ision s w as the following clau se 

fro m the Printing P r e s s m e n ^ constitution:

If any subordinate union or any m em b er of a subordinate union, shall 

d isre g a rd any prov ision of the constitution or law s of the international

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union p e r t a in in g to a p p e a ls . . . , and s h a l l s e e k a d ju s t m e n t o r s e t t l e ­

m ent of its or his claim , differen ces or co n trov ersy by or through m eans 

of any suit, action or proceedin gs of any kind or ch aracter w hatsoever 

in any c o u r t of law o r e q u ity . . . w ithout hav in g f i r s t e x h a u s t e d it s 

or his rem ed ies provided for, in and by said constitution and law s of 

the international union, shall thereby be autom atically expelled fro m the 

in t e r n a tio n a l union, w ithout n o tice . . .

The T e a m s t e r s 1 (Ind. ) and M a i l e r s 1 (Ind. ) c o n s t it u t io n s , a m o n g s e v e r a l 

oth ers, requ ired the aggrieved to post a bond if he re so rted to the co u rts. The 

bond would cover the co st of the international union* s legal expen ses in cu rred 

in the c a se , and would be paid, if the union won, as a penalty "in the nature 

of a fine. n

One additional constitution broadened the a re a in which su m m ary d is ­

cipline would be allow able fro m exhaustion of internal rem ed ies directly concerned 

w ith d is c i p l in e to Ma c i v il a c tio n o f any n a m e o r n a t u r e n a g a i n s t the union o r the 

em p loy ers* asso ciatio n .

E l e c t i o n e e r i n g and In te r n a l P o l i t i c s . E s t a b l i s h i n g r u l e s f o r union e l e c ­

tions is an im portant function of the union constitution. G en erally, these rules 

also attem pted to control the e x c e s se s or extrem es to which electioneering and 

politics are su scep tib le. O rdinarily, rule violations would be subject to the 

trial p roced u re, but o ccasio n ally p rov ision s w ere found which authorized the use 

of s u m m a r y d is c i p l in e . In a n u m b e r o f c o n s t it u t io n s , fo r e x a m p le , s u m m a r y 

discipline w as authorized w here fa lse or re c k le ss ch arges w ere filed again st a 

candidate or incumbent by opposition groups, ch arges which when brought to trial 

could not be sustain ed. Punishm ent for false ch arges w ill be d isc u sse d elsew h ere 

in this chapter, together with a num ber of related m a tte rs.

Additional constitutional p rov ision s authorized the use of su m m ary d is ­

cipline for the follow ing: (1) Slan d er; (2) d istribution of unauth orized or d is a p ­

proved c irc u la rs (usually having political content); and (3) form ation of a "p o litic a l” club w here union a ffa irs could be d is c u ss e d outside of the re g u la r m eeting 

and away from the regu lar m eeting p lace. Although these rules w ere p resu m ab ly 

designed to curb e x c e sse s of political riv alry in the b e st in tere sts of the union, 

they m ight also le sse n p o litical opposition.

P e r s o n a l M o r a l s . D r u n k e n n e ss , p r o fa n it y , o r o th e r d is t u r b a n c e s of 

otherw ise o rd erly m eetin gs, in som e unions w as sufficient cau se for su m m ary 

action. T ypically, a fir s t offense m ight draw a reprim an d fro m the ch air, but 

a second and third offense, as indicated in the C arp en ters* constitution, opened 

the door to su m m ary action:

Any m em b er entering the m eeting in a state of intoxication, or who 

distu rbs the harm ony thereof, or u se s profane or unbecom ing language 

during the m eeting shall be adm onished by the ch air, and, if the m em b er 

again offends, shall be fined 50 cents; for the second offense, $1 and e x ­

cluded fro m the room ; for the third offense the m em b er shall be suspended 

fo r 3 m on th s . . . The p r e s i d e n t s h a l l s t r i c t l y e n f o r c e th is s e c t io n .

One other constitution d eclared that m em b ersh ip would c e a se "forthwith 

and im m ediately" for the sale of intoxicating liqu ors.

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L o ss of m em b ersh ip sim ila rly w as the su m m ary penalty levied under 

a few p r o v is io n s , su ch as the O rd e r of R ailw ay C o n d u cto rs and B r a k e m e n (Ind. ), 

for obtaining that m em b ersh ip under false p re te n se s. Still other unions, like the 

B ookbin ders, in addition to banning fro m office any candidate who had been found 

guilty of com m itting a felony at any tim e during the p rev io u s 10 y e a r s , au tho rized 

the su m m ary rem o val of any officer guilty of com m itting a felony:

. . . sh o u ld an in c u m b e n t o f f i c e r b e c o n v ic te d o r found g u ilty of

com m itting a felony, he or she shall ce a se to hold office im m ediately, 

and shall be b a rre d fro m holding any office in any subordinate lo cal union 

or the International (union).

A d m in is t r a t iv e D i s c i p l i n e . The c a t e g o r y w h e re a u t h o r iz e d s u m m a r y p r o ­

cedure w as m o st often invoked lay in the gen eral a r e a of adm in istrative d isciplin e, 

la rg e ly resu lting fro m the requ irem en ts or duties of office, and the n e c e ssity for 

the s m o o t h o p e r a t io n and in te r m e s h in g of in t e r n a tio n a l and l o c a l union a d m i n ­

istrativ e m ac h in eries. Although som e of the su m m ary discipline d escrib ed applies 

to m em b ers, m o st of it applies to the activities of local union o ffic e rs.

The m o st frequent internal rule (appearing, among oth ers, in co n stitutions of the C arp e n te rs; C h em ical W orkers; M eat C u tters; R etail C le rk s; Sheet 

M etal W orkers; Hod C a r r ie r s ; M ine, M ill and S m elter W orkers; and Locom otive 

E n gin eers) em pow ered the local union or the local union m em b ersh ip m eeting to 

declare, vacant any office w here the incumbent had been absent for two or three 

consecutive m eetin gs. A new election m ight take place im m ediately or m ight 

occur at a subsequent m eeting. As a safegu ard , m o st c lau se s lim ited the su m ­

m ary action to those situations where the officer had no reason able excu se for 

h is a b s e n c e s . T y p ic a l is the p r o v i s i o n in the P a i n t e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n :

If any officer fails to d isch arge the duties of his office for three 

consecutive m eetings without a reason able excu se, the office shall be 

d eclared vacant, and an election to fill the sam e shall take place at 

the next regu lar m eeting.

In a v ery few c a s e s , m em b ers failing to attend m eetings w ere subject to su m ­

m a ry fines.

F o r failing to file re p o rts, the United Mine W orkers (Ind.); B ric k la y e rs; 

O perating E n gin eers; and se v e ra l other unions provided for the levying of autom atic fines, u su ally nom inal su m s, again st lo cal union o ffic e rs. T ypically, the 

delinquent rep o rts re fe rre d to w ere financial re p o rts, deem ed by the international 

union to be so im portant to the continuous protection of funds that no delays could 

be to lerated. Action m ight also be taken if there w as any undue delay in an sw e ring com m unications fro m the international union, or if the resp on sib le local union 

o f f i c e r had f a i l e d to file r e p o r t s n e c e s s a r y fo r the u n io n 1 s c o m p lia n c e w ith p e r ­

tinent F e d e ra l, State, or local law s.

The fo llo w in g p r o v i s i o n f r o m the G l a s s B o ttle B l o w e r s T c o n stitu tio n i l l u s ­

trate s a com m on form of such c la u se s:

If he fails or neglects to p rep are and forw ard the sem iannual repo rt 

of the local union or such other rep o rts as requ ired, to the international 

s e c r e t a r y - t r e a s u r e r within 10 days after the la s t day of each half y e a r, 

he sh a ll be fined the am ount of $ 5. F a ilu r e to p a y su ch fine w ill s u b je c t 

him to su m m ary rem o val fro m office.

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Under other c la u se s, m em b ers m ight be su m m arily fined for failure to 

c a st a vote in an election; an elected officer m ight have his election set aside if 

he failed to appear for installation; or an officer or m em b er m ight be su m m arily 

punished for m aking appeals to other lo cals without international authorization, or 

for failing to enforce a union law.

J u d i c i a l D i s c i p l i n e . In an a tt e m p t to s a f e g u a r d in t e r n a l ju d i c i a l p r o c e s s e s 

and to a ssu re a fa ir trial, a num ber of ru les have been prom ulgated, the v io ­

latio n of w h ich m ig h t r e s u l t in s u m m a r y p u n ish m e n t. The m o s t p r e v a le n t of_ th e se 

ru les w ere the p rev io u sly noted p rov ision s designed to protect the accu sed again st 

false ch arges by holding out to a false a c c u se r the risk of su m m ary punishm ent. 

Among the unions invoking such p ro ced u res w ere the T e a m ste rs (Ind.); Rubber 

W orkers; Oil, C h em ical and Atomic W orkers; Building S erv ice E m p lo yees; and 

P a in te rs. The T ypographical Union, for exam ple, acted in the following m anner;

Any m em b er bringing ch arges again st another which he fails to s u s ­

tain by p ro p er evidence m ay, by a tw o-thirds vote of the union, and 

without referrin g the m atter to any tria l com m ittee, be cen su red or fined 

an amount equal to the expense of the trial, or both cen su red and fined.

In a related authority, found in a few constitutions, su m m ary punishm ent m ight 

also be invoked again st any a c c u se r who refu sed to state his ch arges in w riting. 

S im ilarly , a sm a ll num ber of p rov ision s invoked su m m ary punishm ent again st 

a w itness who ignored a sum m ons to testify or who failed to give true testim ony. 

A defendant who refu sed to stand trial m ight be suspended or expelled su m m arily , 

and m em b ers of a trial com m itte who absented th em selv es fro m the trial without 

good reaso n , or who failed or refu sed to vote, w ere also subject to su m m ary 

punishm ent.

Union L a w V i o l a t i o n s . A r a t h e r l a r g e g ro u p of c o n stitu tio n s (46) c o n ­

tained discipline language that appeared to en com pass virtu ally the whole range 

of union activity and behavior without being sp ecific about any single violation. 

A lthough in in v okin g th e se Mc a t c h a l l ” c l a u s e s , the e n fo r c in g a g e n t w ou ld have to 

be sp ecific concerning the behavior deem ed to be in violation, the behavior or 

act that would be violative would not be known to m em b ers or o fficers except 

through experience and custom . Such clau se s w ere directed to local union o fficers 

m ore often than to rank -an d-file m e m b e rs. Em ploying such p ro v iso s w ere som e 

of the la rg e r trade unions including the C arp e n te rs; Brotherhood of E le c tric a l 

W orkers; Hod C a r r ie r s ; M aintenance of Way E m p lo y es; R etail C le rk s; and United 

Mine W orkers (Ind. ). The follow ing e x a m p le s are drawn fro m the A llied In d u strial W orkers, and the Street, E le c tric R ailw ay and M otor C oach E m p lo yes* 

constitu tions;

The International P resid en t shall, after investigation in p e rso n or 

through a represen tativ e, have the power to su m m arily expel or suspend 

m em b ers or o fficers of subordinate organizations for violation of the 

International Constitution, L o cal Union bylaw s, or L o cal Union co n tracts, 

or for such other c a u se s which are deem ed sufficient by him to require 

prom pt and im m ediate action on his p art. Any such o fficer or m em b er 

suspended by the International P resid en t shall have the right to appeal.

>!< * *

The gen eral executive bo ard shall have authority to deal with o fficers 

of a L o cal D ivision for re fu sal to c a r r y out law s and po licies of the 

A s s o c i a t i o n • . . The l o c a l d iv is io n o r l o c a l o f f i c e r thus s u s p e n d e d s h a l l 

have the r ig h t to a p p e a l to the fo llo w in g C o n ven tio n . . .

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A sm all num ber of related clau se s em pow ered su m m ary suspension of o fficers 

and m e m b e r s Mfo r c a u s e " o r r e m o v a l of an o f f i c e r fo r " n e g l e c t of duty. "

O th er S u m m a r y D i s c ip li n e P r o v i s i o n s . O v e r a fo u rth of the c o n st itu tio n s 

providing for su m m ary discipline related the su m m ary action to the estab lish m en t 

of a tru steesh ip . O rdinarily a tru steesh ip is estab lish ed by the chief executive 

o fficer for any one of a v ariety of re aso n s, and the local is ad m in istered by his 

appointed tru stee. The tru stee usually is given the power to continue the o fficers 

in office, or to suspend them. The subsequent hearing or trial is concerned with 

the p rop riety of the tru steesh ip and its continuance, not with the suspended status 

of the o ffic e rs. Since tru steesh ip s and the grounds for establishing tru steesh ip s 

h av e b een d i s c u s s e d fu lly in o th e r g o v e r n m e n t p u b lic a t io n s , 19 t h e s e m a t t e r s a r e 

only noted here in relation to su m m ary action.

Although m any unions constitutionally b arre d m em b ersh ip to Com m unists 

or to m em b ers of su b v ersiv e organ ization s, a few provided, like the Brotherhood 

of M aintenance of Way E m plo yes, that if Com m unists w ere d isco vered in the 

ranks, they would be "forthwith and prom ptly expelled. " One labor organization 

m ade a re fu sal to com ply with the non-C om m unist affidavit requirem ent of the 

Lab or-M an agem en t R elations Act of 1947 (since elim inated fro m this act) su fficient grounds for su m m ary action. Two additional p rov ision s em pow ered e x ­

ecutives to m ove su m m arily again st m em b ers who had not sought citizenship 

within a reason able tim e after having been conditionally adm itted to m em b ersh ip .

A ppeals F ro m Su m m ary Action

Sum m ary discipline im plies that there is no re co u rse to a hearing before 

punishm ent is visited upon the accu sed m em b er or officer— it is an em ergen cy 

m ea su re . The very nature of su m m ary discipline, when taken for reaso n s other 

than the nonpayment of financial obligations, p artic u larly where suspen sion and 

expulsion are available as pen alties, would seem to requ ire p rov ision s for a 

later appeal or review proced u re, esp ecially since su m m ary actions m ay be taken 

in an em otionally charged atm osph ere, judgm ents m ay be open to e rro r, and som e 

of the grounds for su m m ary action lend th em selv es to p o litical u se.

Under an appeals sy stem , the aggrieved m em b er is given the right to 

initiate action in his own defense again st the preceding su m m ary discipline of an 

executive or executive body. Autom atic review im plies that any su m m ary action 

is subject to review concerning its propriety autom atically, without any action 

n e c e ssa ry by the aggrieved m em b er or officer. Conceivably, under an appeals 

procedu re a m em b er m ay forego reexam ination of the action again st him by not 

initiating the appeal, while under autom atic review all actions com e under scrutiny.

In the absence of internal appeals m achinery, the only re co u rse of the 

aggrieved m em b er or local union officer is in the cou rts. Since litigation is 

costly and slow, re so rt to courts rem ain s a doubtful rem edy, and m o reo v er, it 

m ay be antithetical to the prin ciples of the aggrieved m em b er.

19 Union C o n stitu tio n P r o v i s i o n s : T r u s t e e s h i p ( B L S B u lle tin 1263 1959) a

Union T r u s t e e s h i p s , a r e p o r t of the S e c r e t a r y of L a b o r to the C o n g r e s s upon the 

operation of Title III of the L ab or-M an agem ent Reporting and D isc lo su re Act to ­

gether with a study by the B u reau of Lab or-M an agem en t R eports (Septem ber 1962).

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L e s s than half of the 123 constitutions that provided for su m m ary d i s ­

cipline for reaso n s other than nonpayment of financial obligations also provided 

for appeals or review safeg u ard s (table II-8). In contrast, virtually every one 

of these sam e 123 constitutions included a sy stem of appeals fro m the d ecisio n s 

of trial bodies along with a v ariety of additional safegu ard s contained in the trial 

procedu re itself.

T ab le II—8. Specified Provisions for A ppealing Sum m ary Actions,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 19611

(M em bers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliation

App e al prov is io ns

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

Constitutions providing for summary

discipline ------------------------------------------------- 123 12, 246.3 96 9 ,8 1 5 . 1 27 2, 4 3 1 .3

Constitutions providing for appeals ------------------ 56 7 ,5 9 6 .8 48 7, 3 8 8 .9 8 207 .9

A ppeal -------------------------------------------------- 50 7, 062. 9 43 6 ,8 5 5 .4 7 207.5

A utom atic r e v ie w ------------------------------------ 4 319.3 3 3 1 8 .9 1 .4

A ppeal and autom atic r e v ie w --------------------- 1 124.6 1 124 .6 - -

Only certain actions review ed ------------------- 1 9 0 .0 1 9 0 .0 - -

Constitutions not providing for a p p e a l s------------- 2 67 4, 6 4 9 .6 48 2, 426. 2 19 2, 223.3

1 A ppeal provisions sp e cific ally related to sum m ary action; does not include general appeal clauses dealing with

trial decisions.

2 A ll but 1 constitution provided for appeal from trial decisions.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

An appeals proced u re initiated by the m em b er or local union officer was 

the prevalent safegu ard in those constitutions providing appeals or review sy stem s 

from su m m ary disciplin e. In som e c a se s the appeal had to be in w riting, while 

in others the form of appeal rem ained unspecified. The tim e in which appeals 

could be in itiated ra n g e d fr o m 10 to 30 d a y s but, again , a n u m b e r of the c o n s t i ­

tutions left tim e lim its unspecified except to state that appeal could be m ade 

to the "next" gen eral executive board m eeting or convention. Under som e p r o ­

cedures lim its w ere a lso set on the tim e for hearing appeals once the p r o ­

cedure w as invoked. All steps of the appeals procedu re involving trial decision 

m ight be followed, or som e m ight be b y p assed in the in terest of a speedy final 

d ete rm in a tio n .

Illu strativ e of som e of these c h a rac te ristic s is the following appeals 

provision s of the Building S erv ice E m ployees:

Any action under this section shall becom e effective im m ediately, 

but any . . . o f f i c e r s o r m e m b e r s so su s p e n d e d s h a l l h av e the rig h t

to ap p eal fro m said d e c isio n in w riting within 10 days th e r e a fte r to the 

gen eral executive board. The gen eral executive board shall grant the 

a c c u se d a fu ll h e a rin g within 30 d ay s a fte r s a id su s p e n s io n if an a p p e a l 

is so filed.

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Interestingly, the N ational M aritim e Union excepts fro m its ap peals p r o ­

v i s i o n s th o se o f f i c e r s found " g u il t y by any c o u r t of law . . . o f c o m m it tin g 

offen ses involving p o sse ssio n , sale, or u se of n arco tics or found guilty of ro b ­

bery, m u rd er, or any other c rim e s considered felon ies, n

In a few additional situ ations, su m m ary disciplin e for re aso n s other than 

nonpayment of financial obligations was subject to autom atic review or to both 

autom atic review and appeals p ro ced u re, as illu strated by the following p rov ision 

fro m the constitution of the Street, E le c tric Railw ay and M otor Coach E m ployes:

The g en eral executive bo ard*s act in suspending . . . a lo cal d iv i s i o n o f f ic e r . . . s h a ll be fu lly r e p o r t e d to the co nvention im m e d i a t e ly 

s u c c e e d in g su c h a c tio n . The . • . l o c a l o f f i c e r thus s u s p e n d e d s h a l l 

have the right to appeal to the following convention and have the c a se 

fully co n sidered and acted upon by the convention, the action of the conven tio n to be fin a l in the d i s p o s i t i o n of su c h c a s e s • • .

It should be recognized that this study deals with fo rm al constitution 

p ro v isio n s. M eans of appeal m ight exist among those unions having neither appeal 

nor review of su m m ary punishm ent. M oreover, in a num ber of situations, s u m ­

m ary disciplin e m ay not be of m ajo r significance; that is, the levying of sm a ll 

fines for ad m in istrativ e o v ersigh ts by local union o fficers m ay be involved, rath er 

than su spen sion or expulsion in which rights of m em b ers and internal union p o licies are at issu e .

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Chapter III. Grounds for Discipline Requiring Trial of Local 

Union Officers and Members

This chapter deals with the grounds upon which tria ls could be initiated 

at the local or international lev els. A fter a consideration of gen eral grounds for 

disciplin ary action, the various types of specific grounds are set forth and an alyzed. The closing section differentiates between those grounds which m ay resu lt 

in trials at the local level and at the international union level.

The grounds for which discipline could be im posed at either the local or 

international union level w ere specified in all but four of the constitutions containing trial prov ision s (table III-l). T hese prov ision s defined and forbade conduct 

that in terfered with the organ izatio n ^ legal and contractual obligations or that was 

otherw ise inim ical to the best in terests of the union. T ypically, union constitutions prohibited both m em b ers and local officers from engaging in the p ro sc rib e d 

conduct. S ev eral constitutions, however, provided additional grounds for local 

o ffice rs; and a few specified wholly different and distinct grounds. T hese offenses 

w ere usually related to official duties, such as failing to file requ ired repo rts, 

or not following d irectiv es of international o fficers.

T ab le III—1. Provisions Referring to Grounds for D isciplining Members and Local Officers at Local or

International Union Levels, by Persons A ffected and A ffiliation, N ational and International

Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Type of provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U naffiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for trial

at the lo c al or international l e v e l----- 156 1 6 ,9 1 7 .9 121 14, 2 2 5 .6 35 2, 692. 3

Constitutions referring to grou n d s-------- 152 16,746. 1 117 14, 0 5 3 .8 35 2, 692. 3

Som e grounds for m em bers and

and lo c al o f f i c e r s---------------------- 99 9 ,6 7 3 .7 78 8, 6 50.8 21 1 ,0 2 2 .9

Som e grounds applicable to both

m em bers and officers; others

applicable only to one or the

o th e r-------------- ------------------------- 40 6 , 594. 9 30 4, 948. 2 10 1, 6 46.6

Different grounds applicable to

members and lo c al o f fic e r s---------- 9 4 2 6 .6 6 4 1 1 .8 3 14.8

O th e r----------------------------------------- 1 4 5 0 .9 3 4 2 .9 1 8.0

Constitutions not referring to grounds---- 4 171. 8 4 171.8 - -

1 Under 2 constitutions, grounds for disciplining lo cal officers were specified, but no reference was m ade to

grounds applicable to m em bers; and under 2 constitutions, grounds applied only to m em bers, there being no lo cal officers

in the usual sense.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

Although each constitution typically identified a num ber of sp ecific o ffen ses, the variation among constitutions was great, b ecau se of differen ces in 

em p h asis. T hese prohibitions, norm ally scattered throughout the constitution, 

ranged from sim ple instructions to elaborate clau ses that defined each elem ent 

of the p ro sc rib ed conduct.

25

690-094 0 -6 3 -3

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Of the four constitutions that contained no sp ecific referen ce to punishable 

conduct, two m ere ly authorized local unions to estab lish trial p ro c ed u re s; one 

sp ecified the duties of m em b ersh ip but did not relate these obligations to d is c iplin ary p ro c ed u res; and one constitution^ sole referen ce to punishable conduct 

w as in a clau se providing for trial "if sufficient grounds are found. "

G en eral Grounds

E v ery constitution that contained a referen ce to grounds for discipline 

provided at le a st one gen eral or "catch all" prohibition that did not explicitly d e ­

fine the b e h a v io r ou tlaw ed (tab le III-2). In 13 u n io n s, th e se g e n e r a l c l a u s e s w e re 

the only type found, while in 139 constitutions they w ere added to other p ro h ib itions, m o re sp ecific in nature.

T ab le III—2. Types of Grounds for T rial of Members and Local O fficers at the Local or International

Level, N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Type of grounds

Unions Members

AFL -CIO U naffiliated

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll constitutions providing for trial at

the lo c a l or international l e v e l---------- 156 1 6 ,9 1 7 .9 121 14, 2 2 5 .6 35 2, 692. 3

Constitutions referring to grou n ds-------- 152 16,746. 1 117 14, 0 5 3 .8 35 2 ,6 9 2 .3

Sp e cific and general grou n ds---------- 139 16, 262.8 107 13, 5 8 1 .5 32 2, 6 8 1 .3

General gro u n d s--------------------------- 13 483. 3 10 472 .3 3 11.0

Constitutions not referring to grounds---- 4 171.8 4 171.8 - -

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

C ertain gen eral prohibitions, in p ractice, could be as definite and p re c ise 

as a sp ecific prohibition. F o r instance, the offense m o st prevalently cited or 

p ro scrib ed , "violate the constitution, " could be defined by referen ce to sp ecific 

constitutional pro v isio n s. Other gen eral p h rase s such as "conduct unbecom ing a 

m e m b e r" or "bringing the union into d isrep u te " w ere p erh ap s fa r le s s d eterm in ate. 

Although they m ight p ro sc rib e conduct u n iversally denounced, ju st as a m unicipal 

ordinance forbids "d iso rd e rly conduct, " m em b ers would not know, except perh aps 

through experience, p re c ise ly what conduct evokes a penalty. Other equally broad 

but le ss prevalent catchall clau se s prohibited "m alfeasan c e, m isfe asa n c e or nonfeasan ce, " violating the "duties, obligations, and fealty of a m em b er, " and "any 

dishonorable act. "

Even in these constitutions with indefinite c lau se s, how ever, there w ere 

often other provision s of such a nature as to fo ster specificity. F ir st, a few 

constitutions defined som e of the elem ents of the indefinite prohibition, a s, for 

exam ple, that of the Cem ent W orkers:

A ny . . . m e m b e r . . . c i r c u l a t in g . . . any f a l s e o r m a l i c i o u s

s t a t e m e n t . . . o r who a d v o c a t e s . . . any d u al la b o r m o v e m e n t o r

who v i o l a t e s the p r o v i s i o n s of the C o n stitu tio n . . . s h a l l . . . be

d e e m e d gu ilty of conduct u n b ec o m in g a m e m b e r . . .

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Second, m any constitutions guarded again st a rb itrary use of gen eral clau se s by 

requiring all ch arges to state the p a rtic u la rs of the conduct alleged to constitute 

the g e n e r a l o f fe n s e . A p p r o x im a t e ly 7 of e v e r y 10 m e m b e r s s u b je c t to t r i a l a t the 

l o c a l l e v e l u n d e r a g e n e r a l c l a u s e w e r e p r o t e c t e d by th is type of r e q u ir e m e n t ; 20 

and n early half of the m em b ers constitutionally subject to trial at the international 

level enjoyed the sam e protection. These specificity requ irem en ts usually a p ­

p eared in connection with constitutional prov ision s for w ritten sp ecific ch arges 

(d isc u ssed m o re fully in chapter IV). The following clau se illu strates this 

relationship:

A c h a r g e . . . that a m e m b e r o r m e m b e r s h av e v io la t e d this c o n ­

stitution or engaged in conduct unbecoming a m em b er of the Union m ust 

be sp ecifically set forth in writing and signed by the m em b er or m em b ers 

m aking the ch arges. The ch arges m u st state the exact nature of the 

alleged offense or offenses and, if p o ssib le, the period of tim e during 

which the offense or offenses allegedly took place. (Autom obile W orkers)

As d escrib ed later in the study, ch arges b ased on gen eral clau ses have 

to withstand the scrutiny of a trial body and, in n early all unions, one or m ore 

appellate review s. Thus, although these gen eral clau ses m ay seem vague, the 

d isciplin ary proced u re, in its entirety, m ay serv e to inhibit the im position of 

penalties for indefinite re aso n s.

Specific O ffenses. The union constitutions studied contained a variety of 

sp ecific punishable offen ses. Although there was som e sim ilarity in the scope of 

offenses listed, no single specific offense appeared in a m ajo rity of constitutions 

(ta b le I II - 3 ) . A n u m b e r of f a c t o r s c o n trib u te d to th is v a r i a t i o n a m o n g c o n stitu tio n s. 

E ach union*s unique exp erien ces, internal conflicts, p a rtic u la r jo b -related p ro b ­

le m s, and, to a le s s e r extent, em ph asis on p artic u lar trade union ob jectives, 

w ere reflected in d isciplin ary p ro v isio n s. F o r exam ple, craft unions em ph asized 

the prohibition of conduct giving rise to jo b -related p ro b lem s, as illu strated in 

the following p h ra se s:

. . . e n g a g e in s p e e d , r e c o r d o r o th er c o n t e s t s . . . (In tern a tio n a l

T ypographical Union)

. . . the s e l li n g of a p a s s . . . (B r o th e r h o o d of L o c o m o t iv e F i r e ­

m en and Enginem en)

. . . u s e of c h r o m ic a c id . . . (A m a l g a m a t e d L i t h o g r a p h e r s of 

A m eric a, Ind. )

Bans on signing yellow -dog contracts (outlawed by the N o rris-L a G u a rd ia 

A ct of 1932) and on being a company spy, rem nants of an e a r lie r turbulent e ra in 

A m erican labor history, w ere found in a num ber of older unions. P erh ap s in 

tr ib u te to its f o r m e r G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y 21 who is g e n e r a l l y c r e d it e d with the id e a 

for observin g L ab or Day, the C arp en ters* constitution authorized fines for m e m ­

b e rs who refu se to p arad e on that holiday.

20 T h is type of p r o t e c t io n h a s s in c e b e c o m e c o m p u ls o r y u n d e r S e c t io n 101(a) 

(5) of the L ab o r-M an ag em en t R eporting and D isc lo su re A ct of 1959 (73 Stat. 523) 

which p rov id es:

No m em b er of any labor organization m ay be fined, suspended, 

e x p e lle d , o r o th e rw ise d isc ip lin e d e x c e p t fo r n onpaym ent of dues by 

such o rgan izatio n or by any o ffice r th ereo f u n less such m e m b e r has 

been (A) se r v e d with w ritten sp ecific c h a r g e s; (B) given a r e a s o n a ­

b le tim e to p r e p a r e h is d e fe n s e ; (C) a ffo r d e d a fu ll and f a i r h e a r in g .

21 P e t e r J . M c G u ir e , f i r s t g e n e r a l s e c r e t a r y of the union, e le c t e d to o ffic e 

in 1881. The first L abor Day celebration was held in New York City on S ep tem ­

ber 5, 1882.

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T ab le III—3. Prevalence of Selected Offenses Punishable Under N ational and

International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Offenses Number of unions

A ll constitutions providing grounds 1

152

General grounds----------------------------------------------------

V iolation of the c o n stitu tio n ------------------------------

Conduct unbecom ing a m e m b e r------------------------

Bring the union into d isre p u te ---------------------------

Financial ------------------------------------------------------------

M isap p ro p riatio n ----------------------------------------------

Fraud -------------------------------------------------------------

Job discipline -----------------------------------------------------

V iolation of co llectiv e a g r e e m e n t---------------------

V iolation of work r u le s------------------------------------

Injure fellow w ork ers---------------------------------------

Union l o y a l t y -----------------------------------------------------

Dual unionism -----------------------------------------------

Secession -------------------------------------------------------

S trik e b re a k in g -------------------------------------------------

Disclosure of union s e c r e ts --------------------------------

Subversive activity or su p p o r t---------------------------

Failure to exhaust internal r e m e d ie s------------------

E lectio n eerin g -----------------------------------------------------

Distribution of unauthorized or slanderous m aterial

Falsifying ballots --------------------------------------------

Moral ----------------------------------------------------------------

D run ken n ess----------------------------------------------------

F e lo n y ----------------------------------------------------------- 1

152

114

42

15

85

56

28

99

54

47

31

124

41

46

37

26

43

64

66 

60

9

37

16

4

1 N onadditive.

D iffering em ph asis on p artic u lar trade union objectives is illu strated by 

the prov ision s dealing with violation of union label policy in the following two 

con stitu tion s:

Any m e m b e r buying . . . without the la b e l , when the la b e l can be

had, shall be fined two d o lla rs. (M etal P o lish e rs, B u ffers, P la te rs and 

H elpers International Union)

M em b ers who perm it lab els to drop on the floor and rem ain there 

s h a l l be fin ed o r e x p e lle d . . . (U nited G a r m e n t W o r k e r s of A m e r i c a )

The B o ile rm a k e rs* constitution dealt in d ra stic term s with a trade p r a c ­

tice to which som e unions take no exception:

The International Brotherhood stands for the abolishm ent of p ie c e ­

work, prem iu m , m erit, task, or contract sy ste m s. M em bers who m ay be 

found guilty of agitating K or] or encouraging any of these sy stem s shall be 

liable to expulsion; and any such p ra c tic es shall be entirely abolished as 

soon as p o ssib le. Each case m ay be investigated by the executive council and a date set for the abolishm ent of such p ractice when it sh all be 

deem ed advisable.

M ost trial prov ision s contained at le a st one prohibition for each of the 

m ajo r catego ries studied. T raditional union in tere sts, such as financial integrity, 

job behavior appropriate to a union m em b er, union loyalty, and antielectioneering

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activities, w ere typically guarded by d isciplin ary sanctions. T h irty -sev en co n stitutions, covering over six m illion m em b ers, also invoked sanctions again st im ­

m o ra l behavior (defined in so cial as w ell as plant safety te rm s).

N early all prohibitions, as w ritten, applied with equal force to m em b ers 

and local o fficers (table III-4). Within each category of sp ecific offen ses, however, a few constitutions lim ited the applicability of the prohibition to m em b ers 

or to local o ffice rs. F o r exam ple, of 124 unions specifying union-loyalty offen ses, 

122 w e r e a p p lic a b le to m e m b e r s and l o c a l o f f i c e r s , 1 to m e m b e r s only, and 1 to 

local o fficers only.

T ab le III-—4. Persons Subject to T rial at the Local or International Level on Selected Grounds,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands^

T ype of grounds

Persons subject to

discipline Financial Job discipline Union loyalty Electioneering M oral

Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing

sp ecific g ro u n d s------------- 139 16, 262. 8 139 1 6 ,2 6 2 .8 139 1 6 ,2 6 2 .8 139 1 6 ,2 6 2 .8 139 1 6 ,2 6 2 .8

Constitutions referring to

specified offense ------------ 85 12, 7 8 1 .8 99 1 3 ,8 9 2 .9 124 1 5 ,8 2 5 .8 66 9, 565. 4 37 6, 109. 6

Members and lo c al

o f fic e r s--------------------- 77 1 1 ,9 1 9 .5 97 1 3 ,6 9 5 .3 122 15,628. 1 63 9, 203. 4 36 6, 0 6 9 .6

M e m b ers--------------------- 1 1.0 1 4 0 .0 1 4 0 .0 3 362. 1 1 4 0 .0

Local o ffic e rs--------------- 7 8 6 1 .2 1 157.7 1 157.7 - - - -

Constitutions not referring

to specified grounds-------- 54 3, 4 8 1 .0 40 2, 369. 8 15 4 3 7 .0 73 6, 697. 4 102 10, 153.2

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

F i n a n c i a l . The c u sto d y and c o n tr o l of union fu nds and p r o p e r t y w e r e 

regulated in 85 union constitutions. The grounds for invoking d iscip lin ary p r o ­

cedures for financial m isconduct by a local officer or m em b er w ere usually stated 

a s ''m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n 1' o r " d e f r a u d in g . " M is a p p r o p r i a t io n c o n c e r n e d theft o r 

em bezzlem ent, while defrauding, although so m etim es u sed synonym ously, o rd in arily m eant fraudulent or false applications for strik e, sick, or death benefits. 

One constitution applied the term "defrau din g" to m isd ealin g in ball and picnic 

tickets, and another specified p assin g bad checks as a punishable fraud. Typically, 

how ever, this offen&e was re ferre d to in the following context:

The b a s i s fo r c h a r g e s . . . s h a l l c o n s i s t of . . . d e fr a u d in g the

. . . union . . . of m o n e y o r p r o p e r t y ; o r d ra w in g and a c c e p tin g any

benefits of the International Union to which he or she is not entitled. 

(A m erican B ak ery and Confectionery W orkers* International Union)

A few co n stitu tio n s outlaw ed " r a c k e t e e r in g , " a n d o th e rs p ro h ib ited b r ib e r y . 

F o r exam ple, the constitution of the B ric k lay e rs provided:

Any . . . o f f i c e r found g u ilty of a c c e p tin g any b r ib e o r p r e s e n t f r o m

any c o r p o r a t io n , c o n t r a c t o r , o r a s s o c i a t i o n s h a l l be . . . fin ed . . . s u s ­

pended . . . or expelled.

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J o b D i s c i p l i n e . N in ety -n in e of the t r i a l p r o v i s i o n s stu d ie d co n ta in ed at 

le a st one sp ecific prohibition on certain jo b -re lated behavior, and a third of these 

co n ta in e d m o r e than one su c h p r o s c r i p t i o n . F i f t y - f o u r c o n stitu tio n s p r o v id e d s a n c ­

tions to enforce union obligations under collective bargaining agreem en ts. T hese 

sanctions w ere com m only e x p re sse d as gen eral prohibitions on 'V iolating the e s ­

t a b lis h e d union c o lle c tiv e b a r g a in in g a g r e e m e n t , n " w illfu l f a i l u r e to o b s e r v e the 

p ro v isio n s of an agreem ent, " or "acting in any w ise to circum vent, defeat, or 

in terfe re" with an agreem ent. A few of these prohibitions w ere not as broad in 

scope, and dealt only with p artic u lar p h ases of the collective agreem en t:

Any officer or m em b er of a local union interfering in any m anner 

detrim en tal to the su cce ssfu l conclusion of a grievan ce shall be subject 

to e x p u ls io n . . .

A lso included among the 54 constitutions w ere pro v isio n s outlawing unauthorized 

or w ildcat strik e s. Under these constitutions, ch arges m ight be filed again st 

m em b ers "stay in g out again st the Intern ation al^ o rd e rs, " engaging in a strik e 

"which violates the working agreem en t, " conduct that tended to "agitate illegal 

strik e s, " or sim ply taking part in "w ildcats. "

F o rty -se v e n of the 99 constitutions authorized discipline for violating 

work ru les. A m ark ed d iv ersity distinguished these prohibitions from those re g u ­

lating other a sp e cts of union activity, larg ely becau se of each unionfs adaptation 

to its in du strial environm ent. S ev eral unions, prin cipally in the construction 

tra d e s, published extensive regulations in sep arate rule books or authorized local 

unions to estab lish these ru les. The general offense "violate work ru le s" r e ­

fe rred to these rule books or to work rules estab lish ed through collective b a r ­

gaining, as for exam ple, in the M aritim e Union, where "violation of National 

Shipping R u les" was a punishable offense. A few unions incorporated detailed 

w o rk in g r u l e s into the in t e r n a tio n a l c o n stitu tio n . F o r e x a m p le , in the M u s i c i a n s 1 

constitution working rules w ere specified for n early all fo rm s of entertainm ent in 

which m u sician s are employed, and in the Printing P r e s s m e n ’ s constitution they 

regulated the hiring, hours of work, fe e d in g copy onto c y lin d e r p r e s s e s , and crew 

s iz e s fo r c e rta in type p r e s s e s . In m a r itim e unions, th ese p r o s c r ip tio n s included 

activities that would be dealt with by the em ployer in m ost sh o resid e in d u stries. 

F o r in stan ce, the N ational M aritim e Union’ s constitution authorized disciplin e for 

"acceptin g re lie f jo b ," "not com pleting a ssig n m e n t," or "leaving ship sh o rth an ded." 

S ev eral constitutions regulated, or attem pted to regulate, the technology of the 

c r a f t th rou gh d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o v i s i o n s ; fo r e x a m p le , the L i t h o g r a p h e r s a s m en tio n e d 

e arlie r, forbade the use of chrom ic acid, the L ath ers prohibited "the use of stilts 

or other unsafe equ ipm en t," and the P ain ters lim ited the use of sp ray guns.

Thirty-one unions, p articu larly craft unions, forbade behavior that tended 

to h arm fellow w orkers on the job. Often the proscrip tion was in such term s as 

"w orking for le s s than the e stab lish e d s c a le of w ages. " In the printing tr a d e s, 

this offense, known as "rattin g" w as d escrib ed as follow s:

A m em b er of a subordinate union engaging to take a situation in the 

ju risd ictio n of another subordinate union at a lower rate of w ages than 

the scale of p ric e s of the latter subordinate union calls for, is guilty of 

’ r a ttin g , * ev en though the situ a tio n m a y not be o b tain ed . (in te r n a tio n a l 

M aile rs Union, Ind. )

A lso included among the jo b -re lated grounds w ere p rov ision s in nine 

constitutions which forbade working with nonunion w o rk ers.

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Union L o y a lt y . Union c o n stitu tio n s w e r e m o s t e x p lic it in p r o s c r ib in g c o n ­

duct that th reatened the continued existen ce of the union. In 124 unions, m e m ­

b e rs w ere subject to disciplin ary action for behavior that injured the internal 

se cu rity of the union. O ccasio n ally, as noted in chapter II, su m m a ry su sp en sio n 

or expulsion was authorized to punish m em b ers who engaged in such activities.

Two of the m ost com m only re ferre d to offen ses in this category w ere 

dual unionism and sec e ssio n . Dual unionism usually re fe rre d to the act of joining 

or favoring a union which claim ed riv al ju risdiction , while se c e ssio n usually r e ­

fe r r e d to the act of w ithdraw ing fro m the union. In m an y co n stitu tio n s, how ever, 

the distinction between these term s was not entirely clear, and in a few they 

seem ed to be used as synonym s.

S ev eral constitutions extensively defined the behavior forbidden by these 

prohibitions, as exem plified in the following provision:

No p e r s o n s h a l l be e lig ib le to . . . r e m a in a m e m b e r in this B r o t h ­

erhood who holds m em b ersh ip in or affiliation with any group, club, 

society, or other organization which, in the opinion of the G eneral E x e c ­

utive B oard, e x e rc ise s or claim s to e x e rc ise duties and functions sim ilar 

to those e x e rc ise d by this Brotherhood or its lo cals, or which claim s 

ju risd iction in whole or in part over m atters which are within the ju r i s ­

diction of this Brotherhood. (Brotherhood of P ain te rs, D eco rato rs and 

P ap erh an gers of A m erica)

The constitution of the United Autom obile W orkers forbade activities directed at 

supplanting the union as the bargaining agent:

W henever it is charged that a m em b er is affirm ativ ely engaged in 

the prom otion, im plem entation, furtherance, or support of any other union 

or collective bargaining group with the purpose or intent of supplanting 

this International Union, or any subordinate body thereof, as the r e c o g ­

nized collective bargaining agent, such charge will be filed with the In tern a tio n a l E x e c u t iv e B o a r d . . .

M ost constitutions, however, did not define the activities forbidden as 

e la b o r a te ly as in the above illu str a tio n s. A num ber of co n stitu tio n s fo rb ad e ndual 

unionism " or "se c e ssio n or fosterin g se c e ssio n " without elaboration of these 

p h rase s which w ere included in a listing of num erous punishable o ffen ses. S ev eral 

constitutions contained broad clau ses forbidding w ithdraw als from the union or 

joining any organization that was hostile to or in conflict with the union. F o r e x ­

a m p le , the In te rn a tio n a l B r o th e r h o o d of E l e c t r i c a l W o rk er s 'c o n s t it u t io n p r o h ib ite d :

. . . a d v o c a tin g o r a ttem p tin g to b rin g about a w ith d ra w al f r o m the

I. B . E . W. of any ( lo c a l union) o r of any m e m b e r o r g ro u p of m e m b e r s .

The constitution of the M etal P o lish ers provided:

No m em b er shall advocate sece ssio n , disaffiliation, nor shall any 

m em b er take any action inim ical to the in terests of the organization.

S t r i k e b r e a k i n g . When a union s t r i k e s to win its b a r g a in in g d e m a n d s , 

effective internal solid arity is p articu larly im portant. Consequently, m any constitutions authorized disciplin ary sanctions again st disloyalty, com m only specifying 

"strik eb reak in g " as a ground for discipline. The constitution of the B ric k lay e rs 

ch aracterized strik eb rea k e rs as "union w re c k e rs" in the following clau se:

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Union W reck ers— A union w recker is one who d elib erately and with 

evil intent goes into the ju risd iction of a union that is on an authorized 

legal strik e, knowingly accepts em ploym ent and p e r s is ts in retaining it 

when he knows that he is doing so con trary to the law . . . or who 

r e s i g n s f r o m o r l e a v e s a union . . . in o r d e r to d e fe a t a l e g a l s t r i k e . . .

T hese prohibitions w ere unusually explicit in d escrib in g the sp ecific behavior that 

form ed the b a sis for ch arges, as in the following provision:

Any m e m b e r . . . who co n tin u es at w o rk when a s t r i k e on the s y s ­

tem w here he is em ployed has been regu larly d eclared by the B ro th e rhood, or any m em b er who takes the place of or does any of the work 

fo rm e rly or ordin arily done by anyone engaged in a strik e . . . or who 

f i l l s any p o s it io n m a d e v a c a n t . . . by . . . a s t r i k e . . . if he is

found g u ilty . . . w ill be o r d e r e d e x p e lle d . . . and s h a l l f o r e v e r be

in e lig ib le fo r r e a d m it t a n c e . . . (B r o th e r h o o d of L o c o m o t iv e E n g i ­

n e e r s , Ind. )

D i s c l o s u r e of S e c r e t s . D i s c l o s i n g union se c r e ts , c o n s i d e r e d an o th er t h r e a t 

to in tern al secu rity , w as the su b ject of d iscip lin ary action in 26 of the 156 tr ia l 

p ro v isio n s studied. M ost c lau se s prohibited unauthorized d isclo su re of any confid e n tia l m a t t e r of the union, su c h a s ’’s e c r e t s , ” ’’p r iv a t e t r a n s a c t i o n s , ” o r ’’b u s i ­

n e s s . ” A few c lau se s, relating sp ecific ally to m em b ersh ip list s, forbade the 

’’furnishing of a com plete or p a rtia l list of the m em b ersh ip of the International 

Union or of any lo cal union to any p e rso n or p e r s o n s ” other than those whose 

official position entitles them to have such a list.

F a i l u r e to E x h a u st In te rn a l R e m e d i e s . 22 P r e m a t u r e r e s o r t to c iv il c o u r t s , 

con sidered by som e to be a flagrant display of disloyalty, w as sp ecifically p r o ­

hibited in 64 constitutions. The grave consequences of this conduct w ere also 

illu strated by the num ber of tim es it appeared as a ground for su m m ary d is c ipline, as noted in chapter II. Typically, a m em b er was required to p rosecu te 

and exhaust all appeals within the union before reso rtin g to civil courts, as sp e c ified in the following provision:

A c c e p t a n c e of m e m b e r s h i p . . . c o n st itu te s an a g r e e m e n t w h e re b y

e v e r y m e m b e r . . . s h a l l e x h a u s t a ll r e m e d i e s and a p p e a ls within the

(union) . . . and that until su c h r e m e d i e s and a p p e a ls h av e b e e n e x ­

h a u st e d , su c h a g g r i e v e d m e m b e r . . . s h a l l not r e s o r t to any c o u r t o r

other tribunal outside of the UIU. (U p h olsterers* International Union of 

North A m erica)

Su bversive Activity. Su bversive activity, or support of groups d eclared 

to be su b v ersiv e, was specified as a reaso n for d isciplin ary actio n 'in 43 co n stitutions. T hese clau ses nearly alw ays explicitly identified the Com m unist P arty , 

as in the following clau se:

A ny m e m b e r who a d v o c a t e s the o v e r t h r o w of the g o v e r n m e n t . . . o r 

who belongs to the Com m unist P arty or any other su b v ersiv e group, or 

who su b sc rib e s to any of their doctrin es, shall be punished by expulsion. 

(International Brotherhood of B o ile rm a k e rs, Iron Shipbuilders, B la c k ­

sm ith s, F o r g e r s and H elpers)

22 S e e ch. VIII fo r a d i s c u s s i o n of the e ffe c t of the L a b o r - M a n a g e m e n t 

R eporting and D isc lo su re Act on such p ro v isio n s.

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A few clau ses also included support of N azi or F a s c is t groups within this p ro h ibition. One of the m ost extensive p rov ision s was that in the United Mine W orke r s * (Ind. ) co n stitu tio n :

Any m em b er accepting m em b ersh ip in the Industrial W orkers of the 

World, the Working C lass Union, the One Big Union, or any other dual 

organization, or m em b ersh ip in the National Cham ber of C o m m erce, 

the National A sso ciatio n of M an u factu rers, or the Ku Klux Klan, or the 

Com m unist P arty , or F a s c is t, N azi, or Bund organ izatio n s, shall be 

e x p e lle d . . .

P o litical Activity Outside the Union. Only a few of the 156 constitutions 

authorized punishm ent for gen eral political activ ities. T ypically, these clau ses 

forbade in terferen ce with the legislativ e activities of the union. F o r instance, 

one c o n stitu tio n f o r b a d e "o p p o s in g l e g i s l a t i o n d e s ig n e d to b e n e fit the t r a d e , n and 

another prohibited "opposing legislation endorsed by the O rder. " One clau se 

lim ited the right to speak for the union or as a union m em b er, but did not p r o ­

hibit action as a private citizen:

When such (legislative) policy has been d eclared , no m em b er of the 

Brotherhood shall appear before any legislativ e com m ittee, leg islatu re, 

S ta te , p r o v in c ia l , o r F e d e r a l e x e c u tiv e , o r tak e any o th e r a c tio n . . .

in opposition to such a p ro g ram in any capacity except that of a private 

citizen; nor shall he, in the nam e of the Brotherhood, engage in any 

political cam paign again st a candidate for public office after such can did ate h a s b e e n e n d o r s e d by the B r o th e r h o o d . . . (B r o th e r h o o d of M a i n ­

tenance of Way Em ployes)

E lectioneerin g— P reelectio n Union Cam paign A ctivities. The offense of 

publishing slan derou s or unauthorized m ate ria l was punishable in 60 constitutions. 

A num ber of unions banned all slan derous publications in clau se s forbidding 

"slan d e r in any way, " or "slan d erin g or otherw ise wronging a m em b er, " but 

only a few constitutions explicitly defined the m eaning of these te rm s. One of 

these constitutions stipulated:

No untrue statem ents m ay be m ade in political literatu re, nor shall 

any conclusions be published which impugn the m otives of candidates.

The facts from which conclusions are drawn shall be clearly stated so 

r e a d e r s can c o m p a r e and a l s o d r a w th e ir own c o n c lu sio n s . . . A ll

m em b ers should realize that sc u rrilo u s re fere n c e s, slan d er or libel 

react on the reputation of the union. To try to elect the b est o fficers 

should be the aim of each m em b er of the union. (international T ypograph ical Union)

Advance approval of c irc u la rs, which would include cam paign m aterial, 

was required by se v e ra l constitutions. Any m em b er publishing statem en ts that 

reflected upon the ch aracter or integrity of an officer without first subm itting the 

m a te rial to the gen eral executive board w as subject to ch arges, as in the fo llowing exam ple:

No l o c a l union o r m e m b e r . . . s h a l l c i r c u l a t e , p u b lish , o r c o m ­

m unicate to another local union or to m em b ers of the A sso c iatio n any 

statem ent reflecting on the ch aracter, official conduct, or good repute 

of any officer or m em b er of the A ssociatio n , or relating to m atte rs of 

g e n e r a l i n t e r e s t to the m e m b e r s h i p . . . without f i r s t s u b m ittin g the

sam e to the gen eral executive board and obtaining its approval. (In ternational A sso ciatio n of B rid ge, S tru ctu ral and O rnam ental Iron W orkers)

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E l e c t io n e e r in g — M isc o n d u c t at the P o l l s . P r o c e d u r a l i r r e g u l a r i t y in the 

conduct of elections could be appealed by challenging a sp ecific vote or the entire 

election, but was an explicit b a sis for d isciplin ary action in only a few co n stitu ­

tions. T hese prohibitions on election frau d s, how ever, as the following clau se 

illu stra te s, covered a wide v ariety of wrongdoing:

Any m em b er convicted of m isrep re se n tin g retu rn s, alterin g, m u tilating, or destroying deposited ballots, voting fraudulently, or in terferin g 

with a m em b er in the e x e rc ise of his or her right to cast his or her 

b a llo t . . . s h a l l be p u n ish ed . . . (in te r n a tio n a l Union, A ll ie d I n d u s t r ia l

W orkers of A m erica)

L o cal o fficers who willfully or negligently d isen fran ch ised v o ters by failing to p e r ­

form an official duty w ere subject to ch arges under sp ecific constitutional clau ses 

in a few constitutions, as typified by the following clau se:

Any se c r e ta r y or officer of a local union found guilty of holding local 

union vo te until too la te to be counted . . . s h a l l be c h a r g e d with a

f l a g r a n t d i s p l a y of n o n u n io n ism and s h a l l be d e a lt with a c c o r d i n g l y . . .

(international Brotherhood of Bookbinders)

M oral Prohibitions. Union constitutions usually did not undertake s p e c ifically to regulate ethical or m o ral behavior. Of the 156 constitutions providing 

for trial, only 37 constitutions explicitly authorized punishm ent for im m o ral b e ­

havior. T hese prohibitions on behavior that w as not crim inal, yet m o rally offensive, w ere found m o st often in constitutions of unions whose m em b ers w ere en ­

gaged in the tran sportation industry. Willfully neglecting to support dependents, 

addiction to n arc o tics, or charging usurious in terest w ere am ong the p roh ib itions listed.

D runkenness was the m o st com m only forbidden type of im m o ral behavior, 

with the c o n stitu tio n s sp e c ify in g nc h ro n ic d r u n k s, n "h a b itu a l d r u n k e n n e s s , " and 

" a l c o h o l i s m . n One co n stitu tio n p r o v id e d th at "no m e m b e r who e n g a g e s in the 

sale of intoxicating drinks can be adm itted or retained as a m em b er. " Drunken 

or d iso rd e rly behavior at m eetin gs, occasion ally punished su m m arily , was also 

sp ecified as a ground for invoking trial m achin ery in som e constitutions.

A few constitutions specified that p erso n s convicted of a crim e m ay be 

disciplin ed by the union, as in the following exam ple:

When a m em b er is found guilty of the co m m issio n of a crim e or 

serio u s wrongdoing again st the local union or again st the community, and 

when this crim e or act of serio u s wrongdoing tends to bring dishonor 

upon the local union or the international organization, it shall be the duty 

of the local union to proceed to revoke the m em b ersh ip of such m em b er. 

(B u ild in g S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s 1 In te rn a tio n a l Union)

Grounds in L o cal as A gainst International T rials

A s m entioned e arlie r, som e constitutions listed sep arate grounds for 

instituting tria ls at the local and the international level. S ev eral constitutions 

granted the local and international union exclu sive ju risd iction over violations of 

its own constitution and bylaw s. F o r instance, the constitution of the Upholsterers® International Union provided:

C h arges of offen ses again st the International m ust be filed d irectly 

with the International Office.

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C harges again st a m em b er involving offenses solely again st a local 

union shall be filed with the local union involved.

O thers provided concurrent ju risd ictio n over violations of the international constitution but granted local unions an exclu sive right to try infractions of local 

bylaw s, as in the following:

The local union shall have exclu sive ju risd iction of ch arges of v io ­

lations of local bylaw s. The national executive board and the local union 

shall have concurrent ju risd iction of ch arges of violations of the national 

constitution and bylaw s. (Brotherhood of Utility W orkers of New E n g ­

land, In d .)

O ccasionally, ju risd iction was b ased upon a sp ecific ground for discipline, 

with international level tr ia ls lim ited to c a se s involving sp ecifically enum erated 

offenses while gen eral ju dicial pow ers w ere vested in local union trial bodies. 

F o r in s t a n c e , the U n ited M ine W o r k e r s* ( i n d . ) c o n stitu tio n p r o v id e d :

When any local officer, or any m em b er not an officer, is accu sed of 

violating any of the o rgan izatio n ^ law s or any tra n sg re ssio n again st the 

o r g a n iz a t io n . . . o th e r than a s to the p a r t i c u l a r o f f e n s e s d e s c r i b e d in 

s e c t io n 7 of th is a r t i c l e , the c h a r g e m u s t be f i r s t lo d g e d with and p r o s ­

e c u ted b e f o r e the l o c a l union . . .

The p artic u lar offenses listed in this constitution w ere:

S e c t io n 7. When any o f f i c e r . . . o r . . . m e m b e r . . . i s c h a r g e d

with fomenting, leading, or encouraging a dual union or dual m ovem ent 

within the organization, upon ch arges being filed with the international 

e x e c u tiv e b o a r d . . . a h e a r in g . . . s h a l l be had.

Grounds for exclu sive international ju risd iction in other constitutions in ­

cluded Com m unist activity, failure to com ply with international d ire ctiv e s, and 

violations of the rules for conducting election s. In addition, a few international 

trial p ro ced u res could be invoked only in c a se s considered to constitute an e m e r ­

gency. T hese situations a re analyzed m o re fully in the chapter on international 

trial ju risdiction .

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Chapter IV. Trial Powers and Procedures at the Local Union Level

Constitutional p ro v isio n s concerned with the discipline of o ffic e rs and 

m e m b e rs establish , frequently in sep arate a rtic le s, the procedur.es to be fo llowed at the local or international level. This chapter deals with p ro c ed u re s 

at the lo cal union level. The chapter opens with a su m m ary on the prev alen ce 

of such p ro v isio n s and identifies the p erso n s subject to trial. It d e sc rib e s how 

the tria l m achinery m ay be invoked and the safegu ard s which a re estab lish ed 

again st fa lse and frivolou s ch arges. A m ajo r portion of the chapter d eals with 

the trial body itself, esp ecially its com position, a ssu ra n c e s of im partiality , and 

the scope of its pow ers, p articu larly with re sp e c t to m aking a final d ecisio n a s 

to guilt and penalty. Concluding the chapter is a b rief d iscu ssio n of re c a ll p r o ­

ced u res again st local union o fficers.

P rev alen ce of P ro v isio n s

Of the 158 national and international union constitutions studied, only 

12 did not explicitly gran t lo cal unions the authority to conduct tr ia ls (table I V - 1); 

although 10 others gave local affiliates such pow ers, but w ere silent on p ro ced u ral 

d etails. The rem aining 136 constitutions specifically authorized lo cals to hold 

h earin gs, determ ine guilt or innocence, and a s s e s s penalties. A few of these 

constitutions (11) lim ited such tria ls to m em b ers only, but m o st (125) applied the 

trial p rov ision s to both m em b ers and local o ffic e rs. Som etim es the unions 

(19) provided different trial p ro ced u res, but m o st (106) covered both m em b ers 

and local o fficers by the sam e p ro ced u res.

T ab le IV -1. Provision for T rials of Members and Local Union O fficers at the Local Union Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T otal studied A ffiliation

Type of provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll co n stitu tion s------------------------------ 158 16, 923.1 122 14, 228. 8 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing lo c al union

trial p ro c e d u re s----------------------------- 136 15, 9 9 6 .4 111 1 3 ,9 8 6 .2 25 2, 010.2

Members and lo c al o ffic e r s----------- 125 1 5 ,0 1 7 .2 102 1 3 ,0 1 1 .4 23 2, 0 0 5 .8

Identical trial p ro ced u res---------- 106 12, 587 .7 87 1 0 ,5 9 8 .2 19 1 ,9 8 9 .5

Different trial p ro ced u res---------- 19 2, 4 2 9 .5 15 2 ,4 1 3 .2 4 16.3

M em bers------------------------------------ 11 979. 2 9 9 7 4 .8 2 4 .4

Constitutions providing for lo c al

union trials, but trial procedures

were not sp ecified1 ------------------------ 10 8 3 6 .6 7 229. 3 3 6 0 7 .3

Constitutions not providing for lo cal

union t r i a l s ----------------------------------- 12 90.1 4 13.3 8 7 6 .8

1 Includes 9 union constitutions that provided trials for m em bers and lo c al union officers at the international

lev e l and 1 that provided international trials for lo c al union officers only.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

36

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Of the 12 un ion s not s p e c i f i c a l l y a u th o riz in g l o c a l union t r i a l s , 2 did not 

m ake provision to try m em b ers and local union o fficers at the international level. 

T hese w ere the Flight E n gin eers and the Life Insurance Agents (Ind. ). Nine of 

the rem ain ing 10 unions provided fo r tr ia l of both groups at the in tern ation al level, 

and the tenth applied international d isciplin ary p ro ced u res only to o ffic e rs. T hese 

12 constitutions, how ever, did not n e c e ssa rily rule out local level d isciplin ary 

h earin gs. Conceivably, d iscip lin ary action w as p e rm issiv e in som e of these 

12 unions, sin ce such m e a s u r e s m a y b e set forth in the con stitu tion s and bylaw s 

of subordinate organ izatio n s. Other constitutions w ere not com pletely silent, in 

that they contained language which im plied the holding of tr ia ls at local lev els or 

allowed lo cal union participation in tr ia ls at a higher level. The T rain D is ­

p atch ers, for exam ple, retained authority to conduct tr ia ls at the international 

level, but local unions p erfo rm ed a p re tria l fact-gatherin g function. S im ilarly , the 

L o n g s h o r e m e n * s and W a r e h o u s e m e n *s Union ( I n d .) d e le g a t e d g e n e r a l t r i a l a u th o rity 

to the in t e r n a tio n a l union, but a llo w e d s u b o r d in a te b o d ie s to ** . . . ad opt and

enforce all n e c e ssa r y law s for local governm ent which do not conflict with this 

c o n stitu tio n . ,! T he Shoe and A llie d C r a f t s m e n ( I n d .) v e s t e d it s l o c a l b o a r d s of 

d i r e c t o r s w ith p o w e r to " s u m m o n " m e m b e r s fo r " e n f o r c e m e n t p u r p o s e s 11 and to 

levy fines, but m ade no further referen ce to tr ia ls or h earin gs. Fin ally, in r e ­

quiring subordinate bodies to inform the international of violations and of the punishm ents that w ere a s s e s s e d , the Journeym en Stone C utters im plied the existence 

of local h earin gs about which their international constitution w as otherw ise silent.

Slightly l e s s o b sc u re w ere th ose 10 constitutions which stipu lated that 

accu sed m em b ers w ere subject to trial, but d escrib ed neither how local trial 

m a c h i n e r y sh o u ld be in v oked, n o r how it sh o u ld o p e r a t e o n ce in itia te d . . T he c o n ­

stitution of the United Mine W orkers (in d .), for exam ple, directed the accu sed to 

stand tria l before his lo cal union and a ssu re d him of an ap peals m achinery, but 

gave no d etails on p ro ced u ral m a tte rs:

When any local officer or any m em b er not an officer, is accu sed 

of violating any of the organization*s law s or any tr a n sg r e ssio n again st 

the o r g a n iz a t io n o r any of it s o f f i c e r s o r m e m b e r s . . . the c h a r g e

m u s t be f i r s t lo d g e d w ith and p r o s e c u t e d b e fo r e the l o c a l union . . .

and the decision of the local union shall close the case so far as that t r i ­

b u n al is c o n c e r n e d , but . . . s h a ll h av e the rig h t of a p p e a l to the next

highest tribunal in authority and so on until a final decision is reached.

In m uch the sam e m anner, the Stove M ounters p re sc rib e d that ch arges 

under certain c irc u m stan c es might be filed with the local union, but did not d e sig ­

nate p ro c ed u res for the local to follow:

Any m e m b e r in good stan d in g . . . m a y m a k e c h a r g e s a g a in s t 

a n o th e r m e m b e r . . . f o r v io la t io n of any p a r t of th is c o n stitu tio n , and 

su c h c h a r g e s . . . s h a l l be file d w ith the l o c a l union to w hich su c h

m em b er belongs.

The co n stitu tio n s of the re m ain in g 136 unions, co v e rin g v irtu a lly 16 m i l ­

lion of the 16.9 m illion m em b ers included in this study, w ere m ore detailed in 

that they either d escrib ed the p ro ced u res that each local w as obliged to follow or 

created m inim um p roced u ral stan dards for the conduct of local tr ia ls. In great 

detail, for instance, the Com m unications W orkers first d irected their lo cals to 

erect trial m achinery in their bylaw s and then listed the m inim um requ irem en ts 

that local tria l p ro ced u res m ust m eet:

The bylaw s or ru les of a local shall specify the m anner in which an 

accu sed p erso n shall be tried and m ust conform with the following m in im u m s t a n d a r d s : . . .

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Among the stan dards estab lish ed w ere those pertaining to the size and com position 

of the tribunal, designation of prosecuting and defense co u n sels, tim e lim its, 

testim ony under oath, right to c ro ss-e x a m in e w itn e sse s, tria l reco rd , status of 

the accu sed , and right of appeal.

L o cal union bylaw s thus gen erally governed tr ia l p ro ced u res within the 

lim its estab lish ed by the international; in the absence of locally adopted tr ia l 

p ro c ed u res, the m inim um stan dards set by the international, as in the C o m ­

m e r c i a l T e l e g r a p h e r s 1 co n stitu tio n , u s u a l ly a p p lie d a s the fu ll t r i a l p r o c e d u r e :

C h arges m ay be m ade by a m em b er again st any other m em b er p u rsuant to the bylaw s of the p articu lar unit in which the m em b er being 

c h a r g e d h o ld s m e m b e r s h i p . If the b y la w s of the p a r t i c u l a r unit . . . 

m ake no prov ision for p referrin g ch arges, the p ro ced u res outlined herein 

below shall apply.

P e rso n s Subject to T ria l

Among the 136 national and international unions detailing local union tria l 

p r o c e d u r e s , 11 r e s t r i c t e d c o v e r a g e to m e m b e r s only, r e f e r r i n g t r i a l s of l o c a l union 

o f f i c e r s to h ig h e r l e v e l s . In 7 of t h e s e 11 u n io n s, c h a r g e s a g a i n s t l o c a l union 

o f f i c e r s w e r e to be file d with in t e r m e d ia t e a g e n c i e s (i. e. , d i s t r i c t b o d ie s , jo in t 

councils, e tc .). The Brotherhood of E lec tric a l W orkers, for instance, first d e s ig ­

nated the local union executive board as the tria l agency for m em b ers other than 

o fficers as follow s:

All ch arg e s, except against o fficers and rep resen tativ es of local 

un ion s . . . s h a ll be h e a r d and t r i e d by the l o c a l union e x e c u tiv e

b o a r d . . .

C h arges against o ffic e rs, on the other hand, w ere directed to the next higher level, 

which, in this c a se, w as the geographic d istrict:

When any . . . o f f i c e r o r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e i s c h a r g e d w ith an o f ­

fen se, by anyone, such ch arges m ust be w ritten and filed d irectly with 

the international vice president of the d istrict in which the local union 

i s l o c a te d . . .

In a subsequent section, the international vice presiden t in charge of the d istrict 

w as em pow ered to conduct the local union o ffic e r’ s trial.

Only 4 of the 11 c o n stitu tio n s p la c e d the t r i a l of l o c a l union o f f i c e r s at 

the in t e r n a tio n a l le v e l, but s p e c i a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s d ic ta te d th is p r o c e d u r e fo r 2 of 

the 4 constitutions. The National M aritim e Union, for one, had no local union 

o fficers in the com m only accepted sen se of the term , but only branch o fficers and 

port agents, who, although elected by the m em b ersh ip, w ere directly answ erable 

to the international union on all m atters concerning their duties. The A m erican 

Radio A ssociation , sim ilarly , had port "bran ch " o fficers elected by the whole 

m em b ersh ip to the international's general executive board.

The rem aining two constitutions, those of the G rain M illers and the Mine, 

M ill and S m e l t e r W o r k e r s (Ind. ) p r o v id e d that e le c t e d l o c a l union o f f i c e r s be t r i e d 

by the international union. The G rain M illers' constitution specified action by both 

the international's presiden t and se c r e ta r y - tr e a su r e r in this ju d icial p ro c e ss:

. . . Such c h a r g e s a g a in s t a l o c a l union o f f i c e r . . . m a y be file d

by any m em b er or officer of the organization, with the G en eral S ec re ta ry - 

T r e a s u r e r . . . If it a p p e a r s f r o m the fa c e of the c h a r g e s that th e r e is

probable cause for trial, the (International P residen t) shall forthwith a p ­

point an international trial board consisting of the d istrict vice presiden t 

. . . and two o th er m e m b e r s of the g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a r d .

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In an overw helm ing m ajority of constitutions (125), the lo cal tria l p r o ­

vision applied to both m em b ers and o ffic e rs. Identical trial p ro ced u res applied 

to both in 106 constitutions. Som e of th ese, however, w ere not entirely clear in 

sp e c ify in g who. w a s c o v e r e d , u s u a l ly stip u la tin g , fo r e x a m p le , th at “ m e m b e r s 11 

w ere subject to tria l, but a close reading of the discipline and related prov ision s 

in d ic a te d that in th is co n text “ m e m b e r s ’1 in clu d e d l o c a l o f f i c e r s a s w e ll. M o st 

of the 106 w ere n ev erth eless p re c ise in setting forth tria l ju risd iction . The 

B u ild in g S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s ’ In te r n a tio n a l Union, fo r e x a m p le , in e s t a b li s h in g 

m inim um local union trial p ro ced u res, e x p re sse d joint co verage as follow s:

A m em b er or officer of a local union, ch arged with any offense 

constituting a violation of this constitution, shall . . . be tried by the 

local executive board or by the local union if such tria l procedu re is e s ­

t a b lis h e d by the b y la w s of the l o c a l union . . .

Nineteen of the 125 constitutions stipulated that m em b ers and o fficers 

would be tried by the local union, but under different p ro c ed u re s. Twelve of the 

19 p ro v id e d im p e ac h m e n t p r o c e e d in g s a g a in st lo c a l union o f f ic e r s , co m m o n ly on 

ch arges of neglect of duty or absen ce fro m m eetin gs. G enerally, the o ffic e r's 

status as an officer but not as a m em b er w as affected by the outcom e. The 

N ew spaper Guild, for instance, carefully differentiated between offen ses of an 

officer as an officer and offen ses of an officer as a m em b er, in the follow ­

ing m anner:

Section I. A local officer, charged with violation of (specified 

clau se s d escrib in g m em b ersh ip offenses) shall be ch arged as a m em ber 

in a c c o r d a n c e with the p r o v i s i o n s of A r t ic le XII . . .

Section II. A local officer m ay be rem oved fro m office for d e r e ­

liction in duty. Such rem oval shall not affect the o ffic e r's status as 

a m em b er.

Subsequent sections of the sam e article detailed the procedu re to be followed in 

the disciplin ary rem o val of an officer.

H arsh er penalties, directly affecting the m em b ersh ip status of an officer, 

w e r e p r e s c r i b e d in an a d d itio n a l 6 of the 19 unions in w hich p r o c e d u r e s c o v e r in g 

o fficers w ere sep arated fro m those covering m em b ers. The Je w elry W orkers, 

for exam ple, after first specifying violations for which ch arges had to be filed 

and then requiring that the ch arges be in w riting, estab lish ed penalties affecting 

the o ffic e r's status as an officer and as a m em b er:

. . . and if the a c c u s e d i s found gu ilty , the a c c u s e d m a y be r e p r i ­

m anded, fined, rem oved fro m office, suspended or expelled, according to 

the sev erity of the ch arges.

Invoking T ria l M achinery

National and international unions have erected a num ber of safegu ard s 

for the early stages of the trial p ro c e ss by defining a variety of p ro ced u ral steps 

d e s ig n e d to r e s t r a i n f r iv o l o u s a c tio n s and a b u s e s of d i s c i p l i n a r y p o w e r s . 23 Such 

prov ision s designated those p erso n s who are to c a rry resp on sib ility at each step 

during the initiation of the trial m achinery, and outlined their duties.

23 S e l e c t e d due p r o c e s s s a f e g u a r d s fo r t r i a l s at the l o c a l union and i n t e r ­

national level are d isc u sse d in chapter VI.

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T ypically, any local union officer or m em b er could file ch arges again st 

any other officer or m em b er, but the acc u se r had to w rite and sign the c h a rg e s. 

P re fe rrin g ch arges later found to be fa lse w as generally a punishable offense. 

Unions, as a rule, requ ired that all ch arges sp ecifically state the alleged v io la ­

tion and the constitutional p rov ision s or union law s that w ere supposedly broken. 

Executive o fficers individually, or an executive body, w ere usually designated as 

receiving agents. A few unions identified an alternate receiving agent if ch arges 

w ere p re fe rre d again st the person norm ally designated. C h arges could be read to 

a m e m b e r s h i p m e e t in g o r p u b lish e d in the u n io n 1 s n e w s p a p e r in o r d e r to d i s ­

sem inate them to the w idest p o ssib le group. They could also be given a p r e ­

lim in ary review to a ssu re that they had m erit.

The prevalen ce of th ese safeg u ard s varied con siderably, but p rov ision s 

stip u la tin g the f o r m of c h a r g e s (i. e. , w ritte n , s p e c i f ic ) w e r e by f a r the m o s t 

frequent, appearing in nine-tenths of the 136 union constitutions that gave details 

on local union tria l pro ced u res (table IV -2). P ro v isio n s designating those p erso n s 

authorized to receive ch arges (table IV-4) w ere second m ost prevalent, found in 

about th ree-fou rth s of the 136 union constitutions. S afegu ard s to a ssu r e true 

c h a r g e s (i. e. , s i g n a t u r e s , p e n a l t ie s f o r f a l s e c h a r g e s ) w e r e found in t h r e e - 

fifths (table IV-3). Much le s s frequent w ere p rov ision s requiring the publication 

of ch arges (table IV-5) and their review for sufficiency (table IV-6), found in 

about a fourth of the 136 constitutions.

F o r m of C h a r g e s . Of 136 n a tio n al and in t e r n a tio n a l un ion s w hich s p e c i ­

fied local tr ia l p ro ced u res, 125 estab lish ed the fo rm of ch arges (table IV -2). 

U niform ly, accu sation s had to be in writing and m ost constitutions also requ ired 

that the ch arges specify in detail the alleged offense.

In 51 of the 125 un ion s, am o n g th e m the O ffice E m p lo y e s , w ritte n c h a r g e s 

w ere the sole requ irem en t:

C h arges m ay be brought in w riting by any officer or m em b er of the 

l o c a l union o r of the in t e r n a tio n a l union . . .

In the P attern M ak ers, re fu sal to reduce o ral allegation s to w riting w as cau se 

for punishm ent:

Any m e m b e r . . . s h a ll be c o m p e lle d to r e d u c e h is s t a t e m e n t s o r

a c c u s a t i o n s to w ritin g . . . Should the m e m b e r m a k in g the a c c u s a t i o n s

re fu se to reduce his statem en ts . . . to w riting within 10 d ay s, he sh all 

be fined $10 without any further investigation.

The rem aining 74 unions requ ired that ch arges be both in w riting and 

specific concerning the offenses allegedly com m itted. A s acknowledged by the 

T ypographical Union, the requirem ent for specific ch arges afforded the accu sed 

the opportunity to defend h im self:

A ccu sations of ch arges m ust be m ade in w riting by a m em b er of the 

union in good sta n d in g . In a ll c a s e s c h a r g e s . . . s h a l l be s u ffic ie n tly

specific . . . to perm it the defendant to p rep are a p roper defense.

Only 7 of the c o n stitu tio n s am o n g th e s e 74 u n ion s f a il e d to stip u la te what 

the requirem ent for specific ch arges entailed. Such constitutions called m erely 

for "sp e cific w ritten c h a rg e s" (Railw ay C lerk s), or "w ritten sp ecific atio n s" (M aintenance of Way Em ployes), or for ch arges "sp e cifically set forth in w riting" 

(United Plant G uards). The rem ain der of the 74 unions defined "sp e c ific " c h arge s. 

T hirty-eight unions, for instance, ordered a c c u se rs to specify the nature of the 

offense in their statem ents of ch arge s. Among these w ere the B ric k la y e rs:

W henever a charge is p re fe rre d again st a brother . . . it shall state 

sp ecifically the offen ses alleged to have been com m itted, the num ber of 

tim e s (if m ore than once), the dates and length of tim e during such c o m ­

m itm e n t, the n u m b e r and n a m e s of w i t n e s s e s to s u c h o f fe n s e . . .

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Table IV-2. Form of Charges in Local Union Trial Procedures, National and

international Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M em bers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Form of charges

Unions Members

AFL-|CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for lo c al

union trial procedures----------- ---------- 136 1 5 ,9 9 6 .4 111 1 3 ,9 8 6 .2 25 2, 010.2

Constitutions providing for form of

charges --------------------------------------- 125 15, 403, 0 104 1 3 ,4 3 1 .8 21 1 ,971. 2

Written and s p e c i f i c --------------------- 74 1 1 ,4 7 0 .6 60 9 ,7 7 3 .4 14 1 ,6 9 7 .1

Specify nature of offense --------— 38 7 ,1 9 6 . 1 32 5, 606. 9 6 1,5 8 9 . 1

Specify nature of offense and

rule or constitutional provision

violated ----------------------------- 29 3, 173.0 23 3 ,0 8 5 .6 6 8 7 .4

No reference to details to

be s p e c if ie d ------------------------- 7 1 ,1 0 1 .5 5 1 ,0 8 0 .9 2 20.6

Written ------------------------------------- 51 3 ,9 3 2 .4 44 3, 658. 4 7 2 7 4 .0

Constitutions not providing for form

of c h a r g e s------------------------------------ 11 5 9 3 .4 7 5 5 4 .4 4 39.1

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T ab le IV -3. Safeguards R elating to Charges in Local Union T rial Procedures, N ational

and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

T o tal

studied

Form of charges

Safeguard provision Written

and

specific

Written

only

Form of

charges not

stipulated

A ll constitutions providing for charges in

lo cal union trial procedures ------------------------- 136 74 51 11

Constitutions providing safeguards ------------------- 81 58 21 2

Charges must be signed and accusers

subject to penalties for filin g

false charges ----------------------------------------- 26 22 3 1

Charges must be s ig n e d ------------------------------ 24 17 6 1

Accusers subject to penalties for

filin g false charges --------------------------------- 23 12 11

Charges must be sworn or n o ta riz e d --------------- 3

x 5

3 - _

Other sa fe g u a r d s---------------------------------------- 4 1 -

Constitutions not providing safeguards --------------- 55 16 30 9

1 Under 1 constitution, the accuser was required to sign charges and post a security deposit; under 1 constitution, charges had to be sworn and the accuser was subject to penalties if charges were proven false; under 1 constitution, the accuser had to sign the charges, post a security deposit, and was subject to disciplin e if charges were

proven false; under 1 constitution, all charges had to be signed and an accuser of a lo c a l officer subject to penalties,

if charges were proven false; and under 1 constitution, a ll false accusers were subject to penalties, and charges against

lo cal officers had to be signed by 15 m em bers.

