Union Members A.You have equal rights and privileges within the union to nominate candidates, to vote in elections, to participate in meetings and to vote upon the business of the meetings, subject to reasonable rules in the union constitution and by-laws. B. You have the right to engage in free speech activities and to assemble freely with other union members, without reprisals from union officials. You have the right to a secret ballot vote on the rates of dues, initiation fees and assessments. You have the right to sue the union without reprisal, but you may be required to exhaust the internal union appeal procedures for no more than four months. E. You are protected from improper union discipline.
Due process is required in internal union disciplinary hearings.
This means you have the right to written and specific charges, the right to confront and cross-examine accusers, the right to present evidence in your defense and the right to a decision based on the evidence. You cannot be disciplined for exercising your protected rights. You have the right to receive a copy or your contract , along with all riders and supplements, and to inspect copies or all contracts that your local union administers. You may file a lawsuit in federal district court for injunctive relief, restoration of your rights and money damages. You must hire your own attorney to represent you in such a lawsuit.