690-094 0 - 6 3 - 4

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Table IV-4. Agent Receiving Charges in Local Union Trial Procedures, National and

International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Agent provisions Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll constitutions providing

for charges in lo c a l union

trial procedures ------------------------------- 136 1 5 ,9 9 6 .4 111 1 3 ,9 8 6 .2 25 2, 010.2

Constitutions providing for

identity of agent ----------------------------- 103 1 1 ,7 2 7 .5 83 9, 8 3 2 .4 20 1 ,8 9 5 .1

Local union o f fic e r------------------------ 62 8, 3 0 7 .0 49 6, 6 8 7 .4 13 1 ,6 1 9 .6

S e c r e ta r y --------------------------------- 31 4, 435. 2 24 2, 8 7 0 .0 7 1, 5 6 5 .2

Secretary, but different agent,

if charges file d against

secretary ------------------------------ 9 1 ,7 9 2 .0 8 1 ,7 7 9 .4 1 12.6

P re sid e n t--------------------------------- 9 292.8 6 2 5 9 .6 3 3 3 .2

President, but different

agent if charges against

president ------------------------------ 6

l 7

1 ,0 6 0 .8 5 1 ,0 5 4 .8 1 6.0

Other o f f ic e r s--------------------------- 7 2 6 .2 6 7 2 3 .6 1 2.6

Local union b o d y --------------------------- 39 3 ,3 9 0 .6 32 3, 115.1 7 275.5

Executive b o a r d ------------------------ 11 391 .0 9 381 .5 2 9 .5

Permanent c o m m itte e ---------------- 2 2 4 .5 1 2 3 .5 1 1.0

Membership m eeting ---------------- 2 7 .1 1 2 .5 1 4 .6

Local union ----------------------------- 23 2 ,9 1 0 .0 20 2, 649. 6 3 2 6 0 .4

Executive board or perm anent

c o m m itt e e ----------------------------- 1 5 8 .0 1 5 8 .0 - -

Local officer or lo cal

b o d y ----------------------------------------- 2 2 2 9 .9 2 2 9 .9 - -

Constitutions not providing for

identy of a g e n t -------------------------------- 33 4, 269 .0 28 4, 153.8 5 115.1

1 Under 3 constitutions, charges were to be filed with any elected officers; under 1 constitution, with the president or secretary; under 1 constitution, with the secretary of the trial body; under 1 constitution with an international

officer; and under 1 constitution, charges against m em bers were to be filed with the lo c al president but charges

against officers were to be filed with a district director.

2 Under 1 constitution, charges were to be filed with the recording secretary or the executive board; and under

1 constitution, charges against members were to be filed with the recording secretary while charges against lo c al

officers were to be filed with the executive board.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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Table IV-5. Publication of Charges to the Local Union Membership Prior to Trial, National and

International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(Members, in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Publication provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U naffiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for charges

in lo c al trial p ro c e d u re s------------------ 136 1 5 ,9 9 6 .4 111 1 3 ,9 8 6 .2 25 2,0 1 0 .2

Constitutions providing for publication

of c h a r g e s------------------------------------ 39 4, 522. 4 34 4, 4 3 1 .2 5 9 1 .2

Charges to be read at m em bership

m e e t in g ----------------------------------- 134 4 ,4 1 5 .0 30 4, 350 .3 4 6 4 .7

Posted on bulletin b o a r d ---------------- 1 9.1 1 9. 1 - -

Published in union new spaper---------- 1 4 0 .0 1 4 0 .0 - -

Other publication provisions------------ 2 3 5 8 .3 2 3 1 .8 1 2 6 .5

Constitutions not providing for publication of c h a r g e s------------------------------ 97 1 1 ,4 7 4 .0 77 9, 5 5 5 .0 20 1 ,9 1 9 .0

1 Under 28 constitutions, explicit provisions required reading of charges to the m em bership; while under 6 constitutions, provisions for prelim inary review by the m em bership im plied that charges were read at m em bership m eeting.

2 Under 1 constitution, the m em bership was notified by publication on bulletin boards, the union newspaper, or

personal notification; under 1 constitution, charges against lo cal officers were read at a m em bership m eeting but there

was no reference to reading charges against lo cal m em bers; and under 1 constitution, the m em bership was notified but

the method of publication was not specified.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T ab le IV -6. Prelim inary Review of Charges Before T rial at the Local Union Level, N ational and

International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

J^Ndte^nbers^^tlhousaLndsJ^

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Prelim inary review body

Unions Members

AFL-■ CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for charges in

lo c al union trial p ro c e d u re s--------------- 136 1 5 ,9 9 6 .4 111 1 3 .9 8 6 .2 25 2, 010.2

Constitutions providing for a p relim inary review of c h a rg e s---------------------- 31 3 ,0 1 3 .0 26 2 ,9 5 3 .7 5 5 9 .2

M embership m e e tin g ---------------------- 13 1, 2 59.9 13 1 ,2 5 9 .9 - -

Local executive b o ard --------------------- 6 3 77.9 6 3 7 7 .9 - -

International p r e sid e n t------------------- 3 193.2 3 193 .2 - -

Local president review ed charges

against officers; no provision for

review of charges against m em bers-- 3 2 3 .8 2 1 9 .6 1 4 .2

2 or more autom atic re v ie w s----------- 3 1, 105.6 2 1 ,1 0 3 .1 1 2 .5

Other review b o d ie s------------------------ * 3 5 2 .5 - - 3 5 2 .5

Constitutions not providing for p relim inary review p ro v isio n s---------------------- 105 12, 983 .5 85 1 1 ,0 3 2 .4 20 1 ,9 5 1 .0

1 Under 1 constitution, 2 permanent com m ittees conducted the review , and under 2 others a com m ittee appointed

by the lo c al union president perform ed this function.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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The United Autom obile W orkers ask ed for the "ex a c t nature" of the offense, and 

the P lu m b ers required only that the nature of the offense be stated "with r e a so n ­

a b le c e r ta in t y . I 11 In c o n t r a s t , the O p e ra tin g E n g i n e e r s s tip u la te d that " c h a r g e s 

shall be sp ecific, stating clearly , concisely, and a s accu rately as p o ssib le the 

tim e, p lace, and nature of the offense alleged. "

Another 29 of the 74 unions required that ch arges be written, sp ecific, 

and d irectly related to the constitutional prov ision or rule of law alleged ly v io ­

lated. The R ailroad Signalm en, for instance, dem anded a high d egree of p r e ­

cision in setting forth allegation s:

C h arges m u st set forth the sp ecific nature of the offense, the p arty 

or p a rtie s involved, tim e, place, and extent of offense, again st whom 

com m itted, sp ecific laws violated, amount of m oney or funds involved, 

if any, and m u s t . . . c l e a r l y s t a t e with whom c h a r g e s h av e b e e n file d .

The constitution of the A m erican B ak ery and Confectionery W orkers (A FL-C IO ) 

sim ila rly called for a c lear statem ent of the constitutional p rov ision s violated, 

again str e ssin g the relationship of such a statem ent to the accu sed ' s ability to 

defend h im self:

The ch arges m u st be filed in writing and be signed by a m em b er 

in good standing. The ch arges m ust specify both the p artic u lar p r o ­

vision s of this constitution allegedly involved and the p artic u lar conduct 

constituting such alleged violation, in sufficient detail to afford the 

charged party fa ir opportunity to defend h im self.

S ev era l unions among the 74, m ainly those in the railro ad industry, r e ­

quired that all ch arges be presen ted in a p re sc rib e d affidavit form . T ypical was 

that of the Brotherhood of R ailroad Trainm en:

. . . No m e m b e r s h a l l be p la c e d on t r i a l u n l e s s c h a r g e s duly s p e c i ­

fying the offense, so as fully to ap p rise him of the nature thereof, and 

enable him to p rep are his defense, have been p resen ted to, and accepted 

by, the lodge in writing, signed by a m em b er of the Brotherhood in good 

standing and in the following form :

I h e r e b y c h a r g e B r o t h e r _____________, a m e m b e r of lo d g e

No. _____ , with u n b ec o m in g conduct (o r v io la t io n of h is o b l i g a ­

tion, or other o ffen ses, as the case m ay be) in this:

Specification first: That the said broth er did on or about

the _____________ d a y of ______ 19 __ (here state full p a rtic u la rs).

When the charge is for continued offense, the specification 

m ay read in addition to the above 'and habitually since that tim e,' 

otherw ise there m ust be a sep arate specification for each action.

S a f e g u a r d s to A s s u r e T ru e C h a r g e s . N e a r l y 60 p e r c e n t (81) of the 

136 unions detailing local union trial p ro ced u res included vario u s safeg u ard s d e ­

signed to deter re c k le ss, poorly b ased accu sation s (table IV-3). T hree unions, 

for instance, directed that ch arges be sw orn or notarized, among them the R a ilroad T eleg rap h e rs:

I do hereby d eclare upon m y honor as a m em b er of the O rder of

R ailroad T eleg rap h ers, that the ch arges as su b scrib ed to by m e are 

true, and the sam e are not m ade out of m alice or preju dice on m y p art; 

but with a d e sire to see the b est in terests of the o rd er su b served , and 

in vindication of the vow taken when becom ing a m em b er of this ord er.

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M ore com m only (24 unions), the requ irem en t w as that all ch arges be 

signed by the a c c u se r, thereby ruling out trials on anonymous accu satio n s. This 

w as e x p re sse d in the constitution of the International G uards Union of A m eric a 

( I n d .) a s fo llo w s:

A c c u s a t i o n s . . . m u s t co n tain the s ig n a t u r e o r s i g n a t u r e s of the

accu sing party or p a rtie s. No anonym ous letter or docum ents shall be 

h o n o re d fo r the p u r p o s e of c h a r g e s a g a i n s t any o f f i c e r o r m e m b e r s . . .

Under som e constitutions, the signature of m ore than one com plainant was 

n e c e ssa r y to invoke the u n io n s trial m achinery. The S treet, E lec tric Railw ay 

and M otor Coach E m ployes, for exam ple, directed that ch arges again st m em b ers 

be s ig n e d by a t l e a s t 5 m e m b e r s and a g a i n s t o f f i c e r s by at l e a s t 10 m e m b e r s . 

L o c a l s of the A m e r i c a n C o m m u n ic a tio n s A s s o c i a t i o n ( i n d . ) n ee d e d the e n d o r s e m e n t 

of 15 p e rc en t of th eir m e m b e rsh ip to activate the t r ia l m ac h in ery ; except that in 

lo cals of 100 or few er m em b ers, at le a st 20 sign atu res w ere required, w hereas 

l o c a ls having o v e r 1, 000 m e m b e r s n eeded only 150 s ig n a t u r e s . Two o th er in t e r ­

nationals requ ired a c c u se rs to leave a deposit with the union at the tim e of filing 

ch arges, the deposit to be forfeited if the ch arges w ere not upheld.

The pow er to penalize a c c u se rs for m aking fa lse ch arges was granted in 

o v er h alf the 81 constitutions that p rovided the sa fe g u a r d s d is c u ss e d . P e n alties 

ran g ed fro m reprim an ds (Automobile W orkers) to expulsions (M eat C utters). Other 

p u n ish m e n ts c o n s i s t e d of (1) s u s p e n s i o n (i. e. , R u b b e r W o r k e r s ) ; (2) fin e s in a 

fix e d am o u n t (i. e. , G l a s s B o ttle B l o w e r s ) ; and (3) fin e s d e s i g n e d to c o v e r the 

c o s t s of the t r i a l on the o r i g i n a l c h a r g e s (i. e. , Iro n W o r k e r s ) .

The a c c u se r, under som e constitutions, w as to be su m m arily disciplined 

for issu in g fa lse ch arges (see chapter II), or e lse he, too, had to undergo a trial, 

a s was requ ired by the P lu m b ers union, to determ ine whether he had p re fe rre d 

the ch arges m alicio u sly :

When a m em b er is found guilty by the local union after due notice 

and t r i a l . . . of filin g f a l s e c h a r g e s m a l i c i o u s l y and in b a d fa ith . . .

he s h a l l be a s s e s s e d and p u n ish ed b y the l o c a l union . . .

D irect m em b ersh ip action replaced a full trial in the Rubber W orkers 

constitution, but m o re than a m ajo rity vote w as n e c e ssa r y to convict the a c c u se r 

of m aking fa lse ch arges. F u rth erm o re, the vote could not be taken at the sam e 

m eeting at which the o rigin al trial w as held, thus counteracting the p resen ce of 

high em otions, nor could the a c c u se r be held liable for actions taken in good faith:

Any m em b er bringing ch arges again st another which he fails to 

sustain by p ro p er evidence m ay, by a tw o-thirds vote of the m e m b e rship p resen t and voting at the next regu lar m eeting of the local union 

following the m eeting at which the decision of the trial board is reported 

and without referrin g the m atter to any trial board, be reprim an ded or 

s u s p e n d e d f o r a p e r i o d not e x c e e d in g 3 m o n th s, o r both r e p r i m a n d e d 

and suspended. This p arag rap h shall not be applicable in c a se s where 

the m em b er bringing the ch arges can show that such ch arges w ere 

filed in good faith and with reason able cause to believe that an offense 

w as com m itted.

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The constitution of the L ad ie s* G arm ent W orkers, how ever, em pow ered 

the sam e trial body that heard the origin al ch arges to take action again st the 

a c c u se r if ch arges w ere false:

If a m em b er or officer shall knowingly p re fe r fa lse ch arges again st 

an y o th e r m e m b e r o r o f f ic e r . . . the a c c u s e r m a y be p la c e d on t r i a l

for having brought the false ch arges and such trial shall be conducted 

in the sam e m anner and before the sam e body as the trial of the ch arges 

m ade by the a c c u se r.

T ypically, those unions that p re sc rib e d the form of ch arges also guarded 

again st anonymous and bad faith ch arges (table IV -3). Of the 74 unions which 

requ ired that ch arges be written and specific, for instance, m ore than threefourths (58) a lso provided safe g u a rd s a g a in st fa lse c h a rg e s. On the other hand, 

fe w er than h alf (Zl) of the 51 unions which re q u ire d only that c h a r g e s be in w riting 

provided a ssu ra n c e of true ch arges. T hese w ere larg ely concerned with penalizing 

th o se who p r e s e n t e d f a l s e c h a r g e s . F i n a l ly , of the 11 unions that did not stip u la te 

the f o r m of c h a r g e s , only 2 in d ic a te d that a ll e g a t io n s sho u ld be in w ritin g , 1 union 

requiring that the ch arges be signed, and the other union requiring the ch arges 

be signed and false a c c u se rs punished.

F i lin g C h a r g e s . A s a g e n e r a l ru le , both m e m b e r s and l o c a l union o f ­

fic e rs w ere authorized to p refer ch arges again st other local union o fficers and 

m e m b e rs. A few constitutions, in fact, obligated o fficers and m em b ers to bring 

ch arges when aw are of violations, a s, for exam ple, in the following:

It shall be the duty of any m em b er of a local lodge who m ay p o s ­

s e s s inform ation that a m em b er of his lodge has violated the in ternational constitution to im m ediately p refer ch arges in writing to the 

p r e s i d e n t of the lo d ge . . . (in te r n a tio n a l Die S i n k e r s 1 C o n fe r e n c e , Ind. )

Not filing ch arges when having such inform ation w as cause for punishm ent in its 

own right in the International Brotherhood of E le c tric a l W orkers, among others:

Any m em b er m ay be penalized for com m itting any one of the fo llow ing o f f e n s e s : . . . (3) hav in g k n o w led ge of the v io la tio n of an y p r o ­

vision of this constitution, or the bylaws or rules of a local union, yet 

failing to file ch arges again st the offender or to notify the p rop er o ffic e rs of the local union.

A re lativ e ly sm a ll num ber of constitutions (22 of 136) nam ed international 

o fficers among those em pow ered to p resen t ch arges, but none gave these in ternational executives sole authority. While som e of these constitutions very c a r e ­

fully d escrib ed and lim ited the extent of the authority granted to an international 

o fficer, m o st of the 22 perm itted the international officer to file ch arges on any 

grounds. T hese asp ects are d isc u sse d in the next chapter which deals with trial 

p ro ced u res at the international level.

In 33 of the 136 constitutions (table IV-4), the agent or agency with whom 

ch arges w ere to be filed was not identified. Thus, a m em b er filing ch arges 

again st another m em b er or local union officer could find h im self in a p ro ced u ral 

quandary. The ch arges might never have been exam ined by a local union trial 

com m ittee, sim ply b ecau se he did not know with whom to file.

A nother 62 constitutions, how ever, fo rm ally design ated local union o ffic e rs as receiving agents, m ost com m only the local union se c re ta ry (40) and 

o c c a sio n a lly the lo cal union p re sid e n t (15). Am ong th ese 62 constitutions only

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15 provided fo r altern ate receivin g agents in the event ch a rg e s w ere filed again st 

the p erso n who n orm ally would be the receiving agent. In such an event, the 

Auto W orkers adopted the following alternate designation:

C harges m ust be subm itted to the recording se c r e ta r y of the local 

union o r the shop o r g a n iz a t io n a s the c a s e m a y be . . . p r o v id e d th at

if the ch arges a re again st the recording se c re ta ry they shall be su b ­

m itted to the presid en t of the local union or the chief executive officer 

of the sho p o r g a n iz a t io n a s the c a s e m a y be . . .

An additional 39 constitutions designated a union body, rath er than an 

officer, as receiving agent. M ore than half (23) of these 39 constitutions p r o ­

vided that the ’’lo cal union” should act in this capacity without specifying the 

group or individual d ire ctly re sp o n sib le . The rem ain ing 16 unions design ated 

the local union executive board as illu strated below, or a perm anent com m ittee, 

or the m em b ersh ip m eeting:

Any m em b er or local union officer m ay file ch arges with the local 

union executive board again st any m em b er or officer of the local union 

a lle g in g the c o m m i s s i o n of any of the o f f e n s e s e n u m e r a t e d . . . ( R u b ­

b er W orkers)

The Jew elry W orkers provided in its constitution that accu sation s again st 

m em b ers w ere to be filed with the recording se c re ta ry while ch arges again st 

o fficers w ere to go to the executive board. The E lev ator C on stru ctors, on the 

other hand, stipulated that ch arges again st officers or m em b ers could be filed 

either with the local union presiden t or the local union executive board.

Publication of C harges and P relim in ary Review. Thirty-nine co n stitutions offered an additional safegu ard by requiring that local unions bring ch arges 

to the attention of the m em b ersh ip (table IV-5). N early half (17) of these also 

called for a p relim in ary review of ch arges.

Reading of ch arges at a m em b ersh ip m eeting was by far the m o st f r e ­

quently adopted form of publication, appearing in 34 of the 39 constitutions r e ­

quiring publication:

C h arges again st m em b ers m ust be signed, subm itted and read at a 

regu lar m eeting of local union. (A sb esto s W orkers)

The C arp en ters stipulated that ch arges would be read at one m eeting but 

that f o r m a l c o n s id e r a t io n of the c h a r g e s would be d e la y e d until the n ext m e e tin g ,

thus allowing for a further dissem in ation of the accu sation s to those m em b ers

who had not attended the first m eeting, but who m ight be in terested in p a r tic ipating in the subsequent proceedin gs:

The ch arges m u st be read at the m eeting and lay over until the 

n ext m e e tin g , and the m e m b e r m u s t be n o tified by r e g i s t e r e d m a i l . . .

to be p r e s e n t . . .

One union provided that ch arges be published in the union new spaper 

and a second union provided for ch arges to be posted on the union!s bulletin 

b o a r d . The B r o th e r h o o d of L o c o m o tiv e E n g in e e r s ( i n d . ) w as 1 of the 17 unions

th at a u t h o r iz e d p u b lic a tio n of c h a r g e s p r e p a r a t o r y to a p r e l i m i n a r y r e v ie w of

their sufficiency:

. . . The c h ie f e n g in e e r of the d iv is io n s h a l l, at the n ext r e g u l a r

m eeting thereof, after ch arges are p referre d , cause the se c re ta ry - 

tr e a su r e r to read said ch arges in open m eeting and appoint a com m ittee 

of 3 to i n v e s t i g a t e the c h a r g e s and r e p o r t its fin d in gs to the n ext r e g u l a r 

m eeting un less further tim e shall be given.

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P r o v i s i o n fo r a p r e t r i a l r e v ie w of c h a r g e s a p p e a r e d in 31 of 13 6 c o n s t i ­

tutions studied (table IV -6). In its p u rp o se , such a review w as som ew h at akin to 

that p erfo rm ed by a grand ju ry, and it serv ed two clo sely related p u rp o se s: F ir s t ,

a p relim in ary investigation m ight prove that the allegation s had no m erit, r e ­

sulting in their being dropped before trial; secondly, it serv ed as a proced u re 

for gathering all pertinent inform ation for later use by the trial body.

Of the 31 unions p r o v id in g fo r su c h r e v ie w , only 3 d e s i g n a t e d the i n t e r ­

national p resid en t as the reviewing agent. M ore gen erally exam ining re sp o n sib ilities w ere delegated to the m em b ersh ip as a whole, or to a com m ittee elected 

by the m em b ersh ip , as in the Oil, C hem ical and A tom ic W orkers:

. . . s u c h c h a r g e s m u s t be p r e s e n t e d to the m e m b e r s h i p at a 

regu lar or sp ecial m eeting called for that pu rpo se. A m ajo rity of the 

m e m b e r s p r e s e n t and vo ting . . . s h a l l d e t e r m i n e w h eth er o r not the

ch arges w arran t a trial, and if so, whether the trial shall be re fe rre d 

to an investigating com m ittee or be held before the m em b ersh ip as 

a whole.

L e s s frequently, the investigation was to be conducted by the local union 

e x e c u tiv e b o a r d , o r a c o m m it te e ap p o in ted by it*.

When such ch arges are p referre d again st any m em b er, and the 

gen eral com m ittee or executive board of the division involved finds that 

the ch arges have sufficient m erit to w arran t further p roceed in gs, the 

ch airm an of the com m ittee, or of the executive board shall furnish the 

a c c u s e d with a co py of the c h a r g e s . . . ( C o m m e r c i a l T e l e g r a p h e r s )

T hree unions provided for m ore than one p relim in ary review . The M a ­

chinists, for instance, first allowed the local union presid en t to evaluate ch arges, 

but his decision to drop them was subject to a further autom atic m em b ersh ip 

r e v ie w . The T y p o g r a p h e r s and the W atch W o r k e r s ( i n d . ) in e f f e c t a l s o a u t h o r iz e d 

a tw o-step review by a vote on two sep arate questions: (1) Whether the ch arges

a s p resen ted w ere deem ed cognizable; and, after investigation by a sp ecial co m ­

m ittee, (2) whether the ch arges were worthy of trial.

F o u r unions provided for appeals from p relim in ary review d ecisio n s. 

T hese w ere not autom atic review s by a second body as noted above, but w ere to 

be initiated by an in terested party who felt aggrieved by the outcom e of the first 

p r e lim in a r y review . In the T ra n s p o r t W o rk e rs, for exam p le , a lo c a l execu tiv e 

b o ard *s d e cisio n to drop ch arge s could be appealed to the intern ation al unionrs 

executive council, while in the U p h olsterers the accu sed could appeal first to 

the m em b ersh ip m eeting and then to the international presiden t. The C hem ical 

W orkers sim ilarly could appeal a local executive board*s decision to d ism iss 

ch arges to the m em b ersh ip m eeting, but a tw o-thirds m ajo rity vote was n e c e s ­

sa r y to ov erru le the decision. Finally, in the A llied Industrial W orkers, where 

the m em b ersh ip m eeting was to serv e a s the prelim in ary review body, the a c ­

c u s e r ^ appeal went directly to the international executive board.

Com position of the T rial Agency

An unbiased tribunal is fundam ental to the fair adm in istration of ju stice. 

T h erefore, the com position of the trial body, the method of its selection, and 

the p ro v isio n s guaranteeing its im partiality a re of p artic u lar relevan ce. Unions 

selec t tria l bodies in different w ays, as d escrib ed below. Unlike the courts, 

how ever, unions m ay divest the trial bodies of final decision-m akin g authority, as 

d escrib ed in the next section.

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Although all 136 union constitutions which provided for tria ls at the local 

union lev el r e fe r r e d to tr ia l bodies (table I V - 7), in 19 they w ere not c le a rly d e ­

fined. Nine of the 19 p ro v id ed fo r t r i a l by a " c o m m it te e " of the lo c a l union, 

without p r e sc r ib in g its m akeu p o r selectio n . The rem ain in g 10 w ere equally 

indefinite and usually delegated this authority to the local union:

(The accused) shall be given an im p artial trial by his local affiliate 

a s p r o v id e d in the b y la w s of s a i d l o c a l a f f il ia t e . . . ( L e a t h e r W o r k e r s)

T ab le IV—7. Local Union T rial Bodies, N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

T rial body

Unions

AFL- CIO U n affiliated

M embers

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing lo c al

union trial procedures --------------------- 136 15, 9 9 6 .4 111 13, 9 8 6 .2 25 2,0 1 0 . 2

Constitutions providing for trial by a

lo c al governing b o d y ---------------------- 62 7, 180.2 56 5, 6 3 1 .4 6 1 ,5 4 8 .8

Constitutions providing for trial by

lo c al union m em bership------------------- 28 1 ,3 4 0 .5 20 1, 139.7 8 200.8

M embership m eeting ------------------- 16 7 7 6 .5 12 6 9 7 .8 4 7 8 .7

C om m ittee selected by the

m e m b e rsh ip ------------------------------ 12 5 6 4 .0 8 4 4 1 .9 4 122.1

Constitutions providing for trial by an

agent appointed by the lo c a l union

president -------------------------------------- 15 1 ,8 9 8 .9 11 1 ,8 8 4 .7 4 1 4 .2

Constitutions providing panel methods

for selectin g a trial b o d y ------------------ 10 2, 1 5 3 .4 8 2, 149. 3 2 4 .2

Panel selected by drawing lots--------- 5 1 ,2 8 2 .8 5 1 ,2 8 2 .8 - -

Panel elected by the m e m b e rsh ip ---- 3 8 36.8 2 8 3 6 .0 1 .8

Other panel m e th o d s--------------------- 1 2 3 3 .8 1 3 0 .4 1 3 .3

Constitutions providing for trial by a

com m ittee, no reference to d e t a ils---- 9 1 ,7 1 0 .2 7 1 ,6 3 3 .5 2 7 6 .6

Constitutions providing for trial by the

lo c al union, no reference

to d e t a i l s-------------------------------------- 10 1, 5 4 0 .2 7 1 ,3 7 4 .6 3 165 .6

Constitutions providing for trial by

other bodies --------------------------------- 22 173.1 2 173.1 - -

* Under 1 constitution, the lo c al president appointed a panel; and under 1 the panel was com posed of presidents of adjoining lo cal unions.

2 Under 1 constitution, an investigating com m ittee conducted hearings in locals of more than 200 m em bers while

the m em bership m eeting held trials in sm aller locals; and under 1 a 5-m em ber trial com m ittee included 2 persons apappointed by the president, 2 by the v ice president, and 1 by the accused.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

A ll other union constitutions (117) clearly designated who was to serv e 

on the trial board. M ost frequently, the lo c a lfs governing body acted as the 

tribunal. This w as authorized in 62 unions having a com bined m e m b e rsh ip of 

7. 2 m illio n . An a d d itio n a l 15 u n io n s, acco u n tin g fo r an o th e r 1. 9 m illio n m e m b e r s , 

e m p o w e r e d the l o c a l p r e s i d e n t to appoin t the t r i a l b o a r d . In 77 u n io n s, 24 t h e r e ­

fore, the local u n io n s executive officers serv ed on or selected the trial co m ­

m ittee, although in m o st of these another body, usually the m em b ersh ip , had the 

pow er to hand down a final decision.

24 The 19 unions r e fe r r e d to above m ay a lso fall into this catego ry .

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Among the 62 unions naming a local governing body to act as tria l co m ­

m ittee w as the H atters, which provided the altern atives of trial by full executive 

board or by a subcom m ittee respon sib le to the executive board as follow s:

C h a r g e s m ad e by a m e m b e r o r o ffic e r of a lo c a l union a g a in s t an oth er 

m em b er or officer of the sam e local union shall be tried by the local 

executive board or by a subcom m ittee to be designated by such board, 

such com m ittee to report back its findings to the executive board, and 

its recom m endations, if any.

The T ran sp o rt W orkers, on the other hand, placed hearing authority e x ­

clusively in the hands of an ad hoc executive board subcom m ittee rath er than in 

the full board:

In the event that the local executive board should decide that the 

ch arges w arran t investigation and hearing, the local executive board 

sh all elect a trial com m ittee of three of its own m em b ers and shall 

design ate one of its own m em b ers to p resen t the ch arges before the 

trial com m ittee. The m em b ers of the trial com m ittee shall be selected 

by the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d s p e c i f i c a l l y fo r the t r i a l of su c h c h a r g e s . . .

The M ach in ists w ere am ong the 15 unions giving lo c a l union p r e s id e n ts 

the pow er to appoint tr ia l b o a rd s. In this union, the h earin g agen cy a lso co n ­

ducted a p relim in ary investigation of the sufficiency of ch arges:

. . . W henever c h a r g e s h ave b e e n p r e f e r r e d a g a i n s t a m e m b e r ,

the presiden t of the local lodge shall prom ptly appoint a trial co m m ittee of not m ore than five m em b ers, one of whom shall act as chairm an 

and one of whom shall act a s secre tary . The trial com m ittee shall conduct an investigation of the ch arges and decide whether there is sufficient 

substance to w arrant a trial hearing being held. If the trial com m ittee 

decides a trial hearing is w arranted, the com m ittee shall, within one 

week of its appointment, notify the m em b er of the ch arges again st him 

and when and w h ere to a p p e a r fo r t r i a l . . .

The rem aining 38 unions vested trial respon sib ility either in groups other 

than local union o fficers, or else p resc rib e d different m ethods for choosing t r i ­

bunal m e m b e r s . In 28 unions, fo r in stan ce, lo c a l union m e m b e r s w ere re sp o n sib le . 

Sixteen of these unions required that trials be held at regu lar or sp ecial m e m b e rship m eetin gs, as in the United Textile W orkers:

(ch arges) will be presen ted to the Executive Com m ittee of the local 

union with com plainant p resen t. If sufficient charged grounds are found 

to w a r r a n t a h e a r in g , the m e m b e r o r o f f ic e r c h a r g e d w ill be . . . told

when to appeal at the next regu lar m eeting, or a sp ecial m eeting called 

fo r that p u r p o s e . . . Any m e m b e r o r o f f ic e r a g a i n s t w hom c h a r g e s

have been p referre d , who refu ses to appear at the investigation or 

h e a r in g of the g e n e r a l body s h a l l sta n d s u sp e n d e d . . .

The rem ain in g 12 unions, including the Stone and A llied P ro d u cts W o rk ers, au th o rized the m em b ersh ip to select a com m ittee to h ear the evidence:

The local shall elect a trial com m ittee of at le a st seven m e m b e rs. 

Election of the trial com m ittee will be held at a regu lar m eeting of the 

local or a sp ecial m eeting called for that p urpose.

A nother 10 unions adopted p an el p r o c e d u re s for se le c tin g m e m b e r s to 

se rv e on b o ard s. Half of these unions provided for a random selection from

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among the m em b ers p resen t at the tria l m eeting to estab lish a ro ste r from which 

the final trial com m ittee could then be chosen. This w as set forth in the Rubber 

W orkers constitution as follow s:

A trial board of seven m em b ers and two altern ates to try each case 

shall be chosen by lot from the m em b ers p resen t at the regu lar m eeting 

of the local union at which the ch arges a re reported.

Since this constitution is one of a sm a ll num ber that d escrib ed panel selection 

p ro ced u res in detail, the pertinent clau ses are quoted in full below:

(b) The choosing by lot sh a ll be a s follow s:

1. The n am es of those p re se n t at the m eetin g sh all be 

placed in an apparatus from which the se c r e ta r y of the local 

union sh a ll d raw 15 n a m e s. The n a m e s a s draw n sh a ll be 

placed on a list in the o rd er thus drawn.

2. If the s e c r e ta r y or any m e m b e r of the 15 so drawn 

has any d irect connection with the ch arges, or is related to, 

or is the counsel for either the accu sed or com plainant, or 

m a y be a w itn e ss, he sh a ll be d isq u alified fro m acting. In 

the event of disqualification of the se c re ta ry , his place shall 

be taken by the highest ranking officer of the local union 

not in terested in the c a se. Any prospectiv e m em b er of the 

trial board, the se c re ta ry or officer acting in his place 

sh all be subject to interrogation by either party, or his 

counsel, in resp ect to the m atters set forth herein for the 

purpose of ascertain in g his qualification-to act as a m em b er 

of said trial board, or in the capacity as designated herein.

3. In the event of the disq u alification of any p r o s p e c ­

tive m em b er of the trial board, additional nam es shall be 

drawn to secu re the n e c e ssa ry num ber to fill the trial board.

4. The com plainant or his counsel shall be furnished 

a list of the nam es as drawn; the accu sed or his counsel 

sh all be furnished a list of the nam es as drawn. The co m ­

plainant or his counsel and the accu sed or his counsel shall 

be given the right to strik e as m any as three nam es from 

said list. The com plainant and the accu sed shall e x e rc ise 

their right to strik e as m any as three nam es from said list 

without advising each other what nam es are being stricken.

The list of nam es shall thereupon be subm itted to the s e c r e ­

tary of the local union who shall ad vise the local union what 

nam es have been strick en by the com plainant and the a c ­

cused. The first seven nam es rem aining on the total list 

shall constitute the trial board. The next two nam es shall 

constitute the altern ates on the trial board.

5. If the com plainant, or the accu sed , or either of 

them, is not p resen t at the m eeting, and if either the co m ­

plainant or the accu sed, has not designated counsel as h e r e ­

inabove provided, the trial board shall be selected notwithstanding. Should either the com plainant or the accu sed be 

p resen t p erso n ally or represen ted by counsel and the other 

not p resen t and not represen ted by counsel, the trial board 

shall be selected as provided above. The right to strik e

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n am es or in terrogate p rosp ectiv e m em b ers of the tria l 

bo ard fro m the list drawn m ay be e x e rc ise d by the c o m ­

plainant or the accu sed who is p rese n t or the designated 

counsel of either p arty. A fter e x e rcisin g such right, the 

tria l bo ard shall co n sist of the fir s t seven n am es rem aining 

on the list and the altern ates sh all co n sist of the next two 

p e r s o n s 1 n a m e s on the l i s t . T he fin a n c i a l o b lig a t io n of the 

local union shall be re stric te d to the p e rso n al exp en ses in ­

cu rre d or earnings lo st by the m em b ers of the trial b o ard 

and to the paym ent of com pensation to a re p o rte r or s te ­

nographer for recordin g the testim ony and p rep arin g a tra n ­

sc rip t, one copy of which shall be furnished by the lo cal 

union to the accu sed upon his requ est in am ple tim e to 

p e rm it prep aration of an appeal b rief.

(c) If ch arges are filed by or again st the p resid en t or vice p r e s i ­

dent of a local union the officer by or again st whom ch arges are filed 

sh all not p resid e in that portion of the m eeting w here a tria l b o ard is 

selected . In the event ch arges are filed by or again st the p resid en t and 

vice p resid en t of a local union thereby disqualifying them to p resid e at 

the m eeting for the selection of a trial board, that portion of the m eeting 

of the local union at which the trial b o ard is to be selected shall be p r e ­

sided over by som e p erso n designated by the international p resid en t.

The p e rso n p resid in g at the m eeting at which the trial b o ard is s e ­

lected is em pow ered to determ ine the qualifications of pro sp ectiv e trial 

board m em b ers under this section.

(d) The t r ia l b o a rd sh a ll m ee t after the b u sin e ss m eetin g and s e le c t 

their ch airm an.

Under the constitutions of three other unions, among them the C arp e n te rs, 

the panel w as to be nom inated at a m em b ersh ip m eeting as follow s:

The local union or d istric t council sh all nominate the n am es of 

11 m e m b e r s m o s t c o m p e te n t of g iv in g a f a i r and i m p a r t i a l h e a r in g of 

the c a se . The recording se c r e ta r y shall place the n am es in the ballot 

box and the vice presid en t shall draw the sam e fro m the box and call 

the n am es aloud until five have been drawn, when the c a se w ill be given 

to them for investigation.

All ch arges shall be re fe rre d to a trial com m ittee, consisting of 

five, the accu sed and the a c c u se r having the alternative of each ch allenging any three m em b ers of said com m ittee. Any m em b er so ch allenged shall not serv e on the com m ittee.

One of the rem aining two unions providing for panel m ethods authorized creation 

of a panel of p resid en ts from neighboring lo c a ls, while the second union authorized estab lish m en t of a perm anent n in e-m em ber panel to be appointed by the 

p resid en t with the advice and consent of the executive b o ard , subject to m e m b e rship ratification .

F in ally , two constitutions identified other kinds of trial arran g em en ts. 

One p erm itted an investigating com m ittee to hea.r ch arges and take evidence in

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lo cals of m ore than 200 m em b ers, but in sm a lle r locals the m em b ersh ip m eeting 

was to conduct the trial. The second created an ad hoc trial com m ittee of five 

m em b ers with two appointed by the local union presiden t, two by the vice p r e s i ­

dent, and one by the accu sed.

F ifty -six unions provided various a ssu ra n c e s that trial com m ittees would 

be im p artial (table IV-8). M ost frequently, in terested p a rtie s such as the a c ­

cused, a c c u se r, and w itn esses w ere autom atically to be disqualified from serving 

on the trial board. Such provision s appeared in 38 constitutions, including that 

of the H atters:

A ny l o c a l . . . o f f i c e r in v o lv ed in any c a s e s e ith e r a s a c c u s e r o r

defendant shall be disqualified from sitting on the tria l body in his 

own case.

T ab le IV—8. Selected Im partiality Provisions in Local Union T rials,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

i£M em ber^

T otal studied A ffiliatio n

Im partiality provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing lo c al union

trial procedures ------------------------------ 136 15, 9 9 6 .4 111 1 3 ,9 8 6 .2 25 2, 010.2

Constitutions specifying im partiality

provisions -------------------------------------- 56 1 0 ,6 2 8 .5 48 9 ,1 0 8 .0 8 1 ,5 2 0 .6

Interested parties d is q u a lifie d ---------- 38 7, 355.5 31 5 ,8 3 5 .7 7 1 ,5 1 9 .8

A ccused perm itted to challenge

m em ber on trial body or p a n e l------- 10 1 ,6 4 9 .0 9 1 ,6 4 8 .2 1 . 8

Both d isqu alification and

challenge provisions ------------------- 5 1 ,3 7 1 .4 5 1, 3 7 1 .4

Other im partiality p ro v isio n s------------ 1 3 252.7 3 252 .7 - -

Constitutions not specifying

im partiality provisions --------------------- 80 5, 367. 9 63 4, 878. 2 17 4 8 9 .6

Under 1 constitution "disinterested" m em bers were explicitly required only at trials of lo c al officers; under

1 constitution the accused and accuser were perm itted to challenge 3 m em bers if trial was held before a com m ittee

but no challenges if the m em bership m eeting heard the case; and under 1 constitution interested persons were always

disqualified and if an elected or appointed trial body heard the case, the accused was perm itted to challenge any

2 m em bers.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T hese clau ses w ere found larg ely among unions authorizing their local governing 

bodies to act as the trial agency (table IV-9).

In a n o th er 10 u n io n s, in t e r e s t e d p a r t i e s w e r e not to be a u t o m a t ic a l ly 

disqualified, but their seating on the trial board or their appearance on a panel 

co u ld be c h a lle n g e d . S ix of the 10 un ion s w e r e am o n g th o se w hich s e l e c t e d t r i a l 

com m ittee m em b ers by lot or by another panel method. Both the ac c u se r and the 

accu sed could issu e ch allenges. U sually their challenges w ere to be lim ited in 

num ber, and, upon their exhaustion, a predeterm in ed num ber of nam es would

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T ab le IV —9. Specifications of Im partiality for Local Union T rial Authorities,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

T o tal

studied

Local trial authority

T ype im partiality provision Governing M em berPresident

Panel C om ­ Local Other

body ship method m ittee union trial

authority

A ll constitutions providing

lo c al union trial

procedures ------------------------- 136 62 28 15 10 9 10 2

Constitutions specifying

im partiality provisions --------- 56 27 5 8 9 4 3

Interested persons

disqualified -------------------

Accused perm itted to

38 22 3 6 1 3 3

challenge m em ber on trial

body or p a n e l------------------ 10 2 1 6 1

Both d isqualification and

challenge p ro v isio n s---------- 5 1 - 2 2 -

Other im partiality

nrrt\riciruic _ _______ _____ __ * 3 2 1

Constitutions not specifying

im partiality provisions ---------- 80 35 23 7 1 5 7 2

* See footnote 1, tab le IV -8.

rem ain* T hese thereupon would constitute either the trial body, or the final list 

fro m which the tribunal would be selected. The Autom obile W orkers adopted 

the following procedure:

. . . a to tal of 19 n a m e s s h a l l be d raw n . The n a m e s s h a ll be r e a d

off in o r d e r in w hich d raw n . . . The c h a r g in g m e m b e r and c h a r g e d

m em b er, or their designated counsel, shall each have the right to strik e 

as m any as five nam es without stating any grounds or re aso n s, it being 

intended that each side be lim ited to five challenges even though m o re 

than one charged or charging party is involved. The trial com m ittee shall 

co n sist of the seven m em b ers whose nam es w ere first drawn, and neither 

withdrawn nor stricken, and the next two m em b ers in ord er of drawing 

who have not been withdrawn nor strick en shall serv e as altern ates.

In 4 of th e se 10 unions the right to challenge w as extended to th ose situ atio n s in 

which there w as a perm anent, rather than an ad hoc, trial com m ittee. The 

Stage Em ployes Union, for instance, provided for challenging a m em b er of the 

executive board or of a com m ittee estab lish ed by the executive board:

The accu sed shall have the priv ilege of challenging the right of any 

m em b er of the board or com m ittee to sit upon his case, and in the event 

of such challenge, the other m em b ers of the board or com m ittee shall 

p a ss upon its validity, sustaining or overruling it.

Five unions provided for disqualification of in terested p arties and also 

estab lish ed the right to challenge, while another three offered very sp ecialized 

im p artiality prov ision s.

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Scope and P en alties

International union constitutions differed co n sid erab ly concerning the 

scope of authority that w as granted to local union trial bo d ies. L e s s than half 

of the constitutions gave the trial bodies final pow ers to determ ine guilt and 

im pose a penalty; the m ajority, on the other hand, reduced trial com m ittees to 

ad v iso ry ro les by divesting them, either fully or p artially , of final authority and 

by placing this pow er in other local bo d ies. Overw helm ingly, whether it co n stituted a trial or a nontrial body, the local union m em b ersh ip w as to be the 

final decisio n m aker.

Only ra re ly w ere local union pow ers to im pose punishm ent lim ited by 

su perv isio n and control of the international union, other than through n orm al appeal p ro c ed u re s. Constitutions of over half the unions giving details on local 

union trial p ro ced u res specified the vote n e c e ssa r y to im pose sentence. M ajo rity votes w ere m o st prevalent, but tw o-thirds votes w ere also frequently stip u ­

lated. U sually, the sam e m argin w as requ ired for expulsion as for le s s e r p en altie s. In a significant num ber of constitutions, how ever, the size of the requ ired 

votes differed, in variably requiring a higher vote to expel. The m eaning of m a ­

jo rity and tw o-thirds votes differed among unions. M ost com m only, a m ajo rity 

or a tw o-thirds vote of those p resen t at a m eeting w as to be requ ired, although 

counts lim ited ju st to those voting w ere often stipulated.

S c o p e and L i m i t a t i o n o f T r i a l B o d y A u th o r ity . O nly 58 o f 136 u n io n s, 

c o v e r in g n e a r l y £T m illio n m e m b e r s , s p e c i f i c a l l y a u t h o r iz e d l o c a l t r i a l b o d ie s to 

m ake final and binding decisions (table IV-10). T ypical w as the b rie f statem ent 

of authority in corporated in the constitution of the Aluminum W orkers:

If the c h arge s, or any portion thereof, are sustain ed, then the trial 

body shall render judgm ent and im pose d isciplin ary action as provided 

for in this constitution. If the ch arges are not sustain ed, the sam e 

shall be d ism isse d and the accu sed shall continue to be entitled to full 

rights of m em b ersh ip or office in the local union.

In an additional 59 unions, affecting 6 .9 m illion m e m b e rs, the trial 

b o a r d 1 s a u th o rity w a s l im it e d to is s u i n g r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s fo r r a t if ic a t i o n by 

another body. The trial com m ittee w as to hear w itn e sse s, gather and su m ­

m arize evidence, and issu e findings concerning guilt and p rop o sed p en alties, but 

these penalties w ere to be approved by another body, usually the m em b ersh ip 

m eeting. F o r exam ple:

. . . s a i d c o m m it te e s h a l l h e a r a ll e v id e n c e and r e n d e r ju d g m e n t

in accordan ce therewith and repo rt such judgm ent and recom m endations 

to the s e c r e t a r y of the l o c a l union . . . The ju d g m e n t and r e c o m m e n d a ­

tions sh all be subm itted to the next re g u la r m eeting of the lo c a l union, 

o r a s p e c i a l m e e tin g c a l l e d fo r su c h p u r p o s e . . . it s r e c o m m e n d a ­

tion shall becom e effective only if approved by a vote of the m ajo rity 

of the l o c a l union m e m b e r s h i p p r e s e n t at su c h m e e tin g . . . (A llie d

Industrial W orkers)

Included among the 59 unions w ere a few that not only prohibited local 

trial com m ittees from m aking final d ecisio n s, but also re stric te d their authority 

to recom m end p en alties. The B o ile rm a k e rs, for instance, perm itted local trial 

boards to issu e findings as to the guilt or innocence of the accu sed , but such 

b o ard s could not advise a penalty except to advocate leniency.

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T ab le IV—10. Extent of Local Union T rial Body as D ecisionm aking Authority,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Extent of decisionm aking authority

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions M embers

A ll constitutions providing for lo c al

union trial b o d i e s ----------------------------- 136 15, 9 9 6 .4 111 1 3 ,9 8 6 .2 25 2, 0 1 0 .2

Constitutions specifying the extent of

decisionm aking authority:

T rial body decided guilt and

penalty ------------------------------------ 58 5, 9 4 5 .4 44 4 ,1 0 8 .0 14 1 ,8 3 7 .3

T ria l body's decision was

advisory ------------------------------------

T ria l body's decision was fin al in

som e respects, but advisory

in o t h e r s -------------------------------------

59 6 ,9 1 7 .6 51 6 ,7 8 3 .1 8 1 3 4 .5

15 2, 9 0 7 .4 13 2, 870. 5 2 3 6 .9

Fin al as to guilt; advisory on

penalty --------------------------------- 5 1 ,5 1 3 .2 4 1 ,5 1 1 .4 1 1 .8

F inal as to guilt and penalty, but

could be m o d ifie d ------------------- 7 8 7 6 .2 7 876. 2

Fin al as to guilt and a ll penalties

except expulsion ------------------- 3 5 1 8 .0 2 4 8 2 .9 1 35.1

Extent of decisionm aking authority

varied for different trial bodies ----- * 3 195.7 2 1 9 4 .2 1 1 .5

Other ------------------------------------------- 2 1 3 0 .4 1 3 0 .4 - -

1 Under all 3 constitutions, decisions rendered by the lo c al m em bership m eeting acting as a trial body were

fin al, but decisions rendered by appointed or elected trial com m ittees were advisory.

^ Under this constitution, the decision was fin al or advisory, depending on jurisdiction of the lo c a l union (e. g . ,

wire service locals vs. newspaper locals).

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

A s a gen eral rule, the trial body was to subm it its ad v iso ry report in 

writing to the nontrial body em pow ered to issu e the final decision so that the 

report m ight be read and voted upon. The F irem e n and O ilers, for exam ple, 

provided that the written report be read at the first m em b ersh ip m eeting fo llowing the trial, and that a vote be taken to accept or re je ct the decision. A 

sim ila r procedu re w as noted in the constitution of the B room and Whisk M ak ers:

. . . When the c o m m it te e h a s c o m e to a d e c i s i o n in the c a s e , the

ch airm an shall at the next regu lar m eeting, d eliv er the decision and 

syn opsis of evidence, in writing, to the presid in g officer who shall read 

the sam e to the union. The union shall then p roceed without debate to 

vote upon the question, and if the accu sed is found guilty he shall be 

sentenced as the constitution and bylaw s direct.

Other unions among the 59 m ade the choice b ro ad er by allowing the ratifying 

nontrial body, in addition, to m odify the report. Additional constitutions e sta b ­

lished p roced u res whereby the nontrial body could either consider sep arately each 

m ajo r part of the trial agency*s report or exam ine each charge sep arately , voting 

f i r s t on guilt, and, if guilt w as found, voting on penalty. In addition, in a s m a ll 

num ber of unions, som e or all p arties to the trial w ere sp ecifically authorized 

to state their case before the ratifying body. Thus, in the A m erican Flint G la ss 

W orkers' Union, for one, only the accu sed w as so authorized, while in the 

Brotherhood of M aintenance of Way E m ployes both the accu sed and the ac c u se r,

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or their rep resen tativ es, could avail th em selv es of this right. To these two 

participants, the Stereo ty p ers added the trial com m ittee itself, so that all three 

positions m ight be h eard before the final vote w as held. Finally, the T ypograph ­

ical Union provided the full m em b ersh ip authorization to debate the trial co m ­

m ittee's repo rt before reaching a verdict. A prevote debate w as held by the 

U p h olsterers under the following procedu re:

. . . A f t e r the s e c r e t a r y h a s r e a d the r e p o r t of the t r i a l b o a r d ,

the chairm an of the m eeting shall offer the accu sed and the a c c u se r the 

priv ilege of presenting their resp ective statem ents orally to the m eeting.

The accu sed shall have the priv ilege of speaking first, followed by the 

a c c u se r or the a c c u se rs who in turn shall be followed by the accu sed in 

final rebuttal. The accu sed and the a c c u se r shall be granted an equal 

amount of tim e, and shall be confined to speaking only on m atters 

germ ane to the case and presen ted during the trial. There shall be no 

o th er s p e a k e r s o r d e b a te . . . T he m e m b e r s s h a l l d e c id e . . . on e a c h

of the findings of the trial board in the following o rd er:

1. Guilt or innocence; and

Z. P e n a lty , if any.

An occasion al union among the 59 restrictin g trial bodies to ad visory 

functions also specified the voting p ro ced u res that w ere to govern nontrial bodies 

in determ ining penalties. V otes, for instance, m ight be taken on the lightest 

punishm ent first and then on su c c e ssiv e ly heavier penalties until one finally 

achieved the required num ber of votes. The A sso ciatio n of S id ero g rap h ers, on 

the other hand, re v e rse d this procedu re and authorized a vote on su c c e ssiv e ly 

lighter penalties, as follow s:

. . . When the r e p o r t of the c o m m it te e is m a d e , the l o c a l s h a l l

first vote on sustaining the report . . . as to the guilt or innocence of 

the accu sed, and if found guilty by the asso ciatio n , the next vote shall 

be on the punishm ent to be inflicted. The vote shall be by ballots, and 

the first shall be on expulsion. If the vote is not in the affirm ative, the 

next vote shall be on the question of fine; if in the negative, the next 

vote shall be on reprim and. If after going through the different grad es 

of punishm ent there has been no decision, the vote shall be taken over 

until a decision is arriv e d at.

Fifteen unions vested local union trial bodies with decisionm aking pow ers 

that w ere p a rtia lly final and p a rtia lly a d v iso ry (table IV -10). In five unions, for 

instance, the trial bodyfs decision on guilt was to be final, but ad v iso ry only on 

penalties as illu strated in the Rubber W orkers* constitution:

The findings and recom m endations of the trial board shall be r e ­

ported at the next regu lar m eeting of the local union following the trial 

board*s decision. A vote by sec re t ballot shall then be taken on the 

penalty, if any, recom m ended by the trial board, but the trial board*s 

r e c o m m e n d a t io n s on p e n a lt ie s m a y be a m e n d e d . . . The l o c a l union

has no pow er to change the d ecisio n of the tr ia l bo ard with re sp e c t to 

the gu ilt o r in n o c en ce of the a c c u s e d . . .

In sev en unions, the rep o rt of the tr ia l body w as to be final if ap p roved by the 

nontrial body:

The trial com m ittee shall render its findings and judgm ent in w riting . . . In the event the ju dgm en t and findings of the t r ia l co m m ittee 

p r o v id e fo r d i s c i p l i n a r y a c tio n . . . su c h fin d in gs s h a l l be fin a l u n l e s s

rejected by a tw o-thirds m ajo rity vote of the m em b ers by se c re t ballot 

at the regu lar m eeting at the h eadquarters of the local. (M a ste rs, 

M ates and Pilots)

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One of these seven unions, the C igar M ak ers, gave full authority to the local 

union to discipline, subject to approval by the international executive board. In 

3 of the 15 u n io n s, t r i a l c o m m it t e e s w e r e e m p o w e r e d to m a k e fin a l d e c i s i o n s 

except where expulsion or suspension was at issu e , in which case the final d e ­

cision was to be re ferre d to another body.

Where, as in three unions, provision was m ade for trial by the m e m b e r ­

ship m eeting or a sp ecially elected or appointed com m ittee, the la t te r ^ findings 

w ere subject to review and ratification.

Identity of the D e c isio n m a k in g B o d y . In m o s t u n io n s, the fin a l d e c is io n 

as to guilt and penalty rested with the local union m em b ersh ip or in a sp ecial 

com m ittee com posed of m em b ers elected or selected at a m em b ersh ip m eeting 

(table I V - 11). In co n trast, only 29 unions v e ste d final pow er in the l o c a l s e x e c u ­

tive bo ard or in a su bcom m ittee of the executive council, while 18 unions c re ate d 

a variety of other arran gem en ts.

T ab le IV —11. Final D ecision Authority in Local Union T rials,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

D ecision authority

T o tal studied T ria l body Nontrial body

Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing lo c a l union

trial procedures ----------------------------- 136 15, 9 9 6 .4 58 5 ,9 4 5 .2 78 10,051. 1

Membership m eeting or special

com m ittee elected at m em bership

m e e tin g --------------------------------------- 89 9, 875. 2 18 604.8 71 9, 270. 4

Local executive board or

subcom m ittee ------------------------------ 29 5 ,0 1 0 .4 26 4, 3 82.5 3 6 2 7 .9

Local executive board or special

trial body ----------------------------------- 4 223. 8 4 223. 8

S p e cial trial com m ittee selected

by a panel method ------------------------ 2 4 .9 2 4 .9

Subject to international executive

board review and a p p ro v a l-------------- 1 6 .3 - - 1 6 .3

Local union ----------------------------------- 7 5 4 7 .4 6 4 9 3 .9 1 5 3 .5

U nspecified com m ittee ------------------- 1 7 6 .2 1 7 6 .2 - -

Other -------------------------------------------- 3 252. 1 1 1 159.1 2 2 9 3 .0

1 In locals with less than 200 m em bers, the trial body was the m em bership m eeting, and in locals of 200 or

more m em bers, it was an investigating com m ittee. In both cases, the designated body rendered the fin al decision.

2 Under 1 constitution, fin al decisions were rendered by the lo cal union president; under 1 constitution, the

m em bership m eeting was designated as the fin al decisionm aker except that the lo c al union m ight otherwise arrange

its trial procedures should it so desire.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

In the 78 situations where nontrial bodies w ere given the pow er to m ake 

final d e cisio n s, the m em b ersh ip m eeting was m o st frequently d esign ated (71 c a se s). 

Only three constitutions referre d final authority to the local executive board, or 

subcom m ittee, a fourth to the international executive board, and a fifth to the 

"lo cal union" without defining further which local union body was to em ploy this 

authority. Finally, the B a r b e r s Union ord ered its trial bodies to report their 

findings to the local union presiden t who then would render the final decision, 

and the Je w elry W orkers gave final authority to the m em b ersh ip , unless local 

union bylaw s provided otherw ise.

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S p e c i a l L i m i t a t i o n s R e la t in g to S u s p e n s io n and E x p u l s i o n . O nly 9 of 

136 unions p la c e d r e stric tio n s upon the rights of th eir lo c a l a ffilia te s to d i s ­

cipline, either by lim iting the penalties that could be im posed or by requiring 

international approval of such actions. In the R ailw ay P atro lm en , H o siery 

W o rk ers, and the Stone and A llied C ra ftsm e n (Ind. ), for in stan ce , the d i s ­

ciplinary authority of subordinate organizations w as lim ited to the im position 

of fines. S im ilarly , local unions of the A m erican Com m unications A ssociatio n 

(Ind. ) w e r e allo w e d to s u s p e n d th o se m e m b e r s found g u ilty o f a v a r i e t y of o f ­

fe n se s, but w ere denied the right to levy l e s s e r or h a rsh e r p e n a ltie s. To expel 

m em b ers, the B ric k lay e rs locals needed international executive board approval, 

as did the B o ilerm a k e rs lo cals for su spen sion s and expu lsions, lo cals of the Tool 

C r a f t s m e n (Ind. ) fo r fin e s and e x p u l s i o n s , and th o se of the P l u m b e r s fo r s u s ­

pension s, expu lsions, and fines over $100. L o c a ls of the M olders w ere requ ired 

to subm it all propo sed suspen sion s or expulsions to their international presid en t 

for approval.

O ver half the 136 unions giving details on local tria l p ro c e d u re s e st a b ­

lished the size of the vote n e c e ssa r y to im pose sentence. Seventy-three unions 

specified the vote requ ired before punishm ent, other than expulsion, could be 

c a rrie d out (table I V - 12); and 74 unions set the size of the vote n e c e ssa r y to

T ab le IV—12. Size o f;Vote Required to Impose Penalties Other T h aq Expulsion in Local Union Trials,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands!

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Size of vote

Unions Members

AFL-■ CIO U naffiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing lo c al union

trial p ro c e d u re s------------------------------ 136 1 5 ,9 9 6 .4 111 13, 9 8 6 .2 25 2,0 1 0 .2

Constitutions specifying size of vote

to im pose sentences other than

expulsion -------------------------------------- 73 9, 776. 7 60 9, 568. 9 13 207.7

Requiring m ajority v o t e s---------------- 46 7, 252. 2 37 7, 161.1 9 91.1

M ajority present ---------------------- 20 2 ,7 6 0 .7 15 2, 707. 3 5 5 3 .4

M ajority not d e fin e d ------------------ 13 1 ,8 5 9 .3 11 1 ,8 5 4 .1 2 5 .2

M ajority v o t i n g ------------------------ 8 1 ,4 7 1 .7 6 1 ,4 3 9 .1 2 3 2 .5

M ajority e lig ib le ---------------------- 5 1, 160.7 5 1, 160.7 - -

Requiring two-thirds v o te s--------------- 15 1 ,0 8 6 .0 13 1 ,0 7 1 .9 2 14.1

Two-thirds present ------------------- 7 7 4 1 .7 7 7 4 1 .7 - -

Two-thirds v o t i n g --------------------- 8 3 4 4 .4 6 330.3 2 14.1

Requiring 60 percent v o t e --------------- 1 4 1 .3 1 4 1 .3 - -

Size of vote differed with p e n a l t y ---- 9 9 8 8 .9 7 8 8 6 .4 2 102.5

Size of vote differed for other

reasons ------------------------------------ 1 2 408. 2 2 4 0 8 .2 - -

Constitutions not specifying size

of vote ----------------------------------------- 63 6 ,2 1 9 .7 51 4 ,4 1 7 .2 12 1 ,8 0 2 .5

1 1 constitution required different size votes according to status of the accused as an officer or as a m em ber; and

1 constitution required different size votes according to com position of the trial body.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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expel m em b ers and local o fficers found guilty of m ajo r offen ses (table I V - 13). 

In to tal, 76 unions e st a b lish e d s iz e of v o tes n e c e s s a r y (table I V - 14) in a lm o s t 

all c a s e s for both expulsion and l e s s e r p e n altie s. Of the rem ain ing 60 unions— 

that is, of those not stipulating size of votes— over tw o-thirds (46) w ere about 

equally divided between those vesting final decisionm aking power in the m e m b e r ­

ship and in the local union executive board.

Among the 76 constitutions stipulating size of the vote, the voting r e ­

quirem en ts w ere m ore stringent in a num ber of unions when lo ss of m em b ersh ip 

w as involved. Thus, under m ore than half of these constitutions, a m ajo rity vote 

w as sufficient to im pose penalties short of expulsion while approxim ately 20 p e r ­

cent requ ired a tw o-thirds vote for penalties other than expulsion. To expel, however, a tw o-thirds vote w as stipulated in 36 percent of the constitutions specifying 

size of vote, and slightly l e s s than 50 percen t of the unions req u ired a m ajo rity 

vote. Only one union, the M ech an ics E d u catio n al Society, set a 60 p erc en t vote for 

all types of p en alties, while a few unions, where expulsion w as at stake, stipulated 

a th ree-fou rth s vote.

T ab le IV -13. Size of Vote Required to Expel in Local Union Trials,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(Members in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Size of votes

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll constitutions providing lo c a l union

trial p ro c e d u re s-------------------------------- 136 15, 9 9 6 .4 111 13,986. 2 25 2, 010. 2

Constitutions specifying size of vote

to expel ----------------------------------------- 74 9, 626. 5 60 9 ,3 8 3 .7 14 2 4 2 .8

Requiring m ajority v o t e s------------------ 35 5 ,6 5 9 .3 31 5, 606. 7 4 5 2 .6

M ajority present ----------------------- 18 2, 479. 9 14 2, 4 2 7 .3 4 5 2 .6

M ajority not d e fin e d ------------------- 9 1 ,7 5 4 .2 9 1 ,7 5 4 .2 - -

M ajority voting ------------------------ 5 4 8 4 .7 5 4 8 4 .7 - -

M ajority e lig ib le ------------------------ 3 9 4 0 .5 3 9 4 0 .5 - -

Requiring two-thirds v o te s---------------- 27 2, 8 5 0 .7 20 2, 6 6 8 .0 7 182 .7

Two-thirds present --------------------- 14 961.7 12 860 .7 2 1 0 1 .0 '

Two-thirds voting --------------------- 13 1 ,8 8 9 .0 8 1 ,8 0 7 .3 5 8 1 .7

Requiring three-fourths v o t e s ------------ 8 9 1 4 .0 6 9 0 7 .3 2 6 .7

Three-fourths p r e s e n t------------------ 2 4 4 5 .0 2 4 4 5 .0 - -

Three-fourths voting ------------------ 5 2 8 8 .9 3 282.1 2 6 .7

Three-fourths in good sta n d in g ----- 1 180 .2 1 180 .2 - -

Requiring 60 percent v o t e ---------------- 1

1 2

4 1 .3 1 4 1 .3 - -

Size of vote differed with o ffe n se ------- 8 .8 1 8 .0 1 .8

Other size of vote a r ra n g e m e n t-------- 2 1 152 .4 1 1 52.4 - -

Constitutions not specifying siz e ----------

of vote to expel ------------------------------ 62 6, 369. 8 51 4, 602. 5 11 1 ,7 6 7 .4

1 Votes to expel varied with the offenses that had been com m itted.

2 Different size votes were required according to com position of the trial body.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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T ab le IV—14. Size of Votes for Expulsion and Lesser Penalties in Local Union T rials,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M em bers in thousands)

Size of votes stipulated for expulsion

and lesser pen alties

T o tal studied

Unions M embers

A ll constitutions providing lo c a l union trial p ro c e d u re s--------------- 136 1 5 ,9 9 6 .4

T o tal stipulating size of votes ----------------------------------------------- 76 9, 922. 3

Som e size of vote for expulsion and lesser pen alties --------------- 50 7 ,0 2 4 .0

M ajority p re se n t---------------------------------------------------------- 18 2, 479. 9

M ajority not d e f in e d -------------------------------------------------— 9 1 ,7 5 4 .2

M ajority e l i g i b l e --------------------------------------------------------- 4 1,1 2 0 .7

M ajority voting ---------------------------------------------------------- 4 4 1 1 .5

Tw o-thirds p re se n t------------------------------------------------------- 7 7 4 1 .7

Two-thirds voting ------------------------------------------------------- 6 3 2 2 .4

Other ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 2 193.7

Different size of votes for expulsion and lesser p e n a ltie s---------- 21 2, 456. 9

Size of vote stipulated only for expulsion ----------------------------- 3 1 45.6

Size of vote stipulated only for lesser p e n a ltie s---------------------- 2 2 9 5 .8

T o tal not stipulating size of v o t e s ------------------------------------------- 60 6 ,0 7 4 .1

1 Under 1 constitution the size of vote differed according to the com position of the trial body, but not according

to the penalty; 1 constitution required a 60-percent vote of m em bers present and voting for expulsion and lesser pen alties.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

Of the 71 unions that detailed siz e of vote re q u irem e n ts for both exp u lsion and le s s e r pen alties, 50 set the sam e size vote r e g a r d le ss of punishm ent 

(table I V - 14). A gain, m a jo r it y v o te s, found in 35 of the 50 c o n stitu tio n s, p r e ­

dom inated. Twenty-one unions requ ired a different num ber of votes for e x ­

pulsion and le s s e r pen alties, in variably stipulating the la rg e r vote where e x ­

pulsion w as at issu e .

M ost of these constitutions sp ecified the b ase to be u sed in computing 

v o te s. L e a s t p r e c is e w ere 13 constitutions which sim p ly c a lle d fo r a m a jo r ity 

without indicating whether this "m ajo rity " w as of m em b ers p resen t, or m em b ers 

p rese n t and voting:

. . . The m e m b e r s of the l o c a l union th e re a s s e m b l e d s h a l l v o te ,

without debate, solely on the question of whether to re je c t the decision 

and the recom m endations of the tria l com m ittee and a m ajo rity vote 

shall be final, subject only to appeal. (Sheet M etal W orkers)

M ore often, how ever, the vote w as to be b ased on the num ber of m em b ers 

in attendance at a m eeting, as illu strated in the constitution of the B ric k and 

C lay W orkers:

All penalties upon any m em b er of a local union sh all be im posed 

by a m ajo rity of the m em b ers p resen t at a regu lar m eeting of the 

l o c a l union . . .

The M ailers (In d.), among other unions, refined this decisionm aking 

group by including only those p resen t and voting, thus elim inating those p resen t 

but abstaining from voting:

It shall requ ire three-fou rth s vote of m em b ers p rese n t and voting 

by se c re t ballot to suspend or expel.

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In five unions— two where le s s e r penalties only w ere involved and three

w here expulsion w as also at issu e --- a m ajo rity vote of those eligible to vote w as

to determ ine the penalty. In all situations the trial body w as to c o n sist of a 

sp ecially selected com m ittee or of a local union executive board, alw ays involving 

a relativ ely sm a ll group.

Other constitutional provision s stipulating that the vote would be b a se d 

so lely on those casting a ballot, likew ise lim ited the decision to a body sm a lle r 

than total attendance:

The trial com m ittee shall, if it finds the accu sed guilty, reprim an d , 

fine, suspend or expel as it deem s n e c e ssa r y according to the sev erity 

of the ch arges and repo rt the case to the next m em b ersh ip m eeting for 

approval . . . A m ajo rity of the m em b ers voting shall be n e c e ssa r y for 

approval. (Jew elry W orkers)

?!< Sfc 3|C

. . . Su ch r e c o m m e n d a t io n s of the c o m m it te e m a y b e a m e n d e d , r e ­

jected , or another punishm ent substituted th erefor, at the w ill of the m a ­

jo rity of the m em b ers voting on the question, except that it shall require 

a tw o-thirds vote of those voting to expel the accu sed fro m m e m b e rship. (Die Sinkers, Ind. )

In co n trast, the Oil, C hem ical and Atom ic W orkers broadened the b ase by 

calling for a vote of all "m e m b e rs in good stan d in g," p resu m ab ly by m eans of a 

localw ide referendum :

N eglect of duty or b reach es of international or local constitutions, 

law s or ru les by o ffic e rs, or m em b ers, m ay be punished by reprim an d 

or fine . . . at the w ill of a m ajority , or by suspen sion or expulsion 

at the w ill of three-fourths of the m em b ers in good standing of his 

l o c a l union . . .

The constitution of the R a ilr o a d Sign alm en , R ailw ay and S te am sh ip C le r k s, 

and R ailro ad T eleg ra p h e rs, although differing slightly from each other, offered 

b a sic a lly the sam e unique voting proced u re. To expel a m em b er, a tw o-thirds 

vote w as n e c e ssa ry . If the requ ired tw o-thirds vote w as not achieved, then the 

votes for expulsion would be added to the votes for suspen sion in o rd er to m ake 

the tw o-thirds vote n e c e s s a r y to suspen d the guilty m em b er or o ffic e r. If, howev er, the com bined vote still failed to reach tw o-thirds, then no further ballots 

would be taken and the penalty autom atically levied would be a reprim an d.

The P lu m b ers union provided that the size of vote should v ary according 

to the status of the guilty p erso n . L e s s e r penalties involving m e m b e rs, for 

exam p le, would requ ire a m ajo rity vote, but to rem o ve an o fficer a tw o-thirds 

vote would be n e c e ssa ry . The Iron W orkers, on the other hand, provided that 

its vote requ irem en t should v ary according to the trial body, which w as also the 

fin a l d e c is io n m a k in g bo d y. If the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d a c te d a s the t r i a l b o d y , 5 of 

7 m e m b e r s w ou ld have to a p p ro v e the p e n a lty , but w h ere an ad hoc t r i a l c o m ­

m itte e of 12 m e m b e r s w as e m p lo y e d , 9 v o t e s , o r t h r e e - f o u r t h s of the t r i a l c o m ­

m ittee would be n e c e s s a r y to im p ose sen ten ce. The M arine E n g in ee rs' B e n eficial 

A ssociatio n and the T echnical E n gin eers A ssociatio n (Ind.) stipulated that the vote 

to expel should be v a rie d accordin g to the offense that had been com m itted. The 

M EB A , for exam ple, could expel a m e m b e r who w ilfully neglected to provide for his 

dependents or who w as a chronic drunk, by a three-fourths vote, but expulsion for 

any other offense would require only a tw o-thirds vote.

R e c a l l of L o c a l Union O f f i c e r s . O nly 15 of 136 n a tio n a l and in t e r n a tio n a l 

unions, having a com bined m em b ersh ip of 1.2 m illion, provided for the rem o val 

o f l o c a l union o f f i c e r s b y m e a n s of a r e c a l l v o te . In 11 of the 15 u n io n s, l o c a l 

o fficers could also be rem oved as a resu lt of disciplin ary action taken by a local

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t r i a l bo dy. In the o th er fo u r unions , h o w e v e r , r e c a l l w a s the on ly p r o c e d u r e w h e r e b y 

m e m b e r s d is s a t i s f i e d with the p e r f o r m a n c e o f a l o c a l o f f i c e r m ig h t u n s e a t h im b e ­

fore the end of his term of office.

M ost unions providing local union re c all p ro ced u res w ere m oderate or 

s m a ll in s iz e . Two unions, in fact, r e p r e s e n te d few er than 1, 000 w o r k e r s , and a 

third few er than 2, 000 w o rk ers. None of the unions had m ore than 36, 000 m e m ­

b e rs except the O perating E n gin eers, R ailw ay C le rk s, T ran sp o rt W orkers, and 

Com m unications W orkers, all A F L -C IO affiliates and each with m em b ersh ip s in 

e x c ess of 100,000.

As a gen eral rule, re c all of local union o fficers could be invoked for 

a lm o s t any r e a s o n . T en of the 15 un ion s, fo r e x a m p le , did not give r e a s o n s 

fo r w hich r e c a l l m ig h t be in itia te d , and the r e m a in in g 5 unions s tip u la te d r a t h e r 

b r o a d r e a s o n s . P r a c t i c a l l y a ll u n i o n s , h o w e v e r , r e q u i r e d the r e c a l l p e titio n 

sp ecifically to state the reaso n for such action. Among the five unions listing 

reaso n s for re c all, the A ir Line D ispatch ers and the Tobacco W orkers declared, 

resp ectively , that re c all m ight be initiated "with or without cau se" or for " ju s t ifia b le c a u s e . " The L i t h o g r a p h e r s (Ind. ) p e r m i t t e d a r e c a l l p e titio n in the ev e n t 

the o f f ic e r in fr in g e d the p r o v i s i o n s of the u n io n 1 s c o n stitu tio n and g e n e r a l la w s 

or for conduct unbecoming a local officer. Under the constitution of the R a ilroad Y a rd m a ste rs (A FL-C IO ), failure or re fu sal to c a r r y out constitutional or 

legal requ irem en ts w as sufficient reaso n for re c all of a local officer and under 

the D istillery W orkers constitution, re c all could be invoked when the local officer 

w as unable p ro p erly to p erfo rm duties requ ired by the constitution.

Nine unions stipulated that re c a ll be initiated by petition, in w riting, 

containing specific reaso n s for re call, and bearing the sign atu res of a s p e c ifie d p r o p o r t io n o f the l o c a l u n io n 1 s m e m b e r s h i p . T h is p r o p o r t io n r a n g e d f r o m 

10 p e r c e n t of the l o c a l 1 s m e m b e r s h i p ( L i t h o g r a p h e r s , I n d .) to m o r e than 50 p e r ­

cen t (R a ilw a y C l e r k s ) . The M a i l e r s ’ (In d .) co n stitu tio n , fo r e x a m p le , in c lu d e d 

the following requ irem en ts:

The presen tation of a petition to any m em b er of the executive board 

of the local union signed by m em b ers in good standing totaling at le a st 

40 percen t of the num ber of votes c a st for the office for which a re c all 

is petitioned shall cau se said union to subm it the question of re c all to a 

referendum vote of the m em b ersh ip.

The D istillery W orkers perm itted its local executive bo ard to initiate re c all by 

recom m ending that an office be voted vacant, and the international executive board 

of the T o b a c c o W o rk e rs could invoke lo c a l o ffic e r r e c a l l in the s a m e m an n e r.

Only five unions identified the p erso n or body ch arged with carry in g out 

the re c all p ro c ed u re s. G enerally, this w as the recording officer, or se c re ta ry - 

tr e a su r e r , or p resid en t. Two of the five unions offered altern atives in case the 

usual adm inistrating officer w as the p erso n whose re c all w as petitioned. The 

R ailw ay C le rk s, for exam p le, design ated the B o a rd of T ru ste e s to act in such 

c irc u m stan c es, as follow s:

R u le 3. The r e c o r d in g s e c r e t a r y s h a l l . . . c e r t i f y w h eth er the

p e titio n is s ig n e d b y the r e q u is it e n u m b e r of q u a lifie d m e m b e r s . . .

He shall tran sm it the petition together with certification to the presid en t 

of the lodge and shall furnish a copy thereof to the officer sought to 

be recalled .

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R u le 4. The p r e s i d e n t of the lo d ge . . . s h a l l ap p oin t a c o m m i t ­

tee of 3 m e m b e r s to p r e p a r e and s u p e r v i s e the d is tr ib u t io n of the b a l lo t , 

tabulate the resu lt and repo rt name to the lodge.

Rule 5. If the petition involves the presid en t or the recordin g 

se c re ta ry , the p ro ced u res indicated above shall be conducted by the 

b o ard of tru ste e s.

Only the A irline P ilots directed the international union to adm in ister the r e ­

call p ro c ed u re s.

As a gen eral rule, two or m ore m eetings w ere designated for the re c all 

p r o c e s s. The first m eeting w as to be devoted to p relim in ary d etails, and w as 

also to serv e to notify all participants of the impending action. The second 

m eeting w as usually to include debate, and, in m any c a s e s , the re c a ll balloting. 

The O perating E n gin eers em ployed the following p ro ced u re:

W henever 25 percen t of the m em b ers in good standing in a local 

union shall file with the recording corresponding se c re ta ry a petition 

r e q u e s t i n g the r e c a l l f r o m o ffic e of any o f f i c e r o f the l o c a l union . . .

within 30 days th ereafter a sp e c ia l m eeting of the lo cal union sh all have 

been called and held with all petitioners p rese n t th ereat, which sp ecial 

m eeting shall have been devoted to verifying the sign atu res of all p etition ers to said re c all petition and certifying by the financial se c r e ta r y 

of the good standing of each petitioner, then and not otherw ise the r e ­

cording corresponding se c re ta ry shall notify all m em b ers in good stan ding of . . . the date s e t fo r the vo ting upon r e c a l l (which date s h a l l be

the third regu lar m eeting following the m ailing of such notice) and a 

vote thereon shall be taken at such m eeting.

Only the B ro ad c ast E m ployees authorized the local executive bo ard to hold 

hearings and m ake recom m endations. These recom m en dation s, how ever, w ere 

pu rely ad visory , not in the nature of a decision by a trial body to be ratified 

by the m em b ersh ip .

One constitution, that of the R ailw ay C le rk s, allowed the accu sed officer 

to file a statem ent answ ering the ch arges cited in the petition. No constitution 

changed the status of the officer pending outcom e of the re c all referendum , e x ­

cept that the constitution of the Com m unications W orkers perm itted suspen sion 

of o fficers where the ch arges included crim in al acts.

Four unions requ ired se c re t re c a ll balloting. The constitutions of three 

of these unions provided for voting by m ail, while the fourth constitution, that of 

the O perating E n g in eers, provided for voting on re c all by se c r e t ballot at the 

m em b ersh ip m eeting. Three te lle rs, one appointed by the petitioner, one by the 

local* s p resid en t, and one elected by the m e m b e rs, w ere authorized to conduct 

the vote and tabulate the re su lts.

E le v e n of 15 unions stip u la te d the s iz e of vote n e c e s s a r y to r e c a l l , five 

r e q u i r e d m a j o r i t y v o t e s , and 6 c a l l e d fo r t w o - th ir d s v o t e s . Of the fiv e m a j o r i t y 

v o tes, two specified a m ajo rity of the full local m em b ership and two of those 

voting. The fifth stipulated that tw o-thirds of all eligible m em b ers w ere r e ­

quired to vote, and only if a m ajo rity voted for re c all could the local officer 

be rem oved. Of the six unions calling for tw o-thirds v o tes, two stipulated that 

the tw o-thirds vote re fe rre d to the full m em b ersh ip , two to those m em b ers 

p re se n t at the r e c a ll m eetin g, and one to those voting. The sixth re q u ired that 

to rem ove the local officer at le a st a m ajo rity of the num ber of m em b ers who 

had voted for the o fficers at the tim e of their election had to p articip ate in the 

balloting, and that the vote for re c all m u st be by tw o-thirds of those voting.

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Chapter V. Trial Procedures of Local Union Officers and Members 

at the International Union Level

This chapter, d escribin g trial p ro c ed u res at the international union level, 

is, in the m ain, organ ized along the sam e lines as the preceding chapter dealing 

with trials at the local union level. A sp ects which are unique to p roceed in gs at 

the international union level, notably m atte rs of exclu sive or concurrent ju r is d ic ­

tion, are d isc u sse d and illu strated in detail.

P rev alen ce of P ro v isio n s

Of the 158 constitutions exam ined, 116 provided fo r tria l of m e m b e rs 

or local union o fficers at the international union level (table V -l) as com pared 

with 146 providing fo r tr ia l at the lo cal lev el. Under 10 co n stitu tio n s, the in ­

ternational union w as the only body authorized to conduct d isciplin ary proceedin gs.

T ab le V - l. T rial of Members 1 and Local O fficers at the International Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

T rial provision

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll constitutions studied -------------------------------- 158 16, 923.1 122 14, 228. 8 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing for trial at the

international level ------------------------------------ 116 13, 5 1 5 .0 92 1 0 ,9 7 0 .1 24 2, 5 4 4 .9

Local m em bers and officers ---------------------- 93 12, 377.9 73 9, 8 6 1 .2 20 2, 5 1 6 .7

Identical trial procedure ---------------- ------ 83 11, 231.7 64 8 ,7 4 1 .5 19 2, 490. 2

Different trial procedure ---------------------- 10 1, 146.3 9 1 ,1 1 9 .8 1 2 6 .5

Local officers ----------------------------------------- 21 1 ,0 1 1 .4 17 9 8 3 .2 4 2 8 .2

Local m em bers ---------------------------------------- 2 125.6 2 1 2 5 .6 - -

Constitutions not providing provisions for

international t r i a l s-------------------------------------- 42 3 ,4 0 8 .1 30 3 ,2 5 8 .7 12 1 49.4

* The term "m em bers” included any m em ber of a lo cal union but not "m em b e rs-at-larg e" or other m em bers

affiliated directly with the international union. 2 constitutions, accounting for 261, 800 m em bers, providing for trial

of directly affiliated m em bers only, were not included in this analysis of international trial provisions.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

A ll bu t 2 of the 42 c o n stitu tio n s w ithout p r o v i s i o n fo r t r i a l at the i n t e r ­

national level provided for trial by local unions. M oreo ver, even though these 

42 constitutions contained no explicit p rov ision for trying m e m b e rs and o fficers 

of local unions at the international level, ju risd iction m ight be invoked, under 

broad pro v isio n s clothing the international o fficers with gen eral authority to ad ­

m in ister and conduct the a ffa irs of the union or to in terpret and decide all q u e stio n s of union law . F o r in s t a n c e , the F l ig h t E n g i n e e r s ’ c o n stitu tio n v e s t e d " s u ­

p rem e governm ental p o w e rs” in its M aster Executive Com m ittee and left open a

65

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p o ssib ility of disciplin ary h earin gs by providing that "there shall be no restrictio n 

on b u s i n e s s co n d u cted at any m e e tin g of the c o m m it t e e . 1,25

While local trial p ro ced u res w ere invoked only by filing c h a rg e s, two 

routes w ere provided for invoking international ju risdiction . Under 115 of the 

116 international trial p ro v isio n s, ju risd iction could be b a sed on ch arges if filed 

d irectly at the international level. Under the rem aining constitution, and under 

28 of these 115, ju risd ictio n could be assu m e d by the international over ch arges 

that h ad b e e n file d at the l o c a l l e v e l (tab le V -2 ). 25 6 The a u th o rity to d i v e s t the 

local union of ju risd iction and tran sfer the ca se to an international trial body w as 

often lim ited to em erg en cies, a p artic u lar offense, or situations m ark ed by a 

lo c a l's inability to afford the accu sed a fair trial.

T ab le V -2. Extent of International T rial Jurisdiction, N ational

and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal Studied A ffiliation

T rial jurisdiction

Unions Members

AFL -CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

Constitutions providing for trial at the

international lev el ------------------------------------ 116 13, 515 .0 92 1 0 ,9 7 0 .1 24 2, 544. 9

Constitutions providing jurisdiction over

new cases ------------------------------------------------- 87 8, 125.8 68 7, 2 4 2 .5 19 8 8 3 .3

Local m em bers and officers ---------------------- 65 7 ,0 0 8 .7 50 6, 153.7 15 8 5 5 .0

Local officers ----------------------------------------- 20 9 9 1 .4 16 963. 2 4 2 8 .2

Local m em bers --------------------------------------- 2 125.6 2 1 25.6 - -

Constitutions providing jurisdiction over

new and pending cases -------------------------------- 28 5, 356. 3 23 3, 694. 6 5 1, 661 .7

Local m em bers or officers ------------------------ 27 5, 336.3 22 3 ,6 7 4 . 6 5 1 ,6 6 1 .7

Local officers ----------------------------------------- 1 2 0 .0 1 2 0 .0 - -

Constitutions providing jurisdiction over

pending c a s e s-------------------------------------------- 1 3 3 .0 1 3 3 .0 - -

Local m em bers and officers ---------------------- 1 33 .0 1 3 3 .0

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

P e rso n s Subject to T rial

Of the 116 prov ision s for trial at the international level, 93 applied 

to both m em b ers and local o fficers (table V -l), usually with identical p r o c e ­

dural p ro v isio n s. International trial p ro ced u res w ere usually le s s detailed than

25 Two of th e se 42 c o n stitu tio n s lim it e d t r i a l p r o v i s i o n s to m e m b e r s who 

w ere not affiliated with a local union but who w ere attached directly to the in ternatio n al union (table V - l , footnote 1). P r o v is io n s a p p lic a b le to m e m b e r s - a t - l a r g e 

w ere not included in this an aly sis.

26 F o r p u r p o s e s of th is stu dy , p r o v i s i o n s fo r filin g c h a r g e s d i r e c t ly at the 

international level w ere d escrib ed as p ro v isio n s for ju risd ictio n over "new " c a s e s , 

while p ro v isio n s for tran sferrin g a case from the local to the international level 

w ere d escrib ed as providing for ju risdiction over "pending" local union c a se s.

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th o se g o v e rn in g l o c a l union t r i a l s , although s e v e r a l c o n stitu tio n s p r o v id e d the s a m e 

extensive p ro ced u ral pro v isio n s for tria ls at both lev els. A few constitutions 

m erely vested gen eral disciplin ary authority in an international agency without 

specifying p roced u ral requ irem en ts, as in the following provision :

The gen eral executive board m ay e x e rc ise origin al ju risd ictio n to 

try international union o ffice rs, subordinate b o d ies, o fficers of su b o rdinate bo dies, and individual union m em b ers for any conduct subject to 

d isciplin ary action. (B akery and Confectionery W orkers' International 

Union of A m erica, Ind. )

U nder 10 co n stitu tio n s, the t r ia l p r o c e d u re s for o ffic e r s and fo r m e m b e r s 

d if f e r e d so m e w h a t. T h e s e c o n stitu tio n s c o n tain ed s p e c i a l p r o v i s i o n s fo r d is c ip lin in g 

o fficers charged with m isconduct in the p erfo rm an ce of their duties, closely r e ­

lated to the international's su p erv iso ry resp o n sib ilities over local union affa irs. 

F o r instance, under the constitution of the Stone C utters A sso ciatio n , the following 

prov ision applied to o ffice rs:

The p resid en t shall have the authority, should he be satisfied that 

any officer is d erelict in the p erfo rm an ce of his duty or has been guilty 

o f a d is h o n e s t a c t, to s u s p e n d su c h o f f i c e r f r o m h is o f f ic i a l p o s it io n . In 

such event, he shall furnish the officer so suspended with a detailed 

statem ent of his reaso n s for so doing, and he shall a lso forw ard to the 

executive board a sim ila r detailed statem ent, who shall thereupon try 

such suspended official in acco rdan ce with the law s governing im p each ­

m ent and tr ia l of o ffic e r s. If found guilty, he sh all at once be rem oved 

from office by the presiden t.

With regard to m e m b e rs, the executive board w as em pow ered to initiate ch arges 

under the following lim ited c irc u m stan c es:

Anyone who goes to a local w here there is trouble, in ord er that he 

m ay be p laced on the strik e roll, shall be im m ediately exposed in the 

jo u r n a l , and c h a r g e s p r e f e r r e d a g a i n s t h im by the (e x e c u tiv e b o a r d ) . . .

Extent of International Ju risd ictio n

In a ll bu t 1 of the 116 in t e r n a tio n a l t r i a l p r o v i s i o n s stu d ie d , the i n t e r ­

national union w as em pow ered to e x e rc ise ju risd iction in new c a s e s , that is, those 

not pending at the local union level (table V-2). Under the rem aining constitution, 

all ch arges w ere filed with a local union, but the presid en t p o s s e s se d the authority, 

as illu strated in the following clau se, to tran sfer the case to the international level:

. . . In the even t c h a r g e s a r e p r e f e r r e d a g a i n s t any m e m b e r o r

officer of a local union and the gen eral p resid en t, in his d iscretio n , 

deem s it p ro p er to do so, he m ay o rd er that the trial of such m em b er 

or officer be had before the executive board of the international in lieu of 

the executive bo ard of the local or any trial com m ittee of such local. 

(D istillery , Rectifying and Wine W orkers' International Union of A m erica)

E igh ty -seven of the constitutions providing for international ju risd iction 

over new c a se s did not explicitly p erm it tran sfer of pending local c a se s to the 

international level. T hese included 65 of the 93 constitutions with p ro v isio n s 

a p p lic a b le to both m e m b e r s and o f f i c e r s , a ll but 1 of the 21 a p p lic a b le to o f f i c e r s 

only, and the 2 w hich c o v e r e d m e m b e r s only. Only 28 c o n st itu tio n s, c o v e r in g , 

h o w e v e r, m o r e than 5 m il lio n m e m b e r s , g r a n t e d ju r i s d i c t i o n o v e r both new and 

pending c a se s. Under these constitutions, ju risd iction over new c a se s w as invoked

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by filing ch arges at the international level, while ju risd ictio n over pending c a se s 

w as invoked by tran sferrin g ch arges alread y filed with a local union to the in ternational level, typically in the following m anner:

The executive board shall have the right, by notice in w riting to such 

(local) recording se c re ta ry to a ssu m e ju risd ictio n of any such ch arges 

and, in that event, no action upon such ch arges shall th ereafter be taken 

by the local union with which they w ere filed, but all further proceed in gs 

shall be taken by the executive board in the sam e m anner as though 

ch arges had originally been filed with it. (Independent W atchm en’s 

A ssociatio n , Ind. )

Ju risd ictio n over new c a se s usually extended to include all offen ses 

a g a i n s t the in te r n a tio n a l union, su c h a s ’’v io la tio n o r i n f r a c t io n s of the p r o v i s i o n s 

of the c o n stitu tio n , ” o r any m a t t e r ’’in i m i c a l to the b e s t i n t e r e s t s " of the union. 

In e ffe ct, th e se g e n e r a l ju r is d ic t io n a l p r o v is io n s v e s te d c o m p lete d is c ip lin a r y 

authority in an international body. The following p rov ision w as one of the m o st 

explicit in describing the scope of gen eral ju risd iction :

The executive board shall have entire control over all ju dicial b u sin e s s of the in t e r n a tio n a l union when not in s e s s i o n , v iz . . . ; a l l d e c i ­

sions a s to the laws or u sa g e s of the international union or of subordinate 

unions; all ch arges or disputes of one m em b er again st another or his 

union; and all ch arges or disputes of one union again st another; all 

questions as to the law ra ise d or reported by deputies— in fact, all 

questions relative to the law s of the international union or subordinate 

un ion s and v io la t io n s th e r e o f. ( B r i c k l a y e r s , M a s o n s and P l a s t e r e r s ’ 

International Union of A m erica)

T h is g e n e r a l ju r i s d i c t i o n u s u a l ly w a s b r o a d enough to exten d even to c a s e s 

which could be the subject of ch arges at the local level. One constitution explicitly 

provided concurrent ju risd ictio n as follow s:

When a m em b er violates the international law s by interfering with 

the w orkings of the international executive board in carryin g out the law s, 

the b o ard sh all have full authority to m ete out the sa m e punishm ent to 

them that a local union has and the m em b er has the sam e right to appeal 

that he h as from the decision of a local union. (M etal P o lish e rs, B u ffe rs, 

P la te rs and H elpers International Union)

A few constitutions, how ever, specified exclu sive ju risd iction at the international 

level. F o r instance, the A m erican Flint G la ss W orkers' constitution requ ired the 

presid en t to review all ch arges and retain ju risd ictio n of those ch arges involving 

the international union:

It sh all be the duty of the in tern atio n al p re sid e n t to r e fe r a ll c h a rg e s 

again st individuals to local unions for trial except those which involve the 

international constitution or p o licies of and the secu rity of the in tern ational organization.

L i m i t a t i o n s on N ew C a s e s . In 80 of the 115 p r o v i s i o n s p e r m i t t i n g j u r i s ­

diction over new c a s e s , the in tern atio n al’s ju risd ictio n included any offense again st 

the in tern a tio n al union. U nder 21 of the o th er 35 c o n stitu tio n s, co v e rin g m o r e than 

2 m illio n m e m b e r s , only c h a r g e s a lle g in g p a r t i c u l a r o f f e n s e s w e r e to be a c c e p t e d 

at the international level. S ev eral of these offen ses w ere related to the p e rfo r m ­

ance of official duties by a local union officer and w ere designated for trial by

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international agen cies exclu sively. F o r exam ple, one constitution authorized 

ju risd ictio n in new c a se s in the following clau se:

. . . (the p r e s i d e n t ) s h a l l h av e a u th o rity , sh o u ld he b e c o m e s a t i s f i e d

that any officer is d erelict in the p erfo rm an ce of any duty, or has been 

guilty of any dishonest act, to suspend such officer fro m his official 

p o sitio n . In su ch event, he sh a ll fu rn ish the o ffic e r so su sp e n d e d with 

a detailed statem ent of his reaso n s for so doing. The executive board 

shall try such suspended officer upon the ch arges p resen ted by the p r e s i ­

dent. (In te rn a tio n a l S t e r e o t y p e r s ' and E l e c t r o t y p e r s ' Union o f N orth 

A m erica)

Included am ong the 35 constitutions w ere 6, covering m o re than 600, 000 

m e m b e rs, which perm itted international ju risd ictio n only in c a s e s that "vitally 

affected" the international union or p resen ted an im m ediate th reat to the union's 

w elfare, as for exam ple, in the United R ubber W orkers' constitution:

The international executive board will entertain and determ ine 

ch arges pursuan t to this p arag rap h in the e x e rc ise of its ju d icial pow ers 

only in those ra re and unusual c a se s w here the gen eral w elfare of the 

URW is involved.

The rem aining eight constitutions in this category specified m o re than 

one g r a n t of ju r i s d i c t i o n a l a u th o rity . T h e s e c o n st itu tio n s, c o v e r in g n e a r l y 2 m i l ­

lion m e m b e rs, perm itted ch arges to be filed with the international in any of a 

num ber of defined situations, such as an em ergen cy, or for sp ecified offenses. 

Cum ulatively, these lim ited gran ts provided a bro ad ju risd ictio n al b a sis for d is ­

ciplinary action, as can be seen from the following provision :

In c a s e s of e x t r e m e e m e r g e n c y and when it a p p e a r s . . . th at i r ­

r e p a r a b l e in ju r y m a y r e s u l t to the in t e r n a tio n a l union . . . , and, w ithout

re gard to the existen ce of a p rese n t em ergen cy, in any c a se in which it 

s h a l l a p p e a r to the b o a r d that 2 o r m o r e m e m b e r s h av e e n g a g e d . . .

in c o n s p i r a c y to c o m m it an o f fe n s e a g a i n s t the union . . .

W henever it is ch arged that any m em b er is affirm atively engaged in 

the prom otion, im plem entation, furth eran ce, or support of any other 

union o r c o ll e c t iv e b a r g a in in g g ro u p . . . su c h c h a r g e w ill b e file d with

the international executive board. (United A utom obile, A ero sp ace and 

A gricu ltu ral Im plem ent W orkers of A m erica)

L i m i t a t i o n s on P en d in g C a s e s . C a s e s that w e r e a l r e a d y pend in g b e f o r e a 

local body w ere le s s frequently subject to international ju risd iction . Of the 29 constitutions providing for ju risd iction over pending c a s e s , 9, covering alm o st 900, 000 

m e m b e rs, granted authority for international ju risd iction over any offense again st 

the international union, while 20 constitutions lim ited this authority, typically to 

em ergen cy situations of the type stipulated in the following clau se:

In a ll c a s e s in v olvin g c h a r g e s w hich in the opinion of the . . . ( p r e s ­

ident) . . . v ita lly a ffe c t e d the b e s t i n t e r e s t s of the l o c a l union o r the

in t e r n a tio n a l union, the . . . ( p r e s id e n t) . . . m a y o r d e r the . . .

(executive board) . . . to take origin al ju risd iction of the c a se and to 

p r o c e e d to h e a r and t r y the a c c u s e d . The . . . ( p r e s id e n t ) . . . s h a l l

have this authority at any point in the proceedin gs and this authority shall 

exist even though the trial com m ittee of the local union h as com m enced 

and has conducted a hearing. (M etal P o lish e rs, B u ffe rs, P la te rs and 

H elpers International Union)

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Eight of these 20 unions lim ited ju risd ictio n over pending c a se s to failu re 

of the local union either to p ro secu te or to punish a m em b er convicted of offen ses 

again st the international union:

In the event that any lo c a l union or the m e m b e r s th ereo f fa il to p r o ­

ceed under the p rov ision s of this section, or fail to refu se to punish 

m e m b e r s t h e r e o f who a r e gu ilty . . . (T o b a c c o W o r k e r s I n t e r n a ­

tional Union)

Under two constitutions, international ju risd ictio n could be invoked if 

b ia s, hostility, or fear of r e p r isa ls would in terfere with the lo c a l’s ability to 

provide a full and fair hearing, with either the accu sed or a c c u se r perm itted to 

p etitio n fo r a change of venue. In the N e w sp a p e r G u ild, the in te rn a tio n a l a g e n c y 

granting the requ est w as authorized to appoint a sp ecial com m ittee, com posed of 

m em b ers of neighboring local unions, as follow s:

W here the . . . (e x e c u tiv e b o a r d ) . . . i s co n v in c e d , a f t e r r e c e i p t of 

a petition from either the accu sed m em b er or from those filing ch arges, 

that a fair trial is im p o ssib le in the accu sed m e m b e r ’s local, b ecau se 

of p artiality , hostility, or fear of r e p r isa ls, the (executive board) m ay 

o rd er trial before a trial board to be selected from a trial panel of 

m em b ers of one or m o re nearby lo cals.

The other constitution provided for trial by the union convention under the follow ­

ing circ u m sta n c es:

The p r e s i d e n t of the . . . (lo c a l union) . . . with w hom c h a r g e s

a r e file d s h a l l . . . p r o c e e d to b r in g the a c c u s e d to t r i a l . . . , e x c e p t 

that the . . . (p r e s id e n t) . . . m a y , when he d e e m s su c h a c tio n n e c e s ­

sa ry in o rd er to provide a fair trial or to protect the b e st in tere sts of 

the IAM, d irect that the accu sed be tried either by a sp ecial com m ittee 

designated for that purpose or by the G. L. Convention. (International 

A ssociatio n of M achinists)

Under two other constitutions, sep arate gran ts of pow er over local union 

c a se s w ere given to the executive board and to the international presiden t, with 

the l a t t e r ’s a u th o rity lim it e d to d e s i g n a t e d s it u a t io n s . The T e a m s t e r s ' (Ind. ) 

constitution delineated this as follow s:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, the gen eral 

e x e c u tiv e b o a r d s h a l l h av e ju r i s d i c t i o n . . . fo r a ll o f f e n s e s c o m m it te d

a g a in s t the o f f i c e r s of . . . o r the in te rn a tio n al o rg a n iz a tio n . In the 

even t c h a r g e s h av e b e e n file d o r h e a r in g s a r e pendin g . . . the j u r i s ­

diction of such subordinate body shall forthwith term inate.

If the lo cal union executive b o a rd . . . is s a tis fie d by the evidence 

p resen ted that the individual is a m em b er of the C om m unist P arty or of 

any other su b v ersiv e organization, or su b sc rib e s or lends support to their 

d octrin es, the local union executive board shall expel such individual after 

he has obtained a p ro p er trial.

If, in the opinion of the gen eral p resid en t, the above section has not 

b e e n c o m p lie d with in p r in c i p le and intent . . . , he . . . s h a ll be e m ­

pow ered to reopen and review the ca se and, if he deem s it ad visable,

. . . t r a n s f e r the c a s e to the g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a r d . . .

W hen ev er c h a r g e s inv olvin g a m e m b e r . . . o f f i c e r o r . . . s u b o r ­

dinate body create, involve, or relate to a situation im m inently dangerous 

to the w e l f a r e of a . . . s u b o r d in a te bo dy, the g e n e r a l p r e s i d e n t is e m ­

pow ered, in his discretio n , to a ssu m e origin al ju risd iction re g a rd le ss of 

the fact that ch arges have been filed with another subordinate body and 

a r e pending . . .

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Invoking In te rn a tio n a l J u r i s d i c t i o n — P e r s o n s A u t h o r iz e d to In itia t e . A l ­

though 95 tr ia l p ro v isio n s sp e c ific a lly identified p e rso n s au th o rized to file c h a rg e s 

at the international level (table V-3), few constitutions specified that the p e rso n s

T ab le V -3. Persons Sp e cific ally Authorized to Invoke International Jurisdiction,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

Identity of persons

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for trial at the

international lev e l ------------------------------------ 116 1 3 ,5 1 5 .0 92 10, 970.1 24 2, 544. 9

Constitutions sp e cifically authorizing certain

persons to invoke international ju ris d ic tio n ----- 95 12, 2 5 2 .4 80 10, 360 .6 15 1 ,8 9 1 .9

Constitutions specifying international

authorities ------------------------------------------- 52 7 ,6 5 5 .7 44 7, 2 57.6 8 398. 1

President ------------------------------------------- 27 4 ,3 5 2 .6 25 4, 2 2 6 .4 2 126. 2

Executive board 1----------------------------------- 14 2, 372. 8 10 2, 117.7 4 255. 1

President or executive board ------------------ 11 9 3 0 .3 9 9 1 3 .5 2 16 .8

Constitutions specifying international and

lo c al union authorities --------------------------- 29 4 ,0 7 0 .7 25 2, 644. 9 4 1 ,4 2 5 .8

President, executive board, or

lo c al o f f ic e r s------------------------------------ 12 2, 2 6 8 .3 9 8 4 3 .5 3 1 ,4 2 4 .8

Executive board, or lo c al officers, or

m em bers ----------------------------------------- 5 5 6 9 .4 5 5 6 9 .4 - -

President, or lo cal officers, or m em bers---- 3 1,0 7 3 . 6 3 1 ,0 7 3 .6 - -

President, executive board, lo c al body,

or lo c al officers, or m e m b e r s --------------- 4 126.3 4 126.3 - -

Other ------------------------------------------------- 2 5 33. 1 4 32.1 1 1 . 0

Constitutions specifying lo c al union

a u th o ritie s-------------------------------------------- 14 5 2 6 .0 11 4 5 8 .0 3 68.0

Local officer, or m em ber --------------------- 12 4 6 6 .0 11 4 5 8 .0 1 8.0

Other ------------------------------------------------- 3 2 6 0 .0 - - 2 6 0 .0

Constitutions without identity provisions ---------- 21 1,262. 6 12 6 0 9 .5 9 653. 1

* The phrase !'executive board" also included other governing bodies, such as boards of directors and boards

of trustees.

^ Under 3 constitutions, the president, executive board, or a lo c al body could invoke jurisdiction; and under

2 constitutions elected international officers or lo c al bodies could invoke jurisdiction.

3 Under 1 constitution, a lo c al body or mem bers or officers could invoke jurisdiction; and under 1 constitution,

a lo c al body by petition of 20 percent of its m em bership could invoke jurisdiction.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

list e d w e re the only on es who could a v a il th e m se lv e s of this right. In m an y of 

these constitutions, sp ecific p erso n s w ere designated to invoke ju risd ictio n for 

p artic u lar offen ses, but for other offenses no p erso n w as nam ed. F o r instance, 

the United Autom obile W orkers' constitution authorized the executive board to file 

ch arges in extrem e em ergen cies or in c o n sp iracies, but did not designate a filing 

agent for ch arges of dual unionism .

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Constitutions without any referen ce to the identity of the initiator f r e ­

quently contained pro v isio n s sim ila r to the one cited below:

When the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d m a k e s a d e c is io n o r i s s u e s an o r d e r . . .

and such local union or subordinate body or the o fficers thereof fail, 

neglect, or refu se to conform or comply with the decision or o rd e r, the 

ch arter of the local union or other subordinate body m ay, after com plaint 

and hearing, be revoked or suspended, and said o fficers m ay be fined or 

e x p e lle d by the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d . (Stov e M o u n t e r s ’ In te rn a tio n a l U nion 

of North A m erica)

In m o r e than h alf (52) of the p r o v is io n s identifying the p e r s o n s au th o rized 

to invoke international ju risd iction , only international authorities, usually the p r e s ­

ident, w ere sp ecifically so designated (table V-3). The p resid en t w as often au ­

thorized to e x e rc ise this pow er through agents, p artic u larly in c a s e s involving the 

supervision of local union a ffa irs. F o r exam ple, under the B rick and Clay W orke r s ' c o n stitu tio n , a s p e c i a l t r u s t e e ap p o in ted by the p r e s i d e n t w a s to p e r f o r m the 

following functions:

A fter the sp ecial tru stee has taken charge or control of a subordinate 

body, he shall m ake an investigation of its b u sin ess a ffa irs, finances, 

a ss e ts and liab ilities and m ake com plaint to the executive council again st 

any m e m b e r o r f o r m e r o f f i c e r . . . (fo r) . . . any a c t of c o r r u p tio n o r

fin a n c ia l m a l p r a c t i c e o r of any v io la tio n of law o r th is co n stitu tio n . . .

The executive b o a r d ’s procedu re for determ ining whether to initiate p r o ­

ceedings w as ra rely specified. U sually, the b o a r d ’s authority w as b ased on a 

gen eral prov ision for disciplin ary action, as in the following clau se:

The executive board, upon notice given it of any executive m atter in 

any m a n n e r o r f r o m any s o u r c e th at any . . . o f f ic e r o r m e m b e r . . .

has failed or neglected to comply with the law s of this international union 

o r it s r u l e s o r o r d e r s o r the r u l e s o r o r d e r s of the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d . . . 

s h a l l i m m e d i a t e ly c a u s e n o tic e of s a i d c o m p la in t to be giv en to the . . . 

o f f i c e r o r m e m b e r . . . so c h a r g e d . . . ( B r i c k l a y e r s , M a s o n s and

P l a s t e r e r s ’ In te rn a tio n a l Union of A m e r i c a )

Under 29 constitutions, the authority to invoke international ju risd ictio n 

w as v ested in p erso n s at both the international and local lev els. U sually, only 

o fficers w ere designated, but a few also extended this authority to m em b ers of 

the local union. M ost of these constitutions specified different in itiators for d ifferent offen ses. International o fficers p o s s e s se d this authority for any violation 

of the international constitution and for actions which requ ired the use of official 

p ow ers, such as suspending before or after ch arges w ere filed, ordering a pending 

local union case tra n sferre d to the international level, or declarin g that a situation 

p resen ted an im m ediate threat to the w elfare of the union. L o cal union o fficers 

or m em b ers w ere comm only perm itted to file ch arges for any violation of the international constitution or for failure of the local union to hold a hearing. F o r 

in s t a n c e , the P a i n t e r s ’ c o n stitu tio n g r a n t e d the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d the fo llow in g 

authority to initiate d isciplin ary p roceed in gs:

In any c a s e o v e r which a su b o rd in a te body h a s ju r is d ic t io n , if su ch 

ch arges a re also violations of this constitution, the gen eral executive 

b o ard sh all have the authority to e x e r c ise o rigin al ju risd ictio n .

It s p e c ific a lly r e fe r r e d to a m e m b e r 's or o f f ic e r ’s authority to file c h a rg e s at the 

international level in the following situation:

(In the c a se of) any local union refusin g to try its m e m b e rs on 

c h a r g e s p r o p e r l y p r e f e r r e d . . . the p a r t y p r e f e r r i n g the c h a r g e s m a y

then b r in g the c h a r g e b e f o r e . . . (the g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a r d ) . . .

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Under 14 con stitu tion s, only p e rso n s at the lo cal union lev el w ere s p e ­

cifically authorized to invoke international ju risdiction . T hese p rov ision s usually 

perm itted "any m em b er" to file c h arge s. L o c a l o fficers w ere included within this 

term by definition although the term m ight also include international o fficers who 

w ere not explicitly excluded. The following provision w as typical:

P roceedin gs under this article m ay be initiated by any m em b er of the 

ILA by filing w ritten ch arges, specifying the acts or conduct with which 

the accu sed is charged, with the recording se c r e ta r y of the appropriate 

local union or d istrict council or d istrict organization or with the in ternational s e c r e ta r y - tr e a su r e r as the case m ay be. (International L o n gshorem en* s A ssociation)

Only a few constitutions explicitly re stric te d the p erso n s who could file 

ch arges d irectly with an international agency. U sually, such constitutions enum erated all p erso n s who m ight w ish to file ch arges, as in the following provision:

A charge or ch arges m ay be p re fe rre d again st any m em b er by r e s o ­

lution of: L o cal councils, executive councils, b o ard s of d ire c to rs; or by 

local council chairm en, executive council chairm en, or by any elected 

officer of the associatio n . (Air Line D ispatch ers A ssociation )

The constitution of the M arine E n gin eers* B en eficial A ssociation , in 

specifying who could file ch arges, included the following prov ision for e n d o rse ­

m ent of ch arge s:

C h a r g e s . . . m a y be file d b y a n a tio n al fu ll tim e e le c t e d o f f ic e r

or any three m e m b e r s of the nation al execu tive c o m m itte e o r by a 10 p e r ­

cent vote of the m em b ers in good standing of said subordinate asso ciatio n .

P r o v i s i o n fo r C h a r g e s — F o r m o f C h a r g e s . Of the 116 in t e r n a tio n a l t r i a l 

provisions^ 100 sp ecific ally requ ired ch arges to be filed as a first step in invoking 

in te rn a tio n al t r i a l ju r is d ic t io n (table V -4 ). Only 19 of th e se p r o v is io n s fa ile d to

T ab le V -4. Form of Charges in International Level T rial Proceedings, N ational

and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T otal studied A ffiliation

Form of charges

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for trial at the

international lev el ------------------------------------ 116 13, 5 1 5 .0 92 1 0 ,9 7 0 .1 24 2, 544. 9

Constitutions stipulating form of charges ---------- 81 9 ,9 1 4 .7 67 8 ,3 1 8 .9 14 1 ,5 9 5 .8

Written and s p e c i f i c --------------------------------- 48 6, 090. 3 42 4, 532. 5 6 1, 557.8

Specify nature of offense ---------------------- 20 3 ,9 1 0 .9 16 2, 4 1 2 .4 4 1 ,4 9 8 .5

Specify nature of offense, and rule or

constitutional provision violated -------- - 13 807.1 12 8 0 3 .8 1 3 .3

Other written and sp ecific f o r m s------------- *4 2 80.0 4 2 8 0 .0 - -

No reference to details to be s p e c ifie d ----- 11 1 ,0 9 2 .3 10 1 ,0 3 6 .3 1 5 6 .0

Written only ------------------------------------------- 33 3, 8 2 4 .5 25 3 ,7 8 6 .5 8 3 8 .0

Constitutions requiring charges without

stipulating form of c h a rg e s--------------------------- 19 1 ,7 1 1 .2 15 1, 0 2 1 .2 4 6 9 0 .0

Constitutions not stipulating form of c h a r g e s----- 16 1, 889.1 10 1 ,6 2 9 .9 6 259.1

1 Under 1 constitution, charges contained a general statem ent of the offense and the particular rule violated;

under 1 constitution, charges were in the form of an ’’order to show cause why an officer should not be rem oved"

and specified the nature and facts of the offense; under 1 constitution, charges were in the form of "inform ation"

and "substantiated by written testim ony;" and under 1 constitution, charges against lo c al officers were "written and

sp e cific" but charges against m em bers specified the particular rule alleged ly violated.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

690-094 0 -6 3 - 6

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stipulate the form of the c h arge s, typically lim iting th em selv es to b rie f re fere n ce s 

sim ila r to the one noted in the constitution of the Aluminum W orkers:

The a c c u s e d s h a l l be g iv e n a r e a s o n a b l e n o tice of the c h a r g e s . . .

The c o n stitu tio n of the U nited M ine W o r k e r s (Ind. ) a l s o r e f e r r e d to c h a r g e s bu t 

did not define their c h a ra c te ristic s:

When any officer . . . or m em b er is ch arged with fom enting, le a d ­

ing, or encouraging a dual union, or dual m ovem ent within the o rg a n iz a ­

tion, upon ch arges being filed with the international executive board,

. . . a h e a r in g of s a i d c h a r g e s s h a ll be had.

E ig h ty - o n e c o n st itu tio n s, c o v e r in g a p p r o x im a t e ly 7 of e v e r y 10 m e m b e r s , 

d escrib ed the fo rm for ch arges in degrees of detail ranging from sim ple sta te ­

m ents that ch arges be "in w riting" to elaborate requ irem en ts that the ch arges 

state the facts of the offense, including tim es and d ates, and cite the p articu lar 

artic le , section, and p arag rap h of the constitution allegedly violated. Under 

48 constitutions, ch arges m ust be w ritten and sp ecific. A few of these constitutions contained language sim ilar to that in the Lab or-M an agem en t R eporting and 

D isc lo su re A c t’ s sectio n 101 (a) (5) (A), as in the following c lau se :

No m em b er of the organization m ay be fined, suspended, expelled, 

or otherw ise disciplined, except for nonpayment of dues, by the o rg a n iz a ­

tion, or by any officer thereof, unless such m em b er has been (i) serv ed 

w ith w r itt e n s p e c i f i c c h a r g e s . . . ( e m p h a s i s ad d ed ) (In tern a tio n a l O r ­

ganization of M a ste rs, M ates and P ilots)

M ore often, these provision s requ ired ch arges to specify certain item s. S ev eral 

requ ired a statem ent of the gen eral nature of the offense or violation, for exam ple:

No m em b er or officer of a local union shall be tried un less he or 

she shall be serv ed with a w ritten copy of such ch arges specifying the 

nature of the offense of which he or she is accu sed . (International 

Brotherhood of T e a m ste r s, C hauffeurs, W arehousem en and H elpers of 

A m erica, Ind. )

M ore specific prov ision s called for a statem ent of the facts alleged to constitute 

an offense. In addition to p artic u lar actions, p laces or dates w ere often requ ired, 

as in the Com m unications W orkers* constitution:

C h arges shall contain an allegation of the facts constituting the o ffense with which the accu sed is charged and the approxim ate date or 

dates said offense is alleged to have occu rred .

The m ost sp ecific provision s requ ired a citation of the p artic u lar constitutional 

provision allegedly violated in addition to a statem ent of the facts. T ypically, 

these prov ision s w ere sim ilar to the following excerpt:

The charge shall state the provision s of the ANG constitution alleged 

to have been violated and shall specify the act or acts alleged to co n stitute such violation. (A m erican N ew spaper Guild)

Additional details w ere requ ired by the constitution of the A m erican T rain D isp atch ers A ssociatio n :

(a) All ch a rg e s shall: (1) Be in w ritin g; (2) be signed by the p a rty 

p r e fe rrin g the sa m e ; (3) contain a statem en t of the facts out of which such 

ch arges originated; (4) re fer to the article, section, and p arag rap h of this 

constitution, the estab lish ed p o licies, d ecisio n s, law s, ru les, or re g u la ­

tions which it is alleged have been, or are being violated; and (5) state 

the nature of the violation claim ed.

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The m o st com m on prov ision (33) for the form of ch arges m ere ly r e ­

quired ch arges to be w ritten. M ost frequently, these prov ision s requ ired ch arges 

but did not d e s c r i b e the f o r m e x c e p t fo r the a d d itio n a l w o r d s ’’w r it t e n ” o r ” in 

w riting, ” as in the following constitution:

C h arges shall be filed in duplicate, in w riting, with the se c re ta ry - 

tre a su re r of the international union. (International Union of United B re w ­

ery, F lou r, C e real, Soft Drink and D istillery W orkers of A m erica)

S a f e g u a r d s R e la t in g to T ru e C h a r g e s . Of the 100 c o n stitu tio n s s p e c i f i c a l l y 

requiring ch arges, 40 provided a safegu ard to a ssu r e true ch arges (table V-5). 

These p rov ision s w ere le s s prevalent at the international than at the local level. 

While any m em b er of the union w as usually authorized to file ch arges at the local 

union level, in m any c a se s o fficers only w ere perm itted to initiate proceedin gs at 

the international level. Under the p ro v isio n s, these elected officials w ere seldom 

to be requ ired to sw ear that ch arges w ere not filed out of p e rso n al m alic e tow ards 

the accu sed , nor w ere these officials to be subject to penalties if the ch arges 

proved to be unfounded.

T ab le V -5. Safeguards R elatin g to Charges at the International Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Form of charges

Safeguards T o tal unions Written

and

specific

Written

only

Form of

charges not

stipulated

A ll constitutions providing for charges in

international lev el trial procedures --------------- 100 48 33 19

Constitutions providing s a fe g u a r d s------------------- 40 26 12 2

Accusers were subject to pen alties for filin g

false c h a r g e s----------------------------------------- 16 8 6 2

Charges must be signed and accusers subject

to penalties for filin g false c h a r g e s----------- 10 10 _

Charges must be signed ----------------------------- 7 2 5 -

Charges must be signed and sworn or

notarized ---------------------------------------------- 2 2 _ _

Other safeguards -------------------------------------- 1 5 4 1 -

Constitutions not providing safeguards ------------- 60 22 21 17

1 Under 1 constitution, all charges must be signed and sworn in cases involving lo c a l officers; under 1 constitution, all charges must be signed and accusers were subject to penalties if charges against lo c al officers proved to

be false; under 1 constitution, all charges must be sworn and charges alleging subversive activity must be signed by

an international officer; under 1 constitution, charges filed by the executive board must be approved by two-thirds of

its m em bers; and under 1 constitution, accusers were subject to penalties if charges against lo c al officers proved to

be false.

S afegu ard p ro v isio n s w ere reco rd ed m o re often in constitutions which also 

requ ired specific ch arges than in constitutions without such requ irem en ts. M ore 

than h alf of the c o n stitu tio n s p r o v id in g fo r ’’w ritte n and s p e c i f i c ” c h a r g e s had s a f e ­

guard p ro v isio n s, but only a little m ore than one-third of the p ro v isio n s for 

’’w r it t e n ” c h a r g e s and only o n e -ten th of the p r o v i s i o n s not s tip u la tin g the f o r m 

of ch arges included specific safeg u ard s.

Safegu ard s w ere designed to encourage the acc u se r to file true ch arges 

by providing penalties if the ch arges w ere proven to have been fa lse ly filed b e ­

cause of m alice or bad faith. T hese penalties, including fine, suspen sion , or

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expulsion, w ere usually to be im posed after trial p roceed in gs. Filin g fa lse ch arges 

w as a sep arate ground for discipline after trial in the A m erican N ew spaper 

G u il d 1 s co n stitu tio n :

The following acts are offen ses for which m em b ers m ay be d is c iplined.

. . . (n) M a l i c i o u s l y and f r i v o l o u s l y filin g c h a r g e s a g a i n s t a m e m ­

b e r, lo cal o fficer, d istrict o fficer, international o fficer, or local, p r o ­

vided that such charge m ay be filed only after d is m is sa l of the charge 

alleged to have been m alicio u sly and friv olou sly filed.

Under a few constitutions, however, a fo rm al hearing w as not explicitly requ ired, 

as in the following:

C h arges Not P re fe rr e d in Good Faith

If ch arges are p re fe rre d and such ch arges are not su stain ed and the 

tria l body or appellate body is convinced that the sam e w ere not brought 

in good faith or w ere actuated by m alice, the trial body or appellate 

body m ay im pose such penalty by the way of punishm ent as in its ju d ge ­

m ent is deem ed proper under the c irc u m stan c es. (International B ro th e rhood of T e a m ste r s, C hauffeurs, W arehousem en and H elpers of A m e rica, Ind. )

U n d er the 19 c o n stitu tio n s r e q u ir in g s ig n e d c h a r g e s , only one s i g n a ­

ture w as m o st frequently required. Where m o re than one signature w as r e ­

q u ir e d , two p e r s o n s ’ s i g n a t u r e s w e r e u s u a l ly a d e q u a te . O c c a s i o n a l l y c h a r g e s 

w ere to be signed by a certain percentage of local union m e m b e rs, as in the 

following provision :

Upon the presen tation to the international presid en t of a petition r e ­

questing the international to investigate the affairs of any local, stating 

the reaso n s for such requ est and signed by 20 percen t of the m em b ersh ip 

in go o d sta n d in g of the l o c a l in v o lv e d . . . (In tern a tio n a l L o n g s h o r e m e n ’ s

and W arehousem en’ s Union, Ind.)

P r o v i s i o n s fo r P r e l i m i n a r y R ev iew in g of C h a r g e s . O nly 14 of the 100 c o n ­

stitutions providing for ch arges, covering le s s than a m illion m e m b e rs, provided 

for a p relim in ary review of ch arges (table V -6). In a few of these constitutions, 

the review agent w as also designated as the trial body. In m o st c a s e s , how ever, 

review s w ere to be conducted by an agent other than the trial body.

U sually, the scope of p relim in ary review w as to be confined to d eterm in ­

ing whether a violation w as alleged, as in the following provision :

If probable cause for trial does not appear to the presid en t fro m the 

face of the ch arges, the ch arges shall be d ism isse d in a p re sid e n t’ s 

d e c isio n which sh a ll be su b je c t to sectio n 13 (Appeal) of this a r tic le . 

(A m erican Federation of G rain M illers)

O ccasionally, how ever, this review w as also to determ ine whether ch arges should 

be t r i e d at the l o c a l o r in t e r n a tio n a l l e v e l . The U p h o l s t e r e r s ’ c o n stitu tio n , fo r 

e x a m p le , r e q u i r e d the p r e s i d e n t to d e te r m in e the fo llo w in g : (i)

(i) If violations of union law s or p o lic ies are involved as alleged ;

(ii) if the ch arges are such as shall be filed with the international office, 

and if they are not, (he) shall return them to the ac c u se r with in stru c ­

tio n s to file th em w ith the l o c a l union in v o lv e d . . .

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Table V-6. Preliminary Review of Charges in International Trial Procedures,

National and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Type of provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for charges in

international level trial procedures --------------- 100 1 1 ,6 2 6 .0 82 9 ,3 4 0 .1 18 2, 2 85.8

Constitutions providing for a prelim inary

review of charges -------------------------------------- 14 9 8 9 .0 13 9 8 5 .0 1 4 .0

International president or general executive

board could dism iss charges --------------------- 11 9 5 0 .6 11 9 5 0 .6

Local officers review ed and could refuse to

forward charges to the international le v e l---- 2 8 .0 1 4 .0 1 4 .0

International president review ed charges

involving a request for change of v e n u e ----- 1 3 0 .4 1 3 0 .4 _ _

Constitutions not providing for prelim inary

review of charges -------------------------------------- 86 10, 6 3 7 .0 69 8, 355.1 17 2, 2 81.8

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

Under two constitutions, local authorities w ere to review ch arges before 

they w ere forw arded to the international union and w ere to be perm itted to e x e r ­

cise d iscretio n in deciding whether to forw ard the ch arge s. One of these p r o ­

vision s read as follow s:

C h arges m ust be subm itted . . . to the ch airm an of the gen eral 

grievance com m ittee of the sy stem with which the accu sed is connected.

The c h a i r m a n . . . w ill p r o s e c u t e su c h in v e s tig a tio n a s he d e e m s n e c e s ­

s a r y to arriv e at the facts in the c a se , and if in his judgm ent the 

ch arges are sufficiently grave and can be sustained, he w ill repo rt his 

fin d in g s to the g r a n d p r e s i d e n t . . . ( R a il r o a d Y a r d m a s t e r s o f A m e r i c a )

U n der the re m a in in g 12 c o n stitu tio n s, re v ie w p o w e rs w e re v e s t e d in an in t e r n a ­

tional officer.

P re lim in a ry review s often w ere designed to test only the fo rm al su fficiency of the allegations contained in the ch arges, but som e constitutions also 

authorized an independent investigation of the facts, as in the above-quoted R a ilroad Y ard m aster* s constitution. T hese investigations w ere u su ally to be conducted 

by p erso n s located near the place w here the alleged acts o ccu rred . The in v estigator w as then to subm it the findings of fact and his recom m endations to the 

p resid en t for a determ ination of the m e rits.

The gen eral ch airm an shall m ake an investigation to determ ine all 

available facts. After such investigation, he shall repo rt . . . to the 

presid en t with all data and docum entary evidence and his reco m m en d ations . . . If the presid en t decides that a trial should be held, he shall 

o r d e r the a c c u s e d to be t r i e d . . . ( A m e r i c a n T r a i n D i s p a t c h e r s

A ssociation)

If ch arges w ere d ism isse d , one or, in a few c a s e s , two avenues of 

appeal w ere open to the a c c u se r . E lev en of the 14 p re lim in a ry review p r o v isions granted the acc u se r gen eral appeal rights by perm itting nany in terested

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p a r t y " to a p p e a l an a d v e r s e d e c is io n . T h r e e o f th e se 11 c o n stitu tio n s a l s o s p e c i f ­

ic ally authorized appeal of a p relim in ary review body* s decision. The A m erican 

N e w s p a p e r G u il d 1 s c o n stitu tio n s t a t e d that "th e a c c u s e r s s h a l l hav e the r ig h t to 

appeal fro m a refu sal or failure of the executive com m ittee to re fer a charge to 

a t r i a l b o a r d . " The G r a in M i l l e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n p e r m i t t e d " a n y l o c a l union, o f f i c e r , 

or m em b er ad v e rse ly affected thereby" to appeal fro m a p r e s id e n t s d ecisio n d is ­

m issin g c h a rg e s; and the U p h o lsterers* constitution provided for appeal as follow s:

If the international p resid en t determ ines that no violation of union 

law s or p olicies is involved, he m ay d ism iss the ch arg e s, in which event 

the a c c u se r, if not satisfie d with the action of the international presid en t, 

m ay appeal to the G EB for rein statem en t of the ch arge s.

Com positions and P ow ers of T rial Authority

E ach of the 116 constitutions studied sp ecifie d the identity of the body 

authorized to conduct trials at the international level (table V-7), usually the 

executive board. Only eight international trial p rov ision s vested d isciplin ary 

pow ers in bodies that did not have other adm in istrativ e duties. These perm itted 

the accu sed and a c c u se r to appoint an equal num ber of p e rso n s to a trial board 

or provided for trial before sp ecial or perm anent ju d icial co m m ittees.

T ab le V -7. International T rial Authority, National and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliation

T rial authority

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for trial at the

international lev e l ------------------------------------ 116 1 3 ,5 1 5 .0 92 1 0 ,9 7 0 .1 24 2, 544. 9

Constitutions providing 1 trial authority

for all cases ---------------------------------------------- 91 9 ,4 0 6 .2 71 8, 301.1 20 1 ,1 0 5 .1

Executive board 1 -------------------------------------- 63 5 ,7 1 9 .7 47 4, 7 7 0 .7 16 9 4 9 .0

President ----------------------------------------------- 20 2, 806. 3 18 2, 680.1 2 1 2 6 .2

Sp e cial com m ittees --------------------------------- 4 7 7 3 .9 4 7 7 3 .9 - -

Selected by the parties ---------------------------- 2 38. 3 1 3 5 .0 1 3 .3

Convention -------------------------------------------- 2 6 7 .9 1 4 1 .3 1 2 6 .5

Constitutions providing 2 or more trial

authorities ----------------------------------------------- 25 4 ,1 0 8 . 8 21 2, 6 6 9 .0 4 1 ,4 3 9 .8

Executive board for most cases; president

for specified cases --------------------------------- 14 2 ,7 2 8 .8 12 1, 298.0 2 1 ,4 3 0 .8

President for most cases; executive board

for specified cases --------------------------------- 3 148 .6 3 148.6 _ _

Executive board for most cases; convention

for specified cases --------------------------------- 3 3 1 .5 1 2 2 .5 2 9 .0

President, executive board, and convention

enjoyed equal trial authority ------------------- 2 2 7 .7 2 2 7 .7 _ _

Other authorities ------------------------------------ 2 3 1, 172. 1 3 1, 172.1 -

* The phrase "execu tive board" includes other governing bodies, such as board of directors and board of trustees.

2 Under 1 constitution, the president tried the case him self or in his discretion referred the case to the convention; under 1 constitution, the accused chose betw een trial by executive board and trial by sp ecial com m ittee; and

under 1 constitution, executive board and sp ecial com m ittee possessed original trial jurisdiction.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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T r i a l B o d y . S ix t y - t h r e e of the 91 p r o v i s i o n s s p e c ify in g a s in g le t r i a l 

a u th o rity fo r a ll c a s e s , c o v e r in g n e a r l y 2 of e v e r y 3 m e m b e r s , v e s t e d j u d i c i a l 

authority in the union* s executive bo ard. T ypically, trials w ere to be held before 

the whole board or com m ittees of the board. S ev eral p ro v isio n s, how ever, p e r ­

m itted the board to delegate its authority to conduct h earin gs, in which ca se the 

board re se rv e d the pow er to render a decision:

W henever the gen eral executive bo ard has ju risd ictio n to try and 

hear any m atter, it m ay deputize any m em b er or officer of the in ternational union to conduct the trial or hearing on its behalf. H owever, 

the p erso n so deputized shall, at the conclusion of the trial or hearing, 

repo rt to the gen eral executive board, in w riting, and the decision in the 

m atter shall be m ade by the gen eral executive board. (B akery and Confectionery W orkers* International Union of A m erica, Ind. )

A s m a l l e r n u m b e r of c o n stitu tio n s (20) c o v e r in g j u s t u n d er 3 m illio n 

m e m b e rs, vested trial authority in the union presiden t. A few of these constitutions, while describing at som e length the extent of d isciplin ary p ow ers, w ere not 

equally full regardin g p ro ced u ral asp ects and details of the trial. F o r exam ple, 

in the R ailw ay and Steam ship C le rk s* constitution, the presiden t* s authority enco m p assed the following:

. . . (the p r e s id e n t ) . . . s h a l l have p o w e r to s u s p e n d , e x p e l, o r 

o t h e r w is e d is c ip lin e a m e m b e r , bu t only a f t e r s e r v i n g . . . w ritte n 

ch arges stating the grounds therefor and affording the m em b er reason able 

tim e to p rep are his defense and a full and fair hearing. The grand p r e s ident sh all ren d er his decisio n within 30 days after com pletion of the 

h e a r in g . . .

Other constitutions sp ecified the m ethods by which the p resid e n t e x e r c ise d his tria l 

authority. In som e, he w as perm itted to delegate this authority to others while 

retaining final decisionm aking pow ers:

In the m atter of the trial of m em b ers or o fficers of local unions or 

joint councils by the gen eral presiden t, he m ay deputize a represen tative 

to act on his behalf. Such represen tative shall have the sam e pow ers as 

the g e n e r a l p r e s i d e n t r e s p e c t i n g the t r i a l . . . H o w e v e r, when a t r i a l

shall be conducted by a represen tative of the gen eral p resid en t such 

represen tativ e shall m ake his recom m endation to the g en eral p resid en t 

o rally or in w riting and the decision in the case shall be m ade by the 

gen eral presid en t h im self. (L aun dry, Dry Cleaning and Dye House 

W orkers* International Union, Ind.)

Authorization for the presiden t* s choice of deputies w as n early alw ays confined to 

m em b ers or o fficers of the union. In two constitutions, how ever, the p resid en t 

w as perm itted to go outside the union in selecting hearing o ffic e rs. In the constitution of the A m erican Fed eration of G rain M illers, it w as provided that:

W henever in his judgm ent the facts and c irc u m stan c es of any case 

. . . n e c e s s i t a t e m o r e f o r m a l and c o m p r e h e n s iv e h e a r in g and d e lib e r a t io n 

than is contem plated by all the trial pro ced u res set forth herein, the 

presiden t, with the consent of the gen eral executive board, m ay appoint 

a sp ecial hearing officer to hear and decide the ch arges. The sp ecial 

h e a r in g o f f ic e r n eed not be a m e m b e r o f the . . . (union) . . . and

m ay be v ested with all or p art of the ju d icial pow ers by this constitution 

con ferred upon a local union tria l board, a local union, an international 

trial board and the gen eral executive board. The extent of the pow ers 

and ju risd ic tio n of such s p e c ia l h earin g o ffic e r and the te r m s and conditions

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under which the hearing shall be conducted shall be d escrib ed in an ap ­

propriate resolution of the gen eral executive board, but no such resolution 

shall ever have the effect of depriving d irectly in terested m em b ers of 

the right to appeal a decision of a sp ecial hearing officer to the next 

r e g u l a r co n ventio n . . .

The U p h o l s t e r e r s 1 p r o v is io n , r e a d b y i t s e l f , w a s not a s e x p l ic i t . It s t a t e d :

Any qualified p erso n com petent to conduct such a hearing m ay be 

appointed a hearing officer by the international presiden t.

The intent of th is p r o v i s i o n , h o w e v e r, is to p r o v id e fo r o u tsid e h e a r in g o f f i c e r s . 27

E igh t of th ese 91 constitutions v e ste d tr ia l authority in bo dies other than 

the presid en t or gen eral executive board. In two, the trial body w as the convention. In two oth ers, it w as a body selected by the p artie s th em selv es, in the 

following m anner:

A trial body to hear the p re fe rre d ch arges shall be selected in the 

following m anner:

The s e c r e ta r y - tr e a su r e r w ill subm it to the defendant and a c c u se r a 

list of all chapter p resid en ts. E ach shall c r o ss off altern atively one nam e 

until a panel of nine nam es shall rem ain. T hese nine m en shall co m p rise 

the trial body. (International Union of P etro leu m W orkers, Ind. )

In the other constitutions there w ere sp ecial perm anent trial co m m ittees, as in 

the A ir Line P ilo t s 1 constitution:

The appeal bo ard shall be com posed of five regu lar and three a lte r ­

nate m em b ers . . . in good standing appointed by the executive com m ittee 

f r o m a l i s t of c a n d id a te s f u r n ish e d b y e a c h m a s t e r e x e c u tiv e c o u n c il . . .

D iffe r e n t T r i a l B o d y fo r S p e c i f ie d C a s e s . T w e n ty -fiv e of the 116 p r o v i ­

sions studied vested trial authority in two or m ore international bo d ies. One of 

these bodies w as usually granted ju risd iction over n early all c a se s filed at the 

international level, while the ju risd ictio n of the other bodies w as usually lim ited 

to specified offen ses or em ergen cy situations. The body with gen eral ju risd iction 

w as n early always the executive board; the presid en t w as usually authorized to 

e x e rc ise ju risd ictio n over specified c a s e s .

A few (5) of th ese p ro v isio n s did not sp e c ify the situations in which each 

body e x e rc ise d trial ju risd iction . The constitution of the A m erican C om m u n ications A ssociatio n (Ind.), for instance, in addition to p re sc rib in g the ju risd ictio n 

and procedu re for trials by the executive board, vested trial ju risd ictio n in the 

convention as follow s:

The international convention shall have the pow er to bring to trial 

and suspend fro m office any officer of the international or a subdivision thereof.

27 In the tr ie n n iu m r e p o r t of the g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a r d to the 32d c o n 

vention, held in 1959, the bo ard spoke of the procedu re of "having initial trials 

of m em b ers conducted by an objective legally trained trial exam in er unconnected 

with the union or its o f fic e r s ."

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In the rem aining 20 constitutions providing for m ore than one tria l body, 

c o v e r in g n e a r l y 3 m illio n m e m b e r s , the d iv is io n o f a u th o rity b e tw e e n the two t r i a l 

bodies w as set forth in g reate r detail. Under seven constitutions, only ch arges 

involving em ergen cy situations w ere to be tried by other than the usual body. 

T hese seven constitutions perm itted action whenever the danger of im m inent injury 

to the union w as too g re a t to aw ait a determ ination through n o rm al tr ia l p r o c e e d ­

in g s . F o r in s t a n c e , the P a i n t e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n , in ad d itio n to v e s t in g g e n e r a l j u r i s ­

diction in the executive board, p erm itted the p resid en t to take action as follow s:

W hen ev er c h a r g e s in v o lv in g a m e m b e r . . . o r o f f i c e r . . . c r e a t e

or involve, in the judgm ent of the gen eral presiden t, a situation im m inently dangerous to the w elfare or b e st in terests of the local union, 

d istrict council, or other subordinate body of this brotherhood, the 

gen eral presid en t is authorized, in his discretio n , to a ssu m e origin al 

ju r i s d i c t i o n . . .

Five of these 20 constitutions based, the ju risd ictio n of each tria l body on 

the p artic u lar offen ses alleged by the c h arge s. F o r exam ple, the O perating E n gin e e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n a u t h o r iz e d the p r e s i d e n t to t r y C o m m u n i s t s ; the T o b a c c o W o rk ­

e r s 1 p r e s i d e n t w a s p e r m i t t e d to co n d u ct t r i a l s in v olvin g a r e f u s a l b y a l o c a l union 

officer or m em b er to obey international d irectiv es; and the P o tte rs* constitution 

authorized the convention to e x e rc ise exclusive ju risd iction over ch arges alleging 

slan der or libel during election cam p aign s.

In four constitutions, actions taken, or not taken, by the accu sed d e te rm ined the identity of the body hearing his c a se , as the following p rov ision s from 

two of these constitutions indicate:

The . . . (p r e s id e n t) . . . m a y in his d i s c r e t i o n , a s s i g n . . . (a

v ic e p r e s id e n t ) . . . to tak e t e s t im o n y when c h a r g e s h ave b e e n file d . . .

o v e r w hich . . . the (e x e c u tiv e b o a r d ) . . . h ad o r i g i n a l ju r i s d i c t i o n

. . . p r o v id e d , h o w e v e r, that su c h a c tio n s h a l l not be ta k e n . . . w ith ­

out the consent of the accu sed . (United Slate, Tile and C om position 

R o o fers, Damp and W aterproof W orkers A ssociation)

>!< >:< *

If the accu sed m em b er or m em b ers m ake no req u est for trial within 

10 d ay s, they sh all be deem ed to have w aived their right to tr ia l and 

. . . c o n se n te d to the d is p o s it io n o f th e ir c a s e in the m a n n e r d e s c r i b e d

in the n ext . . . p a r a g r a p h .

. . . the in t e r n a tio n a l p r e s i d e n t s h a l l r e f e r the s a m e to the i n t e r ­

n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s , who s h a l l, b y a m a j o r i t y v o te , d i s p o s e o f the s a m e . . . 

(A m erican Flint G lass W orkers* Union of North A m erica)

T ypically, m ajo r c h a rac te ristic s w ere sim ila r but a few p ro ced u res 

differed in tria ls before each body. If the prin cipal body w as requ ired to serv e 

notice of ch arges and grant the accu sed an opportunity to p rep are his defense, the 

sam e requ irem en ts usually applied to the other trial body. D ifferen ces often involved no m ore than the length of tim e allowed for each phase of the trial; p rin ­

c i p a l b o d i e s , a s a r u le , w e r e allo w e d m o r e tim e than o th er b o d i e s . 28 In so m e 

c o n st itu tio n s, e v e r y p r o c e d u r e w a s id e n tic a l. The M a c h i n i s t s 1 c o n stitu tio n , fo r

28 T h ro u g h o u t the fo llow in g s e c t i o n s , the t r i a l b o d y w ith the b r o a d e s t j u r i s ­

diction w as con sidered for an aly sis.

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exam ple, ord ered each body to adhere to the requ irem en ts of the " T r ia l P r o c e ­

d ure" section of the article on tria ls and h earin gs, as follow s:

In the ev e n t the . . . (p r e s id e n t) . . . r e f e r s the c h a r g e s to t r i a l

b e fo r e a s p e c i a l c o m m it te e o r b e fo r e the co n ven tio n . . . the m a t t e r

shall be heard and decided in accordance with the procedu re p re sc rib e d 

in s e c t io n 5 of th is a r t i c l e .

S p e c i f i c P r o v i s i o n s f o r I m p a r t i a l i t y of T r i a l B o d y . T w e n t y - s i x of the 

116 c o n stitu tio n s w ith in t e r n a tio n a l t r i a l p r o v i s i o n s , c o v e r in g 1 of e v e r y 3 m e m ­

b e rs subject to trial p ro v isio n s, contained a v ariety of im p artiality requ irem en ts 

of the kind d isc u sse d in the section on local union tria l p ro c ed u re s. Twenty-two 

of these constitutions disqualified in terested p erso n s fro m sitting on the trial 

bo ard. A few of these m ere ly guaranteed the accu sed an "im p artia l" tribunal, 

but a la rg e r num ber specified the elem ents n e c e ssa r y to disqualify each p erso n . 

The following exam ple is from a constitution where the trial w as conducted by the 

executive board.

No m em b er who is directly or indirectly connected with or p erso n ally 

fam iliar with the facts out of which the ch arges a ro se shall be entitled 

to act as a m em b er of the trial board. (International Brotherhood of 

F irem en and O ilers)

Where hearings w ere conducted by the p resid en t or p erso n s selected by him , he 

w as often disqualified if he initiated the p ro ceed in gs:

. . . the n a tio n al p r e s i d e n t o r in the e v e n t he s h a l l have file d the

c h arge s, then, the national s e c r e ta r y - tr e a s u r e r shall designate a trial 

c o m m it te e . . . (N atio n al M a r in e E n g i n e e r s ' B e n e f i c i a l A s s o c ia t io n )

Of the rem aining p rov ision s in this a rea , two perm itted each p arty to 

selec t an equal num ber of m em b ers to sit on the trial board, and two perm itted 

either p arty to challenge and rem ove b ia se d or in terested p e rso n s. The con stitution of the A m erican Federation of M usicians d escrib ed this procedu re thusly:

The bo ard or a subcom m ittee thereof shall be deem ed eligible to 

h e a r , d e c id e , and d e te r m in e a ll m a t t e r s . . . Any one o r m o r e of th em 

m a y b e excu sed from either participating or voting, but any objection to 

the eligibility or qualification of any such m em b er of the board or su b ­

com m ittee m u st be p resen ted in w riting before any action is taken by 

such bo ard or subcom m ittee with re sp e ct to any such m atter or question.

The determ ination of the said board or subcom m ittee with re sp e c t to any 

such objection and with re sp e c t to the qualifications or eligibility of any 

of its m em b ers shall be final and conclusive.

F in a l D e c i s i o n . T r i a l b o d ie s in in t e r n a tio n a l t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s , unlike 

their counterparts on tne local level, w ere n early always authorized to render a 

fin a l d e c is io n bo th on the gu ilt of the a c c u s e d and the p e n a lty to be im p o s e d . 29 Of 

the 116 in t e r n a tio n a l t r i a l p r o v i s i o n s stu d ie d , 9 r e q u i r e d an o th er b o d y to a p p ro v e 

the t r i a l b o d y 1 s d e c is io n b e fo r e it b e c a m e e f f e c t i v e . T y p ic a l ly , th e se g av e the 

trial body authority to conduct the hearing and p rep are an ad visory reco m m en d ation on (1) the guilt or innocence of the a c c u se d and (2) the p enalty to be im p o se d 

if the accu sed w as found guilty. T hese arran gem en ts w ere m o st com m on if the

29 F o r the id en tity of the fin a l d e c is io n m a k in g b o d y , s e e a p p e n d ix B - l . 

F o r the role of the international executive bodies in the entire trial p r o c e s s, 

see appendix B -2 .

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presid en t w as authorized to conduct the tria l or appoint a trial body. F o r instance, 

the C arp en ters' constitution provided:

W henever it ap p ears to the satisfactio n of the gen eral p resid en t that 

any local union or m em b er thereof . . . is acting co n trary to the w elfare 

of the United Brotherhood of C arp en ters and Jo in ers of A m erica, he m ay 

appoin t a c o m m it te e to hold a h e a r in g . . . upon c o m p le t io n o f the h e a r ­

ing, the com m ittee shall repo rt its findings and recom m endations to the 

g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a r d . The . . . b o a r d is e m p o w e r e d to tak e su c h a c ­

tion a s is n e c e s s a r y and p r o p e r fo r the w e l f a r e of the . . . (union) . . .

The p r o v i s i o n in the U p h o l s t e r e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n w a s m o r e e x p l ic i t :

. . . the h e a r in g o f f i c e r , s h a l l p r e p a r e a r e p o r t o f the p r o c e e d in g s

which shall contain an accu rate su m m ary of the testim ony and evidence 

p r e s e n t e d at the h e a r in g , and the h e a r in g o f f i c e r s 1 r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a s 

to: (i) Findings of fact; (ii) co n clu sio n s; (iii) guilt or innocence of the

accu sed ; and (iv) penalty, if any, such as expulsion, suspen sion , m onetary fine, (stating amount thereof), deprivation of rights an d/or cen su re.

In eight of these nine constitutions, the executive board w as vested with 

authority to ren d er the final decisio n . In the ninth, that of the Stone C u tte rs, the 

presiden t had this authority.

As a p ra c tic a l m atter, the actual identity of the p erso n s conducting the 

hearing and rendering the decision m ight differ in constitutions em pow ering the 

trial agent to render decisions if hearings w ere, in p ractice, conducted by an 

appointee or delegate. As noted e a r lie r , the pow er to appoint som eone to act as 

the hearing authority’ s agent and to conduct trials w as fa irly com m on in in te rnational level trial p ro c ed u res. If this power w ere e x e rc ise d , c a se s would then 

be review ed by two distinct p erso n s before a final decision w as rendered. F o r 

exam ple, the Office Em ployes International Union provided for deputized hearing 

exam in ers who w ere to repo rt findings of fact and conclusions to the trial authority for a final trial decision, as follow s:

The executive board shall appoint and deputize any officer or agent 

of the international union to act as a hearing officer in the m atter or it 

m ay appoint and deputize any o fficers or agents of the international union 

to act as a hearing com m ittee in the m atter. The hearing officer or 

com m ittee shall conduct the hearing and repo rt in w riting to the e xecu ­

tive board with findings, conclusions, and recom m endations.

The P a i n t e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n a l s o r e q u i r e d the t r i a l a u th o r ity to r e n d e r fin a l 

d e c isio n s:

In all h earin gs, tria ls, and other m atters which are to be decided 

and acted upon by the gen eral p resid en t or gen eral executive bo ard, the 

conduct of the hearing and the taking of evidence m ay be p erfo rm ed by 

a m e m b e r or o ffic e r of the b ro th e rh o o d duly appointed to a c t in the m a t t e r .

At the conclusion of the trial or hearing, such represen tative shall m ake 

a su m m ary of the evidence and repo rt his findings and conclusions to 

. . . w h o e v e r ap p o in ted h im , and the d e c is io n in the c a s e s h a l l be m a d e

by the gen eral presiden t or the gen eral executive board.

In rare in stan ces only, as in the following exam ple, w ere deputized hearing 

exam in ers em pow ered to render final d ecisio n s:

After the com m ittee has taken all the testim ony that it shall deem 

sufficient, it shall then determ ine as a ju ry whether or not the accu sed 

is guilty, or guilty in p art, or not guilty; if guilty, it shall a s s e s s the 

penalty. (International Brotherhood of B o ile rm a k e rs, Iron Shipbuilders, 

B lack sm ith s, F o r g e r s and H elpers)

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Chapter VI. Rights of the Accused and Related Matters

This chapter exam ines a variety of the due p ro c e ss rights guaranteed to 

local union o fficers and m em b ers during the entire co u rse of the d isciplin ary 

proceeding. It begins with the status of the accu sed before he stands trial, and 

then d e sc rib e s the protection availab le to him during the hearing. Subsequent 

sections deal with the vario u s types of notice requ irem ents and appeal prov ision s, 

including a su m m ary of the four public review boards that have been establish ed. 

T h is c h ap ter c l o s e s with an a n a ly s is of the tim e lim its that p r e v a il betw een v a r io u s 

p h ases of the discipline p ro c e ss.

Status of the A ccu sed

In m ore than half (81) of the local and international unions, the trial 

p ro ced u res studied— affecting n early tw o-thirds of the m em b ers subject to trial 

prov ision s— regulated the status of accu sed local o fficers and m em b ers during 

the p erio d b efo re tr ia l (table V I - 1). N e a rly all of th ese p ro v isio n s p erm itted

T ab le V I-1. Status of the A ccused in Local and International Level T rial Provisions,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M em bers in thousands)

Status of the accused

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for trial

at lo c al or international l e v e l----------- 156 1 6 ,9 1 7 .9 121 14, 2 2 5 .6 35 2, 692. 3

Constitutions providing for change

in status ---------------------------------------- 75 1 0 ,7 1 9 .0 62 9, 0 1 5 .0 13 1 ,7 0 4 .1

Before charges were f i l e d ---------------- 22 2, 4 2 1 .9 20 2, 339.8 2 82.1

After charges were f i l e d ------------------ 40 6 ,8 2 6 .0 33 5, 250. 3 7 1 ,5 7 5 .7

Before and after charges were f ile d ---- 13 1 ,4 7 1 .2 9 1 ,4 2 4 .9 4 4 6 .3

Status ex plicitly unaffected ---------------- 6 131 .3 5 129.8 1 1 .5

Constitutions not providing for

change in status ----------------------------- 75 6, 067. 5 54 5, 0 8 0 .8 21 9 8 6 .7

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

the union to alter the status of the accu sed, usually by su spen sion from office or 

m em b ersh ip. O ccasionally, this pow er w as lim ited to withholding an o ffic e r!s 

salary . In those constitutions where sp ecific referen ces w ere not found, such 

m e a su re s w ere probably available to o fficers and governing bodies under gen eral 

grants of authority. Six constitutions, however, explicitly stated that the status 

of the accu sed could not be affected until the trial had run its co u rse, as in the 

following:

A m em b er again st whom ch arges have been p re fe rre d shall not be 

suspended or d eb arred from being a candidate for any office or from 

any r ig h ts and p r i v i l e g e s . . . pen d in g a d e c i s i o n on c h a r g e s p r e f e r r e d .

(United G arm ent W orkers of A m erica)

85

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M ost (40) provision s for affecting the status of the accu sed could not be 

invoked until after ch arges w ere filed. M oreover, in trial p ro ced u res at both 

the local and international level, the status of the accu sed was usually affected 

only when an international officer determ ined that su spen sion was n e c e ssa r y to 

protect the union. A sm a lle r num ber of constitutions (35) authorized su spen sion 

before ch arges w ere filed at either level. This authority was n early alw ays 

lim ited to em ergen cy situations or various enum erated offen ses.

B e f o r e C h a r g e s A r e F i l e d at E it h e r L e v e l . 30 U n d e r 34 of the 35 co n - 

stitutions perm itting suspension before ch arges w ere filed, such p rov ision s applied 

to local union o fficers (table VI-2). Under 29 of these 35 p rov ision s, a statem ent

T ab le V I-2. Suspension of Local Union Members or Officers Before Charges Were Filed,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied Persons subject to suspension

T ype of provisions

Unions Members

Local officers only Local officers and

m em bers Members only

Unions M embers Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for

suspension before charges

were filed ------------------------------------ 35 3 ,8 9 3 .0 23 1 ,8 1 4 .4 11 1, 243.6 1 8 3 5 .0

Constitutions requiring both charges and

a hearing after a ll su spen sion s----------- 29 3, 5 60.5 20 1 ,6 2 2 .2 8 1, 103 .4 1 8 3 5 .0

Constitutions providing for charges or

a hearing after suspension in

certain situations --------------------------- 6 332 .5 3 192.3 3 140.2

Charges follow ed suspension but

hearings had to be requested -------- 3 192.3 3 192. 3

Charges optional; but if not filed,

suspension au tom atically

term inated after a

specified tim e --------------------------- 3 140.2 - - 3 140.2 - -

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

of ch arges and a hearing followed autom atically after suspension. The rem aining 

six constitutions dispensed with one or the other of these requ irem en ts. Three 

of the six required the suspending officer to file ch arges, but did not call for a 

hearing u n less it was requested by the accu sed local officer. F o r instance, the 

constitution of The O rder of R ailroad T elegrap h ers provided:

. . . Su ch o f f i c e r w ill be n o tified of the s p e c i f i c c h a r g e s and, if

r e q u e s t is m a d e within 10 d a y s , he s h a l l hav e a h e a r in g . . . .

Three other constitutions required neither ch arges nor a hearing, but provided 

for autom atic restoratio n of m em b ersh ip if ch arges w ere not filed within a s p e ­

cified period, ranging from 45 to 90 days. F o r exam ple, the Laundry, Dry 

C le an in g and Dye H o u se W o rk e rs In te rn a tio n a l Union (ind. ) co n stitu tio n s tip u la te d :

E m ergen cy action shall be effective only for 45 days u n less within 

s u c h 45 d a y s w ritten c h a r g e s a r e c a u s e d to be s e r v e d . . .

30 The d is tin g u is h in g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c b etw een p r o v i s i o n s in this c a t e g o r y and 

those considered as su m m ary discipline is that in these instances trial m achinery 

is available.

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Many of the 35 p ro v isio n s sp ecified the m axim u m tim e allow ed to file 

charges after the accu sed was suspended. T hese lim itations (also d escrib ed in 

the "tim e lim its" section shown subsequently) required ch arges within a "r e a s o n ­

able" tim e, at the sam e time, or within a specified num ber of days sifter s u s ­

pension. S ev eral constitutions also specified the tim e allowed to convene the trial 

body and render a decision. F o r exam ple, one constitution provided;

(The International P resident) m ay su m m arily suspend an officer or 

c o m m it te e m a n f r o m h is o ffic e o r p o s it io n . . . , pendin g the filin g of

ch arges, hearing and decision thereon. Within 30 days th ereafter he 

shall serv e such officer or com m itteem an with sp ecific written ch arges.

The suspended officer or com m itteem an shall be given a reasonable 

time . . . to p rep are his defense and shall be prom ptly afforded a full 

and f a i r h e a r in g . . . . The G ra n d P r e s i d e n t s h a l l r e n d e r h is d e c is io n

within th irty (30) d a y s a f t e r the c o m p le tio n of the h e a r in g . . . ( B r o t h e r ­

hood of Railw ay and Steam ship C lerk s, F reigh t H andlers, E x p r e ss and 

Station Em ployees)

The authority to suspend an accu sed before ch arges w ere filed was confined to international level trial p ro ced u res and was e x e rcise d by the international 

presiden t, occasion ally in conjunction with the executive board (table VI-3). This 

authority w as lim ited under six constitutions to sp ec ific situ atio n s, but, nonetheless 

appeared to offer considerable latitude. Under nine constitutions, such action could 

be taken in em ergen cy situations as defined by the presiden t. F o r exam ple, the 

constitution of the B o ilerm ak e rs perm itted its chief executive officer to act when

T ab le V I-3. Persons Empowered to Suspend an A ccused Before Charges Were Filed, and Grounds for Such Action,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

Grounds for suspension before

charges were filed

T otal Persons empowered to suspend

Unions Members

International

president

International president or general

executive board

Other

persons

Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for suspension

before charges were filed ------------------ 35 3 ,8 9 3 .0 27 2, 166. 4 5 380 .6 3 1, 346.0

Constitutions specifying grounds for

suspension before c h a rg e s------------------- 31 2 ,9 8 9 .0 24 2 ,0 9 7 .4 5 3 8 0 .6 2 5 1 1 .0

G eneral grounds ----------------------------- 9 635. 1 7 4 2 6 .9 1 7 3 .2 1 1 135.0

Sp ecific g ro u n d s----------------------------- 6 8 2 6 .9 3 2 5 3 .8 2 197.0 2 1 376 .0

G eneral and sp ecific grounds ------------ 5 1 7 5 .4 5 175 .4 - - - -

Em ergency situ a tio n s---------------------- 9 7 4 6 .3 7 6 3 6 .0 2 110. 3 - -

Other lim itations --------------------------- 3 2 6 05.3 2 6 0 5 .3 - - - -

Constitutions not specifying grounds for

suspension before charges ------------------ 4 9 0 4 .0 3 6 9 .0 4 1 8 35.0

* Under this constitution, the lo c al unions, the international president, and the general executive board had

authority to suspend.

2 Under this constitution, the person with authority to suspend was not identified.

3 Under 1 constitution, the power to suspend was based on general grounds or the presence of an em ergency;

and under 1 constitution, this power was based on general and specific grounds, or the presence of an em ergency.

4 Under this constitution, the power to suspend was vested in the lo c al union m em bership m eeting.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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in h is opinion “ . . . g r e a t and i r r e p a r a b l e d a m a g e s h a l l o r m a y be done to the

I n t e r n a tio n a l B r o th e r h o o d . . . 11 The p r e s i d e n t of the L a u n d r y W o r k e r s (ind. ) 

enjoyed a sim ila r grant of pow er to ‘'p re serv e the rights of the International 

Union or any affiliate thereof, or of any o fficers or m em b ers thereof, and for the 

p u rp o se of p rese rv in g the status quo. “

O th er c o n stitu tio n s a u th o riz e d the s u s p e n s io n of an a c c u s e d b e fo r e c h a r g e s 

w ere filed for a v ariety of general grounds, such as “ failu re to com ply with the 

c o n st itu tio n 11 o r fo r r e f u s a l “ to a d h e r e to o r c a r r y out the i n s t r u c t i o n s , d i r e c t i o n s , 

and d e c i s i o n s 1' of the l o c a l and in t e r n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s . G r e a t e r r e s t r i c t i o n s w e r e 

noted in the constitutions of se v e ra l unions, which lim ited im m ediate suspen sion 

to sp e c ific a lly en u m erated o ffen se s, such a s fin an cial m a lp r a c tic e s . In one con ­

stitution, only financial officers w ere subject to suspension:

The G eneral Executive B oard shall have the authority to o rd er the 

im m ediate rem oval, pending investigation, of financial o fficers of su b ­

ordinate bodies who are neglectful, inefficient or incom petent in the p e r ­

form an ce of their duties. (Brotherhood of P a in te rs, D eco rato rs and 

P ap erh an gers of A m erica)

M em b ers who w ere accu sed of being dual unionists could be suspended under a 

few constitutions:

Any m em b er of the A m algam ated who is or beco m es a m em b er of 

any other labor organization m ay be su m m arily suspended pending the 

filin g of c h a r g e s and a h e a r in g . . . . ( A m a l g a m a t e d C lothing W o r k e r s

of A m erica)

S u s p e n s io n A ft e r F i lin g of C h a r g e s — L o c a l Union L e v e l . In l o c a l union 

p ro ceed in gs, local o fficers w ere fa r m o re frequently subject to suspen sion after 

ch arges had been issu ed than w ere m em b ers (table VI-4). In proceedin gs again st 

both, how ever, suspen sion was n early alw ays d iscretio n ary rath er than m andatory.

T ab le V I-4. Provisions for Suspension After Filing of Charges at the Local Union Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers i a thousands)

Suspension after charges

Local officers Members

Unions Members Unions Members

All constitutions providing lo c a l union

trial procedures ------------------------------------------- 125 1 5 ,0 1 7 .2 136 15, 9 9 6 .4

Constitutions providing for suspension

after charges ---------------------------------------------- 30 5 ,6 6 1 .4 15 2, 409. 4

Suspension d iscretio n ary ------------------------------ 24 5 ,2 1 7 . 2 13 2, 327.1

Suspension a u t o m a t ic --------------------------------- 6 444. 1 1

l l

1 .2

Other suspension provisions ------------------------- - - 81.1

Constitutions not providing for suspension

after charges ---------------------------------------------- 95 9 ,3 5 5 .9 121 13, 5 8 7 .0

1 Under this constitution, mem bers were not perm itted to participate in the lo c al union affairs while under

charges unless the international president was petitioned for relief within 10 days after suspension.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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T ypically, an accu sed could be suspended only when a designated authority d eterm in ed that the situation w as sufficiently serio u s to w arran t such action, as in 

the following exam p les:

Upon filing of such c h arge s, and if the sam e are of such m agnitude 

and se rio u sn e ss as to jeo p ard ize the in terests of the L o c a l or Intern ational, then and in that event the G en eral P resid en t, if the m atter is 

brought to his attention, m ay, if he deem s it ad visable, im m ediately 

suspend such m em b er or officer fro m m em b ersh ip or office in the L o cal 

Union until a decision has been rendered in the c a se . (Building Serv ice 

E m ployees International Union)

❖ * #

W hen ev er c h a r g e s . . . a lle g in g that an o f f i c e r o f a l o c a l union h as

been guilty of dual unionism , m ishandling of funds or acting as an agent 

of an em ployer, the International Executive B o ard , if it finds that re a so n ­

able grounds e x ist for believing such charge to be tru e, shall have the 

pow er to suspend such officer fro m office pending final decision by the 

lo cal union on such c h arge s. (United Packinghouse, Food and A llied 

W orkers)

Six constitutions provided for autom atic suspen sion of accu sed local union 

o ffic e rs. T hese p ro v isio n s w ere sim ila r to the following excerpt:

Any officer of a L o cal Union again st whom ch arges have been r e ­

fe rre d by the L o cal Union to an Investigating Com m ittee shall be relieved 

of his duties and resp o n sib ilities until a determ ination of the ch arges 

. . . (O il, C h e m ic a l and A to m ic W o r k e r s In t e r n a tio n a l Union)

N early all constitutions with suspension prov ision s identified the agent who would 

be r e s p o n s i b l e fo r r e m o v in g l o c a l union o f f i c e r s and m e m b e r s (table V I-5). F o r l o c a l 

union trial p ro c ed u re s, an alm ost equal num ber designated local and international 

lev el authorities.

T ab le V I-5. Persons Empowered to Suspend an A ccused After Charges Were Filed at the Local Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(Members in thousands)

Identity of persons

Local officers Members

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions authorizing suspension

after c h a r g e s----------------------------------------------- 30 5 ,6 6 1 .4 17 2 ,6 1 9 .8

Constitutions identifying p erso n s------------------------ 25 5, 2 4 5 .5 14 2, 3 8 1 .0

International president or executive

board ---------------------------------------------------- 13 2 ,5 1 7 .6 7 2, 2 6 1 .5

Local executive b o a r d --------------------------------- 6 2 0 9 .5 2 7 .1

Local m em bership m eeting ------------------------- 3 1 ,0 4 0 .4 2 26. 3

Local union; agency not specified --------------- 2

l l

1,035. 1 2 3 2 .6

Other persons---------------------------------------------- 4 4 2 .9 2 1 5 3 .5

Constitutions not identifying p erson s------------------- 5 4 1 5 .8 3 2 3 8 .8

1 Under this constitution, the international president, or executive board, and lo cal executive board were em ­

powered to suspend.

2 Under this constitution, the international president and lo c a l union were em powered to suspend.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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In tern a tio n a l L e v e l . C o n stitu tio n a l p r o v i s i o n s fo r s u s p e n s i o n a f t e r 

ch arges in international trial p ro c ed u res, unlike those in local trial p ro c ed u re s, 

w e r e n e a r l y a s often d ir e c t e d a g a i n s t m e m b e r s a s a g a i n s t l o c a l o f f i c e r s (tab le V I-6 ). 

In o th er r e s p e c t s , h o w e v e r, l o c a l and in t e r n a tio n a l p r o v i s i o n s w e r e quite s i m i l a r . 

N early all p rov ision s authorized d iscretio n ary rath er than autom atic suspension. 

Under one constitution, autom atic suspension for both m em b ers and o ffice rs w as 

perm itted for one specific offense only:

Upon receipt of inform ation substantiated by w ritten testim ony, tending to substantially estab lish any such officer or m em b er as being a 

m em b er of the Com m unist P arty , or its affiliates, or as such sy m p a ­

thizer, the International B o ard of D irecto rs shall im m ediately suspend 

such officer or m em b er from his office or from m em b ersh ip , until such 

tim e a s the a c c u s e d s h a ll h av e b e e n t r i e d at an i m p a r t i a l h e a r in g . . .

(Sw itchm en’s Union of North A m erica)

One co n stitu tio n a u th o riz e d s u s p e n s io n when the g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a r d d e te r m in e d 

that there w as reason able ground to believe the accu sed guilty. Another authorized 

suspen sion in c a se s of dual unionism if two m em b ers subm itted sw orn affidavits 

containing all facts n e c e ssa ry to prove the guilt of the accu sed , as follow s:

If two o r m o r e m e m b e r s . . . t r a n s m i t . . . a f t e r c h a r g e s . . .

have been filed, an affidavit or affidavits stating the facts and c irc u m ­

stan ces within their p e rso n al knowledge which, if true, would estab lish 

the guilt of the accu sed, the International Executive Council m ay by m a ­

j o r i t y vo te im p o s e upon the a c c u s e d the in e lig ib ilit y s e t fo rth . . . fo r

the period ending with the delivery of its decision by the body conducting 

the hearing on the ch arges. (International M ailers Union, Ind. )

Under one constitution, the accu sed w as not subject to suspen sion at any 

tim e after the filing of ch arges until the trial body recom m ended a penalty of 

suspen sion or expulsion to the final decisionm aking body:

. . . if the s p e c i a l c o m m it te e r e c o m m e n d s that the c h a r g e d m e m ­

b er be suspended or expelled, it shall have the authority to tem p o rarily 

suspend the charged m em b er until the International Executive B o ard has 

taken action on the recom m endations. (International Union, United Autom obile, A ero sp ace and A gricu ltu ral Im plem ent W orkers of A m erica)

T ab le V I-6. Provision for Suspension after Filing of Charges at the International Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(Members in thousands)

Suspension after charges

Local officers Members

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for trials at

international l e v e l -------------------------------------- 113 1 3 ,3 8 5 .4 94 1 2 ,4 9 9 .6

Constitutions providing for suspension

after c h a r g e s ---------------------------------------------- 29 4 ,0 2 3 .0 21 4 ,1 7 0 .4

Suspension d isc re tio n a ry ---------------------------- 26 3, 675. 7 18 3 ,6 8 5 .0

A utom atically suspended for all o f fe n s e s------- 2 3 2 8 .5 2 4 6 6 .4

A utom atically suspended for

specified offenses ----------------------------------- 1 18.8 1 1 8 .8

Constitutions not providing for suspension

after c h a r g e s ---------------------------------------------- 84 9, 362. 4 73 8, 3 2 9 .2

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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A suspended local officer or m em b er w as usually requ ired to await the 

tria l body's decision before seeking relief fro m a higher body. Only one constitution explicitly authorized an im m ediate appeal fro m an action of suspension 

pending trial. This unique provision follow s:

A ppeals by a M em ber Suspended fro m M em bership

or Office Pending T rial

Whenever any m em b er or officer has been suspended fro m m e m b e rsh ip o r o ffic e by the In te rn a tio n a l P r e s i d e n t - S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r . . .

such m em b er shall have the right to take an im m ediate appeal to the 

International Executive B o ard fro m such suspension by sending a notice 

of such appeal to the International P r e s id e n t - S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r . (M etal 

P o lish ers, B u ffers, P la te rs and H elpers International Union)

D u e -P ro c e ss Safeguards

D u e-p ro cess provision s as fo rm alized in union constitutions serv e b a ­

sically the sam e purpose as those in gen eral legal proceed in gs. They estab lish 

p rocedu ral safegu ard s for the accu sed at his trial, regulate the conduct of the 

hearing, and aid the ju d icial p ro c e ss by excluding influences that m ight d istract 

from an objective an aly sis of the guilt or innocence of the accu sed .

Union trial p ro ced u res nearly alw ays specified one or m ore d u e-p ro c ess 

s a f e g u a r d s (tab le V I-7 and ap p en d ix C , t a b le s 1 and 2). T h o se r e la t in g to the

T ab le V I-7. Number of Selected Due-Process Safeguards1 Specified in Local and International Union

T rial Procedures, N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Number of selected safeguards

T rial procedures

Local International

A ll constitutions specifying trial procedures ------------------------------ 136 116

Constitutions specifying selected safeguards ------------------------------ 132 99

1 safeguard --------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 18

2 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 14

3 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 12

4 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 11

5 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 7

6 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 9

7 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 11

8 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 8

9 sa fe g u a rd s--------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 3

10 sa fe g u a rd s------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 5

11 sa fe g u a rd s------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 1

12 sa fe g u a rd s------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 -

Constitutions not specifying selected sa fe g u a r d s------------------------- 4 17

1 Includes a ll safeguards for notice hearings, or tim e lim its which were specified in union constitutions. However,

only fairly com m on safeguards were tabulated or analyzed in d etail. Less prevalent or unique safeguards were noted

in textual discussions.

form of ch arges w ere d isc u sse d e a rlie r; those dealing with the tim e allowed for 

each phase of the disciplin ary p ro c e ss are d escrib ed in a subsequent section; 

and th o se p erta in in g to the h e a rin g itse lf and to advan ce n otice a r e d is c u s s e d in 

the next sections.

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H e a r in g S a f e g u a r d s . A lthough union t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s t y p ic a ll y g u a r a n t e e d 

se v e r a l specific hearing safe g u a rd s, only the right to counsel appeared in a m a ­

jo rity of the trial p ro ced u res studied (table V I-8). One of the p rin cip al re aso n s 

for the absence of p artic u lar due p ro c e ss safegu ard s is that constitutions are u su ­

ally not intended to serv e as p ro ced u ral m an u als.

T ab le V I-8. Selected Due-Process Safeguards in L ocal and International T rial Procedures,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers ig thousands)

Safeguards

Local prpcedures International procedures

Unions M embers Unions M embers

A ll constitutions providing trial procedures 1

at lo c a l or international l e v e l---------------------- 136 1 5 ,9 9 6 .4 116 1 3 ,5 1 5 .0

Counsel ----------------------------------------------------- 96 12, 383 .7 50 7 ,0 3 3 .1

Im partial trial b o d y -------------------------------------- 58 1 1 ,0 7 2 .4 26 4, 643. 6

Full and fair hearing ------------------------------------ 55 7 ,1 0 8 . 6 37 3 ,0 8 2 .6

Introduce evidence -------------------------------------- 56 7 ,0 2 5 .3 39 4 ,6 6 6 . 9

Invite witnesses ------------------------------------------- 58 6 ,7 8 5 .3 29 5 ,1 9 8 .6

T estify on own behalf ----------------------------------- 54 5, 824. 5 45 7 ,8 2 2 .3

Record of p ro c e e d in g s----------------------------------- 45 6, 995. 9 28 4, 2 2 9 .8

Confront and cross-exam ine w itn e sse s-------------- 45 4, 889. 4 26 3 ,2 0 1 .1

Continue or postpone h e a r in g ------------------------- 15 2 ,0 8 6 .0 7 4 6 0 .2

Representation when unable to attend h e a rin g ---- 14 2, 9 9 7 .0 5 1 ,2 4 5 .7

Separate witnesses --------------------------------------- 14 2, 363. 8 3 6 3 9 .6

Require testim ony under oath ------------------------ 12 1 ,7 6 6 .1 4 4 8 9 .4

Subm it written defense --------------------------------- 3 3 3 8 .5 6 1,8 2 0 . 1

Subpena witnesses --------------------------------------- 7 135.1 4 111. 1

Change v e n u e ---------------------------------------------- 4 197.7 1 3 0 .4

* N onadditive.

G en eral gu aran tees, sim ilar to the following c lau se , w ere fa irly com m on 

in union constitutions.

No m em b er in good standing sh all be deprived of his m em b ersh ip 

or of any right, p riv ilege, or benefit derived th erefro m , except upon a 

w r itt e n c o m p la in t, n o tic e , and h e a r in g . (In te rn a tio n a l Hod C a r r i e r s 1, 

B u ild in g and C o m m o n L a b o r e r s 1 Union o f A m e r i c a )

Som e unions bridge the gap between b ro ad constitutional language and 

sp ecific hearing safegu ard s by publishing sep arate p ro ced u ral guides to aid local 

unions in the co n d u ct of t r i a l s . 31 The t r i a l p r o v i s i o n s of the I n t e r n a tio n a l C h e m i ­

cal W orkers Union constitution, for exam ple, w ere supplem ented in a T ria l P r o ­

c e d u r e H an dbo ok, and the u p h o l s t e r e r s ’ I n t e r n a tio n a l Union p u b lish e d a p a m p h le t 

specifying the P roced u re of an UIU T ria l B o ard . T hese p ro ced u ral m anuals d efin ed the p r e c i s e r e q u ir e m e n t s of e a c h g e n e r a l c o n stitu tio n a l g u a r a n t e e and e x t e n ­

siv ely d escrib ed how each ph ase of the trial is to be conducted.

31 L e s s f o r m a l l y , l o c a l union o f f i c e r s tu rn to in t e r n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s o r i

ternational rep resen tativ es for guidance in d isciplin ary pro ceed in gs. This is 

p artic u larly true in local unions that have little experien ce in this a r e a or in 

c a se s that call for a policy interpretation fro m higher union authorities.

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D i s t r u s t of te c h n ic a l l e g a l p r o c e d u r e s m a y have c o n trib u te d to the a b s e n c e 

of specific due p r o c e ss guaran tees and p roced u ral d etails. In fact, se v e ra l constitutions e x p re sse d the b elief that overly leg alistic requ irem en ts m ight fru strate 

the b a sic inquiry into the guilt or innocence of the accu sed. The following excerp ts 

are illu strativ e:

. . . the g e n e r a l l y a c c e p t e d r u l e s o f c o u r t e v id e n c e s h a l l not a p p ly ,

but the evidence m u st be presen ted , w itn esses c ro ss-e x a m in e d , and te s timony rejected in accordance with this constitution and the prin cip les of 

ju stice. (R ailroad Signalmen)

* * *

All trials and h earings shall be conducted im p artially and inform ally.

The technical rules of evidence and other sim ila r legal technicalities need 

not be followed, but decision shall be b a sed only upon the facts p resen ted 

to the trial body during the trial. (A m erican B ak ery and Confectionery 

W o r k e r 1 s I n t e r n a tio n a l Union)

* >{< *

The E x e c u t iv e B o a r d . . . s h a l l m a k e e v e r y e f f o r t to a f f o r d due 

p r o c e s s; provided, how ever, that by "due p r o c e s s" is not m eant strict, 

bu rden som e, delaying technicalities but, instead, is m eant p ro ced u ral 

and substantive due p r o c e s s. (The Wood, W ire and M etal L ath ers In ternational Union)

Another significant influence on the num ber of hearing safegu ard s sp e c ified m ay be the extent of the trial body*s decisionm aking authority. In m any 

tria l p ro c ed u re s, p rim a rily at the local union level, the trial body w as lim ited 

to hearing the facts and m aking a recom m endation to another body. The constitutions of these unions c h arac te ristically provided few sp ecific safegu ard s at 

the hearing, but granted the accu sed the right to appear and argue his c a se at 

a m eeting of the body authorized to render a final decision. F o r in stan ce, the 

Utility W orkers* constitution specified few trial safeg u a rd s, but granted the a c ­

cu sed a "fu ll opportunity to p resen t his position on all m atte rs bearin g upon his 

tria l" before the final decision authority.

N early all of the due-process safegu ard s studied w ere m ore prevalent in 

lo cal union trial p ro ced u res than in p ro ced u res at the international level. S ev eral 

constitutions, how ever, that did not provide extensive due-process protections at 

the international tria l level directed the international executive b o ard to develop 

ru les and regulations for tr ia ls. These p rov ision s w ere sim ila r to the following 

e x t r a c t fr o m the B a k e r y and C o n fectio n ery W orkers* Union (Ind. ):

The G en eral Executive B o ard shall adopt a code of procedu re for 

the co n d u ct o f . . . t r i a l s and a p p e a ls w hich s h a l l c o m p ly w ith the e l e ­

m ents of due p ro c e ss of law.

F u l l and F a i r H e a r i n g . The r ig h t to a " f u l l and f a i r h e a r i n g , " one o f 

the s a f e g u a r d s g u a r a n t e e d e v e r y u n i o n m e m b e r b y the L a b o r - M a n a g e m e n t R e p o r tin g 

and D i s c l o s u r e A ct* s " B i l l o f R i g h t s , " 32 w a s a ls o s p e c i f i e d in 55 o f 136 l o c a l 

and 37 of 116 international lev el unions* tr ia l p ro c e d u re s (table V I-8). The p h ra se 

" f u l l and f a i r h e a r i n g 1 * c a n be in t e r p r e t e d to in clu d e m a n y , if not a ll , o f the 

sp ecific hearing safeg u ard s selected for study. While a full and fair hearing 

guarantee w as the sole d u e -p ro c ess safeg u ard specified in a few constitutions, 

m o st of these guaran tees appeared in constitutions which also provided other 

sp ecific safeg u ard s such as an im p artial tria l body, the right to confront a c c u se rs,

32 Section 101 (a)(5)(c).

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and the right to p resen t a defense. F o r instance, the constitution of the B ro th e rhood of R ailro ad T rainm en, in addition to describing sp ecific ally the m ethod of 

conducting h earin gs, included the following introductory clau se:

Any m em b er violating any of the duties of m em b ersh ip , or any of the 

p rin cip les of the Brotherhood, shall, upon not le s s than fifteen (15) days 

w ritten notice of specific c h a rg e s, full and fair hearing thereupon and 

upon c o n v ic tio n th e r e o f, be r e p r i m a n d e d , s u s p e n d e d , o r e x p e ll e d . . .

Constitutions that did not explicitly provide for "full and fa ir " h earin gs 

often granted the accu sed the sam e essen tia l guarantee through the inclusion of 

a v a r i e t y o f s p e c i f i c h e a r in g s a f e g u a r d s . F o r i n s t a n c e , the S h e e t M e t a l W o r k e r s 1 

constitution, which did not use this p artic u lar term , m ay have intended to achieve 

the sam e re su lt by providing the following hearing safeg u ard s:

. . . A ll p a r t i e s s h a ll be g iv e n fu ll o p p o rtu n ity to p r e s e n t a ll r e l e ­

vant evidence and exhibits which they deem n e c e ssa r y to the p rop er p r e s ­

entation of their ca se and shall be entitled to c ro ss-e x a m in e w itn esses 

of the other p arty or p a rtie s. E ach p arty shall have the priv ilege of 

selectin g any good standing m em b er of the local union to act as his 

c o u n s e l in the t r i a l p r o c e e d i n g s , . . .

The L ab or-M an agem ent R eporting and D isclo su re Act is perh aps larg ely 

resp o n sib le for the p h rase "full and fair hearing. " S im ilar guaran tees in effect 

p rio r to the act w ere e x p re sse d in vario u s related p h ra se s. F o r exam ple, the 

Je w elry W orkers guaranteed the accu sed a "fa ir and ju st t r ia l," and the A g ricultural W orkers (now m erged with the M eat C u tters) granted the accu sed "a ll 

n atural rights and p riv ileg es guaranteed any other citizen by the constitution and 

law s of the United S tate s;" and the Pulp, Sulphite, and P ap er M ill W orkers entitled ev ery m em b er to a "ju st and im p artial" trial.

O ccasionally, the scope of this guarantee w as lim ited. D iscip lin ary action 

again st a m em b er who failed to pay dues w as explicitly excluded in se v e ra l constitutions. F o r exam ple, the Stage E m plo yes* constitution provided:

Nothing in the prov ision s of this constitution and by-law s shall be 

c o n s t r u e d to d e p riv e a m e m b e r c h a r g e d w ith a v io la t io n . . . (of) the

right to a fair trial w hereby his guilt or innocence m ay be determ ined, 

with the exception that a m em b er who has defaulted in the paym ent of 

any d u e s , f e e s , fin e s o r a s s e s s m e n t s law fu lly i m p o s e d . . . s h a l l not

be e n title d to sta n d t r i a l . . . (but m a y be) . . . p u n ish e d s u m m a r i l y .

Only a few constitutions specified additional exclu sio n s. Som etim es 

these exceptions seem ed to adm it of significant m odification of the guarantee. 

F o r exam ple:

FA IR T R IA L G U ARA NTEED : E xcept as elsew h ere provided in this 

constitution for autom atic suspension for nonpayment of organizational 

financial obligations, or fixed fines, or autom atic resign ation by publicly 

joining or assu m in g office in a dual organization, or in other c a se s as 

fixed by regulation of the G eneral Executive B o ard , or in c a se s of e m e r ­

gency action by the P resid en t or the G en eral S e c r e ta r y - T r e a su r e r , no 

m e m b e r . . . and no o f f ic e r s h a l l be (d isc ip lin e d ) . . . w ithout p r o p e r

notice of ch arges and a fair opportunity to be heard in his defense before 

an i m p a r t i a l tr ib u n a l . . . ( A m e r ic a n F e d e r a t i o n of G r a in M i l l e r s )

A few constitutions supplem ented the right of the accu sed to a full and 

fa ir hearing by granting him the right to ask for a change of venue (place) of 

the trial. T hese provision s usually perm itted the accu sed to move the tria l to

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another local after a finding by an international officer that the a c c u se d ’s local 

could not be depended upon to conduct a fair trial. F o r exam ple:

A trial m ay be held in any subordinate division, other than the m e m ­

b e r ’s own, by dispensation of the P resid en t when so requ ested by the 

accu sed upon presen tation of reason able excuse and the division where 

the ch arges are pending be notified to show cause why a change of venue 

should not be gran ted. In no c a se sh all the accu se d be entitled to m ore 

than one tran sfer or change of venue. (O rder of R ailro ad T eleg rap h ers)

Union constitutions with safegu ard prov ision s usually guaranteed the a c ­

cused se v e ra l specific due p ro c e ss safegu ard s (table V I-7). M any trial p roced u res 

specified from four to seven safegu ard s and a num ber provided eight or m o re. 

T ypical of the constitutions which em bodied a large num ber of guaran tees is that 

of the International A sso c iatio n of M ach in ists, which sp e cifie d 13 points for the 

trial procedu re:

T rial P rocedu re

Section II.

1. C a ll tr ia l co m m ittee to o rd e r.

2. Exam ine due books.

3. C lear the trial cham ber of all people except the trial com m ittee, 

the tria l re p o rte r (who need not be a m em b er of the IAM), the 

plaintiff and his attorney, the defendant and his attorney, and re p ­

resen tativ es of the Grand Lodge, if in attendance.

4. The plaintiff and the defendant shall rem ain in the trial cham ber 

until trial is concluded, but shall sit apart.

5. The ch airm an shall read the ch arges and ask the defendant if he is 

’'g u ilty ” o r ’’not g u i l t y . ” If the p l e a is "n o t g u i l t y , ” the t r i a l s h a ll 

than p ro c ee d ; if the p le a is " g u ilty ,” the tr ia l com m ittee sh all conduct such further proceedings as in its judgem ent are required.

6. The plaintiff or his attorney shall p resen t his c a se first.

7. W itnesses shall be called into the trial cham ber one at a tim e, and 

w ill leave the trial cham ber upon com pleting their testim ony, subject 

to re c a ll by either the trial com m ittee, the plaintiff, the defendant, 

or the rep resen tative of the G. L .

8. All p erso n s giving testim ony shall be requ ired to affirm that the 

testim ony that they give shall be the truth.

9. Defendant and his attorney shall have the right to c ro ss-e x a m in e 

p lain tiff’s w itn e sse s.

10. D efendant’s w itn esses shall then be called.

11. Plaintiff and his attorney shall have the right to c ro ss-e x a m in e the 

defendant’s w itn e sse s.

12. Follow ing the com pletion of cro ss-exam in atio n , the plaintiff and d efendant shall be given the opportunity to m ake a statem ent or su m ­

m ation of their c a se , with the plaintiff having the fir s t and la st opportunity for re m a rk s.

13. B efo re the tria l com m ittee shall begin their deliberations upon the 

testim ony given, all p erson s except the trial com m ittee shall leave 

the tria l cham ber.

At the other end of the scale w ere constitutions, such as that of the G lass and 

C eram ic W orkers, which provided little proced u ral direction and specified few 

hearing safeg u ard s:

The local Executive B oard shall hear all the evidence and in a c c o rd ­

ance therewith they shall bring back a w ritten report and recom m endation 

to . . . the l o c a l union fo llow in g the c o n c lu sio n of the t r i a l .

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E v i d e n c e . N e a r l y a ll l o c a l and in t e r n a tio n a l t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s g r a n t in g the 

right to introduce evidence (table V I-8) provided for acceptance of all evidence 

p r e s e n t e d b y the a c c u s e d . The A llie d I n d u s t r ia l W o r k e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n d i r e c t e d 

the tria l com m ittee to hear " a ll evidence;" the constitution of the R etail C lerk s 

granted the accu sed "the right to p resen t w itn esses and other evidence on his 

beh alf;" and the constitution of the Oil, C h em ical and Atomic W orkers requ ired 

the tria l body to grant the accu sed "e v e ry reason ab le opportunity" to p rese n t 

evidence. A few m ore extensive prov ision s explicitly stated that technical ru les of 

evidence w ere inapplicable in union trial p ro c ed u re s, as in the following exam ple:

S trict ru les of evidence shall not apply since efforts sh all be m ade 

to a sc e rta in all of the relevant and m ate ria l fa c ts. (The Wood, W ire 

and M etal L ath ers International Union)

A few constitutions e x p re ssly requ ired that all evidence p resen ted be 

r e le v a n t to the i s s u e s in the c a s e . The C h e m ic a l W o r k e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n e x p r e s s e d 

this qualification as follow s:

The accu sed shall have the right to p rese n t any evidence relevant 

to the ch arges which he b elieves w ill support his cau se.

The c o n stitu tio n of the Window G l a s s C u t t e r s L e a g u e of A m e r i c a w a s m o r e p r e c i s e :

The tria l sh all be lim ited to a hearing of the allegations sp ecified 

in the ch arges and shall not be p erm itted to em b race m atte rs hot g e r ­

m ane to the proof or disproof of such c h a rg e s.

S im ilarly , a few constitutions provided guidelines for resolvin g doubts arisin g 

fro m conflicting evidence. Specified p rin cipally for c a se s involving p o ssib le e x ­

pulsion, these constitutions, as in the following c lau se , requ ired the evidence to 

prove the a c c u se d ’s guilt beyond a reason able doubt:

He shall have a fair hearing and he shall not be expelled unless 

there is a finding that beyond a reason able doubt he has been guilty of 

tre aso n to the Brotherhood or to the cau se of lab or. (Brotherhood of Shoe 

and A llied C raftsm en , Ind. )

Som e constitutions explicitly indicated that a con fession of guilt by the 

accu sed avoided the n ec essity of introducing evidence, or continuing the trial:

When m isconduct has been co n fessed by the accu sed , the lodge shall 

p ro ceed to vote upon his or her punishm ent without trial. (Brotherhood, 

R ailw ay C arm en of A m erica)

R ig h t to T e s t i f y in H is Own B e h a l f . Union t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s often g u a r a n ­

teed the accu sed the right to testify in his own behalf. T hese p rov ision s w ere 

c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y b r i e f . F o r i n s t a n c e , the M u s i c i a n s 1 c o n stitu tio n g r a n t e d the 

a c c u s e d " a n o p p o rtu n ity to d efen d h i m s e l f ; " and the U n ited A u to m o b ile W o r k e r s 1 

constitution granted the "righ t to be heard in p e r s o n ." S ev era l constitutions also 

specified that an accu sed could not be com pelled to testify again st h im self. T hese 

p ro v isio n s, m o st comm on in the printing tra d e s, w ere unequivocal:

The defendant to ch arges shall not be com pelled to testify. (Intern a tio n a l S t e r o t y p e r s 1 and E l e c t r o t y p e r s 1 Union of N o rth A m e r i c a )

Among the constitutions studied, one e x p re ssly requ ired the accu sed to 

testify. This provision applied only in trials of local o ffic e rs:

The T ria l Com m ittee shall have full authority to d irect the ch arged 

o f f i c e r to . . . su b m it to e x a m in a tio n . (M a rin e E n g i n e e r s ’ B e n e f i c i a l 

A s so c ia t io n )

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The accu sed often w aived his right to testify if he w as unable or failed 

to attend the h ea rin g . In a few co n stitu tio n s, the a b sen c e of the a c c u se d (p r e ­

sum ably unexcused) w as considered an action of contempt, and judgm ent again st 

him w as rendered autom atically. F o r instance, the constitution of the O rder of 

R a ilw a y C o n d u c to rs and B r a k e m e n (Ind. ) p r o v id e d a u t o m a t ic e x p u ls io n fo r ig n o rin g 

the notice to appear for trial:

Should any m em b er ignore this sum m on s, he m ay be d eclared e x ­

pelled for contempt without further notice.

In m o st constitutions, how ever, trial p roceeded in the absence of the accu sed, 

as in the following provision :

F ailu re . . . to appear in any trial . . . at the tim e designated 

in the notice for appearan ce, shall constitute a w aiver of appearance and 

d e f e n s e , and the t r i a l . . . s h a l l p r o c e e d in the a b s e n c e o f su c h p a r t y . 

(Brotherhood of P a in te rs, D eco rato rs and P ap erh an gers of A m erica)

S ev era l constitutions m ade sp ecial prov ision for those who pleaded in ­

ability to attend the trial. Com m only, in such c a s e s the accu sed w as p erm itted 

to s u b m it a w r itt e n s t a t e m e n t , a s in the B r e w e r y W o r k e r s 1 co n stitu tio n :

If the accu sed is unable to be p resen t at the trial, he m ay p resen t 

his case in w riting.

The S h e e t M e t a l W o r k e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n a l s o exten d e d th is p r i v i l e g e to an a c c u s e d 

who w as n 100 m iles distant fro m the trial. "

A few constitutions provided for counsel if the accu sed failed to attend 

the trial. T ypically, the accu sed w as to selec t counsel h im self. F o r instance, 

the c o n stitu tio n of the S w itc h m e n 1 s Union of N o rth A m e r i c a p r o v id e d that:

A m em b er failing to appear for trial or appoint counsel to rep resen t 

him , shall be reported guilty by default of the offense with which he is 

charged.

One constitution provided for union-appointed counsel:

If the a c c u s e d r e f u s e s o r n e g l e c t s to sta n d t r i a l a f t e r . . . hav in g

been duly sum m oned, he will be represen ted by counsel and full and 

fa irly heard as though p resen t. (R ailroad Trainm en)

W i t n e s s e s . C o n stitu tio n a l s a f e g u a r d s g u a r a n t e e in g the a c c u s e d the rig h t 

to invite w itn esses in sured his right to obtain all available testim ony. T ypically, the accu sed w as perm itted to selec t any w itness he ch ose, without re g a rd 

to leg alistic considerations of com petency. In addition, se v e ra l constitutions p e r ­

m itted the accu sed to p resen t w ritten statem ents from w itn esses who w ere unable 

to attend the tr ia l, and a few also p e rm itte d the accu se d to use the tria l bo dyfs 

"su bpen a" pow er to com pel the attendance of w itn e sse s. S ev eral constitutions 

sp ecified additional safegu ard s to a ssu re truthful testim ony. T hese granted the 

accu sed the right to confront and c ro ss-e x a m in e the w itn e sse s, requ ired w itn esses 

to testify under oath, or requ ired the separation of w itn e sse s.

Only a few constitutions stipulated that the testim ony of certain w itn esses 

w as in ad m issib le in union trial p ro c ed u re s. One constitution denied nonm em bers 

the right to testify in p erso n , but perm itted the trial body to secu re such testim ony:

No p erso n not a m em b er of this o rd er can testify as a w itness before 

any trial com m ittee, but the testim ony of an ou tsider m ay be taken by 

a trial com m ittee in such a way that the ou tsider w ill not know what use 

is to be m ade thereof. (Brotherhood, R ailw ay C arm en of A m erica)

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A few printing trad es unions excluded the testim ony of p erso n s whose p a st actions 

had proven them to be untrustworthy. These constitutions provided that p e rso n s 

who "r a t " (work for le s s than the union scale) could not testify, as in the fo llowing clau se:

Evidence by "R a ts" B a rre d at T rials

The evidence of " r a t s " shall not be received in the trial of union 

m en for any cause w hatever, as they are under the ban of the union, 

and not recognized by it as honorable m en. (International M aile rs 

Union, Ind. )

B e cau se union trial p ro ced u res em ph asized secu rin g all availab le ev idence, p ro v isio n s for securing the testim ony of w itn esses who w ere unable or 

unwilling to attend the hearing w ere common. S ev eral constitutions sp ecifically 

allow ed w ritten statem ents from w itn esses who w ere unable to attend the trial. 

The railw ay brotherhoods gen erally adm itted affidavits if tru stw orth in ess w as 

a ssu re d by the attestation of ‘'three m e m b e rs, or an officer of a D ivision, or 

by a Ju stic e of the P eace or other Public O fficer. " Unions in the entertainm ent 

industry com m only specified p ro ced u res for subm itting w ritten questions and 

a n sw e rs, but excluded any p art of a w ritten statem ent that w as denied by the 

opposing party. F o r instance, one constitution provided:

If a w it n e s s b e u n ab le to atten d . . . w ritte n i n t e r r o g a t o r i e s and

c r o ss-in te rro g a to rie s, on notice to the ad v e rse party, m ay be allowed 

upon due a p p lic a t io n to the t r i a l body; o r . . . tak en in the f o r m of an

affidavit, and in which latter case such portions of it as a re not denied 

by the ad v e rse party shall be adm itted as evidence. (International A lliance of T h eatrical Stage Em ployes and Moving P ictu re M achine O perators 

of the United States and Canada)

S ev eral trial p ro ced u res provided "su bpen a" pow ers to requ ire the a ttendance of w itn esses who w ere unwilling to attend the hearing. This right w as 

gen erally available to the accu sed, but in a few in stan ces it w as in the hands of 

the trial authority to use as it saw fit:

In any t r ia l, the t r ia l c o m m itte e sh a ll h ave the p ow er to c a ll fo r any 

books, p a p e rs, or w itn esses it m ay deem n e c e ssa ry for a fair and ju st 

trial. (International Jew elry W orkers' Union)

D isciplin ary sanctions encouraged a subpenaed w itness to obey the trial 

body's com m and, A m em b er-w itn ess who failed to heed the o rd er to appear at 

trial could be fined, suspended, or even expelled. O ccasionally, punishm ent 

followed a su m m ary contempt proceeding, but m o st constitutions requ ired a se p a ­

rate trial. Subpena p rov ision s infrequently re fe rre d to com pensating a w itness 

for expen ses in cu rred in attending the trial. Of the few prov ision s that m entioned 

w itn e ss's expense— nearly all in international level trial p ro c ed u res— m o st authorized the expenditure of union funds:

The ( g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a r d ) . . . s h a l l h av e the p o w e r to d i r e c t 

. . . any m e m b e r . . . to a p p e a r b e f o r e th em to g iv e te s t im o n y . . . and 

sh all be authorized to pay the exp en ses of w itn e sse s out of the g en e ral 

funds o f the I. L . G. W. U. (In tern a tio n a l L a d i e s ' G a r m e n t W o r k e r s 1 Union)

Under one constitution, w itn esses w ere not com pelled to attend trials u n less they 

w ere com pensated:

E xp en ses and lo ss of earnings m ay be allowed to w itn esses in the 

d iscretio n of the G eneral P resid en t, but in the event such allow ance to 

w itn esses is not m ade, the T rial B o ard shall adm it in evidence all r e levant testim ony of w itn esses which either party subm itted in affidavit 

fo rm s. (Sheet M etal W orkers' International A ssociatio n )

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Many constitutions specified safeg u ard s aim ed at secu rin g truthful te stimony. The right to confront and c ro ss-e x a m in e w itn esses w as com m on under 

local and international trial p ro c ed u res. This safegu ard enabled the accu sed to 

test the credibility of w itn esses appearing again st him and elicit all relevant facts 

from w itn esses who m ight be inclined to hold back certain facts. Constitutional 

language guaranteeing the accu sed this safegu ard w as typically b rief, succinct, 

and confined to the questioning of w itn esses appearing again st him . F o r instance, 

the L a d i e s ’ G a r m e n t W o r k e r s ’ co n stitu tio n g r a n t e d the a c c u s e d ’’the rig h t to q u e s ­

tion all w itn esses who m ay appear again st him , ” and the A m erican B ak ery and 

Confectionery W orkers' constitution p erm itted the accu sed to "c ro ss-e x a m in e 

w itn esses appearing again st him. ”

The unique p r o v i s i o n in the P o t t e r s ’ c o n stitu tio n a l s o lim it e d the s c o p e 

of cro ss-exam in atio n :

The accu sed shall then have the right to question the opposite side, 

in o r d e r to b r in g out o r c l e a r up any poin t in the c a s e , . . . but no

abusive or im pertinent questions or language shall be perm itted.

S ev eral constitutions requ ired w itn esses to testify under oath. Either 

the accu sed or a c c u se r w as usually perm itted to requ est the trial body to require 

each w itness to sw ear to the truthfulness of his testim ony. F o r instance, the 

S ta g e E m p l o y e s ’ c o n stitu tio n r e q u ir e d an oath "w h e n e v e r the a c c u s e d o r e x e c u tiv e 

b o a r d o r c o m m it te e so r e q u e s t , " and the U nited R u b b e r W o r k e r s ’ c o n stitu tio n 

granted such party the right to:

. . . d e m a n d that w i t n e s s e s b e sw o rn by a n o t a r y p u b lic o r o f fic ia l 

authorized to ad m in ister oaths or to take an affirm ation to tell the truth.

Any w it n e s s who r e f u s e s to tak e an oath . . . s h a l l b e b a r r e d fr o m

testifying.

O ccasionally, a sp ecific oath w as requ ired, as in the following exam ple:

You do solem nly affirm , upon your honor as a m em b er of the O rder 

of R ailw ay Conductors and B rakem en , that the evidence you shall give 

in th is c a s e . . . s h a l l be the tru th and nothing but the truth. (O rd e r

of Railw ay Conductors and B rakem en , Ind. )

A further safegu ard in an effort to a ss u r e truthful testim ony— separation 

of w itn esses— w as so m etim es provided. These p rov ision s requ ired that all w itn e sse s be excluded from the hearing until they w ere called to testify. M ost p r o ­

vision s requ ired this separatio n of w itn esses in every trial, but a few provided for 

separation only when requ ested by one of the p a rtie s, as in the following exam ple:

The accu sed or a c c u se rs have the right to exclude all w itn esses until 

called by the Ju dge to p resen t their testim ony. (International Woodw o rk ers of A m erica)

R ig h t to C o u n s e l . The rig h t to c o u n se l w a s the m o s t p r e v a l e n t s a f e g u a r d 

specified in local and international trial p ro ced u res (table VI-9). N early all constitutions, how ever, qualified this right by b arrin g p ro fe ssio n a l attorneys. One 

constitution, for exam ple, perm itted the accu sed "to selec t only a m em b er, " and 

another directed the accu sed "to appear in p erso n or by or with a m em b er of the 

union to an sw er" ch arge s. S ev eral granted the accu sed the right to "have the 

a ssista n c e of any m em b er of the union to act as his counsel, " and, while not 

sp ecifically excluding m em b ers who w ere also attorn eys, it is unlikely that a 

significant num ber of union m em b ers w ere attorn ey s-at-law . A few trial p r o c e ­

dures guarded again st this p o ssib ility by adopting language sim ila r to the following:

B o th the c h a r g in g p a r t y and the c h a r g e d p a r t y . . . s h a l l h av e the

rig h t to b e . . . r e p r e s e n t e d by any m e m b e r of th is In te rn a tio n a l Union

not a c t i v e ly e n g a g e d in the p r a c t i c e of law . . . ( A m e r ic a n B a k e r y and

Confectionery W orkers)

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T ab le V I-9. A ssistance of Counsel in Local and International T rial Proceedings,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

J^M em bersj^tho^

Local procedures International procedures

Counsel provisions

Unions Members

Percent

of

mem bers

Unions Members

Percent

of

m em bers

A ll constitutions providing for counsel

in lo c a l or international trial

p ro ce e d in g s------------------------------------ 96 12. 383.7 100 50 7 ,0 3 3 .1 100

Constitutions granting assistance of

counsel in all trials ------------------------ 91 1 1 ,8 4 0 .7 96 46 6 ,7 5 1 .9 96

Counsel guaranteed without

qualification s ----------------------------- 9 1 ,2 4 8 .6 10 8 1 ,4 1 7 .0 20

Only m em bers eligib le to act

as counsel --------------------------------- 80 10, 4 3 9 .7 84 38 5 ,3 3 4 .9 76

Other ----------------------------------------- l 2 152.4 1 - - _

Constitutions granting assistance of

counsel at discretion of the

trial body -------------------------------------- 5 543 .0 4 4 2 8 1 .2 4

* Under 1 constitution, an accused officer was guaranteed the assistance of a m em ber as counsel, but m em bers'

rights to counsel were not specified; and under 1 constitution, the other party had the right to em ploy counsel if

1 party was assisted by a m em ber or an attorney.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

The constitution of both the Office E m p lo y es' International Union and U p h o lstere rs' 

International Union forbade law yers at trial, but perm itted the accu sed legal counsel in p rep arin g his defense:

Any accu sed m em b er shall have the right to be represen ted in his 

d e f e n s e by any o th er m e m b e r of the . . . union and s h a l l h av e the f u r ­

ther right of advice and consultation of legal counsel, if d esired , but no 

attorn ey -at-law shall be entitled to be p rese n t in any such proceeding. 

(Office E m p lo y es' International Union)

A few constitutions extended the right to counsel to p ro fe ssio n al advocates. 

F o r exam ple, the Insurance W orkers' constitution explicitly granted the accu sed 

the right to be represen ted "by a m em b er of the union in good standing or by 

legal counsel of his own choosing. " One larg e union, accounting for m o st of the 

m em b ers covered by these c la u se s, im plied the right to legal counsel in the 

following clau se:

A m em b er p referrin g ch arge s, and a m em b er again st whom ch arges 

are p re fe rre d shall be perm itted represen tation by counsel of his own 

choice; such counsel, how ever, shall be requ ired to abide by the T rial 

P ro ced u re .... (International Union, United Autom obile, A ero sp ace 

and A gricu ltu ral Im plem ent W orkers of A m erica)

Equally infrequent w ere p rov ision s which left the p rese n ce of counsel to 

the d iscretio n of the trial body. These prov ision s enabled the trial body to a ss u r e 

that each side enjoyed an equal opportunity to p rese n t its case. F o r exam ple, 

the following clau se denied both p a rtie s the right to counsel un less this right w as 

granted by the trial body:

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None of the p a rtie s involved shall be represen ted by legal counsel 

u n less sp ecific p e rm issio n therefor shall have been granted by the T rial 

B o ard. (International A ssociatio n of M arb le, Slate, and Stone P o lish e rs, 

R ubbers and S aw y ers, Tile and M arble S e tte rs' H elpers and M arble 

M osaic and T e rra z z o W orkers' H elpers)

Under two constitutions, the trial body w as explicitly requ ired to grant each side an 

equal opportunity to be represen ted by counsel. One of these provided as follow s:

The m em b er selected as counsel shall not be a law yer. If he is a 

law yer, he shall be ineligible to rep resen t the p arty charged. The trial 

board m ay, how ever, in its d iscretio n , p e rm it the accu sed to be re p ­

resen ted by a law yer but, when he does so, the other side shall have 

the sam e right. (Brotherhood of P a in te rs, D eco rato rs and P ap erh an gers 

of A m erica)

R e c o r d o f P r o c e e d i n g s . C o n stitu tio n a l p r o v i s i o n s fo r a r e c o r d of p r o ­

ceedings assu m e d a significant protective role in case of appeal to a higher authority. This reco rd se rv e s to provide the appeal body with all the pertinent facts 

bearin g on the issu e s.

Only a relatively sm all num ber of the constitutions with such p rov ision s 

called for stenographic tra n sc rip ts of the trial (table V I-10). Under four constitutions, these tra n sc rip ts w ere requ ired in every trial and paid for from union 

funds, while under five constitutions they w ere provided only when requ ested by 

one of the p a rtie s. B e cau se con siderable expense would be in cu rred in obtaining 

a tran scrip t verbatim , a few constitutions requ ired the party requesting the m ore 

detailed reco rd to pay the added cost.

T ab le V I-10. Record of Proceedings in L ocal and International T rial Procedures,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Record of proceedings

A ll constitutions providing for a record

of p ro c e e d in g s-----------------------------

Constitutions providing for stenographic records ----------------------------

Stenographic record provided

by u n i o n -------1-------------------------

Stenographic record provided at

expense of requesting p a rty ---------

Stenographic record provided; other

q u a lific a tio n s--------------------------

Constitutions m erely providing for

a record -------------------------------------

Record provided by u n io n ------------

Record provided at expense of

requesting p a r t y ----------------------- 12

(M embers in thousands) (

Local procedures International procedures

Unions Members

Percent

of

m embers

Unions Members

Percent

of

m embers

45 6 ,9 9 5 .9 100 28 4 ,

,2 2 9 .8 100

12 2, 2 7 0 .0 32 6 8 7 3 .3 21

4 5 6 4 .5 8 3 2 7 7 .4 7

5 1 ,0 4 2 .6 15 2 1 5 9 .6 4

13 6 6 3 .0 9 * 1 4 3 6 .3 10

33 4 ,7 2 5 . 9 68 22 3, 356. 5 79

32 4, 5 4 1 .4 65 20 3, 1 4 8 .5 74

1 1 8 4 .5 3 2 2 0 8 .0 5

1 Under 2 constitutions, a stenographic record was provided at discretion of the trial body; and under 1 constitution a stenographic record was provided at the requesting party's expense if not provided by the trial body.

2 Under 1 constitution, a stenographic record was provided at the discretion of the trial body.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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In a m a jo r ity of the constitu tions requ irin g a re c o r d of p r o c e e d in g s, the 

form or content of the reco rd w as not p re c ise ly defined. T ypically, these p r o ­

vision s directed the se c re ta ry to take m inutes that w ere "com plete, " "ac c u ra te , " 

o r "c o m p re h e n siv e , " and that did not o v erlo o k any v ital p a r t of the tr ia l. In one 

constitution, the p a rtie s w ere granted an opportunity to review the reco rd before 

it w as tran sm itted to the appellate body. This p rov ision , cited below , p erm itted 

the p a rtie s to c o rre c t any e r r o r s in the record .

The trial com m ittee shall elect a se c re ta ry whose duty it shall be 

to r e d u c e to w ritin g the s u b s t a n c e of the t e s tim o n y . . . The p a r t i e s

shall be furnished with a copy of the m inutes of the trial and shall either 

a t t e s t th e re o n to the c o r r e c t n e s s t h e r e o f o r s u b m it to the s e c r e t a r y . . .

in w riting any objections thereto. F ailu re to subm it such objections within 

ten (10) d a y s . . . s h a l l c o n stitu te a w a i v e r th e r e o f on a p p e a l. (Sh eet

M etal W orkers' International A ssociation )

D o uble J e o p a r d y . S e v e r a l c o n stitu tio n s e x p lic it ly s a f e g u a r d e d the a c c u s e d 

again st repeated prosecution for the sam e offense. These double jeopardy s a fe ­

guards u su ally departed from the popular concept that an accu sed m an be p r o s e ­

cuted only once for the sam e offense, by perm itting at le a st one re tria l. F o r 

instance, the prov ision cited below did not exclude the p o ssib ility of a second 

prosecution by a different trial body at a higher level of the union:

No m e m b e r o r o f f ic e r . . . s h a l l b e t r i e d tw ice by the s a m e body

on the sam e charge. (United Shoe W orkers of A m erica)

A few prov ision s explicitly perm itted one re tria l. F o r instance, the fo llowing p ro v isio n s allowed a second trial befo re the sam e body:

. . . If su ch r e p o r t (of the t r i a l body) is not a c c e p t e d by the lo d g e,

a new c o m m it te e m a y be ap p o in ted . . . e x c e p t that in no even t s h a l l

any m em b er be subjected to trial before a com m ittee after the repo rt of 

the second com m ittee. (Brotherhood of M aintenance of Way Em ployes)

One constitution sp ecifically perm itted a re tria l if the appellate body, after 

re v e rsin g the trial body's decision, sent the c a se back for a second trial on technical grounds:

No m e m b e r o r o f f ic e r . . . s h a l l b e t r i e d tw ice by the s a m e body

on the sam e charge, except w here a conviction has been re v e rse d by a 

higher body on technical grounds and the c a se is sent back for re trial. 

(United H atters, Cap and M illinery W orkers International Union)

Notice S afegu ard s

F o rm a l constitutional p rov ision s for advance notice of impending d is c iplin ary action safeguarded the right of the accu sed to an adequate opportunity to 

p re p a re for each ph ase of the p roceedin gs. N early all local trial p ro c ed u re s, 

and m o re than three of every five international trial p ro c ed u re s, guaranteed the 

accu sed notice that ch arges had been filed again st him . A slightly sm a lle r num ­

b er of trial p ro ced u res at each level also guaranteed the accu sed advance notice of 

the date set for trial. A substantial num ber safegu ard ed the opportunity of the 

accu sed to p rep a re a tim ely and respon siv e appeal, through fo rm al p ro v isio n s for 

notice of the trial body's decision. The form of notice of ch arges and d ecisio n s and 

the m ethods for transm itting notice to the accu sed are d isc u sse d in this section.

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N o tice of C h a r g e s . N o tic e th at c h a r g e s h ad b e e n file d a g a i n s t h im w a s 

guaran teed the a c c u se d in 129 lo cal unions and 71 in tern ation al union trial 

p r o c e d u re s (table V I - 11). In so m e of those without this s p e c ific g u a ran tee , a 

r e q u ir e m e n t that the a c c u s e d b e giv en n o tice of the d ate s e t fo r t r i a l w ou ld , in fa c t, 

in fo r m h im that he w a s u n d e r c h a r g e s . Of the 7 p r o v i s i o n s fo r t r i a l a t the l o c a l 

l e v e l that did not r e q u ir e n o tice of the filin g of c h a r g e s , 3 p r o v id e d f o r n o tic e of 

the date set for trial; of the 45 without n otice-o f-ch arges p ro v isio n s at the in tern a tio n al le v e l, 11 c o n tain ed p r o v i s i o n s fo r n o tice of the d a te s e t fo r t r i a l .

T ab le V I-11. Method of Notifying the Accused of Charges by Level, N ational and

International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

... - - - .....- m embers in thousands!

Local procedures International procedures

Method of notifying the accused

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions requiring notice of charges in

lo c al or international trial procedures ----------- 129 15, 6 6 7 .7 71 10, 2 6 1 .4

Constitutions specifying m e th o d ---------------------- 73 10, 585. 6 46 6, 6 4 8 .0

Registered m ail -------------------------------------- 32 4, 394. 4 20 1 ,9 7 4 .5

R egistered m ail or personal s e r v i c e ------------- 20 3, 4 7 1 .3 10 2, 365. 5

M ailed or s e n t----------------------------------------- 13 2, 388. 4 12 2 ,0 1 9 .0

M ailed, sent, or served in person --------------- 3 4 0 .4 1 5 .9

Other m e th o d s----------------------------------------- x 5 291.1 2 3 283.1

Constitutions requiring notice of charges,

method not g iv e n ---------------------------------------- 56 5, 082. 1 25 3 ,6 1 3 .4

1 Under 1 constitution, extensive alternative methods were given if personal service was im possible; under 1 constitution, method of notifying m em bers was not specified, but officers were notified by registered m ail or in person;

under 2 constitutions, notice by telegram was specified in addition to other methods; and under 1 constitution, notice

was com m unicated by telephone.

2 Constitutions specified telegram in addition to registered m ail or personal service.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

The resp on sib ility for notifying the accu sed of ch arges rested with an 

officer of the union, usually the se c re ta ry , but occasion ally the presid en t. F u r ­

nishing the accu sed with a copy of the ch arges w as usually the p re sc rib e d way 

of giving notice. A substantial num ber of p rov ision s at each level, covering 

approxim ately one of every three m e m b e rs, required the resp on sib le officer to 

notify the accu sed of ch arges, but m ade no referen ce to the m ethod of notice. 

A m ajo rity of the p ro v isio n s, how ever, stipulated the m ethod of com m unication 

the officer w as to employ. R eg istered m ail, occasion ally with a return receipt, 

w as the m o st p revalen t requirem ent. L e s s frequently, the officer w as sim ply 

requ ired to "m a il" or " send" notice to the accu sed. F o r instance, one constitution provided:

A copy of the ch arges attested by the sea l of the local union, signed 

by the s e c r e t a r y . . . s h a l l be im m e d i a t e ly s e n t to the a c c u s e d to h is

l a s t known a d d r e s s on the b o o k s of the L o c a l Union . . . and th is s h a ll

be deem ed due notice .... (United A ssociatio n of Journeym en and 

A pprentices of the Plum bing and P ipe Fitting Industry of the United States 

and Canada)

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A few constitutions stipulated p erso n al notice or, failing this, notice by r e g is ­

tered or ordinary m ail. One p rov ision also authorized se rv ic e by publication in 

the union' s p ap er if p erso n al se rv ic e or re g iste re d m ail w ere u n su cc essfu l:

The Com m ittee is expected to use reason able efforts to se rv e the 

accu sed m em b er in p erso n with said ch arges and notice; but if after such 

efforts the accu sed shall not be found, a copy of said ch arges and notice 

shall be delivered by one or m ore m em b ers of the C om m ittee, or sent 

by re g iste re d m ail to his usual or la st known place of resid en ce; if such 

p l a c e of r e s i d e n c e i s not known, n o tic e . . . s h a l l be p u b lish e d in one

issu e of the B. of L. E. Jo u rn al .... (Brotherhood of Locom otive 

E n gin eers, Ind. )

Under a few constitutions, the notice of ch arges w as also to specify the 

date set for trial, thereby elim inating a sep arate trial notice, and a few p r o ­

vision s also requ ired the notice to ad vise the accu sed of his constitutional rights. 

One constitution provided this inform ation on the following official form :

Notice of ch arges again st m em b ers of this A lliance shall be presen ted 

upon the following official form :

In tern ation al A llia n c e of T h e a tr ic a l S ta g e E m p lo y e s and M oving P ic tu r e 

Machine O perators of the United States and Canada

NO TICE O F CHARGES

B ro th er ________________________ :

You are hereby notified that ch arges of which the enclosed is a 

copy have been filed again st you before the B o ard or Com m ittee

of this L o cal and that the ________________ ________________________

Day Month

______________ ______________________ has been fixed for your trial

Y ear Tim e

before the Executive B o ard or Com m ittee at ____________________

P lac e of T rial

Your rights as a m em b er are protected by your L o cal Constitution 

and B y la w s and the C onstitution and B y la w s of the I. A. T. S. E . and 

M. P. M. O. of the U .S . and C. R ead those p ro v isio n s relating to ch arges, 

tr ia ls, and appeals carefully, then study the enclosed ch arges. At the 

tim e of the trial you are entitled to bring as m any w itn esses as you choose 

and to be represen ted by a fellow m em b er as your counsel. If you cannot 

attend the trial at the tim e set, you m ay ask the Executive B o ard or 

Com m ittee to postpone your hearing.

You a re not to d isc u ss these ch arges with any m em b er of the B o ard 

or Com m ittee before the hearing and your defense w ill not be h eard b e ­

fore that tim e.

N o tice of T r i a l . M o s t t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s a t e ac h le v e l g u a r a n t e e d the 

accu sed advance notice of the date set for trial. S ev eral of the constitutions 

without this requirem ent provided for a notice of ch arges, which, in p ra c tic e, 

m ig h t a l s o in clu d e n o tice of the d ate s e t fo r t r i a l — 16 of the 20 at the l o c a l l e v e l,

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and 13 of the 47 a t the in te rn a tio n a l le v e l. P r o v i s i o n s fo r n o tice of the d ate s e t 

w ere sim ilar to prov ision s for notice of ch arges. A few constitutions specificallyprovided for servin g these notices together, as in the following pro v isio n :

The com m ittee shall se rv e the accu sed brother with a copy of the 

c h a r g e s and notify h im in w ritin g of the d ate and h o u r of the t r i a l . • . .

(A ssociation of R ailw ay T rainm en and Locom otive F irem en , Ind. )

S im ilarly , the constitution of the United G arm ent W orkers of A m eric a provided:

The local Executive B o ard shall duly notify the m em b er of the nature 

of the ch arges and of the tim e and place of trial ....

Under a few constitutions, the trial body w as requ ired to notify the a c ­

cused of the date set for trial without explicit p rov ision s for notice of ch arges. 

One of these constitutions provided m inim um p roced u ral stan dards but did not e x ­

clude the possibility that a copy of the ch arges m ight be included in the notice of 

the date set for trial.

The Bylaw s or R ules of a L o cal shall specify the m anner in which 

an accu sed p erso n shall be tried and m u st conform with the following 

m in im u m s t a n d a r d s :

. . . (3) The t r i a l s h a l l b e h eld s p e e d il y with due n o tic e to the a c ­

cused. (Com m unications W orkers of A m erica)

Notice of the date of trial w as often required to p reced e the trial by a 

specified num ber of days. This interval between notice and convening of the trial 

body allow ed the accu sed an opportunity to p re p a re his defense. This will be 

d isc u sse d m o re fully in the section dealing with tim e lim its.

N o tice of D e c i s i o n . Only a r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l n u m b e r of union c o n s t i ­

tutions requ ired that the accu sed or other in terested p a rtie s be notified of the 

trial b o d y’s decision (table V I-12). P resu m ab ly , at the ordinary union trial,

T ab le V I-12. N otice of T rial Body D ecision and of Right to A ppeal by Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

lMembers in thousands!

N otice provisions

Local procedures International procedures

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for notice of trial

decision or appeal r i g h t s---------------------------- 36 5 ,4 7 7 .7 32 4. 6 0 2 .4

Written decision o n l y ----------------------------------- 25 3 ,0 5 0 .3 23 1 ,3 1 0 .4

Written decision and appeal r i g h t s------------------ 1 7 5 .0 - -

N otified of appeal rights, no reference to

written d e c is io n ----------------------------------------- 1 1 35.0 1 135.0

N otified if not present at m eeting, no

reference to written decision or

appeal rights ------------------------------------ •------- 1 5 5 .0

N otified, no reference to written decision

or appeal rights ----------------------------------------- 8 2, 162.5 8 3, 157.0

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

690-094 0 -6 3 -8

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p artic u larly at the local level, all p a rtie s concerned would be expected to be 

p rese n t and thus inform ed of the outcom e of the c a se. T his, plus the availab ility 

of the reco rd of the trial in a num ber of c a se s, m ay have accounted for the lack 

of fo rm al p rov ision s in this area. M oreover, the absen ce of a fo rm al notification 

r e q u i r e m e n t did not ru le out the p o s s ib ility that a w r itt e n d e c i s i o n m ig h t b e s e n t, a s 

a m atter of p ractice, to all concerned, or that the decision m ight be publicized 

in the union's paper or bulletin board.

F o rm a l constitutional n otice-of-decision p ro v isio n s o ccu rred in only 

36 local and 32 international trial p ro c ed u res. T hese usually requ ired the trial 

body to p re p a re a w ritten decision and furnish a copy to each party, as in the fo llowing illu stratio n:

E v e r y d e c is io n . . . s h a l l be r e d u c e d to w ritin g and a co py t h e r e o f 

furnished to each directly in terested party. (Brotherhood of P a in te rs, 

D eco rato rs and P ap erh an gers of A m erica)

A few of these pro v isio n s also specified the contents of the decision, as in the 

following:

The decision shall contain a finding of the facts, the B o a rd 's conclusions as to the guilt or innocence of the accu sed , and the penalty, if 

any, to be im posed. (A m erican T rain D isp atch ers A ssociation )

P rom p t notice of the trial body’s decision, including the re aso n s for the 

decision, w as designed to p erm it the accu sed to p re p a re appeal. The trial body 

w a s often r e q u ir e d to give "p r o m p t" or " im m e d ia t e " notice to the a c c u se d . In 

a few p ro v isio n s, the tim e allow ed to file an appeal w as com puted fro m the tim e 

the accu sed w as notified of the decision, as in the following constitution:

All m anner of appeals shall be taken within fifteen (15) days from 

the date the decision is placed in the m ail or otherw ise tran sm itted 

to the in terested p a rtie s. (International Brotherhood of T e a m ste rs, 

C hauffeurs, W arehousem en and H elpers of A m erica, Ind. )

Only two constitutions explicitly requ ired the notice of decision to be of 

such nature as to advise the p a rtie s of their right to appeal to a higher authority. 

The constitution of the T ran sp o rt W orkers Union requ ired this notice to point 

out that appeals m u st be filed within 30 days after the trial body rendered its 

d e c is io n , w h ile the S h e e t M etal W o r k e r s ’ co n stitu tio n p r o v id e d fo r a n o tice that 

would "ad v ise the p a rtie s of their right to appeal. "

Appeal P ro v isio n s

Under the union ju dicial sy stem , the appeal procedu re affords further 

consideration of the c a se, and thus se rv e s to c o rre c t e r ro r s which m ay have 

o c c u rre d at low er union trib u n als. It is a c h a r a c te r istic of union tria l p ro c e d u re s, 

how ever, that unlike civil sy ste m s, authorities exercisin g adm in istrative and 

executive functions also act in ju dicial cap acities, including during the appeal 

p r o c e ss. The union appeals procedu re thus m ay, p artic u larly w here international 

o ffic e rs a re am ong the litigan ts, requ ire the a c c u se d to appeal to the sam e agent 

or agency resp on sib le for the ch arges in the first place.

The final appeal body, typically, is the convention, represen tin g the m e m ­

bersh ip as a whole. Whether such a m eeting of d elegates, even it it w ere to 

a sse m b le annually, which m o st do not, can p rop erly e x e rc ise ju d icial functions,

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h a s b e e n s e r i o u s l y q u e stio n e d . 33 At p r e s e n t , an in d ep en d en t j u d i c i a r y in the 

form of an "o u tsid e" review body is found in only four unions. These and 

other elem ents of the appeal p ro c e ss are d escrib ed in this section.

P r o v i s i o n s fo r A p p e a l . N e a r ly a ll union c o n stitu tio n s p r o v id in g f o r t r i a l 

authorized appellate review of the trial body's decision (table V I-13). Appeal p r o ­

vision s w ere e x p re sse d usually in broad gen eral language granting the right to 

appeal any trial decision. Only a few (11) appeal c lau se s, usually in constitutions

T ab le V I-13. A ppeal From Decisions of Local or International Level T rial Bodies,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

T o tal studied A ffiliation

A ppeal provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for trial at lo c a l or

international lev el ------------------------------------ 156 16, 9 17.9 121 14, 2 2 5 .6 35 2, 692. 3

Constitutions providing for a p p e a l------------------- 153 16, 912.3 121 14, 2 2 5 .6 32 2, 686.7

A ll trial decisions a p p e a la b le --------------------- 142 16, 119.0 112 1 3 ,4 4 2 .0 30 2, 676. 9

Som e, but not all, trial decisions

appealab le -------------------------------------- 11 7 9 3 .4 9 7 8 3 .6 2 9 .8

Local decisions app ealab le; no reference

to international d e c is io n s---------------- 3 375.7 3 3 7 5 .7

International decisions appealab le; no

reference to lo c al decisions ------------ 2 10.5 1 2 .5 1 8 .0

Members could appeal; no reference

to officers ----------------------------------- 3 314 .2 2 3 1 2 .4 1 1 .8

O fficers could appeal; no reference

to m em bers --------------------------------- 1 7 5 .0 1 7 5 .0

Only specified penalties a p p e a la b le ---- 2 18 .0 2 1 8 .0 - -

Constitutions without appeal provisions ----------- 3 5 .6 - 3 5 .6

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

33 One a u th o r ity h ad the fo llow in g to s a y on the s u b je c t :

T hese arran gem en ts by which local m em b ersh ip a sse m b lie s and convention 

delegates function as courts is perhaps the m o st im portant difference between the 

ju dicial p r o c e ss in unions and the ju dicial p r o c e s se s of public governm ents in the 

United States. Court verd icts are not re fe rre d to the body politic or to the le g is ­

lative branch of the governm ent for review and final decision. Even New England 

town m eetings do not sit in judgm ent of law violations; independent ju dges and 

courts p erfo rm this function. The arran gem en ts for popular voting on the truth 

or falsity of ch arges re se m b le s rather the so -calle d "peoples co u rts" of Soviet 

governm ents. They are defended as a form of direct d em o cracy , but the lesso n s 

of h istory are clear that independent courts and judges are as e ssen tial to protect 

individual rights and lib erties again st popular m ajo ritie s as again st executive 

officials and the legislativ e bodies of governm ents. W illiam M. L e ise rso n , 

A m erican T rade Union D em ocracy, New York, Colum bia U niversity P r e s s ,

1959, p. 265.

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of sm a lle r unions, did not authorize appeal fro m all trial d ecisio n s. Am ong these, 

the C o o p e r s 1 co n stitu tio n r e q u i r e d a p e n a lty o f $ 5 o r s u s p e n s i o n o r e x p u ls io n 

before an appeal could be taken; and the Retail, W holesale, and D epartm ent Store 

U n io n 1 s c o n stitu tio n g r a n t e d m e m b e r s the rig h t to a p p e a l f r o m any t r i a l d e c is io n , 

but provided that a local union's decision to discipline local o fficers would be 

final and binding.

The first step under the appeal procedu re was satisfied by filing a written 

notice of appeal with the next higher union authority. F o rm or technical content 

w as gen erally not set forth. F o r exam ple;

No sp ecific form or form ality shall be requ ired, except that such 

notice shall clearly state an appeal is being taken. (Laundry, D ry C lean ­

ing and Dye House W orkers International Union, In d .)

Only a few constitutions specified the b a sis for ap p eals. One of these, 

the J e w e l r y W o r k e r s 1 c o n stitu tio n s tip u la te d :

A ppeals to a higher body m ay be m ade upon the following b a sis:

1. A dditional evidence.

2. F a ilu re of the trial com m ittee to follow procedu re regardin g 

ch arges and tria ls.

3. Violation by the trial com m ittee of the International Constitution 

or the local Bylaw s in conducting a trial and m aking its decision.

The fir s t appeal body was usually the next higher level of union authority. 

In a ty p ical ap p eal sequen ce a lo cal union d e cisio n would f i r s t be review ed by a 

d istric t body or, if none existed, by the international presiden t. F ro m this level, 

appeals w ere usually taken to the gen eral executive board, then to the convention. 

In ra re in stan ces, constitutions provided different avenues of appeal, depending 

upon the g ro u n d on which the a p p e a l w as b a s e d . F o r in s t a n c e , the S t e r e o t y p e r s 1 

constitution provided:

C h arges of irre g u la ritie s, only, m ay be appealed d irectly to the In ternational Executive B oard. A ll other appeals m u st be filed with the In ternational P resid en t. (T h ereafter, appeals m ay be taken from the decision 

o f the In te rn a tio n a l P r e s i d e n t to the I n te r n a tio n a l E x e c u t iv e B o a r d . ) 

A ppeals on irre g u la ritie s are re stric te d as follow s:

(a) The servin g or presenting of ch arges;

(b) The conduct of the trial;

(c) Questions pertaining to any irre g u la rity in the ch arges, findings of

the trial com m ittee, or vote of the local union.

P e r s o n s en titled to a p p e a l . While a l l union c o n stitu tio n s th at id e n tifie d 

the p arty entitled to appeal from the trial body's decision guaranteed the accu sed 

this vital safegu ard , a larg e num ber (89) a lso perm itted p erso n s other than the 

accu sed to file an initial appeal (table V I-14). M ore than half of these co n stitutions authorized appeal by any in terested party. The constitutional definitions 

of an "in terested p arty ," where there w ere such definitions, w ere widely v aried . 

Under a few constitutions, d issatisfactio n with the decision was sufficient:

A m em b er or officer of any subordinate body who has been convicted 

of any offense as herein set forth, or the a c c u se r when the accu sed has 

been acquitted, or any m em b er who has a grievan ce or believes that an 

injury has been done in any way .... (R etail C lerk s International 

A ssociation )

* * >!<

Any m e m b e r o r m e m b e r s d i s s a t i s f i e d w ith the d e c is io n . . . m a y

a p p e a l. . . . (In tern a tio n a l B r o th e r h o o d of P u lp , S u lph ite and P a p e r 

M ill W orkers)

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O th er c o n stitu tio n s r e q u ir e d the p a r t y to be “ a f f e c t e d 11 by the d e c i s i o n in o r d e r 

to have an appealable in terest.

Any l o c a l union, co u n c il, o f f i c e r . . . o r m e m b e r . . . who is

a ffe c te d by an y d e c i s i o n . . . s h a l l h av e the rig h t to a p p e a l . . . (Sh eet

M etal W orkers)

Still others requ ired the in terest to be “d ire c t'’:

Any d irectly in terested p arty to a proceeding in which a final d e ­

cision has been rendered, feeling aggrieved over such decision, m ay 

take an appeal th erefrom . (Brotherhood of P ain te rs, D eco rato rs and 

P ap erh an gers of A m erica)

C lau ses that lim ited the right to appeal only to the accu sed and a c c u se r 

w e r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y m o r e p r e c i s e than the in d efin ite “ i n t e r e s t e d p a r t y 1' c l a u s e s , 

as in the following provision :

A p p e a l s f r o m d e c i s i o n s . . . m a y be ta k e n in the m a n n e r p r o v id e d

. . . by the a c c u s e d o r by the p e r s o n filin g the c h a r g e . (T e x t i le W o r k e r s

Union of A m erica)

T ab le V I-14. Persons Authorized to A ppeal From Local or International T rial Decisions

N ation al and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

Persons authorized to appeal

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for a p p e a l --------------- 153 16, 9 1 2 .3 121 14, 2 2 5 .6 32 2, 686 .7

Constitutions authorizing the accused and other

parties to appeal ---------------------------------------- 89 12, 5 40.9 71 1 0 ,0 7 9 .9 18 2, 4 6 1 .0

Any interested p a r t y --------------------------------- 47 6, 354.6 36 4, 6 6 9 .0 11 1 ,6 8 5 .5

A ccused and accuser only ------------------------- 41 5, 193.7 34 4 ,4 1 8 .2 7 7 7 5 .5

V aries for in itial and subsequent a p p e a ls------- l l 992.7 1 9 9 2 .7 - -

Constitutions authorizing only the accused

to appeal ------------------------------------------------- 39 2, 501.1 33 2, 355. 3 6 145.8

A ccused only for in itial and subsequent

appeals ----------------------------------------------- 2 35 2, 161.5 30 2 ,1 1 5 .7 5 4 5 .8

V aries for in itial and subsequent appeals ----- 3 4 339.6 3 2 3 9 .6 1 100.0

Constitutions without identity provisions ---------- 25 1 ,8 7 0 .3 17 1 ,7 9 0 .4 8 7 9 .9

1 Under 1 constitution, only the accused or accuser were authorized to file an in itial appeal but any interested

party was authorized to file subsequent appeals.

2 Under 1 constitution, 1 clause providing that verdicts of not guilty were fin al and not appealab le was in ­

terpreted to m ean that only the accused could be the "aggriev ed " in a clause granting any aggrieved person the right

to appeal.

3 Under 3 constitutions, only the accused was authorized to file in itial appeals but any interested party was

authorized to file subsequent appeals; and under 1 constitution, only the accused was perm itted to appeal from international lev e l trial decisions but no reference was provided for appeal from lo c a l union le v e l trial decisions.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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Under 39 of the 153 appeal p ro v isio n s, only the accu sed w as perm itted 

to appeal from the trial body*s decision. The accu sed was thus secu red from 

repeated h arassm en t and p ersecution that m ight follow if the a c c u se r w ere p e r ­

m itted to appeal verdicts of acquittal. Union appeal pro ced u res that perm itted 

only the accu sed to file an appeal or that denied any appeal from an acquittal 

p r o t e c t e d the a c c u s e d f r o m double je o p a r d y a t an a p p e l la t e l e v e l, a s in- the f o l ­

lowing clau se:

In the event of an acquittal the decision shall be final and not su b ­

je c t to a p p ea l. In the event of a guilty v e rd ic t the a c c u se d m a y a p p ea l. 

(Laundry, D ry Cleaning and Dye House W orkers International Union, Ind.)

A few constitutions qualified the double jeopard y safegu ard by perm itting 

the a c c u se r to file subsequent appeals if the accu sed had initially appealed from 

a v erd ict of guilty as in the following provision:

A ny m e m b e r who h as b een co n v ic te d of an y o ffe n se . . . and who

believes his conviction was irre g u la r or unjustified m ay appeal to the 

In t e r n a tio n a l E x e c u t iv e B o a r d . . .

E ith er the appellant or respondent m ay appeal a decisio n of the 

International Executive B oard, or any L o cal Union affected as such by 

a decisio n or action of the International Executive B oard m ay appeal to 

the n ext s u c c e e d in g convention . . . (U nited R u b b e r, C o rk , L in o le u m

and P la stic W orkers of A m erica)

S ta tu s P en d in g A p p e a l . In the g r e a t m a j o r i t y of c a s e s , th e r e w e r e no 

explicit p rov ision s for staying execution of the trial b o d y ^ decision pending d e ­

term ination of the final appeal (table V I-15). This was esp ecially true with regard 

to appeals by local o fficers, with only five constitutions sp ecifically providing 

for a stay. It should be borne in mind, how ever, that in som e of the 52 constitutions providing for a stay of execution in c a se s involving "m e m b e rs" the term 

m ay have been used in its broad sen se so as to include o fficers as well.

Of the appeal p roced u res that specified a stay of execution, the m ost 

com m on prov ision (in 28 constitutions) was one which gave the appellate body 

d iscre tio n ary authority. F o r exam ple:

Pending an appeal, the decision appealed from shall rem ain in full 

fo rce and effect un less the appellate body, upon application and the show ­

ing of exceptionally good cau se, deem s it appropriate to stay the en fo rcem ent of the judgm ent. (B ak ery and Confectionery W orkers* International 

Union of A m eric a, In d .)

Only five constitutions provided for an autom atic stay of execution of all 

d ecisio n s pending appeal by m em b ers. The notice of appeal usually m ark ed the 

point at which the w aiver of enforcem ent becam e effective.

Six constitutions provided for an autom atic stay of execution of all p en alties again st m em b ers except those involving fines. Typically, the union was to 

hold the fine in an escrow account until a final decision was rendered.

A s mentioned previously, m o st constitutions required m em b ers on trial 

to com ply with the trial body*s decision pending a final determ ination by an 

appellate body. These m em b ers, if suspended or expelled, would forfeit m e m b e rship from the time the trial body rendered its decision. A m ea su re of protection, 

how ever, w as som etim es granted, as shown in the following clau se:

While any m em b er . . . is exercisin g the right of appeal, the financ i a l sta n d in g of su c h m e m b e r . . . s h a l l not be im p a i r e d by r e f u s a l to

a c c e p t d u e s . . . until a f t e r the (E x e c u tiv e C ouncil) h as p a s s e d upon 

the a p p e a l . . . (in te r n a tio n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of M a c h in ist s)

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T ab le V I-15. Status of Members and Local O fficers Pending A ppeal,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

^M em i^

Status pending appeal

Members Local officers

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for a p p e a l-------------- 152 16, 9 0 6 .5 150 16, 868.7

Constitutions providing for stay of execution of

all or som e decisions of trial body

pending appeal ----------------------------------------- 52 8 ,3 1 1 .6 5 996.8

A ppeal body could stay all d e c is io n s----------- 28 5, 4 9 7 .4 - -

Decisions of lo cal could be stayed; no reference to international decisions ---------------- 9 8 62.7 .

A ll decisions were au tom atically s t a y e d ------- 5 6 1 .4 5 .9

A ll decisions except on fines were

au tom atically stayed ----------------------------- 6 2 9 4 .6 _

A ll decisions except on fines and officers'

rem oval were au tom atically stayed ----------

_ 4 990.9

Other ---------------------------------------------------- 1 4 1 ,5 9 5 .5 - -

Constitutions not providing for stay of execution

of decisions of trial body pending appeal ------- 2 100 8, 594. 9 145 15, 8 7 2 .0

* Under 1 constitution, a ll decisions were in full force and effect, but the international president could w aive

the paym ent of fines; under 1 constitution, the appeal body could stay lo c al, but not international decisions; and under

2 constitutions, only decisions to reprim and and censure were autom atically stayed.

2 Includes 28 constitutions which specified that a ll decisions were in full force and effect; 19 constitutions which

specified that all international decisions were in full force and effect, with no reference to lo c al decisions; and 53 constitutions with no reference to stay of execution.

3 Includes 2 constitutions which specified that a ll decisions were in full force and effect, and 143 constitutions

with no reference to stay of execution.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of A p p e lla te R e v ie w . The union a p p e a l p r o c e s s w as c h a r ­

acterized by prov ision s for frequent review s of the trial body's decision, co m ­

m only coupled with a pow er to grant the accu sed a new tria l before the appeal 

body. A local union decision was usually review ed by each organizational level 

up to the convention. Thus the d istrict body, the international presiden t, and the 

gen eral executive board p a sse d on the guilt or innocence of the accu sed. The 

p ro ced u ral details of the appellate hearing before these bodies w ere rarely s p e ­

cified. M ost constitutions granted wide discretion to the appeal body. F o r 

ex am p le :

A ppeals shall be heard either on the record m ade before the trial 

tribunal or by a re -tria l, in the discretion of the body hearing the 

a p p e a l. . . . p a r t i e s m a y , in the d is c r e t i o n of the a p p e l la t e body, be 

acco rded the right to appear before the appellate body and p resen t a r g u ­

m ent on the case. (international Brotherhood of T e a m ste rs, Chauffeurs, 

W arehousem en and H elpers of A m erica, Ind. )

Other constitutions directed the appeal body to estab lish p ro ced u ral ru les. The 

Com m unications W orkers of A m erica, for exam ple, provided:

The Executive B oard of the Union shall estab lish reason able appeal 

p ro ced u res within the structure of the Union to review com plaints of 

m em b ers which allege violation of the constitution, L o cal B ylaw s, or 

the rights and p riv ileges of m em b ers.

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Only a few appeal clau ses sp ecifically lim ited the scope of review to 

issu e s ra ise d at the trial. F o r exam ple, the M usicians* constitution stated that

appeals "sh a ll be decided only upon the evidence used in the hearing of such 

m a t t e r . 11

F i n a l A p p e a l B o d y . In union c o n st itu tio n s, the p o w e r to end lit ig a t io n by 

rendering a conclusive decision was usually vested in the body which also had 

su p rem e authority in legislative and executive a ffa irs, the union convention 

(table VI-16). The convention was designated as a court of last r e so rt in 129 of

T ab le V I-16. Final A ppeal Bodies,* N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Final appeal bodies

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing

for a p p e a l ----------------------------------- 153 1 6 ,9 1 2 .3 121 14, 2 2 5 .6 32 2 ,6 8 6 .7

Constitutions providing for fin al

appeal to union convention ------------ 129 14, 355.7 105 13, 2 4 6 .0 24 1, 109.7

Convention for a ll a p p e a ls ------------ 109 10,049. 1 88 9, 547. 8 21 5 0 1 .3

t Convention or public

review ----------------------------------- 4 1, 248.8 4 1 ,2 4 8 .8 - -

Convention or re fe re n d u m ------------ 9 1, 210.6 7 1,2 0 2 .2 2 8 .4

Convention or president or

executive board depending upon the offense or

p e n a lty ----------------------------------- 7 1 ,8 4 7 .2 6 1, 247. 2 1 6 0 0 .0

Constitutions providing for fin al

appeal to other b o d ie s------------------- 24 2, 556.7 16 9 7 9 .6 8 1 ,5 7 7 .0

Executive b o a r d ------------------------- 17 2 ,3 2 6 .7 10 7 5 1 .4 7 1 ,5 7 5 .2

Referendum ----------------------------- 3 1 1 .4 3 1 1 .4 - _

Internal appeal b o a r d ------------------ 2 2 213.8 2 213 .8 - _

Other fin al appeal b o d ie s------------- 2 2 4 .8 1 3 .0 1 1.8

A fin al appeal body was defined as the highest body authorized to pass on an appeal before the accused was

considered to have exhausted all rem edies within the union.

2 Under 1 constitution, a lo c al union referendum was held if the executive board reversed a lo c al trial decision,

otherwise the executive board's decision was fin al; and under 1 constitution, the president of the union rendered fin al

appellate decisions.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

the 153 constitutions having appeal p rov ision s, although in se v e ra l constitutions it 

sh ared this pow er with another body. P ro ced u rally , review was p erform ed by an 

appeals com m ittee, usually appointed by the union*s executive o ffice rs, frequently 

by the sam e officer who serv ed in interm ediate appellate functions. The co m ­

m ittee thus appointed review ed the record , at tim es heard argu m ents of each 

party, and issu ed its decision in the form of a recom m endation to the convention. The following excerpts su m m arized this procedu re:

The International P resid en t shall appoint the following com m ittees 

. . . A p p e a ls and G r i e v a n c e s . . . The C o m m itt e e . . . s h a l l h e a r o r

receiv e w ritten statem ents on the sam e and repo rt thereon to the International Brotherhood Convention. (International Brotherhood of B o ile r ­

m a k e rs, Iron Shipbuilders, B lack sm ith s, F o r g e r s and H elpers)

sjc >J«

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Where an appeal is taken to the Convention from a d ecisio n of the 

International Executive B o ard it shall be heard by the A ppeals Com m ittee 

which shall render a report to the Convention. The m otion presen ted 

to the Convention will be the adoption of the C om m ittee's report. The 

usual rules governing debate on such m otions will apply, except that 

the p arties to the appeal m ay speak on the m otion even if they a re not 

d elegates.

A m em b er of the A ppeals Com m ittee m ay not sit on any c a se in 

which he has any in terest or which a ro se in a L o cal of which he is a 

m em b er. The P resid en t m ay substitute m em b ers to the A ppeals C o m ­

m ittee for those disqualified.

The P resid en t m ay direct the A ppeals Com m ittee to com e to the Convention city for the purpose of hearing appeals before the Convention o fficially begins. (A m erican Fed eration of M usicians)

Under m any constitutions, the accu sed was perm itted to appear at the 

convention and p resen t his argu m en ts, even if he w as no longer a m em b er, as 

in the following:

Any m em b er, or fo rm er m em b er (who was a m em b er at tim e of 

holdin g o f p r e v io u s convention) . . . m a y a p p e a r in p e r s o n at the c o n ­

vention at his own expense, to argu e his written appeal and he shall be 

r e s t r i c t e d in h is r e m a r k s to the co n ten ts o f h is w ritten a p p e a l. (O p e ra tiv e 

P la s te r e r s ' and Cem ent M ason s' International A sso ciatio n of the United 

States and Canada)

Of the 20 constitutions which authorized either the convention or an a lt e r ­

n a te bo dy to r e n d e r a fin a l d e c is io n , 9 p r o v id e d f o r a m e m b e r s h i p w id e r e fe r e n d u m 

and 7 s p e c i f i e d v a r y in g j u r i s d i c t i o n a l r e q u ir e m e n t s fo r a p p e a l to d if fe r e n t b o d ie s . 

In the la st group, for instance, the United T extile W orkers' gen eral executive 

board w as the court of la st re so rt from local trial decisio n s and the convention 

the final appeal body fro m those m ade by the gen eral executive board. The 

C arp en ter's constitution vested the gen eral executive board with final d e te rm ination of c a se s involving trade rules but left other c a se s to the convention. 

Under the rem aining constitutions, only c a se s involving designated penalties could 

be taken to the co n v en tio n . F o r exam ple:

An appeal can be m ade to the International Executive B o ard from any 

decision, of w hatever kind, of a L o cal or any other authority. A further 

appeal can be m ade to a convention in any case involving an ultim ate fine 

of $ 5 0 0 o r m o r e , o r e x p u lsio n f r o m m e m b e r s h i p in the F e d e r a t i o n . . . .

(A m erican F ed eration of M usicians)

Next to the convention, the gen eral executive board (or other governing 

body) was m o st frequently designated as the final agency in the ju dicial p r o c e ss. 

A s the following c lau se s illu strate, these provision s explicitly re stric te d further 

a p p e a ls:

In a ll m a tte rs involving o ffice rs of subordinate bodies and individual 

m e m b e r s th e r e s h a l l be no fu r t h e r a p p e a l f r o m the d e c is io n of the G e n e r a l 

Executive B o ard . (international Brotherhood of T e a m ste rs, Chauffeurs, 

W arehousem en and H elpers of A m erica, Ind. )

^

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The International Executive Council shall thereupon p a ss upon such 

appeal, either rev ersin g, affirm ing, or modifying the action of the L o cal 

Union, and its a c tio n . . . s h a l l be fin a l and c o n c lu siv e . (N a tio n a l

A sso ciatio n of B ro ad c ast E m ployees and Technicians)

Two c o n stitu tio n s p r o v id e d f o r fin a l r e v ie w by p e r m a n e n t ‘‘a p p e a l b o a r d s 11 

within the union. These boards w ere com posed of rank-and-file m e m b e rs, and 

w ere independent ju dicial bodies, free from other executive and leg islativ e r e ­

sp o n sib ilities. The chairm an was elected by the m em b ers of the board. One 

of these two constitutions, the R ailroad T ra in m e n ^ , provided two internal appeal 

b o ard s. One of the b o ard s, the B o ard of T ru stee s and Insurance, w as em pow ered 

to h ear appeals from exceptional c a se s in which the international p resid en t e x e r ­

cised trial ju risd iction . The other board, the B o ard of A ppeals, had authority to 

h ear appeals from all rem aining trial d ecisio n s. The seven m em b ers of this 

latter board w ere elected by the convention and serv ed until the following convention. To be eligible for election to this board, a m em b er w as required to 

m eet the following qualifications:

M em b ers of the B o ard of A ppeals m u st hold ro ste r rights in either 

one of the c l a s s e s of s e r v i c e r e p r e s e n t e d by the B r o th e r h o o d . . . and 

sh all have had not le ss than 4 y e ars experience as a m em b er of a gene r a l g r ie v a n c e c o m m it te e . . . . G e n e r a l C h a ir m e n . . . (and) F i e l d

s u p e r v i s o r s w ill not be e lig ib le fo r e le c tio n . . . .

In addition, m e m b e rs w ere to o b se rv e the following p ro v isio n for im p artiality :

A m e m b e r . . . w ill not be p e r m i t t e d to r e p r e s e n t the G ra n d L o d g e

in any other capacity while servin g as a m em b er of one of these B o ard s.

. . . In an a p p e a l in w hich a B o a r d m e m b e r ' s lo d ge is in d i r e c t

co n trov ersy with som e other lodge, he m u st disqualify h im self or be 

e x c u s e d b y the c h a ir m a n of s a i d B o a r d . . . .

The second constitution, that of the International A ir Line P ilo ts' A s s o ­

ciation, provided for a board com posed of five regu lar and three alternate m e m ­

b e rs to be appointed by the union's executive com m ittee from a panel nom inated 

by d istric t councils. F o r each hearing, the com position of this body was to be 

determ ined in the following m anner:

. . . e ith e r the a c c u s e d o r the p a r t y p r e f e r r i n g the c h a r g e s s h a l l

have the right of challenging a m em b er of the H earing and A ppeals B oard. 

When such challenge is e x ercised , one of the altern ates selected by the 

c h a ll e n g e r s h a l l b e c o m e a r e g u l a r m e m b e r . . . fo r h e a r in g the s u b je c t

case.

P u b lic R e v ie w . F o u r u n io n s, a l l A F L - C I O a f f i l i a t e s , p r o v id e d fo r r e v ie w 

of d iscip lin ary action under specified circu m stan ces by outside review b o ard s. 

T hese review bo ards com posed of well known individuals selected, in the m ain, 

fro m such fields as religion, law, and education, provided the accu sed an opportunity to appeal to a body that was sep arate and free from union control.

Outside review is a relatively recent developm ent in union ju d icial adm in ­

istration . The first procedu re was instituted in 1953, when the U p h o lsterers'

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union am ended its constitution to provide for appeal to an outside "ap p eal board" 

(tab le V I - 17). B y 1959 th r e e o th er unions had fo llo w ed su it. 34

T ab le V I-17. Public Review of Union D isciplinary Actions,

N ational and International Unions, Early 1961

Union

Y ear

provision

adopted

N am e of review

board

Size (

of

board

Term of office How selected

Upholsterers' International

Union (A F L -C IO ).......... ........... 1953 A ppeal board. 9 m em bers.2 U nspecified. By convention.

United Autom obile Workers

(AFL-CIO) ---------------------- 1957 Public review 7 m em bers. Period betw een President appoints, subject

Marine Engineers' B eneficial

A ssociation (AFL-CIO) ------- 1958

board. ^

4

N ational panel. 3 m em bers.

conventions.

U nspecified.

to approval of executive

board and ratification

of convention.

By national executive

Packinghouse, Food and A llied

Workers (AFL-CIO) ----------- 1959 Public advisory re-^

view com m ission. 5 m em bers.2 U nspecified.

com m ittee.

By executive board.2

1 Source: General laws, article XXXIV, sections 6 (a) and 6 (b); appendix B.

2 Not specified in constitution.

3 Source: Constitution of the international union, article 31.

4 Source: N ational constitution, appendix, constitution for districts and subordinate associations, article VIII,

section 7.

5 Source: Established in July 1959, by the International Executive Board, and unanim ously endorsed and approved

(resolution number 3) by the 12th constitutional convention, May 1960.

P ro v isio n s relating to three of the four review boards w ere given constitutional statu s. The fourth, instituted by the P ackinghouse, Food and A llied 

W o r k e r s , w as e s t a b l i s h e d by the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d u n d e r it s a u th o r ity Mto do th o se 

things n e c e ssa ry to in sure proper and effective adm inistration of the affa irs of 

the International Union. " The executive board of the Packinghouse W orkers nam ed 

a fiv e-m em b er co m m issio n as the review board.

34 A S e n a te v e r s i o n of the bill that su b s e q u e n t ly b e c a m e the L a b o r - M a n a g e m e n t 

Reporting and D isc lo su re Act of 1959 would have required every union to adopt a 

sy stem of im p artial review :

S e c . 101(a) (6) . . . D i s c i p l i n a r y a c tio n m a y be tak e n u n l e s s s u c h m e m b e r 

h as b e e n . . .

(e) afforded final review on a written tran scrip t of the hearing, by an 

im p artial p erso n or p erson s

(i) a g re e d to by such organ ization and the a ccu se d , or

(ii) designated by an independent arbitration or m ediation asso ciatio n or 

b o a r d . (Se n ate B i l l 1555, 86th C on g. , 1 st S e s s . (105 Cong. R e c . 5810, 

A pril 22, 1959)

The bill finally enacted did not contain this provision. R ather, it placed the r e ­

sponsibility in the hands of union disciplin ary authorities and, ultim ately, the 

civil courts.

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The U p h o l s t e r e r s 1 In te rn a tio n a l U n io n ’ s b o a r d w a s c o m p o s e d of " i m p a r t i a l 

p erso n s of good repute not having m em b ersh ip or any other d irect in tere st in the 

(union)." Its ju risd iction was set forth as follow s:

The A p p e a l B o a r d . . . s h a l l h av e j u r i s d i c t i o n to h e a r and d e t e r m i n e

only such appeals as a r ise from a decision or action of the G en eral E x e c ­

utive B o ard in a case involving ch arges of violations of the law s or 

p o lic ie s the U. I. U. or of any of its su b d iv isio n s, but sh a ll not have 

ju risd ictio n to hear or determ ine any appeal from actions or d ecisio n s 

of the U. I. U. , . . . in m a t t e r s not in v olvin g an a tte m p t to i m p o s e d i s c i ­

p lin e upon a . . . m e m b e r o r o f f ic e r of the U. I. U. o r of an y of it s

subordinate bodies.

The constitution of the Autom obile W orkers required that the Public 

Review B o ard of that union be com posed of "im p artial p erso n s of good public 

repute, not working under the ju risd iction of the UAW. " This b o ard 's ju risd iction 

was b ro ad er than hearing and deciding discipline c a se s, extending also to c a se s 

involving violation of the union's or the A F L -C IO *s Code of Ethical P ra c tic e s. 

This review board, with independent investigating pow er and the authority to act 

even in the absence of an appeal, was also a m onitor of the union's ethical a ffa irs. 

The p ream b le to the Public Review Board provision stated the reaso n for e sta b ­

lishing the board to be "fo r the purpose of insuring a continuation of high m o ra l 

and ethical stan dards in the adm in istrativ e and operative p ra c tic e s of the in te rnational union. "

The p u b lic r e v ie w body of the M a r in e E n g i n e e r s ’ B e n e f i c i a l A s s o c i a t i o n , 

com posed of "th ree public p e rso n s, " had a n arro w er grant of authority. H ere, 

the N ational P an el's ju risdiction was lim ited to im peachm ent of elected o fficers 

of lo cals and d istric ts.

The M arine Engineers* constitution authorized its N ational P an el to d e te rm ine its own p ro ced u res, and gave no other d etails. The U ph o lsterers and the 

Autom obile W orkers, on the other hand, dealt with p ro ced u ral m atte rs in consid e rab le detail. Both authorized their boards to elect their own chairm en and 

perm itted hearings to be conducted by panels of the b o ard s. The Autom obile 

W orkers' board w as authorized to d ism iss appeals that "fail to state allegations 

sufficiently se r io u s" or that w ere "m an ifestly friv o lo u s" without granting the a c ­

cu sed a fo rm al hearing. Both boards w ere em pow ered to a s s e s s a penalty again st 

fa lse or m aliciou s a c c u se r s. The U p h o lsterers' A ppeal B o ard was to determ ine 

"whether co sts of the appeal shall be levied on either party, " and the Autom obile 

W o r k e r s ’ P u b lic R e v ie w B o a r d w as to a s s e s s a fine " i f the f a c t s in d ic a te the 

a c c u se r acted in bad faith or with m aliciou s intent and in a willful effort to divide 

and disrupt the union. "

In the M a r in e E n g i n e e r s ’ and the A u to m o b ile W o r k e r s* u n io n s, the d e ­

cisio n of the review board w as final and binding. In the U p h o lste re rs' Union, 

the constitution perm itted a further appeal to the union convention in c a se s in ­

volving expulsion:

. . . The a p p e lla n t m a y e le c t e ith e r one of th e se two a v e n u e s to

appeal but not both, except that in the event the A ppeal B o ard upholds a 

p e n a lty of e x p u lsio n the a p p e lla n t m a y . . . m a k e fin a l a p p e a l to the

next convention.

On the value of public review bo ards in d isciplin ary m a tte rs, A rchibald 

Cox, then chairm an of the U p h o lsterers' review board, wrote as follows in the 

1959 repo rt of that board:

The value of the im p artial A ppeal B oard cannot be m ea su re d by the 

volum e of its b u sin ess. Its v ery existence would tend to in sure fa irn e ss

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ev en though it h e a r d no c a s e s . If th e re w e r e d a n g e r of . . . o f f i c e r s

becom ing c a r e le ss or a rb itrary in a disciplin ary m atter, the v ery e x istence of the B o ard would rem ind them that their conduct w as open to 

scrutiny by o u tsid ers and they would act m o re carefu lly in o rd er to avoid 

the e m b a rra ssm e n t of being overru led. Thus un fairn ess is prevented by 

self-d iscip lin e before the un fairn ess occu rs without the need for A ppeal 

B oard proceedin gs.

E lsew h ere in the report, Chairm an Cox differentiated between the respon sib ility 

of the appeal board and the internal trial p r o c e ss. Quoting fro m an appeal board 

opinion:

The p rim a ry respon sib ility for hearing ch arges again st individual 

m em b ers and then determ ining their guilt or innocence r e sts within the 

union . . . It i s im p o r t a n t that the union r e t a in th is r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ; its

perform an ce is an essen tial p art of dem o cratic self-govern m en t. Our 

function is not to substitute o u rselv es for the union*s trial p ro ced u res.

Our task as an appeal board is to see that the constitution and bylaws 

w ere faithfully followed and that the trial w as conducted and the decision 

was rendered without un fairn ess to the accu sed . This gen eral inquiry 

involves three sp ecific issu e s:

(1) Was the hearing conducted in a m anner calculated to elicit the 

truth, giving (the accused) notice of the ch arges and a full opportunity to 

p rep a re and p resen t his defense;

(2) W as th e r e s u b s t a n t i a l e v id e n c e to s u p p o r t the findin g . . . ; and

(3) Did the m isconduct w arran t the penalty im posed.

Tim e L im its

Constitutional tim e lim its m ay serv e three ju d icial p u rp o ses (1) to im pose 

a ’’statute of lim ita tio n s ,” (2) to guaran tee a speedy tria l, and (3) to allow the 

accu sed sufficient tim e to p rep are a defense. E x c e ssiv e delay or e x c essiv e 

speed m ay both be con trary to fa ir treatm ent.

F o r no union constitution was it p o ssib le to determ ine the p re c ise tim e 

l i m i t s a llo w e d f o r the d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o c e s s . 35 In the f i r s t p l a c e , tim e l im it a t io n s 

w ere not w idespread at either local or international level proceedin gs. Of the 

tim e lim its studied, only the m inim um tim e allow ed for the accu sed to p rep are a 

defense, and the tim e within which to file an appeal, w ere specified in a m ajo rity 

of constitutions.

In le ss than a m ajo rity of constitutions, it w as found that tim e w as allowed 

to file ch arges; to notify the accu sed of ch arges; to convene the trial body; to 

render a decision; to convene the appeal body; or to render a final appellate 

decision.

Secondly, where certain tim e lim its w ere specified it was not p o ssib le 

to add the tim e lim its for each ph ase of the discipline p ro c e ss and a rriv e at the 

total allow able tim e. At le a st one phase of the trial was not subject to a tim e 

lim itation. Som e constitutions, for instance, requ ired the trial body to convene 

within a specified num ber of days after ch arges w ere filed, but no lim itations 

w ere placed on the tim e in which a decision had to be handed down, while other 

constitutions requ ired a decision within a specified num ber of days after hearing, 

but m ade no referen ce to the tim e within which the hearing was to take place 

after ch arges w ere filed.

35 T he t e r m ’’d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o c e s s ” in c lu d e s that p e r i o d of tim e f r o m the 

filing of ch arges to the final appeal decision.

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Even excluding appeals p ro v isio n s, only the R ailroad T rain m en 's constitution accounted for the total tim e between the filing of ch arges and the trial 

body's decision, and then only for certain tr ia ls, nam ely, an international level 

tria l of a m em b er on the grounds that he was an "in fo rm er, spotter, spy or 

o p erativ e for any detective agency, railro ad com pany, or other p e rso n or p e rso n s. " 

In su ch c a s e s , the h earin g had to co m m en ce within 30 days a fte r the filin g of 

ch arge s; at the close of the hearing, the m atter was subm itted to the presid en t, 

who w as requ ired to render a final decisio n within 10 d ays.

One of the m o st explicit constitutions was that of the A ir Line D isp atch ers 

A ss o c ia tio n . In that constitution, a h earin g had to be held not l e s s than 30 but 

not m o re than 60 days fro m the filing of ch arg e s; d ecisio n s had to be announced 

within 30 days of the hearing; appeals had to be taken within 30 days of the date 

of decision; and appeals had to be decided within the following 30 days. However, 

the p rov ision for a hearing during the 30- to 60-day period from the filing of 

ch arges could be waived by m utual consent.

Tim e periods w ere often e x p re sse d in gen eral te rm s, such as "reaso n ab le 

tim e " or "without undue delay, " which precluded any determ ination of total elapsed 

tim e. F o r instance, the constitution of the R etail C lerks International A sso ciatio n 

stipulated:

T he t r i a l . . . s h a ll be held a s so o n a s p r a c t i c a b l e , but no l a t e r

than th irty (30) d a y s fo llow in g the d ate on w hich c h a r g e s a r e file d . . . .

. . . the T r i a l B o a r d s h a l l, without undue d e la y , d e t e r m i n e the gu ilt

o r in n o c en c e of the a c c u s e d . . .

The decision of the T rial B oard shall be presen ted at the next m e m ­

bership m eeting.

M a x im u m T im e A llo w ed to F i l e C h a r g e s . Only 21 l o c a l and 8 i n t e r ­

national trial p roced u res specified the m axim u m tim e allowed to file ch arges 

after an offense had been com m itted or becam e known (table V I-18). Such a

T ab le V I-18. M axim um T im e Allowed to File Charges by Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

^Members^ii^

M axim um tim e

Local procedures International procedures

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions specifying tim e lim its to

file c h a r g e s----------------------------------------------- 21 3, 495. 3 8 348.1

30 days ------------------------------------------------------- 6 4 7 4 .6 1 11.8

60 days ------------------------------------------------------- 7 2, 423. 9 1 2 5 5 .4

90 days ------------------------------------------------------- 4 2 8 9 .2 1 20.0

6 months ---------------------------------------------------- 1 3 0 .4 1 3 0 .4

1 y e a r --------------------------------------------------------- 2 14.3 3 16.8

Other tim e l i m i t s----------------------------------------- 1 1 262.9 2 1 13.7

1 Under this constitution, lo cal union bylaws could provide lim itations of not less than 3 years.

2 Under this constitution, a 90-day tim e lim it was applicable only to charges involving m em bers of different

lo cal unions.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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requirem ent, com parable to a statute of lim itations in gen eral legal proceedin gs, 

aim ed to insure that ch arges would be filed while the facts w ere still fre sh in the 

m in ds of p a r tie s and w it n e s s e s . In addition, they would r e m o v e lin gerin g f e a r s 

of prosecution for p ast offen ses, and thus elim inate p o ssib le r e p r isa ls that m ight 

affect a m em b er's participation in the affairs of his union.

In th ose few in sta n c e s w h ere tim e lim its w e r e given , they ty p ic a lly a l ­

lowed the a c c u se r a period of 60 to 90 days after the offense to file ch arges. 

S ev eral constitutions specified sh o rter and se v e ra l specified longer p e rio d s, but 

only on ce did the tim e a llo w e d to file c h a r g e s e x c e e d 1 y e a r . The tim e l im it 

n e a r ly alw a y s b e g a n to run fr o m the tim e the a c c u s e d c o m m itte d an o ffe n se . In 

a few constitutions, how ever, the count began at the tim e the a c c u se r becam e 

aw are of the offense:

C h a r g e s m u s t b e s u b m itte d . . . w ithin s ix ty (60) d a y s of the tim e

the com plainant first becam e aw are, or reason ably should have been 

aw are, of the alleged offense. (International Union, United Autom obile, 

A ero sp ace and A gricultu ral Im plem ent W orkers of A m erica)

M a x im u m T im e A llow ed to N otify the A c c u s e d A f t e r C h a r g e s W ere F i l e d . 

Although virtually all trial pro ced u res at the local union level and a con siderable 

num ber at the international level requ ired that a m em b er be notified that ch arges 

w ere filed again st him , few stipulated a tim e lim it within which such notice w as 

required to reach the accu sed (table V I-19). Of those providing tim e lim its, the 

period usually began to run from the day ch arges w ere filed. A few constitutions, 

how ever, specified p eriod s b ased upon the tim e a p relim in ary review body ruled 

the ch arges acceptable for trial.

T ab le V I-19. M axim um T im e Allow ed to Notify the A ccused After Charges Were Filed by Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

M axim um tim e

A ll constitutions providing for notice that

charges had been filed ---------------------------

Constitutions providing m axim um tim e lim its

Sp ecific tim e p e r io d s ---------------------------

3 days ------------------------------------------

5 days ------------------------------------------

7 days ------------------------------------------

10 days -----------------------------------------

14 d ay s------------------------------------------

15 days -----------------------------------------

30 days ----------------------------------------

General tim e periods ---------------------------

Other tim e periods ------------------------------

Constitutions providing no tim e lim its -------

Local procedures International procedures

Unions M embers Unions Members

129 1 5 ,6 6 7 .8 71 1 0 ,2 6 1 .4

52 8 ,0 3 4 . 1 22 1,7 0 6 . 1

19 3 ,8 4 0 . 1 5 75. 3

1 200. 1 - -

7 3 6 6 .9 - -

9 3 ,2 5 8 .3 - -

- - 1 3 5 .0

1 3 .0 - -

1 11.8 1 11.8

- - 3 2 8 .5

25 3 ,8 3 9 .5 17 1 ,6 3 0 .8

1 8 3 5 4 .5 - -

77 7 ,6 3 3 .6 49 8, 555 .3

1 Under 6 constitutions, tim e lim its were operative from the tim e charges were accepted for trial, and were

5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 1 week after acceptan ce, and at the sam e m eeting the report was rendered; under 1 constitution, notice was given a week in advance of trial; and under 1 constitution, a 21-day tim e lim it applied to

charges against m em bers but no reference was provided for charges against lo c al officers.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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In lo c a l union t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s , a slig h tly l a r g e r n u m b e r o f c o n stitu tio n s 

p ro v id e d fo r g e n e r a l than fo r s p e c ific p e r io d s . G e n e r a l lim ita tio n s r e q u ir e d n o tic e 

"p r o m p tly , " "w ith in a r e a s o n a b le tim e " o r s im il a r l y in d e fin ite p e r io d s . A few of 

th e se p r o v is io n s in d ic a te d th at n o tic e s w e re to be tr a n s m itte d on the s a m e d ay the 

c h a r g e s w e re file d . F o r e x a m p le , the In te rn a tio n a l T y p o g r a p h ic a l U n io n 1 s c o n ­

stitu tio n r e q u ir e d the lo c a l p r e s id e n t to " im m e d ia t e ly c a u s e to be d e liv e r e d to the 

a c c u s e d m e m b e r a c o m p le te copy o f the c h a r g e s a s file d , " and the B ro th e rh o o d 

o f R a ilr o a d T r a in m e n ’ s t r i a l p r o c e d u r e r e q u ir e d n o tic e " a t the s a m e t im e " a s 

c h a r g e s w e re file d . S p e c ific lim ita tio n s s ta te d the m a x im u m n u m b e r of d a y s 

allo w e d to c o m m u n ic a te n o tice to the a c c u s e d . N e a r ly a ll m e m b e r s c o v e r e d by 

th e se c l a u s e s in lo c a l t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s w e re g u a ra n te e d n o tic e w ithin 7 d a y s a ft e r 

c h a r g e s w e re file d , and no p r o v is io n a llo w e d the lo c a l union m o r e th an 15 d a y s 

to n o tify the a c c u s e d .

T im e lim its fo r n o tify in g the a c c u se d w e re l e s s p r e v a le n t in in te r n a tio n a l 

t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s . L e s s than o n e -th ird of the c o n stitu tio n s w ith a n o tic e r e q u ir e ­

m en t s p e c ifie d th at the n o tice be d e liv e r e d w ithin a g iv e n tim e p e r io d . In v i r ­

tu a lly a ll c a s e s th e se r e q u ir e m e n ts w ere e x p r e s s e d in g e n e r a l t e r m s , by s t ip u ­

la tin g " r e a s o n a b le " tim e o r s im il a r l y in d e fin ite p e r io d s .

T im e A llo w ed to C onvene the T r i a l B o d y . F o r ty - n in e lo c a l and 33 in t e r ­

n a tio n a l t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s s p e c ifie d the p e rio d w ithin w hich the t r i a l b o d y m u s t 

b e g in h e a r in g s . In e ffe c t, th e se r e q u ir e m e n ts w e re d e sig n e d to f r e e the a c c u s e d 

fr o m the s tig m a o f c h a r g e s and th r e a ts of d is c ip lin a r y a c tio n if the t r i a l body 

fa ile d to h e a r the c a s e w ithin the a llo tte d tim e . F o r in sta n c e , the R u b b e r W o rk ­

e r s ’ c o n stitu tio n o r d e r e d c h a r g e s d is m is s e d w ithout p r e ju d ic e to the a c c u s e d if 

th ey w e re not " c a ll e d to t r i a l w ithin 30 d a y s of the d ate the t r i a l b o a r d w as 

s e le c t e d . " T h e se lim ita tio n s u s u a lly b e g a n to run a t the tim e c h a r g e s w e re 

file d , but a s u b s ta n tia l n u m b e r w ere r e la te d to o th er s te p s in the t r i a l p r o ­

c e d u r e . 36 S ix ty d a y s w as the lo n g e st s p e c if ic tim e p e r io d allo w e d to co n ven e the 

t r i a l bo d y (ta b le V I-2 0 ).

T ab le V I-20. M axim um T im e Allowed to Convene T rial Body 1 by Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

Local procedures International procedures

M axim um tim e

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll constitutions specifying m axim um tim e lim its

to convene trial b o d ie s -------------------------------- 49 8, 5 8 2 .6 33 3, 6 7 6 .9

Sp ecific tim e p e rio d s------------------------------------ 35 4, 864. 9 16 1 ,4 8 0 .4

15 days -------------------------------------------------- 9 6 61.7 5 6 6 0 .4

30 days -------------------------------------------------- 19 2, 866.1 7 601. 1

60 days -------------------------------------------------- 7 1 ,3 3 7 .1 4 2 1 8 .9

General tim e p e r io d s------------------------------------ 14 3 ,7 1 7 .7 17 2 ,1 9 6 .5

Reasonable t i m e -------------------------------------- 12 3, 391.7 13 1 ,9 7 5 .8

Next m e e tin g ------------------------------------------ 2 3 26.0 4 2 20.7

1 Most tim e lim its began at the tim e charges were filed . In several constitutions, however, the tim e to convene was related to the tim e the accused was notified, the tim e the prelim inary body reported, the tim e the accused

was suspended, or other events in the trial procedure. The number of each of these reference points is shown in

appendix tab les C -3 and C -4.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

36 S e e a p p en d ix ta b le s C -3 an d C - 4 .

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G e n e ra l lim ita tio n s w e re sta te d in 14 c o n stitu tio n s fo r the lo c a l t r i a l 

le v e l and in 17 c o n stitu tio n s fo r the in te r n a tio n a l t r i a l le y e l. T h e se lim ita tio n s 

r e q u ir e d the t r i a l b o d y to b e g in h e a r in g s "w ith in a r e a s o n a b le tim e , " " a s so o n a s 

p r a c t ic a b le , " o r "w ith r e a s o n a b le d isp a tc h . "

M in im u m T im e A llo w ed fo r the A c c u se d to P r e p a r e a D e fe n se . In 92 

in s ta n c e s a t the lo c a l le v e l, and 57 at the in te r n a tio n a l le v e l, union c o n stitu tio n s 

s p e c if ic a lly p ro v id e d fo r a m in im u m tim e - in t e r v a l b etw een the d a te n o tic e o f t r i a l 

w as se n t and the d a te s e t fo r co n ven in g the t r i a l (ta b le V I - 21). * A s m a l le r n u m ­

b e r of c o n stitu tio n s (2 4 fo r lo c a l t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s and 12 fo r in te r n a tio n a l t r i a l 

p r o c e d u r e s ) p ro v id e d fo r n o tic e o f t r i a l , but r e q u ir e d no m in im u m tim e b etw een 

the sen d in g o f su c h n o tic e and the co n ven in g o f the t r i a l . In o th e r c o n stitu tio n s, 

w h ile n o tic e o f t r i a l w as not s p e c if ic a lly r e q u ir e d , it m ig h t w e ll be th at in p r a c t ic e 

n o tic e th at c h a r g e s had b e e n file d in clu d e d n o tic e of the d a te o f t r i a l .

T ab le V I-21. M inim um T im e Between N otice of T rial and Convening the T rial Body by Level,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

M inimum tim e

Local procedures International procedures

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for notice of t r i a l---- 116 14, 9 3 6 .3 69 9, 879.1

Constitutions specifying m inim um

tim e p e r io d s-------------------------------------------- 92 13, 4 4 4 .5 57 8, 5 9 1 .3

Sp e cific tim e p e rio d s------------------------------ 72 10, 6 4 3 .6 37 4, 723. 0

3 days ---------------------------------------------- 1 2 8 .5 - -

5 days ---------------------------------------------- 13 1, 472.1 8 7 0 9 .9

7 days ---------------------------------------------- 13 2, 374.1 3 2 7 7 .4

10 days -------------------------------------------- 21 3, 131 .4 12 1, 9 8 2 .3

14 days -------------------------------------------- 8 1, 793.1 4 5 0 6 .6

15 days -------------------------------------------- 10 1, 7 2 7 .9 3 215 .3

20 days -------------------------------------------- - - 2 6 .7

30 days -------------------------------------------- 6 116.5 4 1, 0 1 6 .9

40 days -------------------------------------------- - - 1 8 .0

General tim e p e r io d s------------------------------ 17 2, 7 7 1 .3 17 2, 776. 0

Reasonable t i m e -------------------------------- 15 1, 886.3 17 2, 7 7 6 .0

One m eeting before t r i a l--------------------- 2 8 8 5 .0 - -

Other tim e p e r io d s--------------------------------- 1 3 2 9 .6 2 3 1, 0 9 2 .4

Constitutions without m inim um tim e

period provisions--------------------------------------- 24 1, 4 9 1 .8 12 1, 2 8 7 .8

1 Under 1 constitution, the tim e was 10 days if accused was notified in person, but 14 days if notified by m ail;

in 2 constitutions, tim e lim it differed for members and lo c al officers. 1 constitution provided 10 days for lo c al officers

and 7 days for m em bers, and 1 provided 14 days for lo c a l officers but did not specify the tim e for m em bers.

2 Under 1 constitution, the tim b lim it was 10 days if the accused was notified in person, but 12 days if notified

by m ail; under 2 constitutions, a different tim e lim it applied for sp ecial offenses. 1 provided 5 days in trials of

dual unionism but a "reason ab le" tim e in other trials, and 1 provided 2 days in "em ergen cies" but 10 days for

other trials.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

M o st lo c a l union t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s (72) and a s u b s ta n tia l n u m b e r (37) o f 

in te r n a tio n a l t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s e x p r e s s e d th is tim e p e rio d a s a s p e c if ic n u m b e r of 

d a y s . T y p ic a lly , a t l e a s t 10 d a y s e la p se d a fte r n o tice of t r i a l and b e fo r e h e a r in g s

690-094 0 -6 3 -9

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b e g a n ; r a r e l y w as th is p e r io d m o r e th an 30 o r l e s s than 5 d a y s . T h e se p r o v is io n s 

o ften sta te d the p u r p o se of th is lim ita tio n , a s in the fo llo w in g illu s t r a t io n :

A co p y . . . (o f the c h a r g e s ) . . . s h a ll be fu rn ish e d b y the lo d g e

to the a c c u s e d m e m b e r . . . a t l e a s t ten d a y s in ad v a n c e o f t r i a l so 

th at he m a y be a d v ise d o f the n a tu re of the c h a r g e and m a y b e e n a b le d 

to p r e p a r e h is d e fe n s e . (in te rn a tio n a l B ro th e rh o o d o f B o il e r m a k e r s ,

Iro n S h ip b u ild e r s, B la c k s m it h s , F o r g e r s and H e lp e r s)

S e v e r a l c o n stitu tio n s e x p r e s s e d th is lim ita tio n in a g e n e r a l w ay , o c c a ­

s io n a lly u sin g lan g u a g e s im il a r to th at u se d in se c tio n 1 0 1 (a)(5 )(B ) o f the L a b o r - 

M an a g e m e n t R e p o rtin g and D is c lo s u r e A c t. F o r in s ta n c e , one c o n stitu tio n s t ip u ­

la te d th at:

T he T r i a l C o m m itte e s h a ll not co n ven e u n til the a c c u s e d h a s a r e a ­

so n a b le o p p o rtu n ity to p r e p a r e h is c a s e . (in te r n a tio n a l O rg a n iz a tio n of 

M a s t e r s , M a te s and P ilo t s)

O c c a s io n a lly , d iffe r e n t tim e lim its a p p lie d in s p e c ifie d s itu a t io n s . Two 

c o n stitu tio n s p ro v id e d e x p e d ited p r o c e d u r e s fo r c h a r g e s in v o lv in g c e r ta in o f fe n s e s . 

T he H o tel & R e s ta u r a n t E m p lo y e e s ’ co n stitu tio n allo w e d a s few a s 48 h o u rs to 

p r e p a r e a d e fe n se to c h a r g e s a lle g in g ” a situ a tio n in v o lv in g a s e r io u s d a n g e r ” to 

the un ion , but not l e s s than 10 d a y s fo r o th er o f fe n s e s . The U n ited M in e W o r k e r s ’ 

c o n stitu tio n , on the o th er hand, p ro v id e d fo r ” due n o tic e ” o f t r i a l fo r m o s t o f ­

fe n s e s b u t g u a ra n te e d not l e s s than 5 d a y s fo r c h a r g e s th at a lle g e d ’’fo m e n tin g , 

le a d in g , o r e n c o u ra g in g a d u al union o r d u al m o v e m e n t w ith in ” the union.

One c o n stitu tio n , th at of the M a rin e E n g in e e r s ’ B e n e f ic ia l A s s o c ia tio n , 

p ro v id e d d iffe r e n t tim e lim its d ep en d in g upon the m eth o d u se d to n o tify the a c c u s e d , 

and h is lo c a tio n , a s fo llo w s:

. . . In c a s e of p e r s o n a l s e r v ic e not l e s s than ten ; in c a s e o f s e r v ­

ic e by m a il not l e s s than tw enty d a y s t h e r e a ft e r . Should the a c c u s e d 

r e s id e beyon d th is ju r is d ic t io n , th irty d a y s s h a ll be a llo w e d , to a p p e a r 

and a n sw e r c h a r g e s , o r sh o u ld the a c c u se d be e m p lo y e d in an y s e r v ic e 

w h ere b y he can n ot p e r s o n a lly b e b ro u g h t to t r i a l , su c h tim e s h a ll be 

g ra n te d a s m a y be n e c e s s a r y in su c h c a s e not e x c e e d in g s ix ty d a y s .

In a few c o n stitu tio n s, the a c c u s e d w as p e rm itte d to g ain a d d itio n a l tim e 

to p r e p a r e h is d e fe n se by re q u e stin g a p o stp o n e m e n t of the d a te s e t fo r t r i a l . F o r 

in s ta n c e , the co n stitu tio n o f the S h e e t M e ta l W o r k e r s ’ In te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia tio n 

a u th o r iz e d p o stp o n in g the t r i a l ’’fo r a r e a s o n a b le p e r io d of tim e if v a lid r e a s o n s 

a r e p r e s e n te d to the t r i a l c o m m itte e . ” In o th e r c o n stitu tio n s, p r o v is io n s s i m i l a r 

to the one c ite d b elo w g o v e rn e d :

Sh o u ld the a c c u se d be u n ab le . . . to atten d the h e a rin g a t the tim e 

and p la c e d e sig n a te d , he s h a ll, at the d is c r e t io n of the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d 

o r c o m m itte e , and upon a p p lic a tio n , be g ra n te d a p o stp o n e m e n t o r c o n ­

tin u an ce to so m e p la c e and d ate a g r e e d upon. (in te rn a tio n a l A llia n c e of 

T h e a t r ic a l S ta g e E m p lo y e s and M ovin g P ic tu r e M ach in e O p e r a to r s o f the 

U n ited S ta te s and C an ad a)

M ax im u m T im e A llo w ed to R e n d e r a F in a l D e c isio n . T h is tim e lim it, 

ju s t a s tim e lim its on co n ven in g the t r i a l b o d y , b e g a n to run a t d iffe r e n t p h a s e s

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o f the t r i a l . A t both the lo c a l and in te r n a tio n a l le v e l, the m o s t co m m o n r e f e r ­

en c e poin t w as fr o m the tim e the t r i a l body co n ven ed . In a few c o n stitu tio n s, 

h o w e v e r, it w as the d ay the h e a rin g c lo s e d . F o r e x a m p le :

The d e c is io n of the T r ia l B o a r d s h a ll be r e n d e re d p ro m p tly , and in 

no even t . . . la t e r than th irty d a y s fo llo w in g the d ate when h e a r in g is

h eld . (In te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia tio n o f M a r b le , S la te and Ston e P o lis h e r s , 

R u b b e rs and S a w y e r s , T ile and M a rb le S e t t e r s 1 H e lp e r s and M a rb le 

M o sa ic and T e r r a z z o W o r k e r s' H e lp e r s)

* * *

A d e c is io n s h a ll be r e n d e r e d w ithin fifte e n (15) d a y s a ft e r the c a s e 

is c lo s e d b e fo r e the o r ig in a l trib u n a l. (L a u n d ry , D ry C le an in g and D ye 

H o u se W o rk e rs In te rn a tio n a l U nion, Ind. )

A g a in , it sh o u ld be e m p h a siz e d th at the s p e c ific a t io n o f a tim e lim it fo r 

a fin a l d e c isio n w as not in d ic a tiv e o f to ta l tim e e la p s e d fr o m the tim e o f the filin g 

of c h a r g e s .

A p p ro x im a te ly o n e -th ird o f the lo c a l union t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s stu d ied s p e c i ­

fie d the tim e allo w e d to r e n d e r a d e c is io n . L o c a l union t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s , a s n oted 

e a r l i e r , fre q u e n tly in v o lv ed two p h a s e s : F i r s t , a h e a rin g b e fo r e the t r i a l body, 

fo llo w ed by a fin a l d e te rm in a tio n b y the lo c a l union m e m b e r s h ip . A lthough so m e 

c o n stitu tio n s (20) s p e c ifie d the to ta l tim e w hich m a y e la p s e u n til a v e r d ic t is 

re a c h e d , a l a r g e r n u m b e r (26) s p e c ifie d on ly the tim e a llo w e d to c o n sid e r and 

r e s o lv e the t r i a l b o d y 's r e p o r t (ta b le V I - 22). T h e se p r o v is io n s r e q u ir e d the 

fin a l a u th o rity to r e n d e r a d e c is io n at the s a m e m e e tin g the fin d in g s w e re p r e ­

se n te d o r , m o r e o ften , a t the n ex t m e e tin g a f t e r the t r i a l body r e p o r te d its fin d in g s.

T ab le V I-22. M axim um T im e Allowed Local Level T rial Bodies to Render a Decision,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied Final decision body

M axim um tim e

M embers

T rial body Another body

Unions

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions with tim e lim its to

render decision ----------------------------------------- 46 7 ,7 5 8 .3 12 1 ,8 9 5 .4 34 5 ,8 6 2 .9

T im e from trial to fin al decision ------------------- 20 4, 0 0 8 .7 12 1 ,8 9 5 .4 8 2, 113. 3

20 days -------------------------------------------------- 1 1.0 1 1.0 - -

30 days -------------------------------------------------- 3 144.7 3 144.7 - -

60 d a y s------------------------- ------------------------- 2 2, 445. 2 1 1 ,4 1 8 .2 1 1 ,0 2 7 .0

R easonable t i m e -------------------------------------- 8 9 9 9 .6 3 3 7 .8 5 961 .8

Next m e e tin g ------------------------------------------- 4 208.2 2 8 3 .7 2 124.5

O th e r----------------------------------------------------- 1 2 210.0 2 2 1 0 .0 - -

T im e from trial body's report to fin al

decision -------------------------------------------------- 26 3 ,7 4 9 .7 - - 26 3, 7 4 9 .7

Next m eeting after report rendered -------------- 13 2, 142.6 - - 13 2 ,1 4 2 .6

Sam e m eeting report rendered ---------------■— 11 1 ,4 8 8 .6 - - 11 1 ,4 8 8 .6

Other tim e periods ----------------------------------- 2 2 118.4 - - 2 118.4

1 Under 1 constitution, a fin al decision was required within 10 days in cases of raiding and secession; in 1 constitution a fin al decision was rendered at the sam e m eeting at which the prelim inary review body reported.

2 Under 1 constitution, the fin al body decided within 30 days in all trials; and under 1 constitution, the fin al

body decided within 30 days if the accused was suspended.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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S e v e r a l o f the 20 c o n stitu tio n s th at s p e c ifie d the to ta l tim e a llo w e d fr o m 

t r i a l to fin a l d e c is io n in clu d e d s e p a r a t e lim ita tio n s fo r the t r i a l b o d y and the fin a l 

d e c is io n b o d y , w h ile o th e r s p ro v id e d one lim ita tio n fo r a ll b o d ie s , a s in the f o l ­

low in g p r o v is io n :

A ll d e c is io n s . . . s h a ll be m ad e . . . w ithin s ix ty (60) d a y s o f the

d a te the h e a rin g of t r i a l c o m m e n c e d , u n le s s o th e rw ise o r d e r e d by the 

G e n e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d . (in te rn a tio n a l B ro th e rh o o d o f T e a m s t e r s , 

C h a u ffe u r s, W are h o u sem e n an d H e lp e r s o f A m e r ic a , Ind. )

T he tim e allo w e d to r e n d e r a fin a l d e c is io n w as r a r e l y s p e c ifie d in in t e r ­

n a tio n a l le v e l t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s (ta b le V I-2 3 ). M o st o f t h e s e lim ita tio n s ( I I ) a p p lie d 

in a ll t r i a l s , w h ile the re m a in in g few (7) w e re o p e r a tiv e on ly if the a c c u s e d w as 

su sp e n d e d p r io r to t r i a l . S p e c ific tim e p e r io d s , ran g in g fr o m 5 to 120 d a y s , 

w e re m o r e p r e v a le n t than in d e fin ite nr e a s o n a b le t im e " lim ita tio n s . T y p ic a lly , 

th e se s p e c if ic tim e p e r io d lim ita tio n s r e q u ir e d the t r i a l body to r e n d e r a d e c is io n 

w ithin 15 o r 30 d a y s .

T im e C o n su m ed by A p p e lla te P r o c e d u r e . N ot on ly w as it u s u a lly i m ­

p o s s ib l e to c a lc u la t e the s p e c ific am o u n t o f tim e th at e la p s e d fr o m the in itia l 

filin g o f c h a r g e s to the fin a l a p p e a l, it w as a ls o u s u a lly im p o s s ib le to d e te r m in e 

th e len g th o f tim e co n su m e d by the a p p e lla te p r o c e d u r e s a lo n e , th at i s , fr o m 

the t r i a l d e c is io n to the fin a l a p p e a l. T h is i s a ttrib u ta b le to the f a c t th at m o s t 

c o n stitu tio n s d id not p ro v id e a to ta l a p p e a l tim e ; lik e w is e , th ey d id not s p e c ify 

the am o u n t o f tim e allo w e d to e x h a u st e a c h ste p in the a p p e lla te p r o c e d u r e . O nly 

the tim e a llo w e d to file an a p p e a l w as s p e c ifie d in a m a jo r it y o f c o n stitu tio n s 

(ta b le V I - 24). T w enty c o n stitu tio n s s p e c ifie d the tim e w ithin w hich the a p p e lla te 

bo d y (o r b o d ie s) w e re to be co n ven ed , and 28 s p e c ifie d the to ta l p e r io d fo r d e c id in g 

the a p p e a l.

W ith r e g a r d to the filin g o f a p p e a ls , 30 d a y s w as the m o s t p r e v a le n t 

p e r io d s p e c ifie d , a s in the fo llo w in g co n stitu tio n :

E v e r y a p p e a l m u s t be tak en w ithin th irty (30) d a y s fr o m the d a te the 

d e c is io n o f the lo w e r tr ib u n a l is r e n d e r e d . (B ro th e rh o o d o f P a in t e r s , 

D e c o r a t o r s and P a p e r h a n g e r s o f A m e r ic a )

W hile e x p lic it lim ita tio n s on the tim e a llo w e d to co n ven e an a p p e a l body 

o r r e n d e r an a p p e lla te d e c is io n w e re in fre q u e n t, n e a r ly a ll c o n stitu tio n s s p e c ifie d 

the fr e q u e n c y o f m e e tin g s fo r the g e n e r a l e x e c u tiv e b o a rd , one o f the co m m o n 

a p p e a l b o d ie s. T he e x e c u tiv e b o a r d s u s u a lly m e t a t s p e c ifie d in t e r v a ls to d e c id e 

a p p e a ls and t r a n s a c t union b u s in e s s . Y e a r ly m e e tin g s w e re not u n co m m o n , but 

q u a r te r ly o r se m ia n n u a l m e e tin g s w ere m o r e ty p ic a l (ta b le V I - 25). In a s m a l l 

n u m b e r o f c o n stitu tio n s, the b o a r d w ould m e e t a t ir r e g u l a r in t e r v a ls , g e n e r a lly 

w hen c a lle d by the in te rn a tio n a l p r e s id e n t o r b y the m e m b e r s o f the g e n e r a l e x e c u ­

tiv e b o a r d .

F r e q u e n tly , h o w e v e r, the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d co u ld b e c a lle d in to s e s s i o n a t 

o th e r than r e g u la r in t e r v a ls if the p r e s s u r e o f b u s in e s s w a r r a n te d it. F o r e x a m ­

p le , the R ailw ay ~an d S te a m sh ip C le r k s* c o n stitu tio n p ro v id e d :

. . . (the a p p e a l sh a ll) s a y w h eth er it i s o f su c h n a tu re a s to d em an d

a s p e c i a l m e e tin g o f the G ran d E x e c u tiv e C o u n c il. T he (S e c r e t a r y ) s h a ll 

ta b u la te the op in ion o f the m e m b e r s o f the (c o u n c il) and if a m a jo r it y 

a r e in fa v o r o f a s p e c i a l m e e tin g , he w ill i s s u e a c a ll fo r the s a m e . 

O th e rw ise , the a p p e a l w ill be h an d led a t it s n ex t r e g u la r s e s s i o n .

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T ab le V I-23. M axim um T im e Allowed International Level T rial Body to Render a Fin al D ecision,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands'

M axim um tim e

T o tal studied

T im e lim it

applied in

all trials

T im e lim it applied

only if the accused

was suspended

Unions Members Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll constitutions with tim e lim its to

render decision ----------------------------------------- 18 3 ,1 2 5 .3 11 1 ,9 8 2 .1 7 1, 143 .2

Sp e cific tim e p e rio d s------------------------------------ 10 2 ,1 9 0 .4 6 1 ,7 1 0 .3 4 4 8 0 .0

5 days ---------------------------------------------------- 1 6 2 .3 1 6 2 .3 - -

15 days -------------------------------------------------- 3 113.9 1 1 3 .7 2 1 00.2

30 days -------------------------------------------------- 3 3 8 4 .0 1 4 .2 2 379.8

40 d a y s ---------------------* ---------------------------- 1 200.1 1 200.1 - -

60 days -------------------------------------------------- 1 1 ,4 1 8 .2 1 1 ,4 1 8 .2 - -

120 d a y s ------------------------------------------------- 1 1 1 .8 1 1 1 .8 - -

R easonable t i m e ------------------------------------------- 7 9 1 4 .6 4 2 5 1 .4 3 6 6 3 .2

Other tim e p e r io d s ---------------------------------------- 1 1 2 0 .3 1 2 0 .3 " -

1 Under 1 constitution, the trial body determ ined the guilt or innocence of the accused, but a different body

assessed the penalty. The trial body decided within 15 days after hearing the charges; no reference was m ade to

the tim e allow ed the fin al body.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T ab le V I-24» T im e Lim its in A ppeal Procedures, N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

jJM em b ersj^

T iixi0 lim its

F ile appeal Convene ap p eal body D ecide the appeal

Unions Members Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll constitutions providing for a p p e a l------------- 153 16, 912 .3 153 1 6 ,9 1 2 .3 153 1 6 ,9 1 2 .3

Constitutions providing tim e l i m i t s---------------- 125 15, 4 2 8 .2 20 4, 269. 4 28 4, 489. 4

T im e lim its applied to all b o d ie s-------------- 101 13, 5 3 0 .5 10 2 ,1 4 5 . 2 14 2, 505. 3

Sp e cific lim ita tio n s----------------------------- 94 1 3 ,1 7 5 .7 - - 7 174 .6

G eneral lim ita tio n s ----------------------------- 2 6 0 .0 10 2 ,1 4 5 .2 6 2 ,1 7 1 .6

Sp ecific and general lim ita tio n s----------- 5 294.7 - - 1 159.1

T im e lim its applied to som e but not

all b o d ie s-------------------------------------------- 24 1, 897 .8 10 2 ,1 2 4 .2 14 1 ,9 8 4 .1

Sp e cific lim ita tio n s----------------------------- 24 1 ,8 9 7 .8 4 6 4 6 .4 7 3 4 2 .5

General lim ita tio n s ----------------------------- - - 3 9 3 5 .6 7 1 ,6 4 1 .7

S p ecific and general lim itations ----------- - - 3 5 4 2 .2 - -

Constitutions not providing tim e li m i t s----------- 28 1, 484.1 133 12, 6 4 2 .9 125 12, 4 2 2 .9

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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T ab le V I-25. Frequency of International Executive Board M eeting,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Frequency of m eetings T o tal unions

Q ualifications on frequency of m eetings

Provision for

special

m eeting

Provision for

w aiving

form al

hearing

Provision for

sp ecial

m eeting and

w aiving

form al

hearing

No

reference to

qualifications

A ll constitutions providing for a p p e a l --------------- 153 58 22 37 36

Constitutions providing for m eeting at regular

intervals ------------------------------------------------ 100 51 7 33 9

Every 1 m o n th --------------------------------------- 4 4 - - -

Every 2 months -------------------------------------- 2 1 1 - -

Every 3 months -------------------------------------- 26 13 - 9 4

Every 4 months -------------------------------------- 11 6 - 5 -

Every 6 months -------------------------------------- 31 14 4 11 2

Every 12 months ------------------------------------ 22 13 - 6 3

Every 24 months ------------------------------------ 2 - - 2 -

Other regular in te r v a ls ----------------------------- 1 2 - 2 - -

Constitutions providing for m eetings at

irregular in t e r v a ls----7------------------------------- 37 3 13 3 18

C alled by international p re sid e n t--------------- 11 - 5 1 5

C alled by executive b o a rd ------------------------ 8 1 1 1 5

C alled by either president or executive

board ------------------------------------------------- 18 2 7 1 8

Constitutions not providing frequency of

m eeting ------------------------------------------------ 16 4 2 1 9

1 Under 1 constitution, m eetings held every 6 months if finances perm itted, but no later than 9 months in any

event; and under 1 constitution, m eetings were held before and after each convention and 3 tim es betw een m eetings

of biannual convention.

T ab le V I-26. Frequency of Conventions, N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961 1

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Frequency of conventions

Unions M embers

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll constitutions providing for fin al appeal to

the c o n v e n tio n ------------------------------------------- 129 14, 355.7 105 1 3 ,2 4 6 .0 24 1, 109.7

Y early ------------------------------------------------------- 20 1 ,0 1 5 .9 10 7 2 7 .4 10 2 8 8 .5

Every 2 y e a r s----------------------------------------------- 44 4, 684. 4 39 4, 623. 5 5 6 0 .9

Every 3 y e a r s----------------------------------------------- 19 1 ,0 9 4 .3 17 1 ,0 3 1 .7 2 6 2 .6

Every 4 y e a r s----------------------------------------------- 28 5, 527. 3 26 5, 4 4 8 .5 2 7 8 .8

Every 5 y e a r s----------------------------------------------- 7 5 5 6 .9 6 5 5 3 .9 1 3 .0

Set by referendum --------------------------------------- 3 7 5 1 .6 3 7 5 1 .6 - -

Set by convention or governing b o d y ---------------- 2 600 .3 1 .3 1 6 0 0 .0

Other fre q u e n c ie s----------------------------------------- X5 1 2 3 .2 2 107 .3 3 1 5 .9

No reference to frequency of convention ---------- 1 1 .9 1 1 .9 -

1 Under 1 constitution, a general m eeting was held monthly except in July and August; under 1 constitution,

a body com bining the functions of convention and general executive board m et 3 tim es a year; under 2 constitutions,

conventions were held tw ice a year; and under 1 constitution the convention m et every 18 months.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual items may not equal totals.

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A s m a l le r n u m b e r o f c o n stitu tio n s p e r m itte d the b o a rd to c ir c u la t e the a p p e a l and 

r e n d e r a d e c isio n w ithout a s s e m b lin g in a fo r m a l h e a r in g . F o r in s ta n c e , the 

fo llo w in g p r o v is io n a u th o riz e d the b o a r d to a c t on an a p p e a l by c o r r e s p o n d e n c e :

When an a p p e a l fr o m an y d e c is io n of the I. P . is m a d e to the I. E . C. 

then the I. E . C, s h a ll re n d e r a d e c is io n a t it s n ex t r e g u la r m e e tin g . 

H o w ev er, the I. E . C. m a y , when it fe e ls su c h is p r a c t i c a l, a c t on a p p e a l 

by c o r re sp o n d e n c e . (in te rn a tio n a l B ro th e rh o o d of E l e c t r i c a l W o rk e rs)

N u m e ro u s q u a lific a tio n s , in a d d itio n to th o se d is c u s s e d a b o v e , fr u s t r a t e d 

an y a tte m p t to d e te rm in e the ty p ic a l tim e allo w e d to p r o c e s s an a p p e a l. The few 

c o n stitu tio n s th at p ro v id e d e x p lic it tim e lim its fo r s o m e , r a r e l y s p e c ifie d an 

o v e r a ll in d ic atio n of the tim e allo w e d fo r a ll s te p s o f the a p p e a l p r o c e d u r e . 

L im ita tio n s co m m o n ly a p p lie d to on ly one of s e v e r a l a p p e a l b o d ie s. G e n e ra l 

lim ita tio n s , su c h a s na r e a s o n a b le t im e 11 often re g u la te d the len gth o f tim e allo w ed 

to co n ven e the a p p e a l body o r to r e n d e r an a p p e lla te d e c is io n . H o w e v e r, one 

tim e lim ita tio n , the fre q u e n c y of c o n v e n tio n s, p r o v id e s a g r o s s in d ic atio n of the 

a b so lu te m a x im u m tim e th at could e la p s e in the la r g e n u m b e r o f p r o c e d u r e s (129) 

in w hich the co n ven tio n e x e r c is e d fin a l a p p e lla te a u th o rity . T he p e r io d b etw een 

co n v en tio n s ra n g e d fr o m a few m on th s to 5 y e a r s , w ith b ie n n ia l co n v en tio n s m o s t 

fre q u e n tly s p e c ifie d (ta b le V I-2 6 ).

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A ll bu t 9 of the 158 c o n stitu tio n s stu d ie d p ro v id e d fo r one o r m o r e m eth o d s 

o f d isc ip lin in g in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s (ta b le V I I- 1). Im p e a c h m e n t, the m o s t co m m o n 

ty p e o f c o n stitu tio n a l p r o c e d u r e , w as p ro v id e d by 125 o f the c o n stitu tio n s. R e c a ll 

and s u m m a r ily im p o se d d is c ip lin e , two o th er m eth o d s of d is c ip lin e , w e re f a r l e s s 

fre q u e n tly p ro v id e d fo r , o c c u r r in g in 36 and 43 c o n stitu tio n s, r e s p e c t iv e ly .

T ab le V II-1. Method of D isciplining N ational O fficers, N ational and International

tJnion Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands!

T ype of provisions

T o tal A ffiliatio n

Unions Members

AFL -CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll c o n stitu tio n s-------------------------------- 158 16, 923.1 122 14, 2 28.8 36 2, 694. 3

Constitutions providing for d is c ip l in e ---- 149 1 6 ,7 0 1 .3 117 1 4 ,0 1 5 .0 32 2, 686. 3

Im p e ach m e n t-------------------------------- 82 9 ,1 6 6 .9 69 7, 523.1 13 1 ,6 4 3 .8

R e c a l l----------------------------------------- 13 8 9 2 .5 6 6 4 0 .8 7 251.7

Sum m ary discipline ---------------------- 6 1 18.4 4 1 0 8 .4 2 1 0 .0

Im peachm ent and recall ---------------- 11 2 ,1 9 6 .4 9 2, 136.1 2 6 0 .3

Im peachm ent and summary

d isc ip lin e ----------------------------------- 25 2, 522. 3 21 2 ,5 1 1 .8 4 1 0 .5

R e c a ll and sum m ary d isc ip lin e -------- 5 227 .8 4 127.8 1 100.0

Im peachm ent, re call, and summary

d isc ip lin e ----------------------------------- 7 1 ,5 7 6 .9 4 9 6 6 .8 3 610.1

Constitutions not providing discipline

provisions -------------------------------------- 9 221.8 5 213.8 4 8 .0

Constitutions co verin g: 1

Im p e ach m en t------------------------------- 125 1 5 ,4 6 2 .5 103 1 3 ,1 3 7 .8 22 2, 324. 6

R e c a l l----------------------------------------- 36 4, 893. 5 23 3, 8 7 1 .5 13 1, 0 2 2 .0

Sum m ary discipline ---------------------- 43 4, 445. 5 33 3 ,7 1 5 .0 10 7 3 0 .5

1 N onadditive.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T h e c h a r a c t e r is t ic s o f s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e h av e b een p r e v io u s ly d e ­

s c r ib e d . (S e e c h a p te r I I .) Im p e a c h m e n t p r o c e d u r e s , a s the te r m is u se d in th is 

r e p o r t, r e q u ir e the filin g of c h a r g e s a g a in s t an in te r n a tio n a l o f fic e r b e fo r e a t r i ­

b u n al, r e su ltin g in a h e a r in g , o r t r i a l , b e fo r e su c h bo dy. R e c a ll is a p r o c e d u r e 

by w hich an o f fic e r cou ld be re m o v e d fr o m o ffic e d ir e c t ly by a vo te of the 

m e m b e r s h ip .

In t e r m s of p r o c e d u r e , the m o s t s ig n ific a n t d iffe r e n c e b etw een r e c a l l 

and im p e a c h m e n t w as th at im p e ac h m e n t p ro v id e d fo r a h e a r in g o r t r i a l w h e re a s 

r e c a l l u s u a lly d id not. H o w ev er, the lin e b etw een the two p r o c e d u r e s s o m e t im e s 

a p p e a r e d in d istin c t. T h is w as e s p e c ia lly tr u e in the 22 o f the 125 c o n stitu tio n s

128

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co n tain in g im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s w h ere the c o n stitu tio n p ro v id e d th at the d e ­

c is io n o r re c o m m e n d a tio n o f the t r i a l bo d y be su b m itte d to a r e fe r e n d u m v o te fo r 

a p p r o v a l o r d is a p p r o v a l. H o w ev er, alth o u gh th e se c o n stitu tio n s p ro v id e d fo r a 

re fe r e n d u m v o te , a s i s the c a s e in r e c a l l, th ey w e re c o n sid e r e d a s im p e a c h m e n t 

p r o v is io n s , s in c e the d e te rm in in g fa c t o r w as tak en to b e the e x ist e n c e o f t r i a l 

m a c h in e ry , and not th e lo c u s o f the fin a l d e c is io n .

A p p r o x im a te ly tw o -th ird s of the 149 c o n stitu tio n s co n tain in g p r o v is io n s 

fo r the d is c ip lin e o f in te rn a tio n a l o f f ic e r s s p e c ifie d one p a r t ic u la r m eth od to the 

e x c lu sio n o f the o t h e r s . O f th e se , the g r e a t m a jo r it y (82) p r o v id e d fo r im p e a c h ­

m en t a s the on ly m e a n s o f d is c ip lin e . On the o th er h an d , se v e n c o n stitu tio n s, 

c o v e rin g slig h tly o v e r 1 .5 m illio n m e m b e r s , p ro v id e d fo r a ll th r e e ty p e s o f d i s ­

c ip lin e . T he r e m a in d e r (41) p ro v id e d fo r two o f the th re e p r o c e d u r e s .

In g e n e r a l, im p e ac h m e n t a p p e a r s to c a r r y a co n n o tatio n o f p u n ish m en t 

fo r w ro n g d o in g , w h e r e a s r e c a l l s e e m s m o r e o f a m e a n s o f re m o v in g an o f fic e r 

b e c a u s e o f d is s a t is f a c t i o n w ith the w ay h e p e r f o r m s h is jo b . S u ch a h y p o th e sis 

i s su p p o rte d by the fa c t th at w h ile tw o -th ird s o f th e im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s 

s p e c ifie d the g ro u n d s on w hich im p e a c h m e n t w as to b e b a s e d , on ly 17 p e r c e n t o f 

the r e c a l l p r o v is io n s s p e c ifie d g ro u n d s. One c o n stitu tio n ev en r e f e r r e d to the 

" p r i v i l e g e 11 o f r e c a ll:

It s h a ll b e the p r iv ile g e o f the A s s o c ia t io n s o f the L e a g u e to r e c a l l 

L e a g u e o f f ic e r s . (P a tte r n M a k e r s* L e a g u e o f N o rth A m e r ic a )

T h e re w e r e , h o w e v e r, m an y e x c e p tio n s, p a r t ic u la r ly in th o se c o n stitu tio n s w hich 

d id n ot p r o v id e fo r both r e c a l l and im p e a c h m e n t.

On the w h ole, th e r e w e re no m a r k e d d iffe r e n c e s b etw een u n ion s a ffilia te d 

w ith the A F L —CIO and th o se u n a ffilia te d . F o r both g r o u p s , the m o s t p r e v a le n t 

ty p e o f p r o v is io n c a lle d fo r im p e a c h m e n t a s the e x c lu siv e m e a n s o f im p o sin g 

d is c ip lin e .

S u m m a r y D isc ip lin e o f In te rn a tio n a l O ffic e r s

A s m en tio n e d in c h a p te r II, c o n stitu tio n a l p r o v is io n s p e rm ittin g su m m a r y 

d is c ip lin e fo r o th e r th an n on p ay m en t o f fin a n c ia l o b lig a tio n s 37 w e re found to a p p ly 

p r im a r ily to lo c a l un ion o f f ic e r s . S u ch p r o v is io n m u ch l e s s fre q u e n tly a p p lie d 

to in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s . M o r e o v e r , on ly se v e n c o n stitu tio n s lim ite d su m m a r y 

d is c ip lin e e x c lu s iv e ly to in te rn a tio n a l o f f ic e r s (ta b le V I I- 2).

G ro u n d s and P e n a l t i e s . T he g ro u n d s fo r w hich s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e co u ld 

b e im p o se d upon in te rn a tio n a l o f f ic e r s w e re g e n e r a lly s i m i l a r to th o se s p e c ifie d 

fo r lo c a l un ion o f f ic e r s a n d /o r m e m b e r s . In the e a r l i e r s e c tio n (c h a p te r II) d i s ­

c u ss in g s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e a s a p p lie d to lo c a l o f f ic e r s and m e m b e r s , m o r e th an 

40 g ro u n d s w e re found and th e se w e re g ro u p e d into m a jo r c l a s s if i c a t io n s in c lu d ­

ing jo b d is c ip lin e , union lo y a lty , in te r n a l p o lit ic s , and v io la tio n o f union law . 

A m on g the 43 c o n stitu tio n s w ith s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e p r o v is io n s a p p lic a b le to in ­

te r n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s , the s p e c ifie d g ro u n d s w e re fe w e r , but the p r o v is io n s c o v e re d 

a lm o s t a s w ide a ra n g e o f v io la tio n s .

37 S u m m a r y d is c ip lin e fo r n o n p ay m en t o f fin a n c ia l o b lig a tio n s a s it a p p lie d 

to in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s w as not stu d ie d , a s th is is m o s t a p p lic a b le to ra n k -a n d - 

file m e m b e r s .

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Table VII-2. Appeals from Summary Discipline of International Officers, National and International

Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

Type of appeal provisions

T o tal

Sum m ary discipline ap plicable to —

International

officers only

International and

lo c al officers

International and

lo c a l officers

and m em bers

Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions with summary

discipline for international

officers ----------------------------- 43 4, 445. 6 7 183.3 12 4 7 5 .3 24 3 ,7 8 6 .9

Sum m ary disciplin e autom atically r e v ie w e d ------------- 2 604 .0 - - - 2 6 0 4 .0

A ppeal m ay be taken from

sum m ary a c t i o n ------------------ 18 3 ,0 1 0 . 3 - - 4 3 02.0 14 2, 708. 3

No reference to appeal from

sum m ary a c t i o n ------------------ 23 8 3 1 .2 7 183. 3 8 173.3 8 4 7 4 .6

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T h e se v e n c o n stitu tio n s in w hich s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e w as a p p lic a b le on ly 

to in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s lis t e d on ly two g ro u n d s. F iv e o f the se v e n su b je c te d 

o f f ic e r s to d is c ip lin e if th ey m is s e d m o r e than a s p e c ifie d n u m b e r of b o a r d m e e t ­

in g s, a s fo r in sta n c e the W indow G la s s C u tte r s L e a g u e of A m e r ic a :

T he N a tio n a l P r e s id e n t s h a ll d e c la r e v a c a n t any o ffic e of an E x e c u tiv e 

B o a r d M e m b e r who is a b se n t w ithout a c c e p ta b le c a u s e fo r two c o n se c u tiv e 

m e e tin g s , and s h a ll f ill su ch v a c a n c y a s h e r e to b e fo r e p ro v id e d .

T he o th er two lis t e d m a lfe a s a n c e and n o n fe a sa n c e in o ffic e . U n der th e se se v e n 

c o n stitu tio n s, the o ffic e of the v io la to r w as to b e d e c la r e d v a c a n t, alth o u gh , a c ­

co rd in g to one, the o ffic e r so re m o v e d w as e lig ib le to be a c a n d id a te to s u c c e e d 

h im se lf.

In the 36 c o n stitu tio n s w hich allo w ed s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e a g a in s t in t e r ­

n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s a s w ell a s a g a in s t lo c a l o f f ic e r s and m e m b e r s , the g ro u n d s w e re 

v a r ie d . E a c h of the fo llo w in g g ro u n d s a p p e a r e d o n ce: D u al u n io n ism , s t r i k e ­

b r e a k in g , s e c e s s i o n , r e s o r t to c o u r ts , and b rin g in g f a ls e c h a r g e s . U n der two 

c o n stitu tio n s, d is c ip lin e co u ld be im p o se d fo r e x c e s s i v e a b s e n t e e is m fr o m b o a rd 

m e e tin g s , and a n o th e r s p e c ifie d d is c ip lin e fo r a n o th e r fo r m o f a b s e n t e e is m , 

a s fo llo w s:

A ny m e m b e r of s a id (tr ia l) C o u rt who a b s e n ts h im s e lf w ithout good 

and s u ffic ie n t c a u s e , o r who, w h ile atten d in g s a id c o u rt, s h a ll f a il o r 

r e fu s e to vo te on the i s s u e b e fo r e it, s h a ll be s u b je c t to a fin e . . .

o r e x p u lsio n fr o m o ffic e , o r m a y be s u b je c t to any o th er d is c ip lin a r y 

a c tio n w hich the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d m a y o r d e r . (Sto v e M o u n te r s1 I n t e r ­

n a tio n a l U nion of N o rth A m e r ic a )

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O th er s p e c ific g ro u n d s in clu d e d m is a p p r o p r ia tio n o f fu n d s, m e m b e r s h ip in the 

C o m m u n ist P a r t y , and c o n v ic tio n fo r a s e r io u s c r im e .

In ad d itio n to the ab o v e m en tio n ed s p e c if ic g ro u n d s, fo u r ty p e s of g e n ­

e r a l g ro u n d s w e re n o ted . T he g e n e r a l m a lfe a s a n c e c la u s e is e x e m p lifie d by 

the fo llo w in g:

In c a s e o f n o n p e rfo rm a n c e o f d u tie s o r d is a b ilit y o r in c o m p e te n c e of 

an y In te rn a tio n a l V ic e P r e s id e n t o r the In te rn a tio n a l S e c r e t a r y o r I n t e r ­

n a tio n al T r e a s u r e r , the In te rn a tio n a l P r e s id e n t h a s p o w e r to re m o v e su ch 

o ffic e r , w ith su c h re m o v e d o f fic e r h av in g the rig h t to a p p e a l to the 

In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e C o u n cil. (in te rn a tio n a l B ro th e rh o o d o f E l e c t r i ­

c a l W o rk e rs)

A se c o n d ty pe o f g e n e r a l p r o v is io n w as the Mc a tc h a ll" c la u s e , su c h a s 

th at found in the c o n stitu tio n o f the In te rn a tio n a l B ro th e rh o o d o f P u lp , S u lp h ite 

and P a p e r M ill W o rk e rs, w h ere an in te r n a tio n a l o f fic e r co u ld be s u m m a r ily r e ­

m o v ed fo r " ju s t c a u s e . "

U nion law v io la tio n , the th ird g e n e r a l g ro u n d , w as p ro v id e d in se v e n 

c o n stitu tio n s. U n d er the co n stitu tio n o f the In te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia t io n o f B r id g e , 

S t r u c t u r a l and O rn a m e n ta l Iro n W o r k e r s, fo r e x a m p le , the In te rn a tio n a l P r e s id e n t 

h ad the p o w e r to su sp e n d any o f fic e r fo r fa ilin g to "p r o m p tly co m p ly w ith h is 

in s tr u c tio n s . "

A fo u rth ty p e w as one co n tain in g a co m b in a tio n o f g e n e r a l g ro u n d s, a s 

ty p ifie d by the fo llo w in g c la u se :

T he In te rn a tio n a l P r e s id e n t s h a ll h av e a u th o rity sh o u ld he b e c o m e 

co n v in ced th at any L o c a l U nion o f fic e r o r In te rn a tio n a l o ffic e r o r r e p ­

r e se n ta tiv e i s d e r e lic t in the p e r fo r m a n c e o f an y duty, o r h a s been 

g u ilty o f any d ish o n e st o r d is r e p u ta b le a c t, to su sp e n d su ch o f fic e r o r 

r e p r e s e n ta t iv e fr o m h is o f fic ia l p o sitio n fo r a p e r io d not to e x c e e d n in ety 

(90) d a y s , su ch o f fic e r o r r e p r e s e n ta t iv e h av in g the rig h t to a p p e a l to 

the In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d . (U n ited R u b b er, C o rk , L in o le u m and 

P l a s t i c W o rk e rs o f A m e r ic a )

A m on g the p e n a ltie s im p o se d a s a r e s u lt o f s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e , the 

m o s t co m m o n w as r e m o v a l fr o m o ffic e . In a n u m b e r o f c o n stitu tio n s, the te r m 

" s u s p e n s io n " w as s p e c ifie d a s the p e n a lty , but it w as not c l e a r w h eth er s u sp e n sio n 

o f the in te r n a tio n a l o f fic e r in v o lv ed m e m b e r sh ip a s w e ll a s o ffic e .

F in e s and e x p u lsio n w e re s p e c ifie d in on ly a few c o n stitu tio n s. P r o ­

v is io n s w hich le ft the p e n a lty to the d is c r e t io n o f the d isc ip lin in g a g e n t w e re 

a ls o in fre q u e n t.

A p p e a ls fr o m S u m m a ry A c tio n . S lig h tly l e s s th an h a lf o f the c o n stitu tio n s 

w hich p e r m itte d su m m a r y d is c ip lin e o f in te rn a tio n a l o f f ic e r s p ro v id e d fo r an a p ­

p e a l fr o m su c h d is c ip lin e (ta b le V I I- 2),

O nly two c o n stitu tio n s stip u la te d a u to m a tic re v ie w . T he c o n stitu tio n o f 

the U nited M ine W o rk e rs of A m e r ic a (I n d .), one o f th e se tw o, p ro v id e d :

A ll a p p o in tm e n ts, s u s p e n s io n s , and r e m o v a ls fr o m o ffic e done by 

the P r e s id e n t s h a ll be su b je c t to the a p p r o v a l o f the In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u ­

tiv e B o a r d .

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In the o th er c o n stitu tio n , fo r the R a ilr o a d Y a r d m a s t e r s o f A m e r ic a , th e re 

a p p e a r e d to b e p r o v is io n fo r an a u to m a tic re v ie w b y th e co n ven tio n :

T h e E x e c u tiv e B o a r d s h a ll • . • h av e a u th o rity to c e n s u r e , s u sp e n d , 

o r e x p e l an y o f fic e r o r m e m b e r who f a il s o r r e f u s e s to p e r f o r m the 

d u tie s fo r w hich he w as e le c te d o r ap p o in ted . . . A ny o f f ic e r o r 

m e m b e r su sp e n d e d w ill b e w ithout p a y , p en d in g fin a l a c tio n o f th e G e n ­

e r a l A s s e m b ly .

T h e 23 c o n stitu tio n s w hich did not s p e c if ic a lly p r o v id e fo r an a p p e a l in ­

clu d ed the 7 w hich lim ite d s u m m a r y a c tio n e x c lu s iv e ly to d is c ip lin e o f i n t e r ­

n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s .

Im p e a c h m e n t of In te rn a tio n a l O ffic e r s

Im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s w e re found in 125 c o n stitu tio n s, c o v e r in g m o r e 

than 15 m illio n m e m b e r s . In 119 o f th e se , su ch p r o v is io n s a p p lie d to a l l e le c te d 

in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s . In th re e o t h e r s , th e in te r n a tio n a l p r e s id e n t w as s p e c i f i ­

c a lly e x c lu d e d ; in th r e e , he w as the s o le o f fic e r s u b je c t to im p e a c h m e n t.

G ro u n d s. A p p ro x im a te ly a th ird o f the c o n stitu tio n s w hich co n tain ed 

im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s m a d e no r e fe r e n c e to the g ro u n d s on w hich su c h p r o ­

c e e d in g s co u ld b e b a s e d (ta b le V II-3 ). F o r e x a m p le , one c o n stitu tio n p ro v id e d :

T he c h a r g e s sh a ll be d e fin e d p la in ly in w ritin g , and a co p y se n t to 

e a c h and e v e r y m e m b e r o f the B o a r d . . . No c h a r g e o th er th an th o se 

m a d e in w ritin g , a s a f o r e s a id , s h a ll be c o n sid e r e d . . . (A m a lg a m a te d 

M e a t C u tte r s and B u tc h e r W orkm en o f N o rth A m e r ic a )

T ab le V II-3. Grounds for Im peaching N ational O fficers, N ational and International

Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Type of grounds

T o tal A ffiliation

Unions Members

A FL -C IO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll im peachm ent p ro v isio n s---------------- 125 1 5 ,4 6 2 .5 103 13, 137. 8 22 2, 324. 6

Constitutions providing reference

to g ro u n d s-------------------------------------- 83 8, 397.3 67 7 ,5 1 0 . 1 16 8 8 7 .2

G eneral grounds o n ly ---------------------- 52 4, 7 8 1 .3 41 4, 669. 1 11 1 12.2

Sp e cific grounds o n l y --------------------- 1 2 6 .6 1 2 6 .6 - -

G eneral and sp ecific gounds ----------- 30 3, 589. 4 25 2 ,8 1 4 .4 5 7 7 5 .0

Constitutions not providing reference

to g ro u n d s-------------------------------------- 42 7, 065. 2 36 5, 627. 7 6 1 ,4 3 7 .4

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s do not necessarily equal totals.

In su c h c a s e s , p r e s u m a b ly , it w as the r e s p o n s ib ilit y o f th e t r i a l bo d y to w eigh 

the c h a r g e s a c c o r d in g to it s own s ta n d a r d s o f w hat c o n stitu te d im p e a c h a b le 

co n d u ct. W ithout an y c o n stitu tio n a l g u id e s , in d iv id u a l m e m b e r s , lo c a l u n io n s, 

and in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s w ould p r o b a b ly p r o c e e d on the b a s i s th at the p u r p o se 

o f th e im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s w as to p r o t e c t the un ion a g a in s t m a jo r o f fe n s e s .

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O f the 83 c o n stitu tio n s w hich co n tain ed s p e c if ic r e f e r e n c e s , the m ajo rity - 

r e f e r r e d to g e n e r a l g ro u n d s o n ly , su ch a s " v io la tio n o f the c o n stitu tio n , 11 "u n b e ­

co m in g co n d u ct, " " m a l f e a s a n c e , " and " m i s f e a s a n c e , " T y p ic a l o f th e se p r o v is io n s 

w as the fo llo w in g:

A ny e le c tiv e o r ap p o in tiv e o f f ic e r , E x e c u tiv e B o a r d m e m b e r , o r 

b u s in e s s a g e n t o f a L o c a l U nion, Jo in t B o a r d , D i s t r ic t C o u n c il, o r G e n ­

e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d m a y be re m o v e d fr o m h is o ffic e o r h is p o sitio n 

fo r any v io la tio n o f th is C o n stitu tio n o r the b y la w s o f th e bo d y w hich he 

s e r v e s , o r b e c a u s e o f the c o m m is s io n o f an y a c t w hich m a y be c a lc u la te d 

to im p a ir the u s e fu ln e s s o f the U nion, o r w hich is u n b ec o m in g to the 

d ig n ity o f the o ffic e o r p o sitio n h eld by h im , (In te rn a tio n a l L a d ie s * G a r ­

m en t W o rk e rs* Union)

O nly s p e c ific g ro u n d s w e re lis t e d in one c o n stitu tio n , th at o f the A m e r ic a n 

F lin t G l a s s W o rk e rs* U nion o f N o rth A m e r ic a . U n d er th at c o n stitu tio n , an E x e c u ­

tiv e B o a r d m e m b e r who a p p e a r e d a t a c o n fe re n c e b etw een e m p lo y e r s and the union 

in an in to x ic a te d co n d itio n w as s u b je c t to im p e a c h m e n t.

In the re m a in in g 30 c o n stitu tio n s w hich s p e c ifie d g ro u n d s, both g e n e r a l 

and s p e c ific g ro u n d s w e re lis t e d . F o r e x a m p le , the N a tio n a l B ro th e rh o o d o f 

P a c k in g h o u se W o rk e rs (Ind. ) sp e c ifie d :

A n o ffe n se a g a in s t th is C o n stitu tio n o r the g e n e r a l goo d and w e lfa r e 

o f the N atio n a l B ro th e rh o o d . . .

a s a g e n e r a l gro u n d fo r im p e a c h m e n t, and a ls o m a d e the im p e a c h m e n t m a c h in e ry 

a v a ila b le a g a in s t an o f fic e r who:

. . . b e lie v e s in o r i s a m e m b e r of o r su p p o r ts an y o rg a n iz a tio n

th at b e lie v e s in o r te a c h e s the o v e rth ro w o f the U n ited S t a t e s G o v ern m en t 

by fo r c e o r by any i l le g a l o r u n c o n stitu tio n a l m e th o d s.

In th e se 30 c o n stitu tio n s, both the g e n e r a l and s p e c if ic g ro u n d s m en tio n ed w e re , 

in th e m a in , s i m i l a r to th o se d is c u s s e d e a r l i e r in th is stu d y . (S e e c h a p te r I I I . )

A ssu m in g th at g e n e r a l g ro u n d s w ould a ls o h av e s u ffic e d in m o s t if not 

a ll o f the 42 c o n stitu tio n s not s p e c if ic a lly r e f e r r in g to g ro u n d s, it w ould h av e 

b e e n p o s s ib le to in itia te im p e a c h m e n t p r o c e e d in g s on g e n e r a l g ro u n d s in v ir tu a lly 

a ll o f the 125 c o n stitu tio n s w ith im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s . I n itia t o r s th u s h ad r e ­

la tiv e ly w ide la titu d e in b rin g in g c h a r g e s a g a in s t in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s ; a c c u s e d 

o f f ic e r s , in tu rn , r e lie d upon the " d u e - p r o c e s s " p r o v is io n s o f union c o n stitu tio n s 

fo r p r o te c tio n a g a in s t unfounded c h a r g e s .

P r e lim in a r y R e v ie w . S ix te e n o f the 125 c o n stitu tio n s p ro v id in g fo r i m ­

p e a c h m e n t o f in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s m a d e p r o v is io n fo r a p r e lim in a r y re v ie w a s a 

f i r s t ste p in the im p e a c h m e n t p r o c e d u r e . M o st o f th e se p r o v is io n s , h o w e v e r, 

w e re not s p e c ific a s to w hat th is p r e lim in a r y re v ie w in v o lv e d . S o m e , su ch a s the 

c o n stitu tio n o f th e In te rn a tio n a l P h o t o - E n g r a v e r s * U nion o f N o rth A m e r ic a , r e ­

f e r r e d to " in v e s t ig a tio n ":

A ny o f fic e r o f the In te rn a tio n a l . . . m a y b e im p e a c h e d by the E x ­

e c u tiv e C o u n cil. A fte r in v e stig a tio n , im p e a c h m e n t p r o c e e d in g s m a y b e 

co n d u cted . . .

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O th e rs u se d no lik e t e r m , bu t s im p ly in d ic a te d d is c r e t io n on the p a r t of the 

re v ie w in g agen t:

C h a r g e s . . . s h a ll be . . . file d . . • w ith the G e n e r a l P r e s id e n t ,

who s h a ll, by in sp e c tio n , d e te rm in e w h eth er th ey be o f a n a tu re * to j u s ­

tify t r i a l . . . If, in h is op in io n , the c h a r g e s b e su ch a s to ju s t if y a 

t r i a l , he s h a ll . . . ( t r i a l p r o c e d u r e o u tlin ed ) (In te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia t io n 

o f B r id g e , S tr u c tu r a l and O rn a m e n ta l Iro n W o rk e rs)

In a ll 16 c o n stitu tio n s, th e re w as lan g u a g e to in d ic a te th at the re v ie w in g ag e n t 

co u ld d ro p c h a r g e s a t h is d is c r e tio n .

In tw o c a s e s , w h eth er o r not a p r e lim in a r y r e v ie w w ould b e u n d e rta k e n 

d ep en d ed upon who h ad in itia te d c h a r g e s . T he c o n stitu tio n s o f the B ro th e rh o o d 

of R a ilr o a d T ra in m e n and the A s s o c ia tio n of R a ilw a y T ra in m e n and L o c o m o tiv e 

F ir e m e n (Ind. ) p ro v id e d fo r a p r e lim in a r y re v ie w if c h a r g e s w e re b ro u g h t by a 

m e m b e r , but the t r i a l w as a u to m a tic if c h a r g e s w e re b ro u g h t by an in t e r n a ­

tio n a l o f fic e r .

In only 2 of the 16 c o n stitu tio n s w as the d e c is io n o f the s c r e e n in g body 

s u b je c t to a u to m a tic re v ie w by an o th er bo d y. T h u s, the c o n stitu tio n o f the 

A m e r ic a n R ad io A s s o c ia tio n stip u la te d th at:

T he N atio n a l C o u n cil s h a ll a p p ro v e o r d is a p p r o v e the c h a r g e s and 

s h a ll su b m it th e ir fin d in g s to one m e m b e r sh ip m e e tin g at e ac h B ra n c h 

o ffic e fo r a p p r o v a l . . .

A s i m i l a r p r o v is io n w as found in the c o n stitu tio n o f the N a tio n a l M a r itim e 

U nion o f A m e r ic a :

T he N atio n a l O ffic e s h a ll su b m it it s d e c is io n to e ith e r a c c e p t o r 

r e je c t the c h a r g e s to the n ex t r e g u la r o r s p e c i a l m e m b e r sh ip m e e tin g 

a t the N ew Y o rk H e a d q u a r te r s o f the U nion fo r a p p r o v a l o r r e je c tio n .

In the o th er 14 c o n stitu tio n s, a d e c is io n to d ro p the c h a r g e s co u ld end 

the c a s e , sin c e no o th er s te p s to b e a u to m a tic a lly tak e n w e re d e s c r ib e d . In two 

c o n stitu tio n s o n ly , th o se of the U n ited T r a n s p o r t S e r v ic e E m p lo y e e s and the S ta g e 

E m p lo y e e s and M ovin g P ic tu r e M ach in e O p e r a t o r s o f the U n ited S ta te s and C a n a d a, 

w as th e re a s p e c ific rig h t to a p p e a l a d e c is io n to d ro p c h a r g e s :

T he a c c u s e r o f any In te rn a tio n a l o f fic e r , o r g a n iz e r , o r an y e m p lo y e e 

o f the In te rn a tio n a l U nion m u st p r e s e n t h is c h a rg e in w ritin g to the In ­

te r n a tio n a l P r e s id e n t . . . If the In te rn a tio n a l P r e s id e n t c o n s id e r s the 

c h a r g e not to h av e m e r it, the a c c u s e r h a s the rig h t to a p p e a l to the 

G e n e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d . If the a c c u s e r o r the a c c u se d is d i s s a t i s f i e d 

w ith the d e c is io n of the G e n e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , e ith e r s h a ll h av e the 

rig h t to a p p e a l to the n ext B ie n n ia l C o n ven tio n . (U n ited T r a n s p o r t S e r v ­

ic e E m p lo y e e s)

T he rig h t o f a p p e a l by an a c c u s e r fr o m a d e c is io n to d ro p c h a r g e s at 

th is p r e lim in a r y re v ie w le v e l w as u n c e rta in in o th er c o n stitu tio n s. In s o m e , 

the la n g u a g e u se d in the a p p e a l se c tio n w as b ro a d enough to a p p e a r to m a k e it 

p o s s ib l e fo r an a p p e a l to be tak e n fr o m su ch d e c is io n s . In o t h e r s , the sc o p e

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135

o f the a p p e a l s e c t io n w as u n c le a r . In the fo llo w in g c la u s e , fo r e x a m p le , it 

a p p e a r s to be a m a t te r of in te r p r e ta tio n a s to w h eth er the d e c is io n to d ro p c h a r g e s 

w as in clu d ed in the a p p e a l p r o v isio n :

T he In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , if it fin d s th at the c h a r g e s h av e 

su ffic ie n t m e r it to w a r r a n t fu r th e r p r o c e e d in g s , s h a ll fu r n ish the a c c u s e d 

w ith a copy o f the c h a r g e s . . . T he In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d m a y , 

fo r good c a u s e , su sp e n d the a c c u se d fr o m h is d u tie s a s an O ffic e r , p e n d ­

ing d e te rm in a tio n o f the c h a r g e s a g a in s t h im . . . T he In te rn a tio n a l E x ­

e c u tiv e B o a r d s h a ll h old a h e a r in g . . . D e c isio n s o f the B o a r d m ad e 

h e re in u n d e r m a y be a p p e a le d to the n ex t In te rn a tio n a l C o n ven tio n . (C o m - 

m e r i c a l T e le g r a p h e r s * Union)

In so m e o f the o th e r c o n stitu tio n s, the a p p e a l p r o v is io n s se e m e d to a p p ly 

e x c lu siv e ly to d e c is io n s o f the t r i a l bo dy, and not to d e c is io n s to d ro p c h a r g e s 

m a d e at p r e lim in a r y re v ie w :

E ith e r p a r ty to the t r i a l can a p p e a l fr o m the d e c is io n of the E x e c u ­

tiv e B o a r d to the G e n e r a l A s s e m b ly . . . (E m p h a s is added) (R a ilr o a d 

Y a r d m a s t e r s of A m e r ic a )

In two o f the 16 u n io n s, the A m e r ic a n R ad io A s s o c ia t io n and the I n t e r ­

n a tio n a l P h o t o - E n g r a v e r s * U nion o f N o rth A m e r ic a , the a p p e a l p r o v is io n s w e re 

not a p p lic a b le to in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s . A s m en tio n e d a b o v e , h o w e v e r, the A m e r ­

ic a n R ad io A s s o c ia t io n did p ro v id e fo r a vo te o f the m e m b e r s h ip on d e c is io n s 

to d ro p c h a r g e s .

In g e n e r a l, th e se 16 c o n stitu tio n s w e re v ag u e a s to g ro u n d s fo r r e m o v a l 

o f in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s . S ev en of the 16 m a d e no r e fe r e n c e to g ro u n d s fo r 

im p e ac h m e n t; 7 o th e r s m en tio n ed g e n e r a l g ro u n d s on ly.

O nly one co n stitu tio n , th at fo r the U n ited P a c k in g h o u se , F o o d and A llie d 

W o rk e rs, a ls o p ro v id e d fo r r e c a l l. T h u s, in c o n stitu tio n a l t e r m s , d i s m i s s a l a t 

the p r e lim in a r y re v ie w le v e l m ig h t w e ll le a v e the m e m b e r o r lo c a l b rin g in g 

c h a r g e s w ithout a fu r th e r m e a n s o f a ir in g c o m p la in ts a g a in s t the o f fic e r c o n c e rn e d .

T r i a l B o d y . If c h a r g e s a r e n ot d ro p p e d in a p r e lim in a r y re v ie w , the 

n ex t ste p in im p e a c h m e n t p r o c e d u r e s is to p r o c e e d to t r i a l . In 90 c o n stitu tio n s, 

the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd w as n am ed a s the t r i a l body u n d er a ll c ir c u m s t a n c e s (ta b le 

V II-4 ). N ine o th er c o n stitu tio n s n am ed the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d a s the body w hich 

w ould co n d u ct the t r i a l in m o s t in s t a n c e s , but m a d e p r o v is io n fo r an o th e r body 

to co n d u ct the t r i a l u n d er s p e c i a l c ir c u m s t a n c e s . F o r in s ta n c e , the In te rn a tio n a l 

M o ld e r s* and F o u n d ry W o rk e rs U nion o f N orth A m e r ic a c o n stitu tio n p ro v id e d fo r 

a t r i a l by the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d when c h a r g e s a r e p r e f e r r e d by a lo c a l union, but 

s p e c ifie d a t r i a l by the B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s (c o n s is tin g o f so m e but not a ll o f the 

m e m b e r s o f the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd ) u n d er the fo llo w in g c ir c u m s t a n c e s :

T r u s t e e s . . . s h a ll h av e s u p e r v is io n o v e r a ll o f f ic e r s and sh a ll

h av e p o w e r to re m o v e any o f fic e r fo r in c o m p e te n c y o r u n fa ith fu ln e ss, 

a fte r b e in g du ly c h a rg e d , tr ie d , and found g u ilty . S u ch a c tio n to be 

tak e n on ly by c o n se n t o f fiv e m e m b e r s of the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d .

O th er un ion s m a d e a d istin c tio n a s to t r i a l body not on the b a s i s o f who p r e f e r r e d 

c h a r g e s , but r a th e r on the b a s i s o f who w as c h a r g e d . F o r e x a m p le , the B r o t h e r ­

hood o f M ain ten an ce o f W ay E m p lo y e s 1 co n stitu tio n n am e d the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd a s 

the body to tr y in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s o th er than m e m b e r s o f the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd . 

If c h a r g e s a r e p r e f e r r e d a g a in s t a b o a r d m e m b e r , the t r i a l w as to be co n d u cted 

by an a p p e a l b o a rd , c o n sistin g of a ll e le c te d in te rn a tio n a l o f f ic e r s e x c e p t the one 

b e in g tr ie d .

S ix o f th e se n in e c o n stitu tio n s n am ed the co n v en tio n a s the t r i a l body 

u n d er c e r ta in c ir c u m s t a n c e s . One m eth o d , a s in the c a s e of T he O r d e r of R a i l ­

ro a d T e le g r a p h e r s , w as to g iv e the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d the o p tio n to tr y the c a s e

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T ab le V II-4. T rial Body in Im peachm ent Proceedings, N ational and International

Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T rial body

T o tal A ffiliation

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll im peachm ent p ro v isio n s---------------- 125 15, 4 6 2 .5 103 1 3 ,1 3 7 .8 22 2, 324. 6

Executive board -------------------------------- 90 11, 3 95.6 75 9 ,1 6 9 . 4 15 2, 226. 2

Executive board ordinarily; other

governing body in sp ecial c a s e s---------- 3 1 ,0 0 6 .2 3 1,0 0 6 . 2

Executive board ordinarily; convention

in sp ecial cases ------------------------------ 6 5 3 8 .6 6 5 3 8 .6 - -

T rial co m m ittee—ad h o c --------------------- 13 1 ,4 5 7 .1 9 1 ,4 4 5 .6 4 1 1 .6

T rial co m m itte—p e rm a n e n t---------------- 3 5 1 0 .9 3 5 1 0 .9 - -

2 governing bodies in joint se ssio n -------- 2 8 .5 1 4 .2 1 4 .3

Convention -------------------------------------- 2 6 7 .9 1 4 1 .3 1 2 6 .5

Convention or outside body j ---------------- 2 3 9 .5 2 3 9 .5 - -

Differs according to offense --------------- 2 3 81.2 2 3 8 1 .2 - -

International p re sid e n t------------------------ 1 5 6 .0 - - 1 5 6 .0

R e feren d u m -------- ----------- -------------— 1 1.0 1 1.0 -

1 1 constitution provided that the executive board try cases involving comm unism , for other offenses the accused

had the option of being tried by the executive board or a trial body selected by lot. The other constitution provided

for trial by a board selected by lot for most offenses, and for trial by the international president in em ergencies.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

i t s e l f , o r to r e f e r it to a s p e c i a l co n v en tio n c a lle d fo r the p u r p o se o f co n d u ctin g 

the t r i a l . In th e A m e r ic a n N e w sp a p e r G u ild , the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d h ad su ch 

an o p tio n —

If the n ex t r e g u la r m e e tin g of the In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d is 

sc h e d u le d fo r a tim e w ithin 2 w ee k s b e fo r e a C o n ven tio n . . . .

T r i a l c o m m itte e s, the se c o n d m o s t p r e v a le n t ty p e o f body n am e d to c o n ­

d u ct t r i a l s o f in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s , w e re p ro v id e d fo r on an ad h oc b a s i s , a s 

in the c a s e o f the U n ited W e ld e rs o f A m e r ic a (I n d .):

T he P r e s id e n t s h a ll a ls o n o tify a ll L o c a l P r e s id e n t s and th ey w ill 

m e e t w ith th e ir B o a r d s to s e le c t a T r i a l J u r o r and A lte r n a te fr o m th e ir 

r e s p e c t iv e L o c a ls . E a c h ju r o r o r a lt e r n a te m u s t be a fo r m e r L o c a l 

o r N a tio n a l O ffic e r , a m e m b e r in good sta n d in g , and s h a ll not be in 

o ffic e at the tim e . Su ch ju r o r s o r a lt e r n a t e s so s e le c te d s h a ll c o n s t itu te the T r i a l C o m m itte e .

O th er fo r m u la s w e re u se d to s e le c t ad hoc t r i a l c o m m it te e s. F o r e x a m p le :

. . . T he s a id c h a r g e s a r e to be r e f e r r e d to an in v e stig a tin g c o m ­

m itte e , c o n sis tin g of th re e m e m b e r s in good sta n d in g , s e le c te d a s fo llo w s:

One by the G e n e ra l P r e s id e n t S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r ; one by the p a r ty p r e ­

fe r r in g the c h a r g e s , and th e se two m e m b e r s s h a ll e le c t a th ird m e m ­

b e r . . . (in te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia t io n o f M a r b le , S la te and S ton e P o l i s h e r s , 

R u b b e rs and S a w y e r s, T ile and M a r b le S e t t e r s 1 H e lp e r s and M a rb le 

M o s a ic and T e r r a z z o W o r k e r s1 H e lp e r s)

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137

P e r m a n e n t t r i a l b o d ie s w e re p ro v id e d fo r in th r e e c o n stitu tio n s. T he 

In te rn a tio n a l U nion o f U n ited B r e w e r y , F lo u r , C e r e a l, S o ft D rin k and D i s t ille r y 

W o rk e rs o f A m e r ic a , fo r in s ta n c e , p ro v id e d fo r a sta n d in g T r i a l B o a r d c o m p o se d 

o f th re e e x e c u tiv e b o a r d m e m b e r s and th re e a lt e r n a te m e m b e r s , a ll s e le c te d 

by the b o a rd .

T r i a l b o d ie s o th er th an the o n es a lr e a d y m en tio n e d w e re in fre q u e n t. In 

the B ro th e rh o o d of Sh o e and A llie d C r a ftsm e n ( in d .) c o n stitu tio n , tw o b o d ie s, the 

e x e c u tiv e b o a r d and a c o n tro l b o a rd (c o n s is tin g o f the g e n e r a l v ic e - p r e s id e n t 

o r g a n iz e r and tw o r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s fr o m e ac h lo c a l) w e re to m e e t in jo in t s e s s i o n 

to co n d u ct a t r i a l . In the A m e r ic a n T r a in D is p a tc h e r s A s s o c ia t io n c o n stitu tio n , 

the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd and the b o a r d o f t r u s t e e s w e re s p e c ifie d .

T r i a l by a body in d ep en d en t of any a ffilia tio n to the un ion w as p ro v id e d 

in two c o n stitu tio n s (A m e r ic a n F e d e r a t io n o f G ra in M ille r s and N atio n a l A g r i ­

c u ltu r a l W o rk e rs U nion). 38 One o f th e se p r o v is io n s is r e p r o d u c e d below :

W hen ever in h is ju d g m e n t the f a c t s and c ir c u m s t a n c e s of any c a s e 

a r is in g u n d er th is C o n stitu tio n n e c e s s it a t e m o r e f o r m a l and c o m p re h e n ­

s iv e h e a r in g and d e lib e r a tio n th an i s c o n te m p la te d by a ll the t r i a l p r o ­

c e d u r e s s e t fo rth h e r e in , the P r e s id e n t , w ith the c o n se n t o f the G e n e ra l 

E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , m a y ap p o in t a S p e c ia l H e a rin g O ffic e r to h e a r and 

d e c id e th e c h a r g e s . T he S p e c ia l H e a rin g O ffic e r n eed not b e a m e m b e r 

o f the A m e r ic a n F e d e r a t io n o f G r a in M ille r s and m a y be v e s te d w ith 

a ll o r p a r t o f the ju d ic ia l p o w e r s by th is C o n stitu tio n c o n fe r r e d upon a 

L o c a l U nion T r i a l B o a r d , a L o c a l U nion, an In te rn a tio n a l T r i a l B o a r d 

and the G e n e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d . (A m e r ic a n F e d e r a t io n o f G r a in M ille r s )

F in a l D e c isio n . In m o s t c o n stitu tio n s, the bo d y co n d u ctin g the t r i a l w as 

a ls o e m p o w ere d to r e n d e r the fin a l d e c is io n (ta b le V II-5 ). O nly 16 of the 125 i m ­

p e ac h m e n t p r o v is io n s r e q u ir e d the t r i a l body to su b m it it s fin d in g s to an o th er 

body fo r a fin a l d e c is io n . In c o n tr a st , 78 o f the 136 p r o v is io n s fo r t r i a l o f m e m ­

b e r s and lo c a l o f f ic e r s , a t the lo c a l le v e l, a s d e s c r ib e d in c h a p te r IV , p ro v id e d 

th at the fin a l d e c is io n w as to be re n d e r e d by a body o th e r th an th e t r i a l b o d y .

F o u r te e n o f the 16 c o n stitu tio n s th at did n ot a llo w the t r i a l b o d y to m a k e 

the fin a l d e c is io n s p e c ifie d th at the t r i a l b o d y *s a u th o rity w ould be lim ite d to 

m ak in g a re c o m m e n d a tio n to an o th e r bo d y. In 9 o f th e se 14, su ch r e c o m m e n ­

d atio n w as to b e su b m itte d to a m e m b e r sh ip re fe r e n d u m . T he fo llo w in g c la u s e 

w as ty p ic a l:

U pon r e c e iv in g the e v id e n c e fr o m both the a c c u s e r and the a c c u se d , 

the B o a r d s h a ll c o n su lt p r iv a t e ly on s a m e and s h a ll d e te r m in e the g u ilt 

o r in n o c en ce o f the a c c u se d upon c h a r g e and s p e c ific a t io n . If found g u ilty , 

it s h a ll b e the duty of the G e n e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d to i s s u e a c i r c u l a r 

co n tain in g th e ir fin d in g s and te stim o n y th e re o n in b r ie f , w ith fu ll r e c o m ­

m e n d a tio n s a tta c h e d . C opy o f s a m e to be se n t to e ac h L o c a l U nion, w hich 

s h a ll a t a s p e c ia l m e e tin g c a lle d fo r th at p u r p o se , p r o c e e d to vo te on 

s a m e . . . (U n ited G a rm e n t W o rk e rs of A m e r ic a )

In one o th er c o n stitu tio n , the A lu m in u m W o rk e rs In te rn a tio n a l U nion, 

if the t r i a l b o a r d m a d e a fin d in g o f g u ilt, it then re c o m m e n d e d to the e x e c u tiv e 

b o a rd w hat it c o n sid e r e d to be an a p p r o p r ia te p e n a lty ; the fin a l d e c is io n a s to 

the a c tu a l p e n a lty w as le ft to the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d . In the o th e r c o n stitu tio n , 

the L a u n d ry and D ry C le an in g In te rn a tio n a l U nion, the t r i a l b o d y ^ d e c is io n w as 

fin a l e x c e p t w h ere the c h a r g e w as m a lfe a s a n c e in o ffic e , in w hich c a s e the fin a l 

d e c is io n w as le ft to the co n ven tio n .

38 The N a tio n a l A g r ic u ltu r a l W o rk e rs U nion h a s sin c e m e r g e d w ith the 

A m a lg a m a te d M ea t C u tte r s and B u tc h e r W orkm en o f N o rth A m e r ic a .

690-094 0 -6 3 -1 0

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T ab le V II-5. T rial Bodies and Bodies Empowered to Hand Down Final D ecision (Except in A ppeals),

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(Number of unions!

T rial body T o tal

studied

Body m aking fin al decision

Executive

board

C onvention

R eferendum

Two

bodies in

joint

session

Permanent

trial

com m ittee

Ad hoc

trial

co m ­

m ittee

Other

No

reference

to body

m aking

final

decision

A ll im peachm ent p ro v isio n s---- 125 89 6 10 2 3 8 3 4

Executive b o a rd --------------------- 90 79 9 2

Executive board ordinarily;

other governing body in

sp ecial c a s e s---------------------- 3 *3

Executive board ordinarily;

convention in special c a s e s---- 6 25 - - - - - - 1

T rial com m ittee—ad h o c -------- 13 1 2 - - - 8 3 2

T rial com m ittee—p erm an en t---- 3 - - - - 3 - -

2 governing bodies in joint

s e s s io n ------------------------------ 2 - - - 2 - - - -

Convention ------------------------- 2 - 2 - - - - - _

Convention or outside b o d y ----- 2 - 4 1 - - - - - 1

Differs according to offense ^ ---- 2 - 1 - - - - 1 -

International p re sid e n t----------- 1 1 - - - - - - -

R e feren d u m ------------------------- 1 - 1 - - - -

* If trial is by other governing body, it also m akes fin al decision.

2 If trial is by convention, it also m akes fin al decision.

3 Under 1 constitution executive co m m ittee's decision is fin al if accused is held innocent, otherwise decision

by referendum. In the other, final decision is m ade by international president.

4 If trial is by outside body, it also m akes the fin al decision.

^ See footnote 1, tab le V II-4.

A u n iqu e v a r ia tio n w as found in the c o n stitu tio n of the U n ited P a c k in g ­

h o u se , F o o d and A llie d W o rk e rs:

T he p e n a lty of r e m o v a l fr o m o ffic e fo r the r e m a in d e r of the a c ­

c u s e d ^ te r m o r o f su s p e n s io n fr o m m e m b e r s h ip in the U nion, o r both , 

m a y be re c o m m e n d e d on ly if the a c c u s e d is found g u ilty of d u a l u n io n ism , 

m ish a n d lin g of union fu nds o r a c tin g a s a g e n t o f an e m p lo y e r.

F o r any o ffe n se o th er th an th o se s p e c ifie d . . . a b o v e , the p e n a lty

re c o m m e n d e d by the t r i a l c o m m itte e m a y not a ffe c t the m e m b e r sh ip 

s ta tu s of the a c c u se d but m a y in clu d e su s p e n s io n fr o m o ffic e fo r a p e rio d 

up to s ix ty d a y s and m a y a ls o in clu d e a d ir e c tio n th at a r e c a l l b a llo t 

be h eld . . .

T he d e c is io n and re c o m m e n d a tio n o f the t r i a l c o m m itte e s h a ll be 

r e p o r te d to the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , w hich m a y u ph old, r e je c t , o r m o d ify 

it. The p o w e rs of the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d a s to p e n a ltie s s h a ll be su b je c t 

to the s a m e lim ita tio n s d e s c r ib e d . . . ab o v e e x c e p t a s e n la r g e d . . .

(a s p ro v id e d in the fo llo w in g p a r a g r a p h , w h ere the b o a r d is g iv e n p o w er 

to ap p o in t an A d m in is tr a to r in c e r ta in situ a tio n s ).

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S iz e o f V ote R e q u ire d . M o re than h a lf of the c o n stitu tio n s w ith im p e a c h ­

m en t p r o v is io n s did not s p e c ify the s iz e o f v o te r e q u ir e d to im p o se se n te n c e 

(ta b le V II-6 ). A m on g the o t h e r s , s e v e r a l d iffe r e n t ty p e s of v o tin g p r o c e d u r e s 

w e re found. S o m e m e r e ly r e q u ir e d a " m a jo r it y , " w ithout fu r th e r s p e c ific a tio n :

T he E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , by a m a jo r it y v o te , s h a ll a p p r o v e , d is a p p r o v e , 

o r m o d ify the re c o m m e n d a tio n , and s h a ll i s s u e it s d e c is io n . . . (A m a lg a m a te d M eat C u tte r s and B u tc h e r W orkm en o f N o rth A m e r ic a )

T ab le V II-6. Vote Required to Impose Penalty in Im peachm ent Cases,

N ational and International Urlion Constitutions, Early 1961

(Number of unions)

Body im posing penalty

T o tal

studied

Vote required

Maj ority

M ajority

of those

voting

M ajority

of those

present

Two-thirds

of those

present

Two-thirds

of those

eligible

M ajority

of those

eligible

Other

No

reference

A ll im peachm ent p ro v isio n s---- 125 8 6 8 3 14 15 5 66

Penalty im posed by trial body -- 105 6 4 7 2 12 14 4 56

Executive b o a r d ---------------- 79 6 4 6 2 10 13 1 2 36

Permanent b o d y ------------------ 3 - - - - - 1 - 2

Sp e cial body ------------------- 7 - - 1 - 2 - - 4

C o n ven tion---------------------- 2 - - - - - - - 2

R e fe re n d u m --------------------- 1 - - - - - - - 1

O th e r------------------------------ 13 - - - - - - 2 2 11

Penalty im posed by other than

trial body ------------------------- 16 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 6

Executive b o a r d ---------------- 3 1 1 1 - - - - -

Con ven tion---------------------- 3 - - - 1 - - 3 l 1

R e fe re n d u m --------------------- 9 1 - - - 2 1 - 5

O th e r------------------------------ 1 - 4 1 - - - - - -

No reference to body im posing

p e n a lty ------------------------------ 4 - “ ”

4

1 Under 1 constitution, three-fourths of the mem bers of the executive board; in the other, two-thirds of the

m em bers of the board present and voting.

2 Under 1 constitution, trial body consists of 2 governing bodies in joint session, and the vote must be tw othirds of those present and voting; in the other, both the executive board and the convention can act as the trial body,

when the convention im poses the penalty, the vote size required is a m ajority of those present and voting, no reference to vote size when the executive board imposes the penalty.

3 Differs by offense.

4 When fin al decision is by referendum, a m ajority of the membership must vote; no reference to vote size

when fin al decision is m ade by the executive com m ittee.

M o st o f the p r o v is io n s , h o w e v e r, w e re m o r e p r e c i s e a s to the v o te count, a s 

in the fo llo w in g e x a m p le :

. . . S u ch su s p e n s io n of an y In te rn a tio n a l O ffic e r o r In te rn a tio n a l 

E x e c u tiv e B o a r d M e m b e r s h a ll o c c u r only by a tw o -th ird s (z/s) vo te of 

the B o a r d , the a c c u se d o f fic e r o r B o a r d M e m b e r not v o tin g . (O il, C h e m ­

ic a l and A to m ic W o rk e rs In te rn a tio n a l Union)

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D u e - P r o c e s s P r o v is io n s 39

F o r m of C h a r g e s , O f the 125 c o n stitu tio n s w ith im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s , 

110, o r 88 p e r c e n t, m a d e r e fe r e n c e to c h a r g e s (ta b le V II-7 ). O f th e s e , h o w e v e r, 

34 m e r e ly stip u la te d th at c h a r g e s h ad to b e file d , m ak in g no m en tio n o f the fo r m 

o f the c h a r g e s . In ad d itio n , 31 o th e r s sim p ly sta te d th at the c h a r g e s w e re to be 

in w ritin g . T he m o s t d e ta ile d p r o v is io n s w e re found in the 13 c o n stitu tio n s in 

w hich both the c o n stitu tio n a l p r o v is io n v io la te d and the a c t s a lle g e d ly c o m m itte d 

h ad to b e s e t out in the c h a r g e . T he p u r p o se b eh in d su c h a r e q u ir e m e n t w as 

s p e lle d out in the c o n stitu tio n o f the U n ited R u b b e r, C o rk , L in o le u m and P l a s t i c 

W o rk e rs of A m e r ic a :

In a ll c a s e s , c h a r g e s m u s t be sig n e d b y the c o m p la in a n t and s h a ll 

b e su ffic ie n tly s p e c ific a s to the p r o v is io n s of U nion law v io la te d and of 

the a lle g e d a c ts w hich c o n stitu te the b a s i s o f the c h a r g e to p e r m it the 

d e fen d an t to p r e p a r e a p r o p e r d e fe n se .

T ab le V II-7. Form of Charges Required to Initiate Im peachm ent Proceedings,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands!

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Type of provisions

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll im peachm ent p ro v isio n s------------------ 125 1 5 ,4 6 2 .5 103 13, 137.8 22 2, 324. 6

Constitutions providing for form of

charges ------------------------------------------- 76 8, 080. 4 68 7, 9 9 9 .2 8 81 .3

Written and s p e c i f i c ------------------------ 41 3, 357 .0 35 3, 282. 6 6 7 4 .4

Specify nature of o ffen se--------------- 10 4 2 4 .0 8 4 1 8 .4 2 5 .6

Specify facts of the o ffen se ----------- 8 7 5 2 .6 8 7 5 2 .6 - _

Specify facts and constitutional

provision v i o l a t e d ---------------------

Other 1 --------------------------------------

13 1, 301.5 12 1 ,2 9 8 .2 1 3 .3

3 124.7 2 123. 2 1 .1 .5

No reference to details to be

s p e c ifie d --------------------------------- 7 7 5 4 .2 5 6 9 0 .2 2 6 4 .0

Written o n ly ----------------------------------- 31 4, 344. 7 29 4, 3 3 7 .9 2 6 .9

Sp e cific only, no reference to details

to be sp e c ifie d ------------------------------ 4 3 78.7 4 3 7 8 .7 _ _

Constitutions referring to charges, but

m aking no reference to f o r m --------------- 34 3, 663.1 23 2, 9 3 0 .4 11 7 3 2 .7

Constitutions not providing for reference

to c h a r g e s--------------------------------------- 15 3 ,7 1 8 .9 12 2, 208. 2 3 1 ,5 1 0 .6

1 Includes 2 constitutions which require sworn charges, and 1 which requires only that the constitutional provision alleged ly violated be specified.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

39 A lth o u gh the p r e v a le n c e o f d u e - p r o c e s s c l a u s e s a p p lic a b le to in te rn a tio n a l 

o f f ic e r s d iffe r e d fr o m th o se fo r m e m b e r s and l o c a l o f f ic e r s , the ty p e s o f p r o ­

v is io n s w e re s i m i l a r . T he e a r l i e r s e c tio n (ch . VI) c o v e rin g m e m b e r s and l o c a l 

un ion o f f ic e r s sh o u ld b e r e f e r r e d to fo r e x a m p le s o f c l a u s e s .

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In itia tio n and E n d o r s e m e n ts , F ifty of the 125 c o n stitu tio n s w hich p r o ­

v id ed fo r im p e a c h m e n t o f in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s m a d e no r e fe r e n c e to a s p e c if ic 

a g e n t o r body a u th o riz e d to in itia te su c h p r o c e e d in g , alth o u gh no m e m b e r o r o f fic e r 

w as b a r r e d fr o m d oin g so . In the o th er 75 u n io n s, c e r ta in p e r s o n s o r b o d ie s 

w e re d e sig n a te d a s e lig ib le to in itia te im p e a c h m e n t p r o c e e d in g s . In so m e o f 

th e se , w o rd s of lim ita tio n w e re u s e d , m ak in g it e x p lic it th at on ly the p a r ty d e ­

sig n a te d co u ld in itia te c h a r g e s . F o r in sta n c e , one c o n stitu tio n p ro v id e d :

. . . D u rin g the r e c e s s o f the (co n v en tion ) the o f f ic e r s o f the G ran d 

D iv isio n a r e a m e n a b le only to the T r u s t e e s , and no one e ls e can p r e f e r 

c h a r g e s a g a in s t th em d u rin g th e ir t e r m o f o ffic e . (O rd e r o f R ailw a y 

C o n d u c to rs and B r a k e m e n , I n d .)

In o th er c o n stitu tio n s, lim ita tio n s su c h a s "n o one e l s e " o r "o n ly " did 

not a p p e a r , but the lan g u a g e n e v e r t h e le s s im p lie d th at the p a r ty d e sig n a te d w as 

to be the e x c lu siv e one (o r o n e s) to in itia te c h a r g e s . F o r e x a m p le , the A m e r ic a n 

F e d e r a t io n of. M u s i c ia n s 1 c o n stitu tio n p ro v id e d :

A ny F e d e r a t io n o f fic e r m a y be re m o v e d fr o m h is p o sitio n fo r co n d u ct 

u n b eco m in g h is p o sitio n o r fo r in atten tio n to the d u tie s o f h is s ta tio n . . . 

on c h a r g e s p r e f e r r e d by a L o c a l o f the F e d e r a t io n o r an y m e m b e r of 

the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d . . .

A p p r o x im a te ly o n e -th ird o f the 75 u n ion s sp e c ify in g an in itia to r p ro v id e d 

a lte r n a tiv e m e th o d s. F o r in sta n c e , the U n ited A u to m o b ile , A e r o s p a c e and A g r i ­

c u ltu r a l Im p le m e n t W o rk e rs o f A m e r ic a allo w ed im p e a c h m e n t to be in itia te d —

. . . U pon w ritte n a ffid a v it sig n e d by fiv e o r m o r e B o a r d M e m b e r s

and file d w ith the In te rn a tio n a l S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r .

And a ls o —

. . . Upon w ritte n a ffid a v it sig n e d by a L o c a l U nion m e m b e r and

e n d o r se d by h is own L o c a l U nion and by a t l e a s t ten (10) a d d itio n a l L o c a l 

U n ion s in the In te rn a tio n a l U nion, o r in the c a s e o f c h a r g e s a g a in s t an 

In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d M e m b e r, upon w ritte n a ffid a v it sig n e d by 

the L o c a l U nion m e m b e r and e n d o r se d by h is own L o c a l U nion and a 

m a jo r it y of the L o c a l U n ion s w ithin the re g io n fr o m w hich the in t e r ­

n a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d M e m b e r is e le c te d .

M e m b e r s w e re d e sig n a te d in a p p r o x im a te ly o n e - h a lf o f the 75 c o n st itu ­

tio n s , and " l o c a l u n io n s" in ab o u t o n e -th ird .

U n d er se v e n c o n stitu tio n s, on ly the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d (fo u r) o r the p r e s id e n t 

(th re e ) co u ld b rin g c h a r g e s . O nly one o f th e se , the B ro th e rh o o d o f Sh o e and A llie d 

C r a ft sm e n (I n d .), h ad p r o v is io n s fo r r e c a l l and th us a m e m b e r o r a lo c a l union 

a p p a r e n tly co u ld not d ir e c t ly b rin g c h a r g e s a g a in s t an in te r n a tio n a l o f fic e r .

N in eteen o f the 75 c o n stitu tio n s sp e c ify in g an in itia to r in c lu d e d a r e q u ir e ­

m en t fo r e n d o rse m e n t. T he p e r s o n s o r body n am e d a s e n d o r s e r in c lu d e d the 

e x e c u tiv e b o a r d , s p e c ifie d p r o p o r tio n s o f lo c a l u n ion s o r m e m b e r s , o r a fix e d 

n u m b e r o f l o c a ls . In 6 o f the 19, the e n d o rse m e n t r e q u ir e m e n t v a r ie d d ep en d in g 

upon who in itia te d c h a r g e s . One o f th e se , the U tility W o rk e rs U nion o f A m e r ic a , 

r e q u ir e d no m e m b e r sh ip o r lo c a l union e n d o rse m e n t when fo u r o r m o r e e x e c u tiv e 

m e m b e r s b ro u g h t c h a r g e s ; w hen a lo c a l union w as the in itia tin g p a r ty , h o w e v e r, 

e n d o r se m e n ts w e re r e q u ir e d fr o m 10 lo c a ls w ith 20 p e r c e n t o r m o r e o f the to ta l 

union m e m b e r s h ip . O th er v a r ia tio n s in c lu d e d the fo llo w in g:

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G e n e r a l o f f ic e r s , c h a r g e d w ith v io la tio n o f the C o n stitu tio n , s h a ll 

b e t r ie d only upon w ritten c h a r g e s sig n e d and a u th o riz e d by th r e e L o c a l 

U n ion s in good sta n d in g , o r sig n e d and a u th o riz e d by two m e m b e r s of 

the G e n e ra l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d . (L a u n d ry , D ry C le an in g and Dye_ H o u se 

W o rk e rs In te rn a tio n a l U nion, Ind. )

S a fe g u a r d s D u rin g T r i a l . E ig h ty -e ig h t c o n stitu tio n s, c o v e r in g s lig h tly 

m o r e th an 8. 8 m illio n m e m b e r s , s p e c if ic a lly g u a ra n te e d the a c c u s e d c e r ta in r ig h ts 

at h is t r i a l (ta b le V II-8 ). In 26 u n io n s, th is g u a r a n te e w as in the fo r m o f a 

g e n e r a l sta te m e n t th at the a c c u se d w as e n title d to a " f u ll and f a ir h e a r in g , " w ith ­

out goin g in to fu r th e r d e t a ils . In 19 u n io n s, the rig h t to p r e s e n t e v id e n c e and

re fu te c h a r g e s w as stip u la te d , w h ile in 14 o t h e r s , a ll A F L —CIO a f f il ia t e s , the 

rig h t to c r o s s - e x a m in e and co n fro n t w it n e s se s w as a d d itio n a lly g u a ra n te e d . A m on g 

the "o th e r r ig h t s " g u a ra n te e d the a c c u se d in the 17 c o n stitu tio n s in th is c a te g o r y 

w e re the r ig h ts to be r e p r e s e n te d by le g a l c o u n se l, to h av e a ll w it n e s s e s sw o rn , 

and to h av e a w ritten t r a n s c r ip t of the p r o c e e d in g s.

T ab le V II-8. Selected Due-Process Rights of Accused in Im peachm ent Proceedings,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands!

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Rights of accused

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll constitutions with im peachm ent

provisions -------------------------------------- 125 1 5 ,4 6 2 .5 103 13, 137.8 22 2, 324 .6

Constitutions providing for reference

to due-process rights of a c c u s e d ---------- 88 8 ,8 2 7 .9 73 8, 5 5 7 .0 15 270 .9

"Full and fair hearing" or sim ilar

sta te m e n t----------------------------------- 26 1 ,5 8 3 .8 21 1 ,4 8 4 .7 5 99.1

C ross-exam ine and confront

w itnesses------------------------------------ 8 7 4 5 .8 5 7 3 9 .5 3 6 .3

Present evidence to refute c h a r g e s---- 19 1, 906. 2 14 1, 819 .5 5 8 6 .7

C ross-exam ine and confront

witnesses, and present evidence to

refute c h a r g e s ----------------------------- 14 1 ,4 2 9 .9 14 1 ,4 2 9 .9

C hallenge m em bers of trial b o d y ----- 2 7 6 .3 1 (M 1 7 6 .2

C hallenge m em bers of trial body, and

present evidence to refute charges -- 1 1 ,0 2 7 .0 1 1 ,0 2 7 .0 _

C ross-exam ine and confront

witnesses, present evidence to refute

charges, and challenge m em bers of

trial b o d y ----------------------------------- 1 7 1 .5 1 7 1 .5

None of the above rights specified,

but other rights g iv e n ------------------- 17 1, 9 8 7 .4 16 1 ,9 8 4 .8 1 2 .6

Constitutions not providing for reference

to due-process rights of a c c u s e d ---------- 37 6, 634. 6 30 4, 580. 7 7 2 ,0 5 3 .7

1 Less than 100 m em bers.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

S ta tu s P en d in g T r i a l . T he s ta tu s of o f fic e r s d u rin g im p e a c h m e n t p r o ­

c e e d in g s w as stu d ie d at th re e s t a g e s : (1) B e fo r e c h a r g e s w e re file d ;40 (2) a fte r

c h a r g e s h ad b een file d ; and (3) a fte r t r i a l , p en d in g a p p e a l. T he la t te r c a te g o r y 

w ill be d is c u s s e d su b se q u e n tly in the se c tio n d e a lin g w ith a p p e a ls .

40 T he d istin g u ish in g c h a r a c t e r is t ic b etw een p r o v is io n s in th is c a te g o r y and 

th o se c o n sid e r e d a s su m m a r y d is c ip lin e is th at h e r e t r i a l m a c h in e r y is a v a ila b le .

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O nly 14 of the 125 u n ion s h av in g im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s , c o v e rin g fe w e r 

th an h a lf a m illio n m e m b e r s , d e a lt w ith an in te r n a tio n a l o f f i c e r s sta tu s b e fo r e 

c h a r g e s w e re file d . In e ac h of th e se 14 u n io n s, the ch o ic e o f w h eth er to su sp e n d 

the o ffic e r w as o p tio n a l w ith the body a u th o riz e d to im p o s e d is c ip lin e . In s o m e , 

the a u th o riz a tio n w as in the fo r m o f an e m e r g e n c y - ty p e c la u s e :

In an e m e r g e n c y , the In te rn a tio n a l P r e s id e n t m a y su sp e n d an I n t e r ­

n a tio n a l O ffic e r . He s h a ll c a ll an e m e r g e n c y m e e tin g o f the In te rn a tio n a l 

E x e c u tiv e B o a r d to g iv e s a id o f fic e r a ju s t and f a i r t r i a l . (A llie d In ­

d u s t r ia l W o rk e rs o f A m e r ic a )

In o th er c o n stitu tio n s, the c la u s e a u th o riz in g su s p e n s io n b e fo r e c h a r g e s 

w as o f a m o r e ro u tin e n a tu re and did not co n tain la n g u a g e lim itin g su ch s u s p e n ­

sio n s to e m e r g e n c y s itu a tio n s:

He (the p r e sid e n t) s h a ll h av e a u th o rity sh o u ld he b e c o m e s a t is f ie d 

th at any In te rn a tio n a l o f fic e r is d e r e lic t in the p e r fo r m a n c e o f any duty, 

o r h a s b een g u ilty of any d ish o n e st a c t, to su sp e n d su c h o f fic e r fr o m 

h is o f fic ia l p o sitio n ; in su ch ev en t he s h a ll fu r n ish the o f fic e r so s u s ­

p en d ed w ith a d e ta ile d sta te m e n t of h is r e a s o n s fo r so doin g . . . (in ­

ternational B rotherhood of Bookbinders)

T h irty -o n e c o n stitu tio n s, c o v e rin g 3. 6 m illio n m e m b e r s , p ro v id e d fo r a 

ch an ge of s ta tu s a fte r the filin g of c h a r g e s . In clu d ed in th is g ro u p w e re 10 of 

the 14 c o n stitu tio n s u n d er w hich a ch an ge in sta tu s co u ld ta k e p la c e b e fo r e the 

filin g o f c h a r g e s . In 13 of the 31 c o n stitu tio n s, s u s p e n s io n w as o p tio n a l a fte r 

c h a r g e s w e re file d . On the o th er han d, fiv e o th e rs r e q u ir e d a u to m a tic s u s p e n ­

sio n u n d er c e r ta in c ir c u m s t a n c e s :

T he G e n e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d s h a ll e x a m in e a ll c h a r g e s p r e f e r r e d 

to it . . . and s h a ll h av e the p o w e r to d e c la r e su ch c h a r g e s c o g n iz a b le

o r n ot. If c o g n iz a n c e is tak en o f the c h a r g e s the a c c u s e d s h a ll be t e m ­

p o r a r il y su sp e n d e d fr o m o ffic e . . . (In te rn a tio n a l A llia n c e o f T h e a tr ic a l 

S ta g e E m p lo y e e s and M oving P ic t u r e M ach in e O p e r a t o r s o f the U n ited 

S ta te s and C an ad a)

A s m a l le r g ro u p of u n ion s (four) a u th o riz e d the t r i a l body to su sp e n d an 

o f fic e r a fte r it h ad m a d e a fin d in g o f g u ilt, p en d in g r a tif ic a tio n o f it s fin d in g s 

in a re fe r e n d u m v o te .

In c o n tr a st , two c o n stitu tio n s s p e c if ic a lly p ro h ib ite d any ch an ge of s ta t u s , 

u n til the c a s e h ad b een d e c id e d :

U n til su ch c h a r g e s and in v e stig a tin g r e p o r t h av e b e e n fin a lly a c te d 

upon by the In te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia tio n at the co n v en tio n , he s h a ll con tin u e 

to a c t a s G e n e ra l P r e s id e n t S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r . (In te rn a tio n a l A s s o ­

c ia tio n of M a r b le , S la te and Ston e P o l i s h e r s , R u b b e rs and S a w y e r s , T ile 

and M a rb le S e t t e r s 1 H e lp e r s and M a rb le M o sa ic and T e r r a z z o W o rk e rs 

H e lp e r s) * * *

. . . he s h a ll a c t a s In te rn a tio n a l P r e s id e n t u n til su ch c h a r g e s a r e

p ro v e n a g a in s t h im . (T h e G ra n ite C u t t e r s 1 In te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia t io n of 

A m e r ic a )

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A p p e a ls . T he co n ven tio n p la y s a l a r g e r o le in a p p e a l p r o c e d u r e , sin c e 

it s p o w e rs a r e u su a lly g r e a t e r than th o se of the e x e c u tiv e b o d ie s w hich r e n d e r 

the fin a l d e c is io n . (A s d is c u s s e d e a r l i e r (ta b le V II-4 ), 99 c o n stitu tio n s n a m e d 

the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd a s the t r i a l body in a ll o r m o s t im p e a c h m e n t c a s e s , and 

89 a u th o riz e d the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd to re n d e r the fin a l d e c is io n (ta b le V II-5 ). 

O f the 85 c o n stitu tio n s th at m a d e r e fe r e n c e to a p p e a ls , 7 0 , c o v e rin g ju s t 8. 6 m i l ­

lio n m e m b e r s , s p e c ifie d the co n v en tio n a s the fin a l a p p e a l body in a ll c a s e s 

(ta b le V II-9 ). In ad d itio n , 6 o t h e r s , c o v e rin g 1. 3 m illio n m e m b e r s , s p e c ifie d 

the co n ven tio n a s an a lte r n a tiv e fin a l a p p e a l bo d y, in clu d in g 4 of the 11 w hich 

p ro v id e d fo r a p p e a l by re fe r e n d u m . T he l a t t e r situ a tio n is illu s t r a t e d below :

(T h e im p e a c h e d o ffic e r ) s h a ll h av e the rig h t to a p p e a l to the n ex t 

C o n ven tio n o r d em an d a r e fe re n d u m vo te on h is r e m o v a l fr o m o ffic e . 

(In te rn a tio n a l U nion o f U n ited B r e w e r y , F lo u r , C e r e a l, S o ft D rin k and 

D i s t il le r y W o rk e rs o f A m e r ic a )

T ab le V II-9. Final A ppeal Body in Im peachm ent Procedure, N ational and International

Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M em bers in thousands^

Final appeal body

T o tal studied A ffiliation

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions M embers

A ll im peachm ent p ro v isio n s--------------- 125 1 5 ,4 6 2 .5 103 1 3 ,1 3 7 .8 22 2, 324. 6

Constitutions providing for

reference to appeal ------------------------ 85 1 0 ,8 1 7 .0 70 8, 546. 0 15 2, 271. 1

Final appeal body:

C o n v e n tio n ------------------------------ 70 8 ,6 1 9 .8 56 6, 404. 7 14 2 ,2 1 5 .1

Referendum ----------------------------- 7 5 9 4 .0 6 5 3 8 .0 1 5 6 .0

Convention or referendum ---------- 4 2 9 0 .9 4 290 .9 - -

Convention or public review

body ------------------------------------ 2 1 ,083. 1 2 1,0 8 3 . 1 - -

Other 1 ------------------------------------ 2 229. 2 2 2 2 9 .2 - -

Constitutions not providing for

reference to a p p e a l------------------------- 40 4, 645. 4 33 4, 5 9 1 .9 7 5 3 .6

Under 1 constitution, decisions of the executive board m ay be appealed to the convention, but decisions of

m em bership referendum are fin al. In the other constitution, the convention is the fin al appeal body, but if the

next convention is more than 1 year away from the tim e of the fin al decision of the executive board, an appeal

to convention is ruled out.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

In the A m e r ic a n N e w sp a p e r G u ild , a r e fe re n d u m co u ld be c a lle d on ly in 

th o se c a s e s w h ere the n ext co n v en tio n w as m o r e than 4 m o n th s aw ay . (in th is 

union, the co n ven tio n is h eld an n u ally . )

T he a p p e a ls o p tio n s in the In te rn a tio n a l U nion, U n ited A u to m o b ile , A e r o ­

s p a c e and A g r ic u ltu r a l Im p le m e n t W o rk e rs of A m e r ic a and the U p h o ls t e r e r s 1 

In te rn a tio n a l U nion o f N o rth A m e r ic a , n a m e ly of go in g e ith e r to the co n v en tio n 

o r to a p u b lic re v ie w b o a rd , h a s a lr e a d y b een d e s c r ib e d (c h a p te r V I).

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In the c o n stitu tio n o f the A m e r ic a n B a k e r y and C o n fe c tio n e ry W o r k e r s 1 

In te rn a tio n a l U nion, an a p p e a l to the co n ven tio n w as p r o v id e d , but in in s ta n c e s 

w h ere the co n ven tio n w as m o r e th an 1 y e a r aw ay fr o m the tim e o f the fin a l d e ­

c isio n of the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d , th at d e c is io n w as fin a l, (T h e un ion m e e ts in c o n ­

v en tio n e v e r y 4 y e a r s . ) In the U n ited P a c k in g h o u se , F o o d and A llie d W o rk e rs 

U nion, m o s t d e c is io n s o f the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd co u ld be a p p e a le d to the co n v e n ­

tio n but:

If a r e c a l l r e fe re n d u m is h eld a s p a r t of the p e n a lty im p o se d , the 

r e s u lt s o f su c h a r e fe re n d u m s h a ll b e bin din g and m a y not b e r e v e r s e d 

by co n ven tio n a c tio n d u rin g the c u r re n t te r m o f o ffic e .

R o le o f R e fe re n d u m in Im p e a c h m e n t P r o c e e d in g s . A re fe r e n d u m w as not 

a co m m o n p r o c e d u r e in im p e a c h m e n t p r o c e e d in g s , w ith on ly 22 u n io n s, c o v e rin g 

2. 2 m illio n m e m b e r s , allo w in g fo r it s u s e a t v a r io u s s t a g e s (ta b le V I I- 10). In 

one union, it w as not c l e a r at w hat le v e l the re fe r e n d u m c a m e in to u s e , a s the 

fo llo w in g c la u s e in d ic a te s:

A ny g e n e r a l o f fic e r m a y b e su sp e n d e d by the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d upon 

c h a r g e s b ein g file d a g a in s t h im , p en d in g in v e stig a tio n and fin a l a c tio n .

If su c h c h a r g e s a r e s u sta in e d by a m a jo r it y o f the m e m b e r s h ip o f the 

In te rn a tio n a l U nion v o tin g , he s h a ll b e r e m o v e d . (in te r n a tio n a l B ro o m 

and W hisk M a k e r s * U nion o f A m e r ic a )

T ab le V II-10. R ole of Referendum in Im peachm ent Proceedings, N ational and International

Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands!

T o tal studied Right of accused to present defense statem ent

R ole of referendum in im peach ­

ment proceedings Unions Members

Specified Not specified

Unions M embers Unions M embers

A ll im peachm ent provisions --------------- 125 1 5 ,4 6 2 .5 103 13, 137.8 22 2, 324. 6

Constitutions providing for

reference to referendum ------------------- 22 2, 228. 2 6 4 4 2 .8 16 1 ,7 8 5 .4

T rial is conducted by

referendum -------------------------------- 1 1 .0 1 1 .0

Referendum em ployed to ratify

trial body's d e c is io n --------------------- 10 1 ,3 4 2 .3 * 3 2 1 8 .2 7 1 ,1 2 4 .1

Fin al appeal is a referendum ---------- 11 8 8 4 .9 3 2 2 4 .6 8 6 6 0 .3

Constitutions not providing for

reference to referendum in

im peachm ent proceedings ---------------- 103 1 3 ,2 3 4 .3 97 12, 6 9 5 .0 6 5 3 9 .2

Under 1 constitution, referendum can be an appeal or a ratification authority depending upon the nature of the

offense. It is treated as a ratification authority in this tab le.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

A re fe r e n d u m w as m o s t often stip u la te d to ( l) r a tify the d e c is io n of the 

t r i a l body, o r (2) a c t a s a fin a l a p p e a l bo dy. With r e s p e c t to r a tific a tio n , a

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ty p ic a l c la u s e , fr o m the c o n stitu tio n o f the T r a n s p o r t W o rk e rs U nion o f A m e r ­

ic a , p ro v id e d *

T he In te rn a tio n a l E x e c u tiv e C o u n cil s h a ll h av e the p o w e r to re m o v e 

any of the o f f ic e r s e n u m e ra te d . . . who, a fte r due t r i a l upon w ritte n

c h a r g e s . . . is found g u ilty o f d ish o n e sty , m a lf e a s a n c e , o r m a la d m in ­

is t r a t io n , and su ch fin d in g s a r e a p p ro v e d in a re fe r e n d u m by a m a jo r it y 

o f the m e m b e r s o f the In te rn a tio n a l U nion.

A s show n in ta b le V II-9 , the r e fe re n d u m a s the e x c lu siv e fin a l a p p e a l w as 

found in se v e n c o n stitu tio n s, and a s an a lte r n a tiv e m eth o d in fo u r o t h e r s . In 

10 of th e se 11 u n ion s the i s s u e w as su b m itte d to a v o te of the "m e m b e r s h ip , 11 

alth o u gh in a few c a s e s th is w as lim ite d to the " a f fe c t e d m e m b e r s h ip . " In the 

elev en th c o n stitu tio n , the is s u e w as su b m itte d to a v o te of the l o c a ls .

O nly 6 o f the 22 u n ion s s p e c if ic a lly g ra n te d the a c c u s e d o f fic e r the rig h t 

to su b m it a d o cu m en t sta tin g h is v e r s io n o f the c a s e on the b a llo t. F o r e x a m p le :

T he re fe r e n d u m b a llo t s h a ll b e a c c o m p a n ie d by a sta te m e n t by the 

E x e c u tiv e B o a r d m a jo r it y and a sta te m e n t by the a c c u s e d . (O il, C h e m ic a l and A to m ic W o rk e rs In te rn a tio n a l Union)

T h is rig h t to e n c lo se a sta te m e n t w as l e s s s p e c if ic in the fo llo w in g 

c o n stitu tio n :

. . . T he fin d in g s o f the G e n e r a l E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , w ith a co p y o f 

a ll e v id e n c e , ( s h a ll be) su b m itte d to a g e n e r a l v o te o f the L o c a l U nions 

w ithin th irty d a y s . (U n ited B ro th e rh o o d of C a r p e n te r s and J o in e r s 

o f A m e r ic a )

P r e s u m a b ly , the a c c u s e d *s p o sitio n co u ld be found so m e w h e re in the e v id e n c e .

F ifte e n c o n stitu tio n s d efin e d the s iz e o f v o te r e q u ir e d in the re fe re n d u m . 

In 13 of th e se , a m a jo r it y of th o se vo tin g w as r e q u ir e d . In a n o th e r, the A ir lin e 

C o m m u n ic a tio n s E m p lo y e e s A s s o c ia t io n (Ind. ), tw o -th ird s o f the m e m b e r s e l i ­

g ib le to v o te w as s p e c ifie d . In the o th er c o n stitu tio n , the U n ited G a rm e n t W o rk e rs 

of A m e r ic a , w h ere the r e fe re n d u m is u se d to r a tify d e c is io n s o f the t r i a l body, 

e ac h lo c a l union w as e n title d to the s a m e n u m b e r o f v o te s it w ould h av e at a c o n ­

ven tio n , and a m a jo r it y v o te w as r e q u ir e d to uphold the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d .

S ta tu s P en d in g A p p e a l. O nly eig h t c o n stitu tio n s m a d e s p e c if ic r e fe r e n c e 

to the s ta tu s of in te rn a tio n a l o f f ic e r s p en d in g the o u tco m e of th e ir a p p e a l. In 

on e, the s ta tu s o f an in te rn a tio n a l o f fic e r cou ld not be a lt e r e d u n til a fte r a fin a l 

d e c is io n of g u ilt w as uph eld on a p p e a l. In the o th er se v e n u n io n s, the a p p e lla te 

body, a t it s d is c r e tio n , w as e m p o w ere d to sta y the d e c is io n p en d in g the o u tco m e 

o f the a p p e a l.

R e c a ll of In te rn a tio n a l O ffic e r s

T h i r t y - s ix c o n stitu tio n s, c o v e rin g n e a r ly 5 m illio n m e m b e r s , p ro v id e d 

fo r the r e c a l l o f in te r n a tio n a l o f f ic e r s (ta b le V I I - 1). In 18, r e c a l l w as an a l t e r ­

n a tiv e to im p e a c h m e n t a s a m eth o d o f r e m o v a l. F iv e o f the r e m a in in g 18 p r o ­

v id ed fo r r e c a l l and s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e , w h e r e a s in 13, c o v e rin g fe w e r than 

1 m illio n m e m b e r s , r e c a l l w as the on ly m eth o d a v a ila b le to re m o v e an in t e r ­

n a tio n a l o f fic e r .

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G ro u n d s. In 29 o f the 36 c o n stitu tio n s w ith r e c a l l p r o v is io n s , g ro u n d s 

fo r in itia tin g a r e c a l l p e titio n w e re not in d ic a te d , th e re b y p u ttin g no lim ita tio n s 

on th is r e m o v a l m eth o d . One o f the 29 c o n stitu tio n s s p e c ifie d th at r e c a l l co u ld 

b e in itia te d ,!w ith o r w ithout c a u s e . 11 In m o s t of the re m a in in g se v e n , b ro a d 

g ro u n d s w e re g iv e n , su ch a s " f o r ju s t if ia b le c a u s e , " " f o r good and su ffic ie n t 

c a u s e , " and " d e r e li c t in h is d u t i e s ." In one o f th e se se v e n , the g ro u n d s w e re 

lim ite d to one s p e c ific o ffe n se :

(P a r tic ip a tio n ) in the w o rk of an y C o m m u n ist, N a z i, F a s c i s t , o r any 

o th er u n -A m e r ic a n o r g a n iz a tio n . (A s s o c ia te d U nions o f A m e r ic a , I n d .)

Of the 11 c o n stitu tio n s w hich r e f e r r e d to the co n ten ts of the r e c a l l p e t ition (ta b le V II-1 1 ), on ly on e, th at of the U tility W o rk e rs of N ew E n g lan d (In d .), 

co n tain ed a lim ita tio n on g ro u n d s an d a re q u ir e m e n t th at "w ritte n c h a r g e s . . .

be f i l e d ."

T ab le V II-11. Contents of Petitions to R e call N ational O fficers,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands)

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Contents of petition

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U n affiliated

Unions Members Unions Members

A ll re c a ll p ro v isio n s----------------------------- 36 4, 893. 5 23 3 ,8 7 1 .5 13 1 ,0 2 2 .0

Constitutions providing for reference

to contents ------------------------------------ 11 2, 214.5 9 2, 109. 9 2 104.6

Petition must be s p e c i f i c ------------------ 4 1, 2 2 2 .4 4 1, 2 2 2 .4 - _

Petition must recite acts or conduct

com plained o f ------------------------------ 1 2 5 5 .4 1 2 5 5 .4

Petition must set forth the r e a s o n ------- 3 545 .5 3 5 4 5 .5 - _

Petition must be accom panied

by c h a r g e s----------------------------------- 3 191.2 1 8 6 .6 2 104 .6

Constitutions not providing for reference

to contents -------------------------------------- 25 2, 6 7 9 .0 14 1 ,7 6 1 .6 11 9 1 7 .4

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

I n itia to r and E n d o r s e m e n t. A ll but 5 of the 36 c o n stitu tio n s m a d e r e f e r ­

en ce to the in d iv id u a l o r g ro u p a u th o riz e d to in itia te a r e c a l l p e titio n (ta b le V II-12). 

T he in itia to r , in m o s t c a s e s , w as the lo c a l union (22); on ly 9 o f the 36 r e c a l l 

p r o v is io n s e x p lic itly p e rm itte d a m e m b e r to in itia te r e c a l l. M o r e o v e r , 10 of the 

22 c o n stitu tio n s th at p ro v id e d fo r so m e a g e n t o th er than a m e m b e r to in itia te 

c h a r g e s co n tain ed no im p e a c h m e n t p r o v is io n s ; th u s an in d iv id u a l m e m b e r , in th e se 

u n io n s, w as a p p a r e n tly w ithout a m e a n s o f se ttin g m a c h in e r y in m o tio n to r e ­

m o v e an in te rn a tio n a l o f fic e r . T h irty one c o n stitu tio n s r e q u ir e d an e n d o r se m e n t 

of the r e c a l l p e titio n . T h re e o f the fiv e c o n stitu tio n s w ithout th is re q u ire m e n t 

a ls o fa ile d to s ta te an in itia tin g a g e n t.

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T ab le V II-12. Requirem ents for Initiation and Endorsement of R e call Petitions,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(Number of unions)

Initiating agents Unions

Endorsed by—

Percent

of

locals

Percent

of

m em bers

Number

of

locals

Percent

of locals

and

mem bers

Number of

locals and

percent of

mem bers

Varies

by

initiator

Other No re ference

A ll re c a ll p ro v isio n s----------------------------- 36 5 8 4 3 6 4 5

M e m b e r ------------------------------------------- 8 6

. . 2.

Local u n io n -------------------------------------- 18 5 1 4 2 4 - 1 1

Executive board -------------------------------- 1 - - - - - - - 1

M ember or lo c al union ---------------------- 1 - - - - - 1 - -

Local union or executive board ------------ 3 - - - - - 3 - -

No r e fe r e n c e ------------------------------------ 5 - 1 - 1 - - 3

1 If the union's governing body rules against subm itting the petition to a re c a ll vote, the initiating lo c a l m ay

petition all other subordinate locals to overrule the board of directors, with a m ajority of locals required to vote

for overruling.

P r o c e d u r e . O nly e ig h t c o n stitu tio n s s p e c ifie d th at the r e c a l l p e titio n h ad 

to be re v ie w e d b e fo r e b ein g su b m itte d to a v o te , a fu n ctio n a s s ig n e d to the e x ­

e c u tiv e b o a r d o r a n o th e r g o v e rn in g bo d y. In fiv e of the e ig h t, the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd 

w as e m p o w e re d to d ro p the c h a r g e s , alth o u gh in th re e o f th e se the e x e c u tiv e 

b o a r d *s d e c is io n co u ld be r e v e r s e d e ith e r , in tw o u n io n s, by a s p e c ifie d n u m b e r 

of lo c a l u n ion s o r , in one union, by the n ex t co n v en tio n .

In a six th c o n stitu tio n , th e re w as p r o v is io n fo r a p r e lim in a r y in v e stig a tio n 

o f the c h a r g e s by the e x e c u tiv e b o a rd , a s a r e s u lt o f w hich c e r ta in r e c o m m e n ­

d a tio n s na s s e e m ju s t if ie d by the f a c t s " w e re to be m ad e and su b m itte d to the 

lo c a l u n ion s fo r a v o te .

In the re m a in in g two c o n stitu tio n s, the n a tu re o f the re v ie w p r o c e d u r e 

w as so m ew h a t d iffe r e n t. One p ro v id e d :

If the p e titio n s h a ll be found to be s u ffic ie n t, the B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s 

s h a ll su b m it a r e c a l l b a llo t to the m e m b e r s h ip . . . (B ro th e rh o o d o f 

R a ilw a y and S te a m sh ip C le r k s , F r e ig h t H a n d le r s, E x p r e s s and S ta tio n 

E m p lo y e e s)

W hether the re v ie w w as lim ite d to an e x a m in a tio n fo r te c h n ic a l su ffic ie n c y , o r 

w as b r o a d enough to in clu d e su b sta n tiv e su ffic ie n c y , w as not e x p lic it in the ab o v e 

la n g u a g e . T he re m a in in g p r o v is io n w as a ls o s u s c e p t ib le to m o r e th an one in ­

te r p r e ta tio n :

If a p e titio n sig n e d by ten p e r c e n t (10%) o r m o r e o f the to ta l m e m ­

b e r s in good stan d in g no m o r e than o n e -th ird (V3 ) s ig n a t u r e s to b e g o t ­

ten by any one L o c a l p r o p o sin g p e titio n s h a ll be m a n d a to ry and s h a ll 

b e su b m itte d to the ran k and file w ithin th irty d a y s (30) a ft e r p r e s e n tin g 

s a id p e titio n to the G e n e ra l B o a r d and th e ir a c c e p ta n c e . (E m p h a s is 

ad d ed . ) (B ro th e rh o o d o f Sh o e and A llie d C r a ftsm e n , I n d .)

A gen t A d m in iste r in g R e c a l l . T he t e r m " a d m in is t e r in g a g e n t" r e f e r s to 

the p e r s o n o r body r e s p o n s ib le fo r the r e c a l l p r o c e d u r e , in clu d in g the su b m ittin g 

o f the p e titio n to the m e m b e r s h ip fo r a v o te and the ta b u la tio n o f r e s u l t s .

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T he o ffic e o f s e c r e t a r y - t r e a s u r e r w as found to b e the one m o s t often 

c a lle d upon to a d m in is te r the r e c a l l p e titio n (ta b le V I I - 13). In se v e n u n io n s, 

a lte r n a tiv e a g e n ts w e re d e sig n a te d to c o v e r th o se s itu a tio n s w h ere the o f fic e r who 

w ould o r d in a r ily a d m in is te r the p e titio n w as h im s e lf in v o lv e d .

(A p e titio n ) s h a ll be file d w ith the S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r o f the U n ­

ion , p ro v id e d , h o w e v e r, th at a p e titio n d ir e c t e d a g a in s t the S e c r e t a r y - 

T r e a s u r e r s h a ll b e file d w ith the P r e s id e n t . (C o m m u n ic a tio n s W o rk e rs 

o f A m e r ic a )

T ab le VTI-13. Agent Adm inistering R e c a ll of N ational O fficers,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M em bers in thousands^

Agents

T o tal studied A ffiliatio n

Unions Members

AFL-CIO U naffiliated

Unions M embers Unions Members

A ll re c a ll p ro v isio n s--------------------------- 36 4 ,8 9 3 .5 23 3 ,8 7 1 .5 13 1,0 2 2 .0

Constitutions referring to adm inistering

a g e n t-------------------------------------------- 30 4, 832. 2 21 3 ,8 2 1 .6 9 1 ,0 1 0 .7

Executive board --------------------------- 10 6 1 0 .2 7 5 0 4 .9 3 1 0 5 .4

President ------------------------------------- 14 146.8 1 5 .7 3 141.1

S e c re ta ry -tre a su re r------------------------ 212 3, 275. 4 10 2, 6 7 1 .2 2 6 0 4 .2

Board of t r u s t e e s--------------------------- 4 7 9 9 .8 3 6 3 9 .8 1 1 6 0 .0

Constitutions not referring to

adm inistering a g e n t -------------------------- 6 6 1 .3 2 4 9 .9 4 1 1 .4

1 Includes 3 constitutions in which the president is the adm inistering agent in a ll cases except where the re call

is directed against him , in which case another agent is specified.

2 Includes 4 constitutions in which the secretary-treasurer is the adm inistering agent in a ll cases except where

the re c a ll is directed against him, in which case another agent is specified.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

S ta tu s P e n d in g R e c a ll. O nly se v e n c o n stitu tio n s, c o v e r in g ju s t o v e r o n e - 

h a lf m illio n m e m b e r s , m a d e r e fe r e n c e to the s ta tu s o f the in te r n a tio n a l o f fic e r 

a fte r r e c a l l a c tio n h ad b een in itia te d . In two c o n stitu tio n s, an y ch an ge o f s ta tu s 

w as s p e c if ic a lly p ro h ib ite d :

T he o f fic e r s h a ll r e ta in o ffic e u n til the r e s u lt s o f the s p e c i a l e le c tio n 

a r e o f fic ia lly d e c la r e d . (B ro th e rh o o d o f M ain ten an ce o f W ay E m p lo y e s)

In th e o th e r fiv e c o n stitu tio n s, the sta tu s of the o f fic e r w as a lt e r e d p e n d ­

in g r e c a l l. F o r in s ta n c e , the In te rn a tio n a l L o n g s h o r e m e n s and W a r e h o u s e m e n s 

U nion (I n d .), p ro v id e d th at the o ffic e r —

. . . s h a ll im m e d ia te ly sta n d su sp e n d e d fr o m o ffic e p en d in g a r e ­

c a ll e le c tio n .

In the W indow G l a s s C u tte r s L e a g u e of A m e r ic a , w h ere the r e c a l l p e ­

titio n g o e s th ro u g h a p r e lim in a r y re v ie w b y the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d , th e s u s p e n s io n 

w as e ffe c tiv e on ly a fte r the re v ie w in g a g e n t v o ted to a c c e p t the p e titio n .

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In one c o n stitu tio n , su s p e n s io n p en d in g r e c a l l w as lim ite d to the f o l ­

low in g s itu a tio n s:

An o f fic e r o f the U nion, M e m b e r o f the E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , N a tio n a l 

D ir e c t o r , C o lle c tiv e B a r g a in in g C o m m itte e M e m b e r o r L o c a l. O ffic e r 

a g a in s t w hom a p e titio n fo r r e c a l l . • . h a s b een file d on g ro u n d s of 

e m b e z z le m e n t, la r c e n y , w ilfu l m is a p p lic a t io n o f U nion a s s e t s , s h a ll 

fo rth w ith be su sp e n d e d , p en d in g the d e te rm in a tio n o f the r e c a l l p r o c e e d ­

in g s and the U nion s h a ll c a u s e a su b stitu te to b e ap p o in ted to s e r v e in 

h is ste a d d u rin g h is su s p e n s io n . (C o m m u n ic a tio n s W o rk e rs o f A m e r ic a )

In two of the fiv e c o n stitu tio n s w hich p ro v id e d fo r s u sp e n sio n , the m a t te r 

o f p a y d u rin g s u sp e n sio n w as s p e c if ic a lly d e a lt w ith:

T he E x e c u tiv e B o a r d , in it s d is c r e tio n , s h a ll d e c id e w h eth er o r not 

h is p a y sh o u ld co n tin u e. (In te rn a tio n a l U nion o f M in e, M ill and S m e lt e r 

W o r k e r s, Ind. )

R ig h t to E n c lo s e S ta te m e n t. F o u r te e n o f the c o n stitu tio n s m a d e r e f e r ­

en c e to the rig h t of the a c c u se d o f fic e r to e n c lo se a s ta te m e n t g iv in g h is d e fe n se 

alo n g w ith the r e c a l l b a llo t. T en o f th e se 14 m e r e ly s p e c ifie d th at the a c c u s e d 

h ad the rig h t to e n c lo se a sta te m e n t, w ithout fu r th e r d e ta il, a s in the fo llo w in g :

S a id p e titio n (fo r r e c a ll) to a c c o m p a n y c h a r g e s fo r w hich a r e c a l l 

is a sk e d and d e fe n se of th o se c h a rg e d . (U n ited M ine W o rk e rs o f A m e r ­

ic a , I n d .)

In the o th er fo u r c o n stitu tio n s, the len gth o f the sta te m e n t w as lim ite d , 

a s in the fo llo w in g e x c e r p t:

Su ch o ffic e r o r o f f ic e r s m a y . . . file a w ritten sta te m e n t o f d e ­

fe n se , co n tain in g not m o r e than 500 w o rd s, w ith the G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y - 

T r e a s u r e r , who s h a ll c a u s e the s a m e to b e p rin te d and m a ile d to a ll 

L o c a l L o d g e s c o n c u rre n tly w ith the c a ll fo r the e n d o r se m e n ts fo r n o m ­

in e e s . . . (In te rn a tio n a l A s s o c ia tio n of M a c h in ists)

T im e A llo w ed A c c u se d to P r e p a r e D e fe n se . S ev en o f the 36 c o n stitu tio n s 

m ad e r e fe r e n c e to the tim e allo w e d the a c c u se d to p r e p a r e h is d e fe n s e . F o u r 

u n ion s a llo w e d the a c c u se d a s p e c if ic n u m b e r of d a y s fo r th is p u r p o se . Two 

s p e c ifie d 15 d a y s , one s p e c ifie d 30 d a y s , and the o th er g ra n te d 90 d a y s.

T he co n stitu tio n of the U n ited P a c k in g h o u se , F o o d and A llie d W o rk e rs 

co n tain ed p e r h a p s the m o s t d e ta ile d p r o v is io n w ith r e s p e c t to p r o c e d u r e . In the 

f i r s t in s ta n c e , b e fo r e a lo c a l union co u ld in itia te c h a r g e s , it h ad to a llo w the 

a c c u se d 14 d a y s* n o tic e , at w hich tim e he h ad the rig h t to atten d o r be r e p r e ­

se n te d a t a s p e c i a l m e e tin g c a lle d fo r the p u r p o se of a p p ro v in g the r e c a l l p e titio n . 

T h e re w as then a 4 5 -d a y p e r io d w ithin w hich a ll the r e q u ir e d e n d o r se m e n ts h ad 

to be r e c e iv e d . W ithin 7 m o r e d a y s , the p e titio n and e n d o r se m e n ts w e re r e ­

f e r r e d to the e x e c u tiv e b o a r d . A t th is p o in t, the a c c u se d w as on ce a g a in n o tifie d , 

and g iv e n na fu ll o p p o rtu n ity to be h e a r d and be r e p r e s e n te d in h is own d e fe n se . " 

T he b a llo t, re c o m m e n d a tio n s o f the b o a r d , and a n sw e r o f the a c c u s e d , if an y, 

w e re then se n t to the lo c a ls fo r a re fe re n d u m v o te , and h ad to be r e tu rn e d w ith ­

in 30 d a y s .

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In two u n ion s the a c c u se d h ad to be n o tifie d , but no d e ta ils w e re s p e c ­

ifie d . One of th e se c o n stitu tio n s stip u la te d :

. . . T he o f fic e r to be r e c a lle d s h a ll be p e r m itte d to m a k e a c o m ­

p le te sta te m e n t o f d e fe n se in the s a m e is s u e of O UR JO U R N A L o r in the 

s a m e m a il se n t out to the lo c a l u n ion s o r it s m e m b e r s h ip . (M e ta l P o l ­

i s h e r s , B u f f e r s , P l a t e r s and H e lp e r s In te rn a tio n a l Union)

B a llo t I s s u e . In the m a jo r it y o f c o n stitu tio n s w ith r e c a l l p r o v is io n s , the 

q u e stio n su b m itte d to a vo te w as w h eth er o r not the o f fic e r sh o u ld be r e c a lle d 

o r re ta in e d :

. . . th e T r u s t e e s s h a ll o r d e r the p e titio n to b e se n t to e v e r y lo c a l 

in good sta n d in g , w hich s h a ll ta k e an ay e and n ay v o te upon su sta in in g 

the r e c a l l. (In te rn a tio n a l U nion o f E l e c t r ic a l , R ad io and M ach in e W o rk e rs)

In fiv e c o n stitu tio n s, h o w e v e r, the b a llo t is s u e upon w hich v o te s w e re 

c a s t w as not on the q u e stio n o f the r e c a l l it s e lf , but r a th e r w as an e le c tio n b a llo t, 

in w hich the v o te w as to r e ta in the a c c u s e d o f fic e r in o ffic e o r r e p la c e h im w ith 

an o th e r (ta b le V II-1 4 ).

T ab le VII-14. Issues to be D ecided and Size of Vote Required in R e call Procedures,

N ational and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M embers in thousands!

T o tal studied Ballot issue

Size of votes

Unions M embers '

R e call Election of officers Not specified

Unions Members Unions Members Unions Members

A ll re call p ro v isio n s--------------------------- 36 4, 893. 5 19 1 ,8 8 9 .1 5 1 ,5 2 9 .1 12 1 ,4 7 5 .3

Constitutions specifying size of v o te ------- 25 3 ,4 1 6 .1 13 6 7 3 .4 5 1, 529.1 7 1, 2 13.7

M ajority of m em bers v o tin g ------------- 12 9 2 3 .5 6 323. 1 4 5 3 6 .4 2 6 4 .0

Two-thirds of m em bers voting -------- 7 312.9 4 43. 2 - - 3 269 .7

M ajority of m em bers e l i g i b l e ---------- 4 587.1 3 307. 1 - - 1 2 8 0 .0

P lu r a lity --------------------------------------

Constitutions not specifying size

2 1, 592.7 - ~ 1 9 9 2 .7 1 6 0 0 .0

of v o t e ------------------------------------------- 11 1 ,4 7 7 .4 6 1 ,2 1 5 .8 - - 5 2 6 1 .6

NOTE: Because of rounding, sums of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

T he fo llo w in g p r o v is io n w as ty p ic a l of th o se in w hich the r e c a l l is s u e 

in v o lv e d an e le c tio n :

If the p e titio n s h a ll be found to be su ffic ie n t, the B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s 

s h a ll su b m it a r e c a l l b a llo t to the m e m b e r sh ip w ithin th irty (30) d a y s 

a fte r the p e titio n h a s b een file d w ith it. T he B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s s h a ll 

p u b lish o r c a u s e to be p u b lish e d n o tic e of and m a k e a ll a r r a n g e m e n ts 

fo r h old in g su ch e le c tio n by s e c r e t b a llo t and s a m e s h a ll be co n d u cted , 

and re tu rn e d and r e s u lt th e r e o f be d e c la r e d . . . T h is b a llo t s h a ll a ls o 

co n tain the n a m e s o f the c a n d id a te s who h av e b een n o m in ate d by lo c a l 

lo d g e s fo r the G ran d L o d g e o f fic e r fo r w hich the r e c a l l i s m a d e . It 

sh a ll be n e c e s s a r y th at e ac h n o m in ee h av e the e n d o rse m e n t of not l e s s 

than fifty (50) lo d g e s .

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The su c c e sso r of any officer rem oved by re c all shall hold office d u ring the u n e x p ir e d t e r m of h is p r e d e c e s s o r . . . Any o f f ic e r w h o se r e ­

m oval is sought can be a candidate to succeed h im self, and u n less he 

requ ests otherw ise in writing to the B o ard of T ru ste e s, the B o ard of 

T ru stee s shall place his nam e on the official ballot without nomination. 

(Brotherhood of Railw ay and Steam ship C lerk s, F reigh t H andlers, E x ­

p r e s s and Station Em ployes)

To rem o v e the o ffic e r, a p lu rality of con stitu tion s (1Z) sp e c ifie d a m a ­

jo r ity of the m e m b e r s voting; second in frequ en cy (7) w as a re q u irem e n t for 

tw o-thirds of the m em b ers voting.

Fin ally, only seven constitutions specified a se c r e t ballot in re c all votes. 

Although not sp e c ific a lly re q u ire d in the other 29 co n stitu tio n s, n eith er w as it 

preclu ded, and the rules of o rd er for the conduct of voting m ay requ ire a s e ­

cret ballot.

D iscip lin ary P ow ers A vailable to the A F L rC IO

T he d i s c i p l i n a r y p o w e r s of the A F L —CIO w e r e v e s t e d by it s co n stitu tio n 

p r i m a r i l y in the p r e s i d e n t and the e x e c u tiv e c o u n c il. 41 In a r t i c l e VIII, s e c t io n 2, 

the executive council was given gen eral pow er, between conventions, to—

. . . d i r e c t the a f f a i r s of the F e d e r a t i o n and to ta k e su c h a c tio n s

and render such decisions as are n e c e ssa r y and appropriate to s a f e ­

guard and prom ote the b est in terests of the F ed eration and its a ffilia te d unions . . . 42

M ore specifically , the executive council w as em pow ered (article VIII, 

sectio n 12) to rem o ve fro m office any o ffic e r who, a fte r notice and h earin g, 

was found ineligible (by a tw o-thirds vote) to hold office b ecau se of m em b ership 

in or activities directed toward the achievem ent of the p u rp o ses of the Com m unist 

P arty (as provided in article V, section 10).

Im peachm ent proceedin gs again st executive o fficers of the Fed eration and 

m e m b e r s of the e x e c u tiv e c o u n c il w e r e s p e c i f i e d in s e c t io n 11 of a r t i c l e VIII. 

The g ro u n d s l i s t e d w e r e " m a l f e a s a n c e o r m a l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , n and the e x e c u tiv e 

council w as nam ed as the body to file ch arges and act as the tria l body. Upon 

conclusion of such trial, it was to "m ak e a repo rt to the convention recom m en d ­

ing appropriate action. " The charged officer had to be furnished with a copy 

of the written ch arges at "reaso n ab le tim e" before the hearing.

41 C o m p o s e d of the p r e s i d e n t , s e c r e t a r y - t r e a s u r e r , and 27 v i c e - p r e s i d e n t s . 

F o r a s u m m a r y of the s t r u c t u r e of the A F L r “CIO, s e e the D i r e c t o r y of N a tio n a l 

and International L ab or Unions in the United S tates. 1961 (B L S Bulletin 1320).

42 On M ay 20, 1957, D a v e B e c k , f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t o f the In te r n a tio n a l

Brotherhood of T e a m ste rs, w as rem oved fro m the executive council. At that 

tim e, P re sid en t G eorge M eany stated that the action was taken under A rt. VIII, 

S e c . 2. ( A F L - C I O N e w s , M ay 25, 1 9 5 7 .)

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With regard to discipline again st affiliates charged with corruption or 

subversion, it was provided that:

• . . The E x e c u t iv e C o u n cil, when r e q u e s t e d to do s o by the P r e s i ­

dent or by any other m em b er of the Executive Council, shall have the 

power to conduct an investigation . . . of any situation in which there 

is reaso n to believe that any affiliate is dom inated, controlled, or su b ­

stantially influenced in the conduct of its affa irs by any corru pt influence, 

or that the po licies or activities of any affiliate are consistently directed 

toward the advocacy, support, advancem ent or achievem ent of the p r o ­

g ram or of the p u rp o ses of the Com m unist P arty , any fa s c is t organization 

o r o th er t o t a l i t a r i a n m o v e m e n t • • • ( a r t i c l e VIII, s e c t io n 7)

Any such investigation was to be ca rrie d out by a standing or sp ecial 

com m ittee appointed by the p resid en t. Upon com pletion of the investigation, 

which was to include a hearing if requested, the executive council w as further 

em pow ered:

. . . to m a k e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s o r g iv e d i r e c t io n s to the a ffilia t e

involved and shall have the further authority, upon a tw o-thirds vote, to 

s u s p e n d any a f f il ia t e found g u ilty of a v io la tio n of th is s e c t io n . . .

Such execu tiv e coun cil action a g a in s t an a ffilia te w as s p e c ific a lly m a d e a p p e a lable to the convention.

In addition, the executive council was given rulem aking authority to p r o ­

vide for the disciplin e, including suspension, expulsion, and estab lish m en t of 

t r u s t e e s h i p s of S ta te and l o c a l c e n t r a l l a b o r b o d ie s ( a r t i c l e X IV , s e c t io n 3) and 

organizing co m m ittees, national councils, and directly affiliated local unions 

( a r t i c l e X V , s e c t io n 2)43

43 R u le s and r e g u la t i o n s i s s u e d u n d er t h e s e s e c t io n s by the e x e c u tiv e c o u n ­

cil designate the P resid en t as the agent to ad m in ister disciplin e, and detailed 

tria l p ro ced u res have been published.

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Chapter VIII. Influence of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure 

Act on Discipline Provisions of Union Constitutions

The constitutions of 70 national and international unions which held conventions between Septem ber 14, 1959, and late 1961 w ere studied for changes

in disciplin ary p rov ision s adopted after the L ab or-M an agem ent R eporting and D isc l o s u r e A c t w ent into e ffe c t. 44 Of the 70 u n ion s stu d ied , 55, c o v e r in g o v e r 9 m i l ­

lion m em b ers, had am ended one or m ore of their constitutional p ro v isio n s r e ­

lating to d isciplin in g o ffic e rs or m e m b e rs. The rem ain in g 15 had not am ended 

their constitu tions in this a r e a . In s e v e r a l of the rem ain in g unions, the d i s c i ­

plinary prov ision s appeared to contain m ost, if not all, of the safegu ard s and g u a r ­

an tees introduced by other unions to conform to the requ irem en ts of the 1959 Act.

The constitutional am endm ents v aried in both substance and degree. 

In so m e c a s e s , for exam ple, the changes involved a sen ten ce or two clarifyin g 

existing p ro ced u ral p rov ision s; in others, detailed substantive changes w ere 

adopted. A gen eral savings clau se was added in a few in stan ces; for exam ple, 

the P a p e rm a k e rs adopted the following provision at their I960 convention:

In the event any p ro v isio n of this Constitution sh all h e re a fte r be 

d e te rm in e d to be in c o n siste n t with the p r o v is io n s of T itle I o r T itle IV 

of the L abor-M an agem ent Reporting and D isc lo su re Act of 1959, the International Executive B o ard m ay thereupon c e ase giving effect to such 

p rov ision s and m ay adopt a substitute provision pending action by the 

next regu lar or sp ecial convention of the International Union.

E xcept where an amendm ent, as in the foregoing clau se, sp ecifically 

m entioned the L ab or-M an agem ent Reporting and D isclo su re Act, it cannot be 

in fe rred that a ll am en dm en ts in d iscip lin e p ro c e d u re s w ere adopted d ire c tly a s a 

r e s u l t of the a c t . 45 * T h is a s s u m p t i o n i s m o r e s t r o n g ly su p p o rte d in s o m e c a s e s 

than in others. F o r instance, there is little reaso n to doubt that the act w as

44 A t l e a s t 45 a d d itio n a l unions w e r e known to h av e h eld c o n v e n tio n s d u rin g 

this period, but their constitutions w ere not availab le at the tim e this an aly sis 

w as com pleted. It m u st be em phasized that the act is also applicable to subordinate bodies.

45 In a n u m b e r of c a s e s , altho ugh the a m e n d m e n t s did not r e f e r to the a c t,

convention proceedin gs and statem ents in union n ew spapers or other union p e r io d i c a ls le ft no doubt a s to the r e a s o n fo r the ch an ge. F o r in s ta n c e , the a m e n d ­

m e n t s to the M a c h in ist s* co n stitu tio n w e r e p r e f a c e d with the s ta t e m e n t th at nth e se

am endm ents rep resen t changes in our Constitution so a s to conform to the re q u ire ­

m e n t s of the L a n d r u m - G r i f f i n A ct. n (S e e p r e a m b l e to the r e s o lu t io n co n tain in g 

constitutional am endm ents p resen ted to the 25th Convention, Septem ber I960. )

Union statem ents to the effect that am endm ents to conform to the re q u ire ­

m e n t s of the L a n d r u m - G r i f f i n A ct, " a r e r e q u ir e d by the A ct, n etc. , do not n e c e s ­

sarily reflect official Governm ent or ju dicial interpretation of the a c t! s re q u ire ­

m ents. This caution found its way into som e union statem ents, a s, for exam ple, 

the following issu ed by the M arble, Slate, and Stone P o lish ers:

. . . our G e n e r a l E x e c u t iv e C o u n cil . . . fo llow in g r e v ie w

of the p e rt in e n t s e c t io n s of our C o n stitu tio n and upon a d v ic e

of our attorney, have concluded that the changes, alteration s,

amendments-, and deletions noted herein will satisfy the r e ­

quirem ents of the Law with re sp e c t to our constitution.

154

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p rim arily , if not entirely, respon sib le for the adoption by som e unions of a 

4-m onth exh au stion -of-rem edies provision. The cause and effect relationship is 

le s s certain, however, with regard to an am endm ent adding, for exam ple, a r e ­

quirem ent that w itn esses testify under oath.

Few gen eralization s can be drawn as to the nature of the am endm ents. 

Changes relating to grounds for discipline, due p r o c e ss, and rem oval of officers 

w ere prevalent, but no specific issu e was predom inant. It can be said with 

certainty, however, that the act provided a strong stim ulus for unions to r e ­

view the disciplin ary provision s of their constitutions, in som e unions for the 

f i r s t tim e in m a n y y e a r s . 46 The o v e r a l l r e s u l t h as b een a tre n d to w ard m o r e 

fo rm alized union disciplin ary p roced u res within a fram ew ork of broad guarantees 

and prohibitions.

A pplicable P ro v isio n s of the Law

At le a s t 12 p ro v isio n s of the act d ire ctly or in d irectly re late to the d i s ­

c i p lin a r y p r o c e s s a s c o n c e iv e d in this study . T h e s e a r e d i s c u s s e d b r i e f ly belo w 47

Section 201(a) requ ires every labor organization to adopt a constitution 

and b y la w s, and s u b s e c t i o n s 5(H) and 5(1) of this s e c t io n r e q u i r e r e p o r t s to be file d 

with the S ec re ta ry of L abor indicating their disciplin ary p ro ced u res.

T itle I, en titled nB i l l of R ig h ts of M e m b e r s of L a b o r O r g a n i z a t io n s , n h as 

a num ber of relevant sections. The first, a p rov iso in section 101(a) (2), m ay 

affect union constitutional provision s which m ake union-loyalty violations a ground 

fo r d isciplin e. Section 101(a) (4), in protectin g the right to sue, b e a r s d ire ctly 

upon union constitutional provision s which call for the suspension, expulsion, or 

fining of any m em b er who re so rts to a civil court before exhausting the internal 

rem ed ies of the union.

A th ird s e c t io n , 101(a) (5)^ f o c u s e s d i r e c t l y on d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o c e d u r e s , 

and en c o m p asses the entire d u e-p ro cess area. Any constitutional provision which 

violates or is inconsistent with these requirem ents (as well as with any of the 

title I req u irem en ts) is d e cla re d in operative under section 101(b).

Title IV, which deals with union elections, contains five relevant s e c ­

tions. E lectioneerin g as a ground for discipline has been som ew hat c irc u m ­

scrib ed by section 401(c), which guarantees m em b ers who are candidates for 

union office the right to distribute cam paign literatu re; a ssu ra n c e s regarding 

the right to vote and to participate in election cam paigns are set forth in s e c ­

tion 401(e). Section 401(h), providing for the rem oval of o fficers guilty of serio u s 

m isco n d u ct, by vote of the m e m b e rsh ip , in c a s e s w here the constitution and bylaw s 

of the union provide no adequate rem oval procedu re, will probably have its g reate st 

im pact after the S ec re ta ry of Labor prom u lgates m inim um stan dards as to what 

c o n st itu te s su c h p r o c e d u r e s , a s p r o v id e d in s e c t io n 40 l ( i ) . 48 S e c tio n 402(a) a p ­

plies a 3 -month exh au stion -of-rem edies tim e lim it to title IV, thereby affecting 

this asp ect of union d u e-p ro c ess prov ision s.

Title V, section 504^prohibits p erso n s who are or who have been m em b ers 

of the Com m unist P arty, or who have been convicted of specified m ajo r crim e s, 

from holding union office for a 5 -year period.

F o r exam ple, the B ill P o ste rs, B o ile rm a k e rs, and M eat C u tters.

See p. 163 for the text of all sections of the L ab or-M an agem ent Reporting 

and D isc lo su re Act of 1959 cited in this chapter.

48 P r o p o s e d p r o c e d u r e s f o r the r e m o v a l of o f f i c e r s , i s s u e d by the S e c r e t a r y 

of L a b o r , w e re p u b lish e d in the F e d e r a l R e g i s t e r , N o v e m b e r 7, 1962.

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T itle V, se c tio n 504^prohibits p e r s o n s who a r e or who have b een m e m b e r s 

of the Com m unist P arty, or who have been convicted of specified m ajo r c rim e s, 

fro m holding union office for a 5-year period.

Section 609 prohibits the disciplining of m em b ers for exercisin g any right 

to which they are entitled under the act, and thereby se rv e s a s an o v erall check 

on g roun ds fo r d isc ip lin e under union con stitu tion s. In addition to the 12 se c tio n s 

d i s c u s s e d a b o v e , 2 oth er s e c t io n s , 101(a) (1) and 610, m e r i t c o n s id e r a t io n .

A m endm ents to Union Constitutions

P r o t e c t i o n of The R igh t to S u e . The ’’p r o t e c t io n of the r ig h t to s u e ” 

p r o v i s i o n of the law (S e c . luTfa] ( 4)J) s e e m s to h av e had a c l e a r e ffe c t upon 

union constitutions. Fifteen of the constitutions studied, covering m o re than 

2 m il lio n m e m b e r s , had c h a n g e s d e s i g n e d to c o n fo r m with th is p r o v is io n .

One method w as to enact an interpretation clau se, a s in the c a se of 

the Laundry W orkers (Ind. ):

T h e s e b y la w s s h a ll not be c o n s t r u e d a s r e q u ir in g any m e m b e r . . .

to exhaust his rem ed ies for a period m o re than four m onths after the 

date of serv ice of ch arges.

A second approach w as to withhold sanctions if internal re m e d ie s w ere 

pursued for a 4-month period, without a final decision. F o r exam ple, the constitution of the Granite Cutters, p rio r to the 1959 law, contained the follow ­

ing provision :

No officer or m em b er of the A sso ciatio n or any local branch shall 

r e so rt to court proceedin gs of any d escriptio n in any m atter pertaining 

to this organization, its local bran ch es or its m em b ersh ip until all 

re m e d ie s provided for within the International Constitution and the L o cal 

B ran ch Law s have been fully exhausted.

The sam e constitution, a s am ended in I960, retained this clau se, but added the 

following p rov iso:

P rovided that a m em b er or officer shall not be subject to any ch arges 

hereunder if he has exhausted his re m e d ie s for a period not to exceed 

four m onths.

The indirect effect of the two p ro v isio n s ju st cited w as to v ary the 

identity of the final decision body or final appeal within the union w here d is ­

c ip lin a ry actio n w as not co m p leted within 4 m onths. In a th ird type of p ro v isio n , 

this w as dealt with directly. The L ath ers* constitution, for exam ple, contained 

the following prov ision before the 1959 Act:

The appellate body, whether it be the G eneral P re sid en t an d /o r the 

Executive Council an d/o r the Convention of the (international), shall have 

the power to affirm , re v e rse , m odify or am end any decision or to render 

such a new decisio n or penalty a s it, the appellate body, believ es to be 

fair and just.

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Follow ing enactm ent of the Lab or-M an agem ent R eporting and D isc lo su re Act, the 

Executive Council issu e d the following rule regardin g the interpretation and a p ­

plication of the above provision:

If an appeal has not or cannot be heard or acted upon by the C onvention of the (International) within the four month period re fe rre d to 

and d e sc rib e d in T itle I, Section 101(a) (4) of the L ab o r-M an ag em e n t 

Reporting and D isclo su re Act of 1959, then, if litigated by the m em b er 

or m em b ers involved, the decision of the appellate body which last heard 

and decided the m atter shall be con sidered as the final appellate d e ­

cision on the m erits of the question or m atter involved.

Finally, som e unions adopted a gen eral savings clau se, as, for exam ple, 

the F irem e n and O ilers:

C onsistent with existing law, no m em b er shall appeal to the Civil 

C ourts for r e d re s s until after exhausting all rights of appeal provided in 

this Constitution.

Som e unions that did not am end their constitutions in this a r e a m ay have 

changed their p ro ced u res by ad m in istrative action. The following excerpt from 

a letter to local unions of the M arble P o lish e rs, for exam ple, outlined a new 

policy for expediting appellate h earin gs.

. . . In o r d e r to c o m p ly with the intent of the law it s h a ll be o u r

policy that, w here appeals are taken tim ely and within the prov ision s 

of our Constitution, the G eneral P resid en t S e c r e ta r y - T r e a s u r e r m ay, 

within his discretion , call a sp ecial m eeting of the G eneral Executive 

Council for the purpose of hearing or deciding any appeal within the p r e ­

sc rib e d statu tory period . It w ill not be n e c e ssa r y , th e refo re, to am end, 

change, or alter the presen t p rov ision s of our Constitution. (C ircu lar 

letter fro m G eneral P resid en t to all local unions, dated 2-26-60. )

R igh t to a F a i r T r i a l . A n u m b e r of c o n stitu tio n a l a m e n d m e n t s co u ld be 

trace d to the specific requ irem en ts of subsection s A, B, and C of section 101(a) (5). 

In som e, am endm ents took the fo rm of incorporating the language of s e c ­

tion 101(a) (5). T his w as true of unions which alread y had extensive hearing p r o ­

vision s such as the T ypograph ers, as w ell as those which prev io u sly had few 

details, such as the C igar M ak ers.

Fifteen unions adopted am endm ents to their constitutions that fell within 

the scope of the 101(a) (5) (A) requ irem en t that m e m b e rs be fu rnish ed with w ritten 

sp ecific c h a rg e s. Of th ese, 12 w ere concerned with the sp e cific ity of the c h a rg e s 

(at either the local or international level, or at both). F iv e of the 12, as well 

a s 3 o t h e r s , d e a lt with the m e d iu m fo r notifyin g the a c c u s e d .

M ost of the 12 constitutional changes concerning sp ecific ity of ch a rg e s 

stiffened existing requ irem en ts. F o r instance, the Street, E lec tric R ailw ay and 

M otor Coach Em ployes union m ade the following changes in its constitution in 

late Septem ber 1959:

When any charge or ch arges are p re fe rre d again st any m em b er or 

m em b ers, such charge or ch arges shall be in w riting AND SH A LL B E 

S P E C IF IC . (author's em ph asis)

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In other unions, the am endm ents w ere m ore detailed. F o r exam ple, 

in I960 the O perating E n gin eers m ade the following change:

All ch arges m ust be p referre d in writing, signed by the com plainant 

and file d with the R e c o r d i n g - C o r r e s p o n d i n g S e c r e t a r y . . . C H A R G E S

SH A LL B E S P E C IF IC , STATING C L E A R L Y , CO N C ISELY AND AS A C ­

C U R A T E LY AS P O SSIB L E TH E TIM E, P L A C E , N ATU R E AND C IR C U M ­

STA N C ES OF TH E O F F E N S E A L L E G E D , (author's em ph asis)

Section 101(a) (5) (A) r e q u ire s not only "sp e c ific c h a rg e s, " but a lso that 

these ch arges be "se r v e d " on the accu sed. M ost of the unions m aking changes 

in this a re a requ ired that ch arges be serv ed in p erson or by re g iste re d m ail. 

F o rm e rly , m ost of these constitutions either contained no specific requ irem en ts 

for serv ice , or m erely stated that an accu sed m ust be "notified. " T here w ere 

varying interpretations between unions as to how best to im plem ent the "se r v ic e " 

requ irem en ts of the act. F o r instance, the C o m m ercial T eleg ra p h e rs' c o n stitution fo rm erly provided:

When such ch arges are p re fe rre d again st any m em b er, the P resid en t 

or G e n e ra l C h airm an of the D ivisio n sh all within 10 days M A IL a copy 

of such ch arges to the accu sed m em b er. (author's em phasis)

However, in 1959, after p a ssa g e of the act, the requirem ent that a copy of the 

ch arges be "m aile d " w as dropped, and the w ords "sh all furnish the accu sed with 

a copy of the c h a rg e s" w ere substituted. On the other hand, although the B o ile r ­

m ak ers' constitution fo rm erly allowed serv ice either by p erso n al delivery or by 

re g iste re d or certified m ail, since 1961 the constitution provides only for serv ice 

by re g iste re d or certified m ail.

Eighteen unions adopted am endm ents which reflected the 101(a) (5) (B) 

requirem ent that an accu sed m em b er be "given a reason able tim e to p rep are his 

defense, " T here w as a difference of opinion, however, as to what constituted a 

r e a s o n a b l e t i m e , a s the fo llow in g ta b u la tio n i n d i c a t e s : 49

Unions Days

1 -------------------------------- -----— - 5

2 ------------------- 7

5 ------------------------------------------------------------- 10

1 ..................-................... - ........- ......... 14

3 ----------------------------------------------------- 15

1 ___________________ _____________ 20

2 ___________________________________ 30

2 ______________________________________________ "A reasonable tim e"

1 ______________________________________________ "A reasonable tim e,

but in no event

less than 10 days"

Where different tim e lim its w ere specified for the local and international 

trial lev els, the local level provision is given.

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Eight of these constitutions already had designated specific periods of 

tim e for the preparation of the ac c u se d 's defense, and in each instance the period 

w as in creased , as follow s:

Increase

Unions From To

1 ---------------------------------------------------- 3 days 10 days

1 ---------------------------------------------------- 5 days 7 days

1 ---------------------------------------------------- 5 days 10 days

1 ---------------------------------------------------- 7 days 14 days

1 ---------------------------------------------------- 7 days 15 days

2 --------------------------------------------------- 10 days 15 days

1 ---------------------------------------------------- 10 days 30 days

The two unions which specified "a reason able tim e " prev io u sly contained 

no re fere n ce on this m atte r. On the other hand, two unions which fo rm e rly s p e c ified "a reason able tim e, " changed their constitutions by specifying the num ber of 

days. F o r exam ple, the C o m m ercial T eleg rap h e rs fo rm e rly specified a " r e a s o n a ­

ble tim e, not to exceed 30 days, " but since 1959 the constitution provides that 

"30 days shall be allowed (the accused) in which to furnish a defense. "

One union, the S e a fa re rs, changed fro m a specific to a gen eral p r o ­

vision. The pertinent constitutional provision of that union, before the 1959 Act, 

w as as follow s:

Such com plaints m ust be filed not m ore than 90 days fro m the date 

that the grievance a ro se .

Upon the filing of a com plaint the body having ju risd ictio n shall fix 

a date not le s s than twenty days nor m ore than forty days fro m the date 

of filing said grievance for hearing.

In 1961, that language w as deleted and the following substituted:

The Executive B o ard shall estab lish ru les and pro ced u res for filing 

of griev an ces or com plaints and for hearing and disposition of any g r ie v ­

ance or com plaint falling within the ju risd iction of the Executive B oard.

The third requirem ent in section 101(a) (5), nam ely, that an accu sed be 

"(C) afforded a full and fa ir hearing, " w as also reflected in conform ing con stitu ­

tional am endm ents. T hirteen unions incorporated the te rm "full and fair h earin g" 

into th e ir c o n st itu tio n s; 10 a p p lic a b le to t r i a l s at the l o c a l le v e l , 1 at the i n ­

t e r n a t io n a l t r i a l l e v e l , and 2 at both t r i a l l e v e l s . In s o m e of t h e s e c o n st itu tio n s, 

such as that of the T ypograph ers, the full and fair hearing requirem ent w as 

superim po sed on a num ber of existing specific safeg u ard s, such as the right to 

introduce evidence, to te stify , and to re q u ire w itn e sse s to testify under oath. In 

other constitutions, such as the C igar M ak ers, there had been few, if any, sp e ­

cific safeg u ard s.

In 12 other unions, w here the te r m "full and fa ir h e a rin g " w as not in ­

corporated, a variety of hearing safegu ard s w ere added. F o r exam ple, the Allied 

In d u strial W o rk e rs am en ded its constitution by providing a n um ber of d u e - p r o c e s s 

guaran tees, nam ely, the right to introduce evidence, to testify, to invite w itn esses, 

and to c ro ss-e x a m in e w itn esses.

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Two of the unions adding a full and fair hearing clau se, as w ell as 

two oth ers, also adopted specific prov ision s to a ssu r e an im p artial tria l board. 

By far the m ost detailed of these w as that of the M aste rs, M ates, and P ilo ts, 

adopted in I960:

1. When the A c c u se d is P r e s e n t :

The presidin g officer at the m eeting shall draw seventeen n am es.

If any m em b er declines to serv e on the T ria l Com m ittee another nam e 

shall be drawn. The accu sed m em b er and the charging m em b er shall 

each have the right to strike five n am es. The first seven of the n am es 

rem aining shall constitute the trial com m ittee, five of whom shall constitute a quorum .

If the quorum for a L o c a l’ s regu lar m eeting is le s s than twenty, 

eleven nam es shall be drawn and each sid e ’ s right to strike shall be 

lim ited to three nam es and the rem aining five n am es shall constitute the 

T ria l Com m ittee, three of which shall constitute a quorum .

2. When the A ccu sed is not P r e s e n t :

When ch arges are properly m ade against any m em b er of the O rgan ization and are properly serv ed against the m em b er of the O rganization, 

and when said m em b er is not presen t when the T ria l Com m ittee is s e ­

lected, the procedure shall be as follow s:

The accu sed m ay designate any p erso n to act as his rep resen tative 

and in such event, the procedure for the selection of the T ria l C o m m ittee sh all be the sam e as if the a ccu se d w as p re se n t. In the ab sen ce of 

such designated represen tative for the accu sed, the presidin g officer at 

the m eeting shall draw seven n am es. If any m em b er declines to serv e 

on the T ria l Com m ittee, another name shall be drawn. T hese seven 

n am es shall constitute the T ria l Com m ittee, five of whom shall c o n stitute a quorum .

If the quorum for a L o c a l's regu lar m eeting is le s s than twenty, 

the presidin g officer shall draw five n am es. If any m em b er declines 

to serv e on the T ria l Com m ittee, another nam e shall be drawn. T hese 

five nam es shall constitute the T ria l Com m ittee, three of which shall 

constitute a quorum .

S u m m a r y D i s c i p l i n e . In ad d itio n to the p o s it iv e r e q u i r e m e n t s of s e c ­

tion 101(a) (5), the overall effect of the section, it would seem , is to prohibit or 

s h a r p ly lim it s u m m a r y d is c ip lin e of m e m b e r s o th er than fo r n on p ay m en t of d u e s . 50

50 The l e g i s l a t i v e h is t o r y in d ic a t e s that the 101(a) (5) r e q u i r e m e n t s a r e

a p p lic a b le only to m e m b e r s , and not to o f f i c e r s , in the fo llow in g la n g u a g e : "In

p aragrap h (5), relating to safegu ard s against im proper d isciplin ary action, it 

should be noted that the prohibition on suspension without observing certain s a f e ­

guards applies only to suspension of m em b ersh ip in the union; it does not re fer 

to suspension of a m em b er's status as an officer in the u n ion ." (H. R. Rep. 1147, 

86th Cong. 1st s e s s . 1959.)

Som e o b se r v e r s have questioned w hether sec . 101(a) (5) proh ibits all

s u m m a r y d is c i p l in e of m e m b e r s . F o r e x a m p le , E d w a r d H ick ey , J r . , h as 

said: "On its face, sec. 101(a) (5) of the act would prohibit su m m ary action 

of any kind, but p o ssib le co rrelation of its p rov ision s with the right of a union 

under se c . 101(a) (2) not only to adopt re aso n ab le ru les as to a m e m b e r 's r e ­

sponsibility to his union as an institution but also to enforce such ru les, m ay 

sav e the p ro v isio n in se c . 101(a) (5) fro m this u n re a listic ap plication. " (48 Geo.

L . J . 226, 236 (1959)).

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Twenty of the constitutions studied w ere am ended to abolish som e or all 

fo rm s of su m m ary disciplin e. The Furniture W orkers, B o ile rm a k e rs, and R a ilway C arm en w ere among those that abolished su m m ary discipline entirely. The 

constitution of the Printing P r e ssm e n w as am ended to abolish su m m ary discipline 

of m em b ers (for reaso n s other than nonpayment of dues) by the addition, in 1961, 

of the following section:

Notwithstanding any other article or section of this constitution, any 

provision thereof which provides for the im position AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL M E M B E R of any penalty, fo rfeiture, suspension, expulsion, r e ­

vocation or any other disciplin ary action, is hereby am ended to require 

the filing and serv ice of w ritten ch arges again st any m em b er of a su b ­

ordinate union charged with a violation of any article or section of this 

constitution and law s, except nonpayment of dues, a reason able o p p o rtunity for such m em b er or subordinate union to p rep are a defense which 

is defined a s not l e s s than 15 days following the se rv ic e of said w ritten 

ch arges and a hearing thereon before an im p artial tr ia l board constituted 

in a c c o r d a n c e with th is c o n stitu tio n and la w s . . . ( a u t h o r 's e m p h a s i s )

Other unions abolished su m m ary discipline for certain offen ses. F o r in ­

stance, the Auto W orkers' and M aste rs, M ates and P ilo ts' constitutions no longer 

perm it su m m ary discipline for re so rt to court, while p erso n s ch arged with dual 

unionism m ay no longer be punished su m m arily under the constitution of the Hotel 

and R estauran t E m p lo yees. On the other hand, the P o tters appear to have added 

su m m ary discipline for re so rt to court, by adopting the following amendm ent, 

e ffe ctiv e Ju ly 1, I9 6 0 :

Any m e m b e r o r m e m b e r s . . . a ttem p tin g to, o r a c t u a l ly r e s o r t i n g

to court action in an attem pt to r e d re ss an actual, or so -calle d g r ie v ­

ance against any m em b er . . . or an act of the Convention or any a u ­

thorized agent or agents thereto, without first exhausting every p o ssib le 

e ffo r t to r e d r e s s the g r ie v a n c e u n d er the . . . C o n stitu tio n , s h a l l be

con sidered as a (sic) violation of the Constitution /AND D EA LT WITH 

UNDER A P P R O P R IA T E LAWS OF TH E IN TERN A TIO N A L B R O T H E R ­

HOOD O F P O T T E R JS / and su s p e n d e d by the E x e c u t iv e B o a r d . /jB r a c k e t e d 

w ords deleted; u n d erscored w ords addedT?

A th ir d g ro u p of u n io n s, which in c lu d e d the C lo th in g W orkers, C o m ­

m unications W orkers, and B ric k lay e rs, am ended their constitutional prov ision s 

relating to su m m ary discipline for nonpayment of dues to conform to the 1959 

law. The nature of these am endm ents w as to lim it su m m ary discipline strictly 

to the nonpayment of dues, as against nonpayment of fines and a ss e ss m e n ts . 

Thus, for exam ple, the Com m unications W orkers in I960 m ade the following 

change in its constitution:

A m em b er in default, without good cause, in the paym ent of any 

installm ent of dues /o r any fine or a ss e ss m e n t/ for sixty (60) days from 

the day su c h am o u n t b e c o m e s due, s h a ll be a u t o m a t ic a l ly s u s p e n d e d . . .

/B rack e te d w ords d eleted //

Som e of the su m m ary discipline am endm ents provided protections beyond 

the requ irem en ts of the 1959 law. F o r exam ple, the Clothing W orkers not only 

lim ited their su m m ary discipline provision to nonpayment of dues, rath er than 

dues or a sse ssm e n ts, but also further specified that even nonpayment of dues 

would not resu lt in su m m ary discipline if the m em b er "is unem ployed b ecau se of 

a plant shutdown, inability to obtain work or illn e ss. " The C hairm an of the 

Com m ittee on Law and Constitution reported to the Clothing W orkers' I960 con ­

vention that the foregoing amendm ent "afford s our m em b ers g rea te r protection

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th an that r e q u i r e d by law . M In o th er u n io n s, p r o t e c t io n s that a p p e a r e d to go b e ­

yond the requ irem en ts of the law w ere in the fo rm of deleting su m m ary d i s ­

cip lin e fo r o f f i c e r s . 51 F o r e x a m p le , in I9 6 0 the R a i l r o a d T r a i n m e n a m e n d e d 

the provision of its constitution dealing with the duties of the international p r e s i ­

dent, as follow s:

He shall not have power to suspend or rem ove any subordinate 

lodge officer or Com m ittee or board m em b er except when they are 

charged with violation of the Constitution or of their obligation as an 

officer, and not then until said officer or com m ittee or board m em b er 

s h a ll h av e had a f a i r t r i a l in h is own l o d g e , (a u t h o r ’ s e m p h a s i s )

Although num erous other changes in discipline prov ision s w ere m ade in 

union con stitu tio n s, they follow ed no p a rtic u la r p attern . In I960 co n stitu tio n s, 

changes w ere noted that w ere obviously the resu lt of the 1959 law. F o r instance, 

in I960 the O perating En gin eers adopted the following am endm ent:

. . . Any . . . m e m b e r p u b lish in g o r c i r c u l a t in g l i t e r a t u r e of a

defam atory nature in violation of their resp on sib ility tow ard the In tern a tio n a l Union o r any of it s su b o rd in a te b o d ie s a s an in stitu tio n . . .

m a y be d is c i p l in e d . ! ! (a u th o r ' s e m p h a s i s )

It w ill be noted th at th is new la n g u a g e , " r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . . . to w a r d the O r g a n i ­

zatio n /as an institution" is drawn from the "free sp eech " provision of the 1959 

Act (section 101(a) (2)J* The M arble, Slate and Stone P o lish e r s' constitution 

w as also am ended to conform to the free speech provision, in the following m anner:

No . . . o f f ic e r . . . o r m e m b e r . . . s h a l l sen d out o r p u b lish

any c irc u la rs, lette rs, w ritings or printed m atter of any kind or give 

out any interview s for gen eral distribution, either privately or publicly, 

villifying or impugning the honesty or ch aracter of any officer or m em b er 

. . . /[WITHOUT F I R S T S U B M IT T IN G S U C H C I R C U L A R S , L E T T E R S , 

WRITINGS, PR IN TED M A T TE R , OR INTERVIEW S TO TH E G E N E R A L 

E X E C U T IV E CO UNCIL AND SECURING ITS CONSENT AND A PPR O V A L 

T H E R E T O . . Z J /[Bracketed w ords d e le te d ^

In som e constitutions, am endm ents could not be related to specific r e ­

quirem ents of the LM RDA. In a num ber of in stan ces, m oreover, the changes 

differed fro m those m ade by other unions. F o r instance, with regard to whether 

a decision is stayed pending an appeal, seven unions adopted prov ision s authorizing 

the appeal body to stay the decision at its discretion , three unions adopted p r o ­

vision s prohibiting a stay. To indicate the divergence further, with re g ard to 

five constitutions that p rev io u sly had no p ro v isio n concerning the statu s of an a c ­

cused during appeal, two adopted "no stay " p ro v isio n s, two adopted "autom atic 

stay " pro v isio n s, and one adopted an "optional stay " provision.

L ack of uniform ity w as also noted in other a r e a s. F o r instance, the 

A irline D ispatch ers adopted a provision requiring ch arges to be filed within a 

year of the date of the alleged offense; the S e a fa re rs, on the other hand, dropped 

a provision which called for ch arges to be filed within 90 days fro m the date 

"the grievance a ro se . "

Illustrative Constitutions

To illu strate the scope and com plexity of discipline p ro ced u res in their 

entirety, and the specific changes enacted since the p a ssa g e of the LM RDA, 

p ertin en t c la u s e s a r e shown in appen dix D fo r two unions, the In tern ation al A s s o ­

ciation of M achinists and International Brotherhood of T e a m ste rs.

51 S ec. 101(a) (5) ap p lie s to m e m b e r s only. See su p ra , footnote 50.

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Selected Sections fro m the L ab o r-M an ag em e n t R eporting and D isc lo s u r e Act of 1959

Section 101(a) (1)

EQ U A L RIGHTS. E v ery m em b er of a labor organization shall have equal 

rights and p riv ileg es within such organization to nominate candidates, to vote in 

elections or referendum s of the labor organization, to attend m em b ersh ip m e e tings, and to participate in the deliberations and voting upon the b u sin ess of such 

m eetin gs, subject to reason able rules and regulations in such o rgan izatio n ^ constitution and bylaw s.

S e c tio n 101(a) (Z)

F r e e d o m of S p e e c h and A s s e m b l y . E v e r y m e m b e r of an y l a b o r o r g a n i ­

zation shall have the right to m eet and asse m b le freely with other m em b ers; and 

to e x p re ss any view s, argu m en ts, or opinions; and to e x p re ss at m eetings of the 

labor organization his view s, upon candidates in an election of the labor o rg an ization or upon any b u sin ess p roperly before the m eeting, subject to the o rg an izatio n ^ estab lish ed and reason able ru les pertaining to the conduct of m eetings: 

Provided, That nothing herein shall be construed to im p air the right of a labor 

organization to adopt and enforce reason able rules as to the respon sib ility of every 

m em b er tow ard the organization as an institution and to his refraining from conduct 

that would in terfere with its perform an ce of its legal or contractual obligations.

Section 101(a) (4)

P r o t e c t i o n of the R igh t To S u e . No la b o r o r g a n iz a t io n s h a l l l im it the 

right of any m em b er thereof to institute an action in any court, or in a proceeding 

before any ad m in istrativ e agency, irre sp e c tiv e of whether or not the labor o rg a n ization or its o fficers a re nam ed as defendants or respondents in such action or 

proceeding, or the right of any m em b er of a labor organization to appear as a 

w itness in any ju dicial, adm in istrative, or legislativ e proceeding, or to petition 

an y l e g i s l a t u r e o r to c o m m u n ic a te with an y l e g i s l a t o r : P r o v i d e d , T hat an y su c h

m em b er m ay be required to exhaust reason able hearing p ro ced u res (but not to 

exceed a 4-m onth lap se of time) within such organization, before instituting legal 

or ad m in istrativ e proceedin gs again st such organizations or any officer thereof: 

And provided further, That no interested em ployer or em ployer asso c iatio n shall 

d irectly or indirectly finance, encourage, or participate in, except as a party, any 

such action, proceeding, appearance, or petition.

Section 101(a) (5)

S a f e g u a r d s A g a i n s t I m p r o p e r D i s c i p l i n a r y A c tio n . No m e m b e r of any 

labor organization m ay be fined, suspended, expelled, or otherw ise disciplined 

except for nonpayment of dues by such organization or by any officer thereof 

u n less such m e m b e r h as been (A) se rv e d with w ritten sp e c ific c h a rg e s; (B) given 

a reason able tim e to p rep are his defense; (C) afforded a full and fa ir hearing.

Section 101(b)

Any provision of the constitution and bylaw s of any labor organization 

which is inconsistent with the provision s of this section shall be of no force or 

effect.

S e c tio n s Z 0l(a) (5) (H) and Z01(a) (5) (I):

E v ery labor organization shall adopt a constitution and bylaws and shall 

file a copy thereof with the S ecretary , together with a report, signed by its p r e s ident and se c re ta ry or corresponding principal o ffice rs, containing the following 

in fo r m a tio n . . .

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(5) d etailed sta te m en ts, or re fe r e n c e s to sp e c ific p ro v isio n s of docum ents filed 

under this subsection which contain such statem en ts, showing the pro v isio n m ade 

and p ro ced u res followed with re sp e c t to each of the following:

. . . (H) d is c i p l in e o r r e m o v a l of o f f i c e r s o r a g e n ts f o r b r e a c h e s of t h e ir t r u s t , 

(I) im p o sitio n of fin e s, s u s p e n sio n s, and e xp u lsio n s of m e m b e r s , including the 

grounds for such action and any provision m ade for notice, hearing, judgm ent on 

the e v id e n c e and a p p e a l p r o c e d u r e s . . . .

Section 401(c)

E v ery national or international labor organization, except a federation of 

national or international labor organ ization s, and every local labor organization, 

and its o ffice rs, shall be under a duty, enforceable at the suit of any bona fide 

candidate for office in such labor organization in the d istric t court of the United 

States in which such labor organization m aintains its prin cipal office, to com ply 

with all reason able requ ests of any candidate to distribute by m ail or otherw ise 

at the can d id ate^ expense cam paign literatu re in aid of such p e r s o n ^ candidacy 

to all m em b ers in good standing of such lab or organization and to refrain from 

d iscrim in ation in favor of or again st any candidate with re sp e c t to the u se of 

lists of m em b ers, and whenever such labor organizations or its o fficers authorize 

the distribution by m ail or otherw ise to m em b ers of cam paign literatu re on behalf 

of any candidate or of the labor organization itse lf with referen ce to such election, 

sim ila r distribution at the requ est of any other bona fide candidate shall be m ade 

by such labor organization and its o ffice rs, with equal treatm en t as to the expense 

of such distribution. E v ery bona fide candidate shall have the right, once within 

30 days p rio r to an election of a labor organization in which he is a candidate, 

to inspect a list containing the nam es and la st known a d d re sse s of all m em b ers 

of the labor organization who are subject to a collective bargaining agreem en t 

requiring m em b ersh ip therein as a condition of em ploym ent, which list shall be 

m aintained and kept at the prin cipal office of such labor organization by a d e sig ­

nated official thereof. Adequate safegu ard s to in sure a fair election shall be 

provided, including the right of any candidate to have an o b se rv e r at the polls 

and at the counting of the ballots.

Section 401(e)

In any election requ ired by this section which is to be held by se c re t 

ballot a reason able opportunity shall be given for the nomination of candidates and 

every m em b er in good standing shall be eligible to be a candidate and to hold 

office (su bject to section 504 and to reason ab le qualifications uniform ly im posed) 

and sh all have the right to vote for or otherw ise support the candidate or can didates of his choice, without being subject to penalty, discipline, or im proper 

in terferen ce or r e p risa l of any kind by such organization or any m em b er thereof. 

Not l e s s than 15 d ay s p r io r to the electio n n otice th e reo f sh a ll be m a ile d to each 

m em b er at his la st known home a d d re ss. E ach m em b er in good standing shall 

be entitled to one vote. No m em b er whose dues have been withheld by his e m ­

ployer for paym ent to such organization pursuant to his voluntary authorization 

provided for in a collective bargaining agreem en t shall be d eclared ineligible to 

vote or be a candidate for office in such organization by reaso n of alleged delay 

or default in the paym ent of dues. The votes c a st by m em b ers of each local 

lab or organization shall be counted, and the resu lts published, sep arately . The 

election officials designated in the constitution and bylaw s or the se c re ta ry , if 

no o th e r o f f i c i a l is d e s i g n a t e d , s h a l l p r e s e r v e f o r 1 y e a r the b a l lo t s and a l l o th er 

re c o rd s pertaining to the election. The election sh all be conducted in accordan ce 

with the constitution and bylaws of such organization in so far as they a re not 

inconsistent with the prov ision s of this title.

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Section 401(h)

If the S ecre tary , upon application of any m em b er of a local labor o rg a n ization, finds after hearing in acco rd an ce with the A dm in istrative P ro ced u re Act 

that the constitution and bylaws of such labor organization do not provide an 

adequate procedu re for the rem oval of an elected officer guilty of serio u s m i s ­

conduct, such officer m ay be rem oved, for cause shown and after notice and 

hearing, by the m em b ers in good standing voting in a se c re t ballot conducted by 

the officers of such labor organization in accordan ce with its constitution and 

bylaws in sofar as they a re not inconsistent with the pro v isio n s of this title.

Section 401(i)

The S e c re ta ry shall prom ulgate rules and regulations p rescrib in g m in im um stan dards and p ro ced u res for determ ining the adequacy of the rem oval p r o ­

cedures to which referen ce is m ade in subsection (h).

Section 402(a)

A m em b er of a labor organization—

(1) who has exhausted the rem ed ies available under the constitution and 

bylaw s of such organization and of any paren t body, or

(2) who has invoked such availab le rem ed ies without obtaining a final 

decision within three calendar months after their invocation, m ay file a co m ­

plaint with the S e c re ta ry within one calendar month th ereafter alleging the v io ­

lation of any provision of section 401 (including violation of the constitution and 

bylaws of the labor organization pertaining to the election and rem o val of o fficers). 

The challenged election shall be p resu m ed valid pending a final decision thereon 

(as hereinafter provided) and in the interim the a ffa irs of the organization shall 

be conducted by the o fficers elected or in such other m anner as its constitution 

and bylaw s m ay provide:

Section 504

(a) No p e rso n who is or has been a m em b er of the Com m unist P arty or 

who h as been convicted of, or serv ed any p art of a p riso n term resulting from 

his conviction of, robbery, b rib ery , extortion, em bezzlem ent, grand larcen y, 

b u rglary , arso n , violation of n arcotics law s, m u rd er, rape, a ssa u lt with intent 

to k ill, a s s a u lt which in flicts g rie v o u s bodily in jury, or a violation of title II 

or III of this Act, or con spiracy to com m it any such c rim e s, shall serv e—

(1) as an officer, d irecto r, tru stee, m em b er of any executive board 

or sim ila r governing body, b u sin ess agent, m an ager, o rg an izer, or 

other em ployee (other than as an em ployee perform in g exclu sively c le r ical or custodial duties) of any labor organization, or

(2) as a labor relations consultant to a p erso n engaged in an industry or activity affecting co m m erce, or as an officer, d irecto r, agent, or 

em ployee (other than as an em ployee perform in g exclu sively c le ric a l or 

custodial duties) of any group or asso ciatio n of em ployers dealing with 

any labor organization,

d u rin g o r f o r 5 y e a r s a f t e r the te r m in a tio n of h is m e m b e r s h i p in the C o m m u n is t 

P a r t y , o r fo r 5 y e a r s a f t e r su c h c o n v ictio n o r a f t e r the end of su c h i m p r i s o n ­

m ent, u n less p rio r to the end of such. 5 -y ear period, in the c a se of a p erso n so

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convicted or im prisoned, (A) his citizenship righ ts, having been revoked as a 

resu lt of such conviction, have been fully re sto red , or (B) the B o ard of P aro le 

of the United States D epartm ent of Ju stic e determ in es that such p e rso n 's serv ice 

in any capacity re ferre d to in clau se (1) or (2) would not be contrary to the p u rp o se s of this Act. P rio r to m aking any such determ ination, the B o ard shall hold 

an adm in istrative hearing and shall give notice of such proceeding by certified 

m ail to the State, county, and F e d e ra l prosecuting o fficials in the ju risd ictio n or 

ju risd ictio n s in which such p erso n w as convicted. The B o ard 's determ ination in 

any such proceeding shall be final. No labor organization or officer thereof shall 

knowingly p erm it any p erson to a ssu m e or hold any office or paid position in 

violation of this subsection.

(b) Any p e rso n who w illfully v io lates this section sh all be fined not m o re 

than $ 10,000 o r im p r is o n e d fo r not m o r e than 1 y e a r , o r both.

(c) F o r the p u rp o se s of this section, any p e rso n sh all be deem ed to 

have been "convicted" and under the disability of "conviction" from the date of the 

judgm ent of the trial court or the date of the final sustaining of such judgm ent on 

appeal, w hichever is the later event, re g a rd le ss of whether such conviction o c ­

cu rred before or after the date of enactm ent of this Act.

Section 609

It shall be unlawful for any labor organization, or any officer, agent, shop 

stew ard, or other represen tative of a labor organization, or any em ployee thereof 

to fine, suspend, expel, or otherw ise discipline any of its m em b ers for exercisin g 

any right to which he is entitled under the p rov ision s of this Act. The prov ision s 

of section 102 shall be applicable in the enforcem ent of this section.

Section 610

It shall be unlawful for any reason through the use of force or violence, or 

threat of the use of force or violence, to re strain , co erce, or intim idate, or 

attem pt to restrain , co erce, or intim idate any m em b er of a labor organization 

for the purpose of interfering with or preventing the e x e rc ise of any right to 

which he is entitled under the prov ision s of this Act. Any p erso n who wilfully 

violates this section shall be fined not m o re than $1,000 or im prison ed for not 

m o r e than 1 y e a r , o r both.

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A p p e n d ix A :

Listing of National and International Unions Studied

Union 1

M em b ership 2

Date of 

constitution 

studied

A g r ic u lt u r a l W o rk e rs Union; N atio n a l ___________________________________ 4, 500 Undated

A ir Line Com m unication E m ployees A sso ciation (Ind) ________________ 1 , 800 1952

Air Line D ispatchers A ssociation ---------------------------------------------------- 630 1959

A ir L in e P ilo t s A s s o c i a t i o n ; In tern a tio n a l ---------------------------------------- 13,664 1958

Aluminum W orkers International Union -------------------------------------------- 24, 000 1957

A sbestos W orkers; International A ssociation of Heat and

F r o s t I n s u la to r s and --------------------------------------------------------------------- 13, 700 I 960

A s s o c i a t e d Unions of A m e r i c a (Ind)--------------------------------------------------- 5, 850 1959

Automobile, A erospace and A gricultural Implement W orkers of

A m erica; International Union, United _________ ________________________ 1, 027, 000 1959

Bakery and Confectionery W orkers 1 International Union;

Amp.-riran - - 71, 500 1958

Bakery and Confectionery W orkers 1 International Union of

Am ftrira (Tnrl) 8 8 , 077 1958

B a rb e rs, H a ird re sse rs, C osm etologists and P ro p rie to rs 1

International Union of A m erica; Journeym en ---------------------------------- 73, 000 1959

B ill P o sters, B illers and D istributors of the United States and

C a n a d a ; In tern a tio n a l A llia n c e of --------------------------------------------------- 1 , 600 1958

B o ilerm ak ers, Iron Shipbuilders, B lacksm iths, F o rg e rs and

H elpers; International Brotherhood of -------------------------------------------- 1 32,356 1957

B o o k b in d e r s; In tern a tio n a l B r o th e r h o o d of ---------------------------------------- 5 9 ,000 1959

Brew ery, Flour, C ereal, Soft Drink and D istillery W orkers of

A m erica; International Union of U n ited ________________________________ 6 2,000 1959

B rick and Clay W orkers of A m erica; U n ited ____________________________ 23, 500 1959

B r i c k l a y e r s , M a s o n s and P l a s t e r e r s ’ In tern a tio n a l Union of

A m e r i c a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 159,126 1958

B road cast Em ployees and Technicians; National A ssociation of ______ 5, 702 1959

Broom and Whisk M akers* Union of A m erica; International _________ 1 , 000 1946

B u ild in g S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s ’ In tern a tio n a l Union _____________________ 2 60,000 1955

C arpenters and Jo in e rs of A m erica; United Brotherhood o f --------------- 8 35,000 1959

Cement, Lim e and Gypsum W orkers International Union; U n ited _____ 3 9,746 1959

Chem ical W orkers Union; International -------------------------------------------- 8 1,144 I 960

C hristian Labor A ssociation of the United States of A m erica (Ind)------ 1 , 200 1958

C igar M akers' International Union of A m erica --------------------------------- 6 , 294 1956

Clothing W orkers of A m erica; Am algam ated __________________________ 3 76,000 1955

C om m unications A sso ciation ; A m erican (Ind) __________________________ 8 , 000 1959

Communications W orkers of A m erica ---------------------------------------------- 255, 365 I 960

C oopers' International Union of North A m erica _______________________ 3, 951 1959

Die Sin k ers 1 C on feren ce; International (Ind) ____________________________ 6 , 000 1957

D istillery, Rectifying and Wine W orkers 1 International Union

of A m e r i c a ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33, 000 1954

Electrical, Radio and Machine W orkers; International Union of ______ 2 78,281 1959

Electrical, Radio and Machine W orkers of A m erica; United (Ind)____ 1 60,000 1959

E lectrical W orkers; International Brotherhood of ---------------------------- 7 50,000 1959

Elevator C onstructors; International Union of ---------------------------------- 9, 855 1956

Engineers; A m erican Federation of Technical ---------------------------------- 12, 450 1958

Engineers A ssociation; Technical (ind) _________________________________ 807 1957

Engineers; International Union of Operating ------------------------------------- 2 80,000 I 960

E n g r a v e r s and S k e t c h m a k e r s ; F r ie n d ly S o c ie ty of (In d )---------------------- 525 1955

See footnotes at end of table.

167

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Listing of National and International Unions Studied— Continued

Union 1

M e m b e r - 

ship 2

Date of 

constitution 

studied

F irem en and O ilers; International Brotherhood of ______________________ 5 5,000 1956

F lig h t E n g i n e e r s ’ In tern a tio n a l A s s o c i a t i o n _____________________________ 3, 200 1958

Furniture W orkers of A m erica; United __________________________________ 5 0,000 1958

G a rm e n t W o rk e r s of A m e r ic a ; U nited ____________________________________ 35,000 1957

G a rm e n t W o r k e r s ’ Union; In tern a tio n a l L a d i e s ' ________________________ 4 42,901 1959

G lass Bottle Blow ers A ssociation of the United States 

and C a n a d a --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- 53, 500 1957

G lass and C eram ic W orkers of North A m erica; U n ited ----------------------- 5 2,500 I 960

G l a s s C u t t e r s L e a g u e of A m e r ic a ; W in d o w _______________________________ 1 , 600 1959

G l a s s W o r k e r s ’ Union of N orth A m e r i c a ; A m e r ic a n F lin t ----------------- 2 6 , 619 1959

Glove W o r k e r s ’ Union of A m e r ic a ; I n t e r n a t i o n a l ________________________ 2, 538 1959

Grain M illers; A m erican Federation of --------------------------------------------- 3 5,000 1958

G ran ite C u t t e r s ’ In tern atio n al A s s o c i a t i o n of A m e r i c a ; The -------------- 3, 500 I 960

G uard W orkers of A m e r ic a ; United Plant (Ind) -----------------------------------

G u ards Union of A m e r ic a ; International (Ind) ------------------------------------

1 2,580 1958

2 , 600 1958

H atters, Cap and Millinery W orkers International Union; U n ited -------- 4 0,000 1959

Hod C a r r i e r s ' , B u ild in g and C o m m o n L a b o r e r s ' Union of 

A m e r i c a ; In tern atio n al -------------------------------------------------------------------- 476,598 1956

H orsesh oers of the United States and Canada; International Union 

of Jmvrnoyrnen 281 1957

H o s i e r y W o r k e r s ; A m e r ic a n F e d e r a t i o n o f ----------------------------------------- 5, 875 1957

Hotel and Restaurant Em ployees and Bartenders International

TTr) ior| , ........ ............... ._ ... __ _ __ _. 436, 315 

80, 000

1957

Industrial W orkers of A m erica; International Union, Allied -------------- 1959

In dustrial W orkers Union; National (Ind) ------------------------------------------- 150 1959

Insurance Agents; International Union of Life (Ind)______________________ 2 , 000 1959

Insurance W orkers International Union --------------------------------------------- 2 2,650 1959

Iron W orkers; International A ssociation of Bridge, Structural 

and Ornam^nfal . ....... - 152, 389 

20,000

1956

Jew elry W orkers' Union; International --------------------------------------------- 1959

L a c e O p e rativ es of A m e r ic a ; A m alg a m a ted (Ind) -------------------------------- 4, 000 Undated

L a t h e r s In tern a tio n a l Union; The Wood, W ire and M e t a l --------------------- 18,000 I 960

Laundry and Dry Cleaning International Union __________________________ 20, 307 1958

Laundry, Dry Cleaning and Dye House W orkers International 

Union (Ind) ________________________________________________________________ 76, 240 I 960

L e a t h e r G o ods, P l a s t i c and N ovelty W o r k e r s ’ Union; 

Tntp.motion a 1 _ _ ___________ ______ 2 8,500 

10,000

1957

L e a t h e r W o rk e r s In tern a tio n a l Union of A m e r i c a ------------------------------ 1959

L ith o g ra p h e rs of A m e r ic a ; A m alg a m a ted (Ind) ---------------------------------- 35, 087 1958

L o c o m o tiv e E n g i n e e r s ; B r o th e r h o o d of (Ind) --------------------------------------- 50,000 1956

Locom otive F irem en and Enginemen; Brotherhood o f ------------------------- 7 8,412 I 960

L o n g s h o r e m e n ’ s A s s o c ia tio n ; In tern a tio n a l --------------------------------------- 90,000 1959

L o n g sh o rem e n ’ s and W arehousem en' s Union; International (Ind) ------- 5 6,000 1959

Machine P rin ters' Beneficial A ssociation of the United States (in d )---- 1, 000 1957

M a c h i n i s t s ; In tern a tio n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of --------------------------------------------- 9 92,689 1961

M a ile r s Union; International (Ind) ----------------------------------------------------- 4, 200 1960

Maintenance of Way Em ployes; Brotherhood of ---------------------------------- 1 83,000 1958

M arble, Slate and Stone P o lish ers, Rubbers and Saw yers, Tile and 

M arble Setters' H elpers and M arble M osaic and T errazzo 

W o r k e r s ' H e l p e r s ; In tern a tio n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of ------------------------------ 9,788 I 960

M a r in e E n g i n e e r s ’ B e n e f ic ia l A s s o c i a t i o n ; N atio n al ------------------------- 8 , 000 1959

M arine and Shipbuilding W orkers of A m erica; Industrial Union o f------- 5 0,000 1958

M a r it im e Union of A m e r ic a ; N a tio n a l ------------------------------------------------ 40,000 I 960

See footnotes at end of table.

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Union 1

M em b ership 2

Date of 

constitution 

studied

M asters, M ates and P ilots; International Organization of ______________ 9, 050 I 960

Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North A m erica;

A m a lg a m a t e d _____________________________________________________________ 325, 304 1956

M e c h a n ic s E d u c a tio n a l S o c ie ty of A m e r i c a _______________________________ 41,325 1959

M etal P olish ers, Buffers, P laters and H elpers International 

Union 14,000 

100,000

I 960

Mine, M ill and Sm elter W orkers; International Union of (Ind) _________ 1959

Mine W orkers of A m e r ic a ; United (Ind) __________________________________ 6 00,000 1960

M olders' and Allied W orkers 1 Union of North A m erica;

International ______________________________________________________ ________ 73, 209 

262 , 882

1959

M usicians; A m erican Federation of _____________________________________ 1959

N ewspaper Guild; A m erican -------------------------------------------------------------- 3 0,430 I 960

Newspaper and Mail D eliverers' Union of New York and

V icin ity (TnH) _ _ 4, 000 

45,960

1959

Office Em ployes International Union _____________________________________ 1959

Oil, Chem ical and Atomic W orkers International Union _______________ 1 80,175 1959

Packinghouse W orkers; National Brotherhood of (Ind)___________________ 6 , 500 1959

P a c k in g h o u se , F o o d and A llied W o r k e r s ; U nited ________________________ 157,690 1958

P ainters, D ecorators and Paperhangers of A m erica;

Rrnt.Vip.rhnnri of . _.ni 184, 502 

135,000

1960

P a p e r m a k e r s and P a p e r w o r k e r s ; U nited ------------------------------------------- 1957

P attern M akers' League of North A m erica _____________________________ 1 5,000 1958

P e t r o l e u m W o r k e r s, Inc. ; In tern a tio n a l Union of (Ind) _________________ 3, 344 1959

P h oto-E n gravers' Union of North A m erica; International ______________ 1 6,928 1959

P l a s t e r e r s ’ and C e m e n t M a s o n s ’ In tern a tio n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of the 

U nited S t a te s and C a n a d a ; O p e ra tiv e ____________________________________ 65,881 I 960

P la te P r i n t e r s ' , Die S t a m p e r s ' and E n g r a v e r s 1 Union of North 

A m e r ic a ; In tern a tio n a l ___________________________________________________ 800 1947

Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada; 

United A ssociation of Journeym en and Apprentices of the ____________ 2 55,800 1956

P o r t e r s ; B r o th e r h o o d of S lee p in g C a r ____________________________________ 8 , 000 1956

P otters; International Brotherhood of Operative ________________________ 22, 547 I 960

Printing P ressm e n and A ssistan ts' Union of North A m erica;

Tntprnqtinnal ............ 110,500

165,000 

1 , 000

1956

1959

1956

Pulp, Sulphite and P aper M ill W orkers; International 

B r o th e r h o o d of _________________________________________________________ _

Radio A ssociation; A m e r ic a n -------------------------------------------------------------

R ailroad Signalmen; Brotherhood of _____________________________________ 14, 000 1960

R a i l r o a d T e l e g r a p h e r s ; The O r d e r of ____________________________________ 62, 276 1956

R ailroad Trainm en; Brotherhood of _____________________________________ 2 0 0 , 111 I 960

R ailroad Y ard m asters of A m erica ---------------------------------------------------- 4, 000 1954

R ailro ad Y a rd m a ste r s of North A m erica, Inc. (Ind) ___________________ 1, 500 1946

Railway C arm en of A m erica; Brotherhood ----------------------------------------- 1 56,900 I 960

Railw ay Conductors and B rak em en ; O rder of (Ind) ______________________ 26, 532 1958

R ailw ay E m p lo y e e s; International A sso ciatio n of (Ind) _________________ 400 1956

Railway P atrolm en 's International Union ------------------------------------------- 3, 000 1958

Railway and Steam ship C lerk s, Freight H andlers, E x p re ss and 

Station Em ployes; Brotherhood of ----------------- -------------------------------- 3 60,899 1959

Railway and Airline Supervisors A ssociation; The A m e r ic a n __________ 5, 974 1957

Railway Trainm en and Locom otive F irem en ; A ssociation of (Ind) _____ 1 , 000 1948

Retail C lerks International A ssociation --------------------------------------------- 3 05,000 1959

Retail, W holesale and Departm ent Store Union ---------------------------------- 1 60,000 1958

See footnotes at end of table.

6 9 0 -0 9 4 0 - 6 3 - 1 2

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Listing of National and International Unions Studied— Continued

Union 1

M em pership 1 2 3

Date of 

constitution 

studied

R oofers, Damp and W aterproof W orkers A ssociation; United 

S la te , T ile and C o m p o sitio n ----------------------------------------------------------- 20,861 1958

Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and P lastic W orkers of A m erica; 

TTnit^H 158,570 

75,000

I 960

S e a f a r e r s ' In tern a tio n a l Union of N orth A m e r i c a ------------------------------ 1957

Sheet Metal W orkers 1 International A ssociation ________________________ 7 5,000 1958

Shoe and A llied C ra ftsm e n ; B rotherhood of (Ind) -------------------------------- 4, 300 1959

Shoe W orkers of A m erica; United ----------------------------------------------------- 5 8,000 1959

Shoe W o r k e r s ’ Union; B o ot and --------------------------------------------------------- 40,000 1957

S i d e r o g r a p h e r s ; In tern a tio n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of ___________________________ 40 1959

Stage Em ployes and Moving Picture Machine O perators of the 

United States and Canada; International Alliance of T h e a tr ic a l--------- 6 4,607 1956

Steelw orkers of A m erica; United ------------------------------------------------------ 9 60,000 I 960

S t e r e o t y p e r s ' and E l e c t r o t y p e r s' Union of N orth A m e r ic a ; 

I n t e r n a t i o n a l ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14, 000 I 960

Stone and Allied Products W orkers of A m erica; United _______________ 11, 815 1958

Stone Cutters A ssociation of North A m erica; Jo u rn e y m e n ------------------ 1, 900 1957

Stove M ounters' International Union of North A m e r ic a ----------------------- 7, 265 1959

Street, E lectric Railway and Motor Coach Em ployes of A m erica; 

A m a lg a m a t e d A s s o c i a t i o n of ----------------------------------------------------------- 124, 637 1959

S w itc h m e n 's Union of N orth A m e r i c a ------------------------------------------------ 18,800 1959

T e a m ste rs, Chauffeurs, W arehousemen and H elpers of A m erica; 

International B rotherhood of (Ind) ---------------------------------------------------- 1,418, 246 1957

T elegraph ers' Union; The C om m ercial --------------------------------------------- 2 9,262 1959

T e x t ile W o rk e r s of A m e r ic a ; U nited -------------------------------------------------- 46,000 1956

Textile W orkers Union of A m erica ---------------------------------------------------- 1 97,200 1958

T o b a c c o W o rk e r s In tern a tio n a l Union ------------------------------------------------ 34, 894 1956

T o o l C r a f t s m e n ; In tern a tio n a l A s s o c i a t i o n of (Ind) ------------------------------ 750 1958

Toy W orkers of the United States and Canada; International Union 

of D oll and -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18,900 1958

T r a in D is p a t c h e r s A s s o c i a t i o n ; A m e r ic a n ----------------------------------------- 4, 198 1956

T r a n s p o r t S e r v i c e E m p l o y e e s ; U nited ------------------------------------------------ 3, 000 1958

T r a n s p o r t W o rk e r s Union of A m e r i c a ------------------------------------------------ 135,000 1957

Typographical Union; International ---------------------------------------------------- 1 1 0 , 449 I 960

U ph olsterers' International Union of North A m erica ------------------------- 5 6,101 1956

U tility W o rk e r s of New E n glan d , Inc. ; B r o th e r h o o d of (In d )---------------- 4, 600 1958

Utility W orkers Union of A m erica ---------------------------------------------------- 6 6,000 1959

Watch W o rk e r s Union; A m e r ic a n (Ind) ------------------------------------------------ 2, 510 1954

W a tc h m e n 's A s s o c ia tio n ; Independent (Ind) ----------------------------------------- 3, 000 I 960

W eld o rs; In tern a tio n a l Union, U nited (Ind) ----------------------------------------- 1, 500 1959

W oodworkers of A m erica; In ternational--------------------------------------------- 8 6,620 1959

1 Affiliated with A FL-CIO , unless otherwise indicated.

2 M em bership figures are those reported in the D irectory of National and International 

Lab or Unions in the United States, 1959 (B LS Bulletin 1267). F o r later m em b ersh ip figures, 

see 1961 D irecto ry (B L S Bulletin 1320).

3 Not inclu ded in 1959 D i r e c t o r y , m e m b e r s h ip f ig u r e r e p o r t e d d ir e c t ly to B u r e a u 

in I 960 .

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A p p e n d ix B

Table B -l. International Level Decision Authority, National and

International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M em bers in thousands)

Total studied Affiliation

D ecision authority

Unions M em bers

A FL -C IO Unaffiliated

Unions M em bers Unions M em bers

All constitutions providing for 

trial at the international level ___ 116 13, 515. 0 92 10,970. 1 24 2, 544. 9

C o n stitu tio n s p rovid in g 1 d e c isio n 

authority for all ca se s _____________ 93 9,084. 6 73 7, 979. 5 20 1, 105. 1

Executive board _________________ 69 6,991. 1 53 6 , 042. 1 16 949. 0

P r e s i d e n t _________________________ 19 1, 946. 6 17 1, 820. 4 2 126. 2

Convention ________________________ 2 67. 9 1 41. 3 1 26. 5

Other decision authorities _____ 79. 0 2 75. 7 1 3. 3

C o n stitu tion s p rovid in g 2 o r m o r e 

decision authorities _______________ 23 4,430. 4 19 2, 990. 6 4 1,439. 8

Executive board decided the 

cases it heard; president decided the ca se s he heard _____ 15 2, 755. 5 13 1, 3 2 4 .6 2 1,430. 8

Executive board decided the 

ca ses it heard, while the convention decided the c a se s 

it h e a r d _________________________ 3 31. 5 1 22. 5 2 9 . 0

Other decision authorities ____ 2 5 1, 643. 4 5 1, 643. 4 - -

1 U nder 2 c o n s titu tio n s, p e rm a n e n t c o m m it te e s r e n d e r e d d e c i s i o n s , and u nd er 1 c o n ­

stitution, decisions w ere rendered by the persons selected by the parties.

2 U nder 1 co n stitu tion , d e c isio n a u th o rity w a s v e s t e d in the p r e s id e n t , e x e cu tiv e b o a rd , 

or convention for c a se s tried by each body; under 1 constitution, decision authority was vested 

in the president or convention for c a se s tried by each body; under 1 constitution, the executive 

board decided ca se s heard by it as did a perm anent committee; under 1 constitution, persons 

selected by the parties rendered all decisions except that those involving suspension or expulsion w ere to be approved by the executive board; and under 1 constitution, a perm anent co m ­

m ittee ren d ered all d e cisio n s except that fines of m o re than $25 w ere su b ject to app rov al by the 

executive board.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sum s of individual item s may not equal totals.

690-094 0 - 63-13

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Table B -2. Role of the President and Executive Board in International Disciplinary

Procedures, National and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

(M em bers in thousands)

T otal studied Affiliation

Role of president and 

executive board Unions M em bers

A F L -C IO Unaffiliated

Unions M em bers Unions M em bers

Total trial provisions _______________ 116 13, 515. 0 92 10, 970. 1 24 2, 544. 9

President or executive board 

p erform s functions_________________ 69 8 , 792. 9 62 6 , 724. 8 7 2 , 068. 1

Invoke, trial, and d e c id e ________ 30 3, 054. 6 28 3. 048. 0 2 6 . 5

Invoke and d e cid e __ _____________ 2 477. 9 2 477. 9 - -

Invoke, trial, decide, and 

appeal ___________________________ 6 2, 647. 7 5 1, 229. 5 1 1,418. 2

T rial and d e c id e __________________ 4 231. 3 4 231. 3 - -

T rial, decide, and appeal _______ 3 881. 7 2 281. 7 1 600. 0

Suspend, invoke, trial, 

and d e c id e _______________________ 17 1, 171. 8 15 1, 155. 0 2 16. 8

Suspend, invoke, trial, 

decide, and a p p e a l ___ __________ 2 172. 4 2 172. 4

O t h e r ___ _ _ ___ _______________ x5 155. 5 4 129. 0 1 26. 5

Executive board only p erform s 

functions ____________________________ 36 3, 132. 6 21 2 , 709. 1 15 423. 5

Invoke, trial, and decide ________ 12 2 , 559. 6 10 2, 396. 6 2 163. 0

T rial and d e c id e ____________ _____ 16 392. 6 8 306. 5 8 8 6 . 1

T rial, decide, and appeal _______ 2 6 . 1 - - 2 6 . 1

T rial and a p p e a l __________________ 2 5. 0 2 5. 0 - -

Suspend, invoke, trial, 

and d e c id e _____ _______________ 2 77. 2 1 1 . 0 1 76. 2

Other ____________________________ 2 2 9 2 . 1 - - 2 92. 1

President only perform s 

functions _______________ __________ 9 1 ,544.9 8 1,494. 9 1 50. 0

Invoke, trial, and decide ________ 6 189. 7 5 139. 7 1 50. 0

T rial and d e c id e __ __ ___________ 3 1, 355. 2 3 1, 355. 2 - -

No referen ce to presiden t or 

executive board on these 

functions ____________________________ 3 2 44. 7 1 41. 3 1 3. 3

1 U nder 1 co n stitution , th e ir ro le w a s lim ite d to invoking t r i a l p r o c e d u r e s ; u n d er 1 c o n ­

stitution, they invoked and held trials; under 1 constitution, they suspended, held tria ls, and 

rendered a final decision; under 1 constitution, they suspended and rendered final appellate decisions; and under 1 constitution, their role w as lim ited to rendering final appellate decision s.

2 U nder 1 co n stitution , the p r e s id e n t invoked and held t r i a l s ; and u n d er 1 co n stitution 

he w as authorized to invoke, hold t r ia ls , render d ecisio n s after tria l, and ren d er final a p ­

pellate decisions.

3 U nder 1 co n stitution , any m e m b e r invoked ju r i s d ic t i o n by filing c h a r g e s d ir e c t ly 

with the convention; and under 1 constitution, any m em ber invoked jurisdiction and a trial 

body selected by the parties heard and decided the case.

NOTE: B ecause of rounding, sum s of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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A p p e n d ix C

Table C - l. Concentration of Selected Hearing Safeguards in L o cal Union T rial 

P ro ce d u res, National and International Union Constitutions, E a r ly 1961

S e le c t e d h e a rin g s a f e g u a r d s 1

Number of safeguards Total

studied Full and 

fair

hearing

Notice of 

hearing

Im partial

trial

body

Continuance or 

postponement

Counsel Introduce

evidence

All constitutions providing local trial 

p r o c e d u r e s __ __ 136 55 116 58 15 96 56

1 safeguard ___________ 5 2 1 _ _ 1 _

2 sa fe g u a r d s __ ______ 14 5 11 2 - 1 1

3 s a f e g u a r d s 11 4 9 2 2 7 1

4 safeguards __________ 18 4 15 3 - 14 6

5 s a f e g u a r d s 19 7 17 8 1 15 7

6 s a fe g u a r d s __________ 21 12 19 13 - 18 10

7 s a f e g u a r d s _ 16 5 16 8 2 14 9

8 s a fe g u a r d s __________ 13 9 13 9 5 12 10

9 s a fe g u a r d s ________ _ 7 4 7 5 1 7 4

10 safeguards _______ 4 1 4 4 1 3 4

11 safeguards _________ 2 - 2 2 2 2 2

12 safeguards _________

No selected

2 2 2 2 1 2 2

safeguards __________ 4 - - - - - -

Invite

w itnesses

T e stimony

under

Confront

and

c r o ssTestify 

on his 

own

R ecord of

p roceedOther

safe- 

, 1

oath exam ine behalf ings guards

All constitutions p ro ­

viding local trial 

procedures ___________ 58 12 45 54 45 114

1 safeguard _ _ _ 1

2 s a fe g u a r d s ___________ _______ 1 - - 3 - 4

3 s a fe g u a r d s ___________ ______ - - 1 - 1 6

4 s a fe g u a r d s ___________ _______ 4 - 6 8 5 7

5 s a fe g u a r d s ___________ ______ 8 - 6 10 4 12

6 safeguard s ___________ _____ __ 10 2 4 8 10 2 0

7 s a f e g u a r d s ___________ _______ 13 3 8 9 6 19

8 safeguard s ___________ ________ 10 2 8 8 5 13

9 s a f e g u a r d s _ _ _ 5 1 4 3 6 16

10 sa fe g u a rd s ________ - 4 1 4 4 4 6

11 safegu ard s ___________ ______ 2 1 2 - 2 5

12 s a f e g u a r d s ___________

No selected

— 1 2 2 1 2 5

safeguards ___________ — - - - - - -

1 These safeguards included the rights to a speedy trial, subpena w itn esses, se p ­

arate w itn esses, change venue, submit a written defense, representation when unable to attend the h earing, p re se n t a defense when the tr ia l body* s recom m en dation s a re subm itted to 

the m em bership, double jeopardy provisions, and notice of decision.

173

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Table C -2 . Concentration of Selected Hearing Safeguards in International Trial

Procedures, National and International Union Constitutions, Early 1961

Selected hearing safeguards

Number of safeguards Total

studied Full and 

fair

hearing

Notice of 

he a rin g

Im partial

trial

body

Speedy

trial Counsel Introduce

evidence

All constitutions providing for trial at 

the international

116 37 69 26 26 50 39

1 safeguard __________ 18 6 2 2 2 1 1

2 s a f e g u a r d s __________ 14 4 9 2 2 2 1

3 s a f e g u a r d s ___ 12 4 11 1 3 3 2

4 sa fe g u a rd s 11 4 8 2 2 5 7

5 s a f e g u a r d s 7 4 6 - 2 6 2

6 safeguards 9 2 7 3 3 6 7

7 s a f e g u a r d s _________ 11 3 11 5 4 11 6

8 s a f e g u a r d s __________ 8 6 6 2 3 7 6

9 s a f e g u a r d s 3 2 3 3 1 3 3

10 safeguards 5 2 5 5 3 5 3

11 safeguards 

No selected

1 - 1 1 1 1 1

s a f e g u a r d s __________ 17 - - - - - -

Invite

Confront

and

Testify 

on his Notice of Record of Other

w itnesses c r o ss - own decision p roceed ­ sa fe ­

guards 1

examine behalf ings

All constitutions p ro ­

viding for trial at 

the international 

level __________________ 29 26 45 32 28 37

1 s a f e g u a r d __ _ _ 4

2 safeguards ___________ ______ - - 4 - 3 1

3 s a f e g u a r d s _ ___ 1 2 2 3 1 3

4 sa fe g u a rd s ___________ ________ 3 2 5 3 1 2

5 safeguards ___________ ________ 3 1 3 4 2 2

6 safeguards 4 2 7 5 4 4

7 s a f e g u a r d s ___________ ______ 5 5 8 7 6 6

8 safeguards ___________ _ ______ 5 6 4 5 5 9

9 safeguards 2 3 3 - 2 2

10 safeguards _________ ______ 5 4 4 4 3 7

11 safeguards _________

No selected

— 1 1 1 1 1 1

safeguards ___________ — - - - - -

1 These safe gu ard s included the rights to subpena w itn e sse s, change venue, requ est 

a continuance or postponement, representation by another when unable to attend the h e a ring, and submit a written defense.

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Table C-3. M axim um Tim e L im its to Convene the T ria l Body in L o ca l Union T ria l 

P ro ce d u re s, National and International Union Constitutions, E a r ly 1961

(M em bers in thousands)

Total studied Tim e lim it to convene begins—

Time specified Unions

M em ­

b ers

F ro m time 

charges 

filed

F r o m 

notice 

of hearing

F r o m 

meeting 

at which 

charges 

accepted

Other

points

Unions

M em ­

bers

Unions

M em ­

bers

Unions

M em ­

b ers

UnionsM em ­

bers

A ll constitutions limiting the 

time allowed to convene 

at the local le v e l _____________ 4 9 8, 582. 6 26 5, 972. 1 9 1, 58 0. 7 9 531. 7 5 498. 1

Specific time periods 35 4, 864.9 

661. 7

15 2, 620. 4 9 1, 580. 7 8 485. 7 3 178. 1

Within 15 d a y s 9 1 360. 9 4 220. 1 3 79. 5 X1 156. 9 

W i t h i n 30 d a y s __ __ _..... 19 2, 8 6 6 . 1 21. 2

1, 3 3 7 . 1 

3, 717. 7

8 1, 1 06. 8 

1, 152. 6

4 1, 17 6 . 1 

184. 5

5 406. 2 2 2

W i t h i n 60 d a y s ...... _ ________ 7 6 1

G eneral time periods 14 11 3, 351. 7 1 46. 0 2 320. 0

R e a s o n a b l e t i m e _ __ 12 3, 391. 7 11 3, 351. 7 3 1 40. 0

Next, m eeting ___ _______ __ 2 3 2 6. 0 _ 1 46. 0 4 1 280. 0

1 Under this constitution, the local union was required to try strik eb reak ers within 

15 d a y s of the o ffe n se .

2 U nder 1 co n stitu tion , lo c a l o f f i c e r s w e r e t r i e d within 30 d a y s of s u s p e n s io n , but no 

reference was provided for m em bers; and under 1 constitution, trials of local officers were 

held within 30 d ay s of the tr ia l b ody 1 s election, but no referen ce w as provided for m e m b e rs.

3 Under this constitution, the trial convened promptly after ch arges were filed when 

the accu sed w as suspended p rior to filing ch arges.

4 Under this constitution, the trial was held at the next meeting following the meeting 

at which the accu sed ' s answ er w as filed. The a ccu sed w as allowed 4 w eeks from the tim e 

ch arges w ere filed to submit his answ er.

NOTE: Because of rounding, sum s of individual item s may not equal totals.

Table C -4. M axim um Tim e L im its to Convene the T ria l Body in International Level 

T r i a l P r o c e d u r e s , N atio n a l and In tern a tio n a l Union C o n stitu tio n s, E a r l y 1961

(M em bers in thousands)

Total studied Tim e lim it to convene begins—

Time specified Unions

M em ­

bers

F ro m time 

charges 

filed

F r o m 

s u s ­

pension

F r o m 

p relim ­

inary 

review

F r o m 

accu sed 's 

request

UnionsM em ­

bers

UnionsM em ­

b ers

Unions

M em ­

bers

Unions

M em ­

b ers

All constitutions limiting the 

time allowed to convene at 

the in tern a tio n a l le v e l ____ 33 3, 676. 9 15 1 , 926 . 0 13 1,424. 9 4 263. 8 1 62. 3

Specified time p e r io d s------- 16 1,480. 4 8 947. 8 5 438. 9 2 31. 4 1 62. 3

Within 15 d a y s __________ 5 6 60.4 1 442. 9 3 216. 5 1 1 . 0 - -

Within 30 day s __________ 7 601. 1 4 316.4 2 222. 4 - - 1 62. 3

Within 60 days __________ 4 218. 9 3 188. 5 - - 1 30. 4 - -

General time periods --------- 17 2, 196. 5 7 978. 2 8 986. 0 2 232. 4 - -

R e a s o n a b le _______________ 13 1, 975. 8 5 960. 5 6 782. 9 2 232. 4 - -

Next meeting ____________ 4 220. 7 2 17. 7 2 203. 1 - - - -

NOTE: B ecause of rounding, sum s of individual item s m ay not equal totals.

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Appendix D

D -l. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1958 and 1961 Constitutions

of the International Association of Machinists

1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Grounds Grounds

A rtic le H 

Special Levies

Failure to pay special levies and fines

A rticle H

S e c tio n 1. S p e c ia l l e v ie s and fin es s h a ll 

be due within 30 days after levied. If not paid 

within that time the F. S. or S. T. shall notify 

those in a r r e a r s in writing, and should they 

fail to m ake paym ent within 60 days from the 

date of such written notice, their m em bership 

sh all be cancelled r e g a r d le ss of the date to 

which their dues are paid.

L . L s . , p u r s u a n t to Sec tio n 1, A r t ic le G, 

m ay through their by-law s adopt a provision 

to levy fines upon m e m b e r s who fail to attend 

at least one L. L. meeting per month.

Initiation fees, reinstatem ent fees, dues 

and fines shall constitute a legal liability by 

a m em b er to the L. L. C ost of litigation 

arising from charges against a m em ber by 

reason of such liabilities, shall constitute a 

legal debt and payable by such m em ber.

S ec tio n 1. T h is p r o v i s i o n now contain ed 

in A r t ic le F , S ec tio n 1.

A rticle J

D e clin in g R ough W o rk

A rticle K

Section 4. Any m e m b e r who r e fu se s to 

do any kind of work belonging to the trade 

because it is rough or dirty shall be subject 

to fine or expulsion.

Piecew ork, Two Machines 

and Prem ium System s

Section 4. Deleted.

Section 6 . In sh o p s w h ere it is not now a 

p ractic e, no m em b er is p erm itted to accept 

piecew ork, operate m ore than one machine, 

or accept employment under the prem ium , 

m erit, task, or contract system . M em bers 

found guilty of advocating or encouraging any 

of these sy stem s in shops where they are not 

now in operation shall be liable to expulsion.

Section 6 . R e n u m b e r e d S e c tio n 5. F o l ­

lowing words added at end: "After charges 

and trial for m isconduct as provided in A rticle L. "

176

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D -l. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1958 and 1961 Constitutions

of the International Association of Machinists— Continued

1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Introduction of Unqualified P erso n s

Section 7. M em bers who introduce into 

the trade any person other than a m em ber of 

the I. A. M ., sh a ll be h e a v ily fined fo r the f i r s t 

offense and expelled for the second offense. 

This Section shall not be construed to refer 

to app ren tices p ro p erly indentured.

M isrepresentation

Section 7. Renum bered Section 6. F o llowing words added at end of first sentence: 

"After charges and trial for m isconduct as 

provided in A rticle L. "

Section 8. Any applican t adm itted to m e m ­

bership who has falsified his application for 

initiation or reinstatem ent, shall be subject 

to fine or expulsion, or both.

M em bers who falsely represent them selves 

to be com petent w orkm en, sh all be fined or 

expelled at the discretion of the L .L . of which 

they are m em bers.

Inebriety

Section 8. Sam e. Renum bered Section 7.

Section 9. M em bers entering the L. L. 

room while under the influence of intoxicatSection 9. R eplaced by the following:

ing drinks, or who are guilty of using indecent or profane language therein, shall beD isorderly Conduct

reprim anded, fined, suspended or expelled, 

at the option of the L. L. Habitual drunkenn ess or conduct disgracefu l to them selves or 

a sso ciates shall be punished by expulsion.

Section 8. M em bers entering the L. L. 

room while under the influence of intoxicating drinks, or who are guilty of using indecent or profane language therein, shall be 

excluded therefrom upon order of the p re sid ­

ing officer and shall be subject to penalty of 

reprim and, fine, suspension or expulsion after 

charges and trial as provided in A rticle L. 

M em bers, if guilty of habitual drunkenness 

or conduct disgraceful to them selves or a s ­

so ciate s, shall be subject to the penalty of 

expulsion from m em bership after charges and 

trial.

A rticle K 

Code

A rticle L

Im proper Conduct of Local Lodges, D istrict 

Lodges, and M em bers Thereof

Sec tio n 1. The follow ing a c tio n s o r o m i s ­

sions shall constitute m isconduct by a L. L.

Heading changed as follows: Im proper 

Conduct of Local Lodges, D istrict Lodges, 

Councils and Conferences, and M em bers 

Thereof.

or D. L. which sh all w a rra n t su sp en sion or 

revocation of the charter thereof as the evidence m ay w arrant:

Circulating or causing in any manner to be 

circulated any false or m alicious statem ent 

reflecting upon the private or public conduct,

Section 1. L in e s 2, 3, and 19, the la n ­

guage " L .L . or D .L ." changed to read: L. L ., 

D. L . , coun cil o r c o n fe r e n c e . "

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D -l. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1958 and 1961 Constitutions

of the International Association of Machinists— Continued

1958 Constitution 196 1 Constitution

Section 1 .— Continued

or falsely or m aliciously attacking the ch aracter, impugning the m otives, or questioning 

the integrity of any officer or m em b er of the 

I. A. M.

F ailu re to p erfo rm duties as provided in 

this Constitution or violation of any of the 

provisions of this Constitution.

Insubordination with re sp e c t to valid o r d e r s 

or directives of officers and/or the convention 

of the G. L . of the I. A. M.

Any conduct unbecoming a L. L. or D. L. 

which is detrim en tal to the b e st in te re sts of 

the I. A. M.

Im proper Conduct of O fficers 

and R epresentives

Section 2. The following actions or o m is ­

sions shall constitute m isconduct by any off i c e r of a L . L . o r D. L . , o r by any b u s i n e s s 

representative or representative of a L. L. or 

D. L . , which sh a ll w a r r a n t a r e p r im a n d , fine, 

rem oval from office, suspension from office 

and/or m em bership, or expulsion from m e m ­

bership, or any le sse r penalty such as an 

apology, or any combination of these penalties 

as the evidence m ay w arrant:

Any of the a c tio n s s e t forth in S ec tio n 3 

of this A rticle with re sp ect to m isconduct of 

a m em ber.

Incompetence, negligence, or insubordination in the perform ance of official duties or 

failure to perform duties validly assigned.

Actions constituting a violation of the p ro ­

visions of this Constitution.

Im proper Conduct of a M em ber

Section 3. The following actions or o m is ­

sions shall constitute m isconduct by a m em ber 

which shall w arrant a reprim and, fine, s u s ­

pension and/or expulsion from m em bership, 

or any le s se r penalty or any combination of 

these penalties as the evidence m ay w arrant:

C irculating or causing in any m an ner to 

be circulated any false or m alicious statement reflecting upon the private or public 

conduct, or falsely or m aliciously attacking 

the ch aracter, impugning the m otives, or

Section 2. R ep laced by the following:

Im proper Conduct of O fficers 

and R epresentatives

Section 2. The following actions or o m is ­

sions shall constitute m isconduct by any off i c e r of a L . L . , D. L . , coun cil o r c o n fe r e n c e , 

or by any bu siness representative or re p re ­

sentative of a L. L. or D. L. which sh all w a r ­

rant a reprim and, rem oval from office and/or 

disqualification from holding office for not 

m o r e than 5 y e a r s , su s p e n s io n f r o m o ffice , 

or any le s se r penalty or any combination of 

these penalties as the evidence m ay w arrant:

Incompetence, negligence or insubordination in the perform ance of official duties or 

failu re or re fu sal to p erfo rm duties validly 

assigned.

Im proper Conduct of a M em ber

Section 3. The following actions or o m is ­

sions shall constitute m isconduct by a m em ber 

which shall w arrant a reprim and, fine, s u s ­

pension and/or expulsion from m em bership, 

or any le s se r penalty or any combination of 

these penalties as the evidence m ay w arrant 

after written and specific charges and a full 

hearing as hereinafter provided:

C irculating or causing in any m anner to 

be circulated any false or m alicious statement reflecting upon the private or public

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of the International Association of Machinists— Continued

1958 Constitution 1961

Section 3 .— Continued

Constitution

questioning the integrity of any m em ber or 

officer.

R efusal or failu re to p erfo rm any duty or 

obligation im posed by this Constitution; the 

e s t a b li s h e d p o l ic ie s of the I. A. M. ; the v a lid 

decisions and directives of any officer or officers thereof; or, the valid decisions of the 

E. C. or the G. L. convention.

Attempting, inaugurating, or encouraging 

s e c e s s i o n f r o m the I. A. M. , o r a d v ocatin g 

or encouraging or attempting to inaugurate 

any dual labor movem ent, or advocating or 

encouraging com m unism , fa scism , nazism , 

or any other totalitarian philosophy, or by 

other actions giving support to these p h ilo sophies or "ism s. "

Acquiring m em bership by false pretense, 

m isrepresen tation , or fraud.

Accepting employment in any capacity in 

an establishm ent where a strike or lockout 

exists as recognized under this Constitution, 

without p erm ission .

Any other conduct unbecoming a m em ber 

of the I. A. M.

T rial Procedure 

A rticle K 

Suspensions

Section 4. W henever the I. P . su sp en ds a 

L . L . o r D. L . , o r o f f i c e r , r e p r e s e n t a t iv e , 

charged with any of the acts set forth in S e c ­

tio ns 1, 2 and 3 ab o v e , pending a fin al d i s ­

position of such ch arges, any such order of

conduct, or falsely or m aliciously attacking 

the ch aracter, impugning the m otives, or 

questioning the integrity of any m em ber or 

officer.

R efusal or failure to perform any duty or 

obligation im posed by this Constitution; the 

e s t a b li s h e d p o l i c i e s of the I. A. M. ; the v a lid 

decisions and directives of any officer or officers thereof; or, the valid decisions of the 

E. C. or the G. L. convention.

Attempting, inaugurating, or encouraging 

s e c e s s i o n f r o m the I. A. M. , o r a d v o ca tin g o r 

encouraging or attempting to inaugurate any 

dual labor movem ent, or advocating or encouraging com m unism , fa scism , n azism , or 

any other totalitarian philosophy, or by other 

actions giving support to these philosophies or 

"is m s " or to m ovem ents or organizations 

in im ic a l to the I. A. M. or its e s ta b lish e d p o licies and laws.

Acquiring m em bership by false pretense, 

m isrepresen tation , or fraud.

Accepting employment in any capacity in 

an establishm ent where a strike or lockout 

exists as recognized under this Constitution, 

without p erm ission .

Actions constituting a violation of the p ro ­

visions of this Constitution.

Illegal voting or in any way preventing an 

honest election to fill elective o ffices, p osts 

o r p o s it io n s in the G. L . o r any L . L . , D. L . , 

council or conference.

Any other conduct unbecoming a m em ber 

of the I. A. M. , p ro v id e d , h o w e v e r, that any 

charge of such conduct shall specifically set 

forth the act or acts or o m issio n s alleg ed to 

constitute such offense.

T rial P rocedure 

A rticle L

Section 4. Amended to read as follows: 

Suspensions

S ec tio n 4. W henever the I. P . s u s p e n d s a 

L . L . o r D. L . , o r o f f i c e r o r r e p r e s e n t a t iv e

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1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 4 .— Continued

su s p e n s io n s h a l l b e s e n t b y r e g i s t e r e d m a i l , or 

t e l e g r a m , to su ch L . L . o r D. L . , o r o f f ic e r , 

or representative, or m em ber, together with 

a full statem ent of the charges upon which 

suspension is predicated. During the s u s ­

p e n sio n of a Li. L . a n d / o r D. L . , pending the 

d isposition of c h a rg e s , the L. L. and/or D. L. 

s h a ll be under the s u p e r v is io n of the I. P . or 

his representative. During such period the 

L. L. and/or D. L. shall function only in those 

capacities that will b est serve the interests 

of the m em b ers. Any such order suspending 

an o fficer or m e m b e r sh all op erate only to 

suspend the right of such officer or m em ber 

to attend m e e t in g s of any L . L . , D. L. , coun ­

cil or conference, hold any office, or otherw ise participate in any of the activities of the 

I. A. M. A ll other m e m b e r sh ip righ ts of such 

officer, representative, or m em ber, shall 

re m a in u n a ffecte d u n le s s and until he h a s b ee n 

tried and convicted in accordance with the 

procedures set forth herein.

T rial of Local Lodge or D istrict Lodge

Section 5. A ch arge of m iscon duct again st 

a L. L. or D. L. m ay be p re fe rre d by any officer, representative or m em ber, in writing 

tra n sm itte d to the I. P. A tr ia l of such a 

charge shall be had before a special com m ittee d e s ig n a te d by the I. P . fo r that p u r p o s e , 

or before the convention of the G. L. at the 

d is c r e tio n of the I. P . T h e s e trib u n a ls a r e 

v e sted with origin al tria l ju risd ic tio n to h ear 

and decide such charges in the m anner p r e ­

scribed below:

The L. L. or D.L. shall be notified in w riting by r e g is t e r e d m a il of the c h a rg e s on which 

it will be tried, and the time and place of 

trial which sh all be held not le s s than 30 days 

after the m ailing of such notice by the G. S. T. 

In the c a s e of a t r i a l b e fo r e a s p e c ia l c o m ­

m ittee, the accu sed L. L. or D. L. sh all be 

given full opportunity to p resen t evidence and 

argum ents in refutation of the p refe rred 

ch arges, to exam ine and c ro ss-e x a m in e w itn e sse s, and m ay be represented by an atto rney, a s p rovided in Section 10 of this A rtic le .

The special committee shall report in w riting to the I. P. its v e rd ic t and its r e c o m m e n ­

dation of the penalty to be im posed if the v e r ­

dict be that of "guilty. " The I.P. m ay affirm ,

charged with any of the acts set forth in S e c ­

tions 1, 2 and 3 a b o v e , pending a fin al d i s ­

position of such ch arges, any such order of 

suspension shall be sent by registered m ail, 

o r t e l e g r a m , to su ch L. L . o r D. L . , o r o f ­

ficer or representative, together with a full 

statem ent of the charges upon which su spen ­

sion is predicated. During the suspension of 

a L . L . a n d / o r D. L . , pending the d is p o s it io n 

of ch arges, the L. L. and/or D .L . shall be 

under the su p e rv isio n of the I. P. or his r e p ­

resentative. During such period the L. L. 

and/or D .L . shall function only in those c a ­

pacities that will best serve the interests of 

the m em bership. Any such order suspending 

an officer or elected or appointed rep resen tative shall operate only to suspend the right of 

such p erson to occupy any office or position 

perform any of the functions thereof, but all 

other m em bership rights of such officer or 

representative shall rem ain unaffected unless 

and until he has been served with charges and 

tried and convicted in accordance with the 

procedures h ereafter set forth in this A rticle.

Section 5. Section heading amended to 

read: T rial of Local Lodge, D istrict Lodge,

Council or Conference.

The following Amendments also m ade: 

Lines 2, 12, 18, and line 32, the language

" L . L. or D . L . " changed to read: "L . L. ,

D. L . , C ouncil o r C o n fe ren ce . " In se rtin g , 

after the w ord "notified" on line 12, the w ords 

"by the G. S. T. " Deleting, on line 16, the 

words "by the G. S. T. " Inserting, after the 

word "C om m ittee" on line 58, the following: 

"or rejects a Committee finding of 'not 

guilty' and then finds the defendant 'gu ilty '".

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of the International Association of Machinists— Continued

1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 5 .— Continued

modify, or re v erse in full or in part, the 

decision of the special com m ittee, or im pose 

any penalty or fine which he deem s to be 

required.

Any L. L . or D. L . sh all have the right to 

demand that the trial be conducted in the 

locality where the offense is alleged to have 

been committed except that this provision 

shall not apply with respect to trials conducted by the G. L. convention as hereinafter 

provided.

In the c a s e of a tr ia l b e fo re the convention 

of the G. L». , the t r i a l s h a ll be r e f e r r e d to and 

conducted by the Appeals and Grievance Com ­

m ittee of the convention which sh a ll a c c o r d the 

accused full opportunity to presen t evidence 

in refutation of the p referred ch arges, to examine and cross-ex am in e w itn esses, and the 

accused m ay be represented by an attorney, 

a s p ro v id e d in Section 10 of this A r tic le ; and 

such com m ittee shall subm it its report to the 

convention, which shall include its findings 

and verdict, together with its recom mendation 

of the penalty to be im posed if the verdict be 

that of "guilty. "

The convention m ay amend or reject the 

verdict or findings of said com m ittee in whole 

or in part, and find the accused either "guilty" 

or "not guilty. " If the convention concurs 

with a "guilty" verdict of the Appeals and 

Grievance Com m ittee, the recom mendation of 

said committee as to the penalty to be im ­

posed m ay be amended or rejected in whole 

or in part and/or another penalty substituted 

therefor by a m ajority vote of those delegates 

voting on the question. Such action of the 

convention shall be recognized and accepted 

as final and binding on all p arties.

T rial of O fficers or R epresentatives

Section 6. A charge of m isconduct m ay 

be m ade against any officer or representative 

of a L. L. or D. L . by any m em b er in w riting t r a n s m it te d to the I. P . , with a copy to 

the proper officer of the body involved. The 

I. P . m a y d e te r m in e that f a i r n e s s to the a c ­

cu sed and the b e s t in te r e s ts of the I. A. M. 

require a trial thereof before a special com ­

m ittee d e sign ate d by the I. P . for that p u r ­

p o s e o r b e fo r e the convention of the G. L . In 

the event the I. P . r e f e r s the c h a r g e s to tr ia l

Section 6. A ch arge of m isconduct m ay 

be m ade against any officer or representative 

of a L . L . , D. L . , co un cil o r c o n fe r e n c e , by 

any m em ber in writing to the proper officer 

of the body involved with a copy of such 

ch arges to the I. P. The I. P. m ay d e te rmine that fairn ess to the accused and the best 

in terests of the I. A. M. require a tria l thereof 

before a special committee designated by the 

I. P. for that purpose or before the convention of the G. L. In the event the I. P.

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of the International Association of Machinists— Continued

1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 6 .— Continued

before a special committee or before the convention of the G. Lthe m atter shall be heard 

and decided by those tribunals in accordance 

with the p r o c e d u r e p r e s c r i b e d in S ec tio n 5 of 

this A rticle. Otherwise, the charges will be 

tried b efo re the L . L . or D. L. of which the 

accused is an officer or representative in a c ­

cordance with the trial procedure p rescrib ed 

in S e c tio n s 8 through 13 of this A r t ic le .

T rial of a M em ber

Section 7. Charges p refe rred against a 

m em ber for other than a violation of his or 

her duty or duties as an officer or rep resen tative of either a L. L. or D. L. shall be governed by the following p rocedu res:

It is the duty of any m e m b e r who h as inform ation as to conduct of a m em ber covered 

by S ec tio n 3 of this A r t ic le to im m e d ia te ly 

p refer charges in writing against such m e m ­

ber by filing the sam e with the president of 

the L. L i. of which the accused is a m em ber. 

The president of the L. L. with whom the 

ch arges a re filed shall supply a copy to the 

accused and forthwith proceed to bring the 

accused to trial under the provisions of S e ctions 8 through 13 of this A r t ic le , e x c e p t that 

the I. P . m a y , when he d e e m s such action 

n ece ssary in order to provide a fair trial or 

to p r o t e c t the b e s t i n t e r e s t s of the I. A. M. , 

direct that the accused be tried either by a 

special com m ittee designated for that purpose 

or by the G. L . convention. In the event the 

latter procedure is adopted, the trial of the 

charges shall be governed by the provisions 

of S ec tio n 5 of this A r t ic le .

In the event the p r e sid e n t or the p re sid e n t 

and other officers of the L. L. are involved 

in the charges filed, the next ranking officer 

sh a ll p r e s id e , a s h e re in se t forth. In the 

application of this Section the order of ranking of officers shall be president and vice 

p re sid e n t. In the event a p r e s id e n t and v ice 

president are involved in the ch arges, or are 

absent, the R. S. shall call for nomination of 

a te m p o r a r y ch a irm a n and the m e m b e r s p r e s ­

ent shall im m ediately proceed to select a 

tem porary chairm an by m ajority vote. The 

tem porary chairm an selected shall then p ro ­

ceed to c a rry out the requ irem ents of this 

Section.

re fers the charges to trial before a special 

committee or before the convention of the 

G. L . , the m a t t e r s h a ll b e h e a r d and d e c id e d 

by those tribunals in accordance with the p ro ­

ce d u re p r e s c r i b e d in S e c tio n 5 of this A r t ic le . 

Otherwise, the charges will be tried before 

the L . L . , D. L . , co un cil o r c o n fe r e n c e of 

which the a c c u s e d i s an o f f i c e r o r r e p r e s e n t a ­

tive in accordance with the trial procedure 

p r e s c r i b e d in S e c t io n s 8 through 13 of this 

A rticle.

Section 7. Sam e.

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1958 Constitution 196

7. — Continued

1 Constitution

In the event that any L . L . , o r the m e m ­

b e rs thereof, fail to p roceed as p re sc rib e d 

herein, then any officer or representative, or 

m em ber, m ay file written charges against 

such m e m b e r or m e m b e r s with the I. P . 

Upon the r e c e ip t of such c h a r g e s , the I. P . 

shall forw ard one copy thereof to the accused 

and one copy thereof to the president of the 

L. L. of which the accused is a m em ber, together with an order commanding said L. L. 

to proceed to p lace the accused on trial under 

the provisions of this A rticle.

If s a i d L . L . f a il s o r r e f u s e s fo r 15 d a y s 

th e re a fte r, to p r o c e e d a s o r d e r e d by the I. P ., 

then the I. P . sh a ll notify the a c c u s e d and the 

L. L. of which the accused is a m em ber, of 

the time and place, when and where a special 

committee will m eet for the purpose of h e a ring evidence and trying the accused upon 

charges theretofore p referred , provided, howe v e r , that the I. P . o r the E . C. m a y , if they 

deem advisable, in lieu of a trial before a 

special committee, order the accused to be 

tr ie d by the G. L . convention. In the event the 

latter procedure is adopted, the trial of the 

charges shall be governed by the provisions 

of Sec tio n 5 of this A r t ic le .

Appointment of T rial Committee

Section 8. E xcept as otherw ise provided 

in this A rticle, whenever charges have been 

p referred against a m em ber, the president 

of the L. L. shall im m ediately appoint a trial 

c o m m itte e of not m o r e than 5 m e m b e r s , one 

of whom shall act as chairm an and one of 

whom shall act a s se c re ta ry , to investigate 

the ch arges, take testimony and decide upon 

the guilt or innocence of the accused. The 

trial com m ittee so appointed shall within one 

week thereafter, notify the m em ber of the 

charges against him and the time and place, 

when and w here, to appear for trial.

Section 8. R eplaced by the following:

Section 8. Except as otherw ise provided 

in this A rticle, whenever charges have been 

p referred against a m em ber, the president of 

the L. L. shall prom ptly appoint a trial com ­

m itte e of not m o r e than 5 m e m b e r s , one of 

whom shall act as chairm an and one of whom 

shall act as secretary . The trial committee 

shall conduct an investigation of the charges 

and decide whether there is sufficient substance to w arrant a trial hearing being held. 

If the trial com m ittee decides a trial hearing 

is w arranted, the com m ittee shall, within one 

week of its appointment, notify the m em ber of 

the charges against him and when and where 

to appear for trial. The time set for trial 

shall allow the accused a reasonable time 

(not l e s s than 7 c a l e n d a r d a y s a f t e r n o tification) to p rep are his defense.

If the trial com m ittee decides the ch arges 

should be d is m is se d on the b a sis of lack of 

supporting evidence, it will so recom m end to

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Section 8 .— Continued

Appearance

the next regular meeting of the L. L. and the 

L. L. shall adopt or reject the trial com m itt e e ’s recom m endation. If the E. E. adopts 

the recom m endation, the charges shall stand 

d ism isse d subject to appeal of L. L. decisions 

a s p rovided in Section 14 of this A rtic le . If 

the L. L. rejects the com m ittee's recom m endation, the tria l com m ittee shall p ro ceed to 

notify the charged m em ber and hold a trial 

hearing.

Section 9. If a m e m b e r fails to app ear 

for trial when notified to do so, the trial shall 

proceed as though the m em ber w ere in fact 

present.

Evidence

Section 9. Sam e.

Section 10. Both the plaintiff and the d e ­

fendant shall have the privilege of presenting 

evidence and being represented either in p e r ­

son or by attorney (the attorney being a m e m ­

b e r of the I. A. M.). The tr ia l co m m ittee sh all 

maintain a written record of the trial p ro ­

ceedings, including all testimony and documents introduced by either the plaintiff or 

the defendant.

T r ia l P r o c e d u r e

Section 10. Sam e.

Section 11.

1. C a ll t r i a l c o m m itte e to o r d e r .

2. Exam in e due books.

3. C le ar the tria l ch am ber of all people 

except the trial com m ittee, the trial 

re p o rter (who need not be a m em b er 

of the I. A. M. ), the p la in tiff and h is 

attorney, the defendant and his atto rney, and a r e p r e s e n t a t iv e of the G. L . , 

if in attendance.

4. The plaintiff and the defendant shall 

rem ain in the trial cham ber until trial 

is concluded, but shall sit apart.

5. The ch airm an sh all re ad the ch arges 

and ask the defendant if he is "guilty" 

or "not guilty. " If the p lea is "not 

guilty" the trial shall then proceed; if 

the plea is "guilty" the trial com m ittee 

shall conduct such further proceedings 

as in its judgment are required.

6. The p la in tiff o r h is a tto rn ey s h a ll p r e ­

sent his case first.

Section 11. Sam e, except in subsection 3 ,

change "a re p re se n ta tiv e " to read " r e p r e ­

sentatives. "

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Section

1958 Constitution

1 1. — Continued

1961 Constitution

7. W itnesses shall be called into the trial 

cham ber one at a time, and will leave 

the trial cham ber upon completing their 

testim ony, subject to re call by either 

the trial com m ittee, the plaintiff, the 

defendant, or the representative of the 

G. Li.

8. A ll p e r s o n s giving te stim o n y s h a ll be 

required to affirm that the testim ony 

that they give shall be the truth.

9. Defendant and his attorney shall have 

the right to c r o ss - e x a m in e p lain tiff's 

w itnesses.

10. D efen d an t's w itn e sse s sh all then be 

called.

11. P laintiff and his attorney sh all have 

the right to cro ss-e x a m in e the d efendant ' s witne s s e s .

12. Following the completion of c r o s s - 

examination, the plaintiff and defendant sh all be given the opportunity to 

make a statem ent or summ ation of 

their case, with the plaintiff having 

the first and last opportunity for r e ­

m ark s.

13. B efore the trial com m ittee shall b e ­

gin their deliberations upon the te stimony given, all person s except the 

trial com m ittee, shall leave the trial 

chamber.

Report of T rial Committee

Section 12. The tria l com m ittee sh all 

consider all of the evidence in the case and 

thereafter agree upon its verdict of "guilty" 

or "not guilty. " If the verdict be that of 

"guilty, " the trial committee shall then consid er and agree upon its recom mendation of 

punishment.

The trial com m ittee shall report at the 

next regular meeting of the L. L. such report 

shall be in two p arts as follows:

1. The r e p o r t s h a ll contain a s y n o p s is of 

the evidence and testimony presented 

by both sides together with the findings 

and verdict of the trial committee.

After the trial committee has m ade 

the n ecessary explanation of its intent and meaning, the trial com m itt e e 's v e rd ict with re sp e c t to guilt or 

innocence of the defendant, shall be 

subm itted without debate to a vote by 

secret ballot of the m em bers of the 

L. L. in attendance.

Section 12. R eplaced by the following: 

Report of T rial Committee

Section 12. The tria l com m ittee shall 

consider all of the evidence in the case and 

thereafter agree upon its verdict of "guilty" 

or "not guilty. " If the verdict be that of 

"guilty," the trial com m ittee shall then consider and agree upon its recom mendation of 

punishment.

Following completion of these deliberations 

and conclusions, the trial com m ittee shall r e ­

port at the next regular meeting of the L. L. 

The plaintiff and the defendant shall be 

prom ptly notified in writing by the R. S. of 

the decision of the L. L. with re sp ect to the 

guilt or innocence of the defendant and with 

re sp e c t to the penalty im p o sed if the L. L. 

took action on the latter; the trial com m ittee's report shall be in two p arts as follows:

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1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 12.— Continued

2. If the L. L. concurs with a "gu ilty " 

verdict of the trial committee, the 

recom mendation of the committee as 

to the penalty to be im posed shall be 

subm itted in a se p a ra te rep ort to the 

L. L. and voted on by se c re t ballot of 

the m em b ers then in attendance.

1. The r e p o r t s h a ll contain a s y n o p s i s of 

the evidence and testimony presented 

by both sides together with the findings 

and verdict of the trial committee.

After the trial com m ittee has made

the n ece ssary explanation of its intent 

and meaning, the trial co m m ittee's 

verdict with re sp ect to guilt or innocence of the defendant shall be submitted without debate to a vote by s e ­

cret ballot of the m em bers of the L .L . 

in attendance.

2. If the L. L . co n cu rs with a "gu ilty " 

verdict of the trial com m ittee, the 

recom mendation of the com m ittee as 

to the penalty to be im posed shall be 

submitted in a separate report to the 

L. L. and voted on by se c re t ballot of 

the m em b ers then in attendance.

Voting on Report

Section 13. The penalty recom m ended by 

the trial committee m ay be amended, rejected, 

or another punishment substituted therefor, by 

a m ajority vote of those voting on the qu estion, except that it shall require a two-thirds 

vote of those voting to expel the defendant 

from m em bership.

Section 13. Sam e.

If the L. L. r e v e r s e s a "not guilty" verdict 

of the trial committee, the punishment to be 

im posed shall be decided by the L. L. by a 

m ajo rity vote of those voting on the question, 

except that it shall require a two-thirds vote 

of those voting to expel the defendant from 

m em bership.

D isqualification from holding office as a 

penalty for m isconduct as a m em ber or off i c e r , sh a ll b e lim ite d to 5 y e a r s .

A rticle III

R ecall Provisions

Section 21. A L. L. in good standing with 

the G. L. m ay propose the recall of any one 

or m ore of the G. L. officers, the committee 

on law and d e l e g a t e s to the A. F . L . - C. I. O. 

and the C. L. C. by filing with the G. S. T. a 

petition for the recall of such officer or offic e rs, together with the endorsem ents thereof 

u nd er the s e a l of at l e a s t 15% of the L. L s . 

in good stan ding with the G. L . , not m o r e 

than 15 of which sh a ll be lo c a te d in any one 

state, province or territory. Every petition 

for a recall m ust contain a clear, concise

Section21. Sam e. Renumbered Section 22.

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1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 21.— Continued

statem ent of the specific charges against such 

officer or officers upon which the p roceeding is based. All circu lars issu ed by a L. L. 

for the purpose of securing the endorsem ents 

of other L. L s. m ust be identical as to content and form , including the endorsem ent form 

attached thereto. All such circu lars shall 

b ear the date of issuance, be m ade returnable 

to the L. L. issu in g sam e and deposited by 

such L. L. with the G. S. T. within 45 days 

after the date thereof.

Upon receipt of the petition and en dorsements for recall, the G. S. T. shall notify the 

officer or officers whose recall is sought and 

furnish him or them with a correct copy of 

the petition and the num bers of the L. L s. appearing as en dorsers thereof, and such officer 

or o f f i c e r s m a y within 10 d a y s t h e r e a ft e r file 

a written statem ent of defense, containing not 

m o r e than 500 w o r d s , with the G. S. T. , who 

shall cau se the sam e to be printed and m ailed 

to all L. L s . concurrently with the call for 

the endorsem ents for nominees next hereinafter provided for.

On the 1st of the month next following, the 

G. S. T. shall issu e a circu lar to all L. L s. 

calling for endorsem ents of nominees for the 

office or offices held by the officer or o fficers 

w hose r e c a ll is sought. The se lectio n of can didates and the election, and the tabulating and 

counting of the votes, except as hereinafter 

m o d ifie d , sh a ll p r o c e e d in a c c o r d a n c e with the 

election laws set forth, substituting the name 

of such months a s m a y be n e c e s s a r y to hold 

an interim election in place of those months 

specified in other Sections of this A rticle.

U nless the officer whose recall is sought 

lacks the n e ce ssary qualifications or files a 

written declination with the G. S. T., his name 

shall be printed upon the official ballot together with the name of the one other candidate who h as re ceiv e d at le a s t 25 e n d o rse ­

ments and the gre atest number of en dorsements as candidate for nominee for that office. 

Should the officer whose recall is sought 

decline to be a candidate or lack the n ece ss a r y q u a lif ic a t io n s , then the n a m e s of 2 m e m ­

b e r s who have each re ceiv e d at le a s t 25 endorsem ents and greatest and next greatest 

number of endorsem ents, respectively, as 

candidates for nominee for such office, shall 

be printed upon the official ballot as candidates for such office.

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1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 21.— Continued

The candidate for any office who receives 

the gre atest number of votes in any recall 

election shall be prom ptly notified of his 

election by the G. S. T, If the officer whose 

recall is sought, is not elected, his tenure 

of o ffice sh a ll te r m in a t e 15 d a y s a f t e r the r e ­

sult of the election is announced and the newly 

elected officer shall thereupon assu m e the 

duties of the office.

Appeals 

A rticle K

Appeal F rom Decision of L .L . or D.L.

Section 14. An appeal m ay be taken to the Section 14.

I. P . fr o m the d e c isio n of a L . L. o r D. L . by 

either the accused or the party preferring 

ch arges again st the accu sed within 30 days 

after the verdict. Such appeal m ust be add r e s s e d to the I. P . in w riting and se t forth 

in specific detail the grounds on which it is 

based. The appeal m ay also include any a r ­

gument in support thereof which the appellant d e sir e s to advance, but shall not include 

any new evidence. The I. P. sh all tra n sm it 

to the opposing party a copy of the appeal and 

su ch p a r t y sh a ll have a p e r io d of 15 d a y s to 

reply thereto. The I. P. sh all obtain fro m 

the L. L. or D. L. a com plete record of the 

tria l befo re the L. L. or D. L. and sh all m ake 

a decision b ased on such record, which shall 

be final and binding unless changed on fu rther appeal as hereinafter provided. The decisio n of the I. P . sh all contain h is findings 

and conclusions and the penalty, if any, to be 

im p o se d . Upon such an a p p e a l the I. P . s h a ll 

have full authority to a ffirm or to m odify or 

re v erse, in whole or in part, the decision of 

the L. L. or D. L ., or to rem and the p ro c e e d ­

ings for further trial before the D.L. or D .L., 

or to im pose any penalty or fine which he 

deem s to be required, including expulsion.

No p arty to the app eal sh all have a right to 

a p p e a r in p e r s o n b e f o r e the I. P . H o w ev e r, 

the I. P . , if he d e e m s it n e c e s s a r y o r d e ­

sirab le, in connection with his consideration 

of the appeal, m ay accord such a privilege.

The I. P . sh a ll fu rn ish a copy of h is d e c isio n 

to ea c h p a r t y to the a p p e a l by r e g i s t e r e d m a i l .

A p p ea l f r o m D e c isio n of I. P .

Section 15. An appeal m ay be taken from Section 15.

a d e c is io n of the I. P . to the E . C. by any inte r e ste d p a rty to the p roceedin gs b efore either 

the I. P ., the L . L . o r D. L . Such a p p e al m u st 

be taken within 30 days from the date of the

Appeals 

A rticle L

Sam e.

Sam e.

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Section

1958 Constitution

15. — Continued

1961 Constitution

I P ' s , decision and shall be m ade in writing 

to the G. S. T. The appeal shall set forth in 

specific detail the grounds therefor and m ay 

include any written argum ent in support of 

these grounds. The G. S. T. shall also notify 

the opposing party of any appeal from a decisio n of the I. P . to the E. C. and sh a ll f u r ­

nish such party with a copy thereof. The opp o sin g p a r t y sh a ll have a p e r i o d of 15 d a y s in 

which to file any written argum ent in opposition to the app eal with the G. S. T. The 

G. S.T . shall tran sm it to the E. C. such appeal 

and any w ritten a r g u m e n ts in o p po sition t h e r e ­

to, together with the record of the p roceed ­

ings b efo re the I. P ., and the d e cisio n of the 

E. C. shall be m ade upon this record and the 

argum ents submitted in connection therewith. 

No p arty to the appeal sh all have a right to 

appear in person before the E. C. However, 

the E . C. , if it d e e m s n e c e s s a r y o r d e s i r a b l e 

in connection with and consideration of the ap ­

peal, m ay accord such a privilege. The decision of the E. C. shall be by m ajority vote 

of those participating and shall be final unless 

ch an ged upon fu r th e r a p p e a l a s h e re u n d e r p r o ­

vided. No m em ber of the E. C. involved in 

the case or who has participated in the m atter 

at e a r lie r sta g e s shall be entitled to p a r tic ipate in the decision on appeal. The E.C . shall 

have full authority to affirm or to modify or 

re v erse, in whole or in p art, the decision of 

the I. P . o r to r e m a n d the p r o c e e d in g s fo r 

furth er tria l b efo re the L. L. or D. L. or to 

im p o se any penalty or fine which it d e em s to 

be required. The G .S.T. shall furnish a copy 

of the decision of the E. C. to each p arty to 

the appeal by registered m ail.

Appeal from D ecision of E. C.

Section l6. An appeal m ay be m ade from 

a decision of the E. C. by any party to the 

proceed in gs before the E . C. to the G. L. 

convention, or to the m em bership at large 

by su bm ission thereof to the referendum as 

provided in A rticle XXIII. Such appeal shall 

be m ade in writing to the G .S .T . within 90 

days from the date of the E. C 's. decision 

and shall set forth in sp ecific detail the grounds 

therefor. The appeal m ay include a written 

argum ent in support of such grounds. The 

G. S. T. shall notify the E. C. and the opposing 

party of such appeal and furnish them with a 

copy th e reo f. Such p a r t y m a y , within 15 d a y s 

file with the G. S. T. a written argum ent in 

opposition to the appeal. The appeal shall 

be referred to the Appeals and Grievance

S ec tio n 16. L in e 6, ch ange ,,X X IIIn to 

" X X . n D ele te l a s t s e n te n c e , and add the f o l ­

lowing paragraph at end:

No officer, m em ber, representative, L .L ., 

D. L . , o r oth er su b o rd in a te body of the I.A .M . 

shall re so rt to any court of law or equity or 

other civil authority for the purpose of se c u ring an opinion or decision in connection with 

any alleged grievance pr wrong arising within 

the I. A. M. o r any of its su b o rd in a te b o d ie s 

until such party shall have first exhausted all 

rem edies by appeal or otherwise provided in 

this Constitution not inconsistent with applicable law for the settlem ent and disposition 

of such, alleged rights, grievances or wrongs. 

The I. P . , E . C. , and G. L . convention a r e

690-094 0-63-14

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1958 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 16.— Continued

Committee of the convention, and the G. S. T. 

shall tran sm it to such com m ittee the record 

of the proceedings before the lower tribunals 

of the I. A. M. a s w e ll a s the a r g u m e n t s of 

the appellant and of the opposition party. The 

Appeals and Grievance Committee shall, upon 

tim ely request, h ear both p artie s to the a p ­

peal in p erson . However, no party to the 

appeal shall have a right to appear in person 

before the convention. The Appeals and G riev ­

ance Committee shall m ake a written recom ­

mendation to the convention based upon the 

record before it, which shall contain its findin gs, co nclu sion s, and recom m en dations a s to 

penalty to be im posed, if any. The convention m ay amend or reject in whole or in part 

the findings and recom m endations of the Appeals and Grievance Committee and find the 

accused either "guilty" or "not guilty. " The 

convention m ay also accept or reject in whole 

or in part any recom mendation of the Appeals 

and G rievance Com m ittee with re sp ect to a 

penalty to be im posed, and m ay itself provide 

a substitute penalty by a m ajority of delegates 

voting on the question. Such action of the 

convention shall be recognized and accepted 

as final and binding on all p arties.

Before any appeal can be taken from an 

E. C. decision, the decision and all orders 

of the E. C. in relation thereto m u st be co m ­

plied with by all p arties concerned therein; 

provided, however, that in the event the E. C. 

concludes that compliance pending appeal 

would constitute a substantial bar to the exercise of the right thereof, compliance th erewith m ay be waived or m odified by the E. C. 

with r e s p e c t th e re to . In no c a s e s h a ll any 

L .L ,, D .L., officer, representative, or m e m ­

b er thereof, appeal to the civil courts for r e ­

d re ss until after having exhausted all rights 

of appeal under this Constitution.

Rights of M em ber During Appeal

hereby em pow ered to refuse or defer consideration, or to refuse or defer or withhold 

decisions, in any m atter pending in any court 

of law or before any other civil authority as 

circum stances in their judgment m ay w arrant 

and justify.

Section 17. While any m em b er or L. L. 

is exercising the right of appeal the financial 

standing of such m em ber or L. L. shall not be 

im paired by re fu sal to accept dues or p er 

capita tax until after the E. C. has p a sse d 

upon the appeal.

N otification to L o c a l Lodge and D is tr ic t Lodge

Section 17. Sam e.

Section 18. Whenever appeals a re taken 

to the I. P . , E . C. , a convention of the G. L . 

or gen eral referendum , the L. L. or D. L. 

involved shall be notified im m ediately.

Section 18. Sam e.

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D -2. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1957 and 1961 Constitutions of

the International Brotherhood of Team sters

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Grounds 

Article IX

T rial of Member Assaulting General 

Officer or Organizer

Grounds

Section 4. Any m em ber or number of 

m em bers of a Local Union assaulting or injuring a general officer, or organizer, shall 

be tried and if found guilty punished by the 

General Executive Board on such charge in 

the sam e manner as hereinafter provided for 

other trials and punishments by the General 

Executive Board. If he is found not guilty, 

his expenses to the place of the G eneral E x ­

ecutive B oard meeting shall be paid by the 

General Office. If he is found guilty he shall 

be disciplined as the judgment of the General 

Executive Board dictates and his expenses 

sh all not be paid. If he d e sir e s not to attend 

his trial, he may submit his answer or defense in writing to the B oard.

Section 4. Same.

Article XVIII Article XIX

Grounds for Charges Against M em bers, 

Local Unions, Joint Councils 

and O fficers

Grounds for Charges Against M em bers, 

Local Unions, Joint Councils 

and O fficers

Section 6. The b asis for charges against 

m em bers, officers, Local Unions, Joint Councils or other subordinate bodies, for which 

he or it shall stand trial, shall consist of 

but not be lim ite d to- the following:

Section 6. The b asis for charges against 

m em bers, officers, elected business agents, 

Local Unions, Joint Councils or other subordinate bodies, for which he or it shall 

stand trial, shall consist of but not be lim ­

ited to the following:

(1) Violation of any sp ecific provision of 

the Constitution or failu re to p erfo rm 

any of the duties specified thereunder.

(2) Violation of the oath of loyalty to the 

Local Union and the International Union.

(3) Violation of the oath of office.

(4) G ro ss disloyalty, or conduct unbecom ­

ing a m em ber.

(5) If an officer, g ro ss inefficiency which 

shall hinder and im pair the interests of 

the L ocal Union or of the International 

Union.

(6) M isappropriation.

(7) Secession, or fostering the sam e.

(1) Violation of any sp ecific provision of 

the Constitution or failu re to p erfo rm 

any of the duties specified thereunder.

(2) Violation of the oath of loyalty to the 

Local Union and the International Union.

(3) E m bezzlem ent.

(4) S ecession , or fosterin g the sam e.

(5) Abuse of fellow m e m b e rs and o fficers 

by written or oral communication.

(6) Abuse of fellow m e m b e rs or o fficers 

in the meeting hall.

(7) Filing ch arges in bad faith or out of 

m alice.

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D -2. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1957 and 1961 Constitutions of

the International Brotherhood of Team sters----Continued

1957 Constitution 196 1 Constitution

Section 6 .— Continued

(8) Abuse of fellow m e m b e rs and o ffice rs 

by written or oral communication.

(9) Abuse of fellow m e m b e rs or o fficers 

in the m eeting hall.

(10) A ctivities which tend to bring the L o cal 

Union or the International Union into 

disrepute.

(11) D isobedience to the regulations, ru les, 

m andates and decrees of the L ocal 

Union or of the officers of the International Union.

(12) Such other acts and conduct which shall 

be considered inconsistent with the duties, obligations and fealty to a m em ber 

of a trade union, and for violation of 

sound trade union principles.

Specific Offenses

Section 7. Any m em ber who (1) knowingly Section 7. Sam e,

goes to work or rem ains in the employment 

of any person, firm or corporation, whose 

men are on strike or locked out unless he has 

perm ission of the International Union, the 

Joint Council or his Local Union, may be 

tried by the Executive Board of his Local 

Union, or (2) knowingly gives or attem pts to 

give directly or indirectly, any information 

to any em ployer on an unfair list or whose 

men are on strike or locked out, or whose 

men are trying to secure an agreem ent or an 

im provem ent in their working conditions or 

whose men are trying to prevent an in crease 

in hours of labor or a d e cre ase in w ages, 

for the purpose of assistin g such employer, 

or for any gain or p ro m ise of gain, or (3) 

knowingly goes to work or rem ains in the e m ­

ployment of any person, firm or corporation 

on an unfair list of the International Union, 

without perm ission from the International Union, the Joint Council or his Local Union, 

m ay be tried in the manner provided for the 

trial of other offenses.

R efu sal to Return Books

Section 8. Any m em b er who (1) w rong- Section 8. Sam e,

fully takes or retains any money, books, 

p ap ers or any other property belonging to 

the International Brotherhood of T eam sters,

Chauffeurs, W arehousemen and H elpers of 

A m erica, any Joint Council, Local Union, or 

other subordinate body; or (2) who m u tilates, 

e r a se s, destroys or in any way injures any

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D -2. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1957 and 1961 Constitutions of

the International Brotherhood of Team sters----Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 8 .---Continued

b ooks, bills, receipts, vouchers, or other 

property of the International Brotherhood of 

T eam sters, Chauffeurs, W arehousemen and 

H elpers of Am erica, any Joint Council, Local 

Union or other subordinate body, may be tried 

in the manner provided for the trial of other 

offenses.

C h arges Not P r e fe r re d in 

Good Faith

Section 11. If ch arges are p refe rred and Section 11. Deleted,

such charges are not sustained and the trial 

body or appellate body is convinced that the 

sam e were not brought in good faith or were 

actuated by m alice, the trial body or the appellate body may impose such penalty by the 

way of punishment as in its judgment is 

deemed proper under the circum stances.

Revocation of M em bership on 

Being Found Guilty 

of Crim e

Section 13. (a). When a m em b er is con- Section 13. (a). Deleted,

victed of the com m ission of a crim e or s e r ious wrongdoing, or pleads guilty to the com ­

m ission of a crim e or serious wrongdoing, 

against the Local Union or against the com ­

munity, and which crim e or act of serious 

wrongdoing tends to bring dishonor upon the 

Local Union or the International Union, it 

shall be the duty of the L o cal Union to p ro ­

ceed to revoke the m e m b e rsh ip of such m e m ­

ber. Likewise, whenever a m em ber of a 

L o c a l U nion h as en gaged in w hat is co m m o n ly

term ed racketeering, and he is found guilty 

thereof, thereby bringing dishonor upon the 

Local Union or upon the International Union, 

it shall be the duty of the L o cal Union to p r o ­

ceed in the manner provided in A rticle XVIII,

S ection 1, to revok e the m e m b e r s h ip of such 

m em ber.

(b). Under the circum stances re ferre d to Section 13. (b). Deleted,

in the foregoing paragraph, the Secretary - 

T r e a su r e r of the L o cal Union sh all refu se to 

accept dues from any person so removed from 

m em bership. It shall be mandatory upon the 

L o cal Union Executive B o ard to o rder the 

name of such m em ber stricken from the rolls 

and to notify all L o ca l Unions in the d istrict, 

the Joint Council and the International Union, 

of its action and the cause therefor.

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D -2. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1957 and 1961 Constitutions of

the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 13.— Continued

(c ) . In the event a L o c a l Union f a il s to 

carry out the foregoing provision, then the 

General President, when the m atter is brought 

to his attention, sh all have the power, in his 

discretion , to proceed to revoke or o rd er the 

revocation of the m e m b e rsh ip of such m e m b e r.

(d) . Any individual whose m e m b e r s h ip is 

hereafter revoked in accordance with the p ro ­

visions of this section may subsequently be 

rein stated to m e m b e rsh ip ; such rein statem en t 

shall be subject to the approval of the Local 

Union of which he was a m em ber, the involved 

Joint Council, and the General Executive 

Board.

T rial Procedure 

Article XVIII 

T rials and Appeals

T rials of local union officers and 

m em bers— procedure

Section 1. (a). A m e m b e r or o ffic e r of a 

Local Union charged by any other m em ber of 

the L ocal Union with any offense constituting 

a violation of this Constitution, shall, unless 

otherwise provided in this Constitution, be 

tried by the Local Union Executive Board. 

If the m em ber charged or preferring the 

charges is a m em ber of such Board then the 

president of the Local Union shall appoint a 

disin terested m em ber as a substitute. If the 

president of the Local Union is charged or is 

preferring the ch arges the L ocal Union s e c r e ­

ta ry -tre a su re r shall appoint the substitute.

(b). Whenever the charges are p referred 

against any m em ber or officer of a Local 

Union, the ch arges shall be filed in writing 

in duplicate with the se cre tary of the Local 

Union, Joint Council or General Executive 

B o ard which is to try the c a s e . No m em b er 

or officer of a Local Union shall be tried unless he or she shall be served by the se c re ­

tary, personally or by registered or certified 

m ail, with a written copy of such charges 

specifying the nature of the offense of which 

he or she is accused. Thereupon, the accused 

shall be requ ired to stand tria l at the tim e 

and place designated, which shall not be less 

than ten (10) days from the date the charges 

are served upon the accused. The accused 

m ay appear in person, and with w itn e sses, to 

answer the charges preferred against him or 

her. He may select only a m em ber of his 

L o cal Union to re p re se n t him in the p re s e n ­

tation of his defense.

Section 13. (c). Deleted.

Section 14. (d). Deleted.

T rial Procedure

S ection 1. (a). S a m e .

S ection 1. (b). The follow ing w o rd s added 

at end: and the charging party may select

only a m em b er of his local union to a s s i s t 

him in the presentation of the evidence in 

support of the charges. The local union executive board shall have the authority to d e te rmine the m anner of reporting the proceedings 

and shall have the authority to exclude any 

method not authorized by it.

The following new section added: (c). A

m em ber of one local union shall have a right 

to file ch arg es against a m em b er of another 

local union. Such charges m ust be filed with 

the executive board of the local union of which 

the accused is a m em ber. The executive 

board may, at its discretion, decline to p ro ­

cess the charges. However, a decision of the 

executive board not to p ro ce ss the ch arges 

may be appealed in accordance with the p ro ­

vision s of Section 2.

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the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 1.— Continued

(c). If the charges, or any portion thereof, 

are sustained, then the trial body shall render 

judgm ent and im po se d iscip lin ary action as p r o ­

vided for in this Constitution. If the charges 

are not sustained, the sam e shall be d ism is s e d and the acc u sed r e sto r e d to full rights 

of m em b ersh ip or office in the L o cal Union.

Section 1. (c). R e n u m b e re d Section 1 (d), 

and the following words deleted: (and the a c ­

cused re sto re d to full rights of m em b ersh ip 

or office in the local union. )

(d). Upon filing of such charges, and if 

sam e are of such magnitude and seriousn ess 

as to jeopardize the in terests of the L o ca l 

Union or International Union, then, and in 

that event, the General President,if the m atter 

is brought to his attention, m ay, if he deemsit advisable, immediately suspend such m e m ­

ber or officer from m em bership or office in 

the Local Union until a decision has been re n ­

dered in the ca se .

Section 1. (d). R e n u m b e re d 1 (e).

T rials and appeals of local unions, 

other subordinate bodies, and 

elective international 

union officers

Section 3. (a). W henever c h a rg e s a re p r e ­

ferred against a Local Union or against a 

Joint Council, or other subordinate body, 

such charges shall be filed in writing in duplicate with the se cre tary of the trial body, 

and shall be served personally or by r e g istered or certified m ail on the SecretaryT reasu rer of the Local Union or the Joint 

-Council or other subordinate body so charged. 

If the charges are against the Local Union 

the trial shall be by the Executive Board of 

the Joint Council, provided that if a Local 

Union is not affiliated with a Joint Council 

due to the fact that no Joint Council exists 

with which such Local Union can affiliate, the 

trial shall be by the General Executive Board. 

If the charges are against a Joint Council or 

other subordinate body the trial shall be b efore the General Executive Board. The provisions of this section shall also be applicable 

when the Executive Board of the subordinate 

body is charged or is the charging party.

Section 3. (a). Sam e.

(b). A Local Union shall be accorded 

thirty (30) days* tim e in which to appear for 

trial and submit its defense. In the case of a 

Joint Council or other subordinate body the 

time of trial shall be fixed by the General 

Executive Board.

Section 3. (b). Sam e.

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the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 3.— Continued

(d). T rial of elective International Union 

O fficers shall be before the General Executive 

B oard at such time and place as fixed by the 

General Executive Board. The officer charged 

shall be found guilty only on a m ajority vote 

of the entire General Executive Board. Appeals by such general officers from decisions 

of the G eneral Executive Board shall be to the 

convention.

Section 3. (d). Vote requ irem ent changed 

from "m ajority" to "two-thirds. "

(e). E m erg en cy pow ers provided for in 

Section 9, this Article, shall apply with the 

sam e force and effect to L o c a l Unions and 

Joint Councils and other subordinate bodies.

R efu sal of local union to 

try m em ber

Section 3. (e). Sam e.

Section 12. Any L o ca l Union refusing to 

try its m em bers when charges have been p re ­

ferred by another Local Union, for any cause 

whatsoever, the Local Union preferring the 

ch arges m ay then bring the charge before the 

Executive Board of the Joint Council, where 

one exists for trial and decision in the sam e 

manner as provided for the conduct of other 

trials before the Local Union Executive Board. 

If no Joint Council ex ists, then the m atter 

shall come within the jurisdiction of the General Executive Board.

Section 12. Sam e.

Original jurisdiction of general 

executive board to try 

offenses against International union

Section 4. (a). Notwithstanding any other 

provision of this Constitution, the General 

Executive B o ard shall have ju risdiction to try 

individual m em bers, officers, Local Unions, 

Joint Councils or other subordinate bodies 

for all offenses committed against the officers 

of the International Organization or the In ternational O rganization. In the event ch arges 

have been filed or hearings are pending b efore a subordinate body in re sp ect to any o ffense over which the General Executive Board 

has assum ed jurisdiction under this section, 

the jurisdiction of such subordinate body shall 

forthwith terminate and the subordinate body 

shall, upon request of the General Executive 

Board, transfer all of its records and papers 

pertaining to the c a se to the G eneral Executive 

Board.

Section 4. (a). Same.

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D -2. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1957 and 1961 Constitutions of

the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 196

Section 4 .— Continued

1 Constitution

(b) . C h a r g e s sh a ll be filed in du plicate in 

writing with the G eneral S e c re ta ry -T r e a su re r 

or the General President. A copy of the 

charges shall be served personally or by 

registered or certified m ail upon the accused, 

together with notice of the time and place 

of trial.

(c ) . If the a c c u s e d a re unable to be p r e ­

sent at the meeting of the General Executive 

Board, they may present their case in writing.

T rials Before Panels of 

Executive Boards

Section 5. In any case where a trial b e ­

fore the G eneral Executive B oard of the International Union or the Executive Board of any 

subordinate body thereof is required under the 

provisions of this Constitution, such Board 

may have such trial conducted before a panel 

appointed by the General President or the 

president of the subordinate body as the case 

m ay be, consisting of one (1) or m ore d is ­

interested m em bers thereof. This panel shall 

act on behalf of such B oard in the holding of 

hearings and the taking of evidence and, following the conclusion of the hearing before 

it, shall make a full report in writing, including findings and such recommendations 

for disciplinary action, if any, the Board 

itself is to take. The ultim ate determ ination 

of the case, however, shall be made by the 

Board itself on the b asis of the record made 

before the panel.

Em ergency Power in General President to 

Conduct a T r ia l When W elfare of 

O rgan iz atio n 'D em ands

Section 10. (a). Whenever charges involving a m em ber or m em bers, officer or officers, 

Local Union, Joint Council or other subordinate body create, involve or relate to a situ a ­

tion imminently dangerous to the w elfare of a 

Local Union, Joint Council, other subordinate 

body or the International Union the General 

P resid en t is em pow ered, in his discretion, in 

all cases except where the General Executive 

Board has assum ed jurisdiction under Section 

4 of this article, to assu m e original ju r isd ic ­

tion in such m atter, re g a rd le ss of the fact 

that charges have been filed with a subordinate 

body and are pending. When the G eneral P r e s ­

ident has assum ed such original jurisdiction

Section 4. (b). Sam e.

Section 4. (c). Same.

Section 5. F ir s t sentence now read s: "In 

any case where a trial or hearing on appeal 

before the ..." Otherwise, sam e.

Section 10. (a). Sam e.

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D -2. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1957 and 1961 Constitutions of

the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 10.— Continued

under this section, the jurisdiction of the subordinate body shall cease. Under such circum ­

stances, the G eneral Presiden t shall hold a 

hearing upon giving not less than forty-eight 

(48) hours notice to the party or parties 

charged to appear before him at a place and 

time designated by him. He shall then p ro ­

ceed to hear and try the m atter and render 

judgm ent in accordance with the facts and c i r ­

cu m stan ces p resen ted to him . When the G eneral President has so acted, an appeal shall 

lie from his decision to the G eneral Executive 

Board, and from the General Executive Board 

to the convention in the sam e m anner and to 

the sam e extent only as is provided for appeals in other ca ses. Pending appeal from the 

General P re sid e n ts action, his decision shall 

stand and be enforced.

(b). When the G eneral P resid en t deem s it Section 10. (b). Sam e,

n e c e s s a r y to e x e r c is e the foregoing em ergen cy 

power, he may deputize a representative or 

re p re se n tativ es to act for him in such m atter.

Such representative shall have the sam e powers as the General President as herein p ro ­

vided; however, when a trial shall be conducted by a representative or representatives of 

the General President, such representative or 

representatives shall make his or their r e ­

com m endations to the G eneral Presid en t, o r a l ­

ly or in writing, and the decision in the case 

shall be made by the General President him ­

self.

Penalties 

Article XVIII

Penalties

D ecisions and Penalties

Section 9. (a). Decisions and penalties im ­

p o se d upon individual m e m b e r s , o f f i c e r s , L o c a l 

Unions, Joint Councils or other subordinate 

bodies found guilty of charges may consist of 

reprim ands, fines, suspensions, expulsions, 

revocations, denial to hold any office p e r m a ­

nently or for a fixed period or com m ands to 

do or p erform , or refrain from doing or p e r ­

form ing, specified acts. If the penalty is by 

way of fine then the sam e m ust be paid, pending an appeal if one is taken unless the General Presiden t w aives the sam e within ten (10) 

days from receipt of request therefor. A 

L o ca l Union ordered to rein state a m em b er 

or perform an act other than the payment of

Section 9. (a). Same.

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the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 9 .— Continued

a fine must comply therewith as a condition 

precedent to taking an appeal unless the General President or the General Executive Board 

suspends such order pending the appeal. If 

the fine is against a m em ber or officer of a 

Local Union, a s s e s s e d by the L o cal Union, it 

shall be paid into the treasu ry of the Local 

Union. If a fine is a s s e s s e d against a L o cal 

Union by a Joint Council the payment shall be 

to the tre asu ry of the Joint Council.

(b). If the fine is a s s e s s e d where the General Executive Board has assum ed original 

ju risd iction , it shall be paid to the T r e a su r y 

of the International Union.

Section 9. (b). Same.

(c). When such penalty c o n sists only of a 

fine and an appeal is taken, such fine shall be 

deposited as above provided; thereupon such 

mem ber, officer or Local Union shall be p e rm itted to continue in the L o cal Union with 

full rights and p riv ileg es in accordan ce with 

the laws of the International Union. If on a p ­

peal the decision is re v ersed and the fine d is ­

allowed, then the sam e shall be returned to 

the party depositing the sam e. Whenever a 

decision is handed down by any trial or appellate body and an appeal is taken, such decision shall stand and rem ain in full force 

and effect until reversed by a higher body.

Section 9. (c). Following words added at 

end: "unless the General President has stayed 

the effectiveness of the decision pending appeal. "

(d). In the event of non-com pliance with 

the decision handed down by a trial or ap ­

pellate body, the m em ber, officer, Local 

Union, or Joint Council shall stand suspended 

from all p rivileges of the International Union 

until the provisions of the decision have been 

complied with. If, however, the decision 

carries with it an order of expulsion, then 

such order of expulsion shall immediately 

take effect.

Section 9. (d). Following words added at 

end: "unless the General President has stayed 

the effectiveness of the decision pending appeal. "

(e). Any m em ber or L ocal Union that is 

tried by the General Executive Board cannot 

be tried for the sam e offense by a Local 

Union or Joint Council.

Section 9. (e). Same.

(f). The General Executive Board may 

send a c a se back to the Joint Council, the 

Local Union, or other hearing body or officer 

for further hearing, production of additional 

testimony, or for further consideration with 

or without such further hearing.

Section 9. (f). Same.

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the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 

Appeals

Appeals of Local Union Officers 

and M em bers

1961 Constitution

Appeals

Section 2. (a). In the event disciplin ary Section 2. (a). Sam e,

action is taken against the accused, he or she 

m ay take an appeal from the decision of the 

L o c a l Union Executive B o ard to the Executive 

Board of the Joint Council, if one exists, 

otherwise the appeal shall be taken to the 

General Executive Board. Appeals from decisions of the Executive Board of Joint Councils may be taken to the General Executive 

B o ard. In all m atters involving o fficers of 

subordinate bodies and individual m em bers 

there shall be no further appeal from the d ecision of the General Executive Board. Where 

elective officers of the International Union 

are involved, and as to all other m atters not 

specifically excluded herein, appeals from 

decisions of the General Executive Board may 

be taken to the next convention. All m anner 

of appeals shall be taken within fifteen (15) 

days from the date the decision is placed in 

the m ail or otherw ise transm itted to the interested parties.

(b). The appellant shall m ail a written Section 2. (b). Sam e,

notice of such appeal to the se c re ta ry of the 

body to which the appeal is directed. No sp e ­

cific form or form ality shall be required, 

except that such notice shall clearly state an 

appeal is being taken from the particular decision rendered in the particular case. Pending any appeal, the decision appealed from 

shall rem ain in full force and effect. Appeals 

shall be heard either on the record made b e ­

fore the trial tribunal or by a re-trial, in the 

discretion of the body hearing the appeal. D ecisions on appeals sh allbe rendered as prom ptly as p ossib le after the appeal has been heard.

The date when an appeal will be considered by 

the appellate body m ay be fixed by it, but it 

shall proceed without unnecessary delay. Notice of the date when the appeal will be heard 

shall be served personally or by registered or 

certified m ail on the p artie s interested in the 

particular case, and such parties may, in the 

discretion of the appellate body, be accorded 

the right to appear before the appellate body 

and present argument on the case.

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the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

Section 2.— Continued

(c). If a m em ber of the Executive Board 

of the Joint Council or of the General E x e cu ­

tive Board is interested in the case as a party 

thereto, then the P residen t of the Joint Council or the General President of the International Union, as the case may be, shall 

appoint a substitute.

Section 2. (c). Same.

(d). F ailu re of any interested party in 

any case to appear before any trial or ap ­

pellate body at the time and place designated 

in the notice shall constitute a waiver of appearance and the trial shall proceed or the 

appeal heard regard less of the absence of 

such party.

Section 2. (d). Sam e.

(e). Any party to a case, re g a rd le ss of 

whether such party is the accused or not, 

being aggrieved of a decision rendered in the 

case shall be entitled to the sam e rights of 

appeal as are hereinbefore provided for a c ­

cused.

Section 2. (e). Same.

Section 3. (c). In the m atter of appeals 

from decisions affecting Local Unions not including decisions involving officers or individuals, the sam e sh all be taken to the G enera l Executive Board, and from it to the 

convention. In the m atter of appeals from 

decisions affecting Joint Councils, or other 

subordinate bodies, not including decisions 

involving officers or m em b ers thereof, the 

sam e shall be taken to the convention. In all 

other respects procedure on appeals shall be 

the sam e as provided for in Section 2, this 

Article.

Section 3. (c). Appeals from decision s 

on charges against Local Unions or Local 

Union Executive B o a r d s sh all be taken to the 

G eneral Executive B o ard and from it to the 

Convention. Appeals from decisions on charges 

against Joint Councils or other subordinate 

bodies shall be taken to the Convention by 

only the Joint Council or other subordinate 

body involved. In all other re sp e c ts the p ro ­

cedure on appeals shall be the sam e as p ro ­

vided in Section 2.

Other Other

Exhaustion of Rem edies

Section 14. (a). E v ery m em b er, officer, 

Local Union, Joint Council or other subordinate body against whom charges have been 

preferred and disciplinary action taken as r e ­

sult thereof, or against whom adverse rulings 

or d ecision s have been ren d ered or who c la im s 

to be aggrieved, shall be obliged to exhaust

Sections 14. (a, b, and c). U nderscored 

words in sections 12(a) and 12(b) added. S e ctions renumbered. Otherwise sam e. Section 

(c) added. S ection 15 s a m e ; re n u m b e re d .

Section 12(a). Every m em ber, officer, 

elected B usiness Agent, Local Union, Joint

all rem edies provided for in this Constitution 

and by the International Union before re so rtin g 

to any other court or tribunal.

Council or other subordinate body against 

whom charges have been p referred and d isciplinary action taken as a result thereof, or

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D -2. Comparison of Discipline Provisions in 1957 and 1961 Constitutions of

the International Brotherhood of Team sters— Continued

1957 Constitution 1961 Constitution

against whom adverse rulings or decisions 

have been rendered or who claim s to be a g ­

grieved, shall be obliged to exhaust all r e m ­

edies provided for this Constitution and by the 

International Union before resortin g to any 

court, tribunal or agency against the International Union, any subordinate body or any 

officer or employee thereof.

(b). Where a m em ber, officer, L ocal Union, Joint Council, or other subordinate body, 

before or following exhaustion of all rem edies 

provided for within the International Union, 

r e s o r ts to a court of law and lo se s his or its 

cause therein, all costs and expenses incurred 

by the International Union shall be a sse sse d 

against such individual, Local Union, Joint 

Council, or other subordinate body, in the 

nature of a fine, subject to all penalties ap ­

plicable where fines rem ain unpaid.

Where such court action is by an individual 

or by a Local Union, Joint Council, or other 

subordinate body against a Local Union, Joint 

Council or other subordinate body, the fo regoing p rovision in re sp ect to the payment of 

c o s t s and e x p e n se s sh all be app licab le in favor 

of the Local Union, Joint Council or other 

subordinate body proceeded against in court.

(b). Where a m em ber, officer, elected 

B u s i n e s s A gen t, L o c a l Union, J o in t C ouncil or 

other subordinate body, before or following 

exhaustion of all reme'dies provided for within 

the International Union, r e so r ts to a court of 

law and loses his or its cause therein, all 

costs and expenses incurred by the International Union shall be a sse sse d against such 

individual; Local Union, Joint Council, or 

other subordinate body, in the nature of a fine, 

subject to all penalties applicable where fines 

rem ain unpaid.

Where such court action is by an individual 

or by a Local Union, Joint Council, or other 

subordinate body against a Local Union, Joint 

Council or other subordinate body, the fo re ­

going provision in re sp ect to the payment of 

co sts and ex p en ses shall be applicable in favor 

of the Local Union, Joint Council or other 

subordinate body proceeded against in court.

(c). The appeals procedure provided herein 

is also available to and m u st be followed by 

any m e m b e r who is a g g r ie v e d by any d e c i s i o n , 

ruling, opinion or action of the L o c a l Union, 

m em bership, officers or Executive Board, ex ­

cluding collective bargaining m a tte rs.

Section 15. All decisions following trials 

or hearings shall be made and rendered within 

sixty (60) days of the date of the hearing of 

trial commenced, unless otherwise ordered by 

the General Executive Board.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1963 0 -6 9 0 -0 9 4

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