The fund shall be maintained by the Defense/Members’
relief fund oversight committee
The
Committee:
1. Shall
be comprised of one (1) elected representative from each district and one (1)
elected Public Worker Sector representative with the Fund Director as a non‑voting
member.
2. Chair
is to be elected by and from the Committee.
3. Shall
have terms of office of three (3) years with staggered terms.
4. Is responsible to review receipts, disbursements,
educational programs, administration and investment of the Funds.
5. Shall
make reports to each regular CWA Convention.
6. Shall
meet at least once each year and at the Convention.
7. Shall
establish initial rules and procedures for the Members' Relief Fund, subject to
the approval of the 1990 Convention.
8. May
recommend changes and improvements in the Funds' Rules and/or the
Administrative Rules governing use of the Funds as time and experience dictate
the need for such changes.
9. Shall
authorize expenditures from the Defense Fund for items not connected with
approved CWA strikes by a two‑thirds vote of the Committee and a two‑thirds
vote of the CWA Executive Board.
10. May
authorize expenditures from the CWA Members' Relief Fund to increase
established weekly payout for approved CWA strikes by a two‑thirds vote
of the Committee and a two‑thirds vote of the CWA Executive Board.
How the fund is obtained
A. Per capita allocations to the Defense Fund became effective with
dues refund checks issued during the month of September, 1952.
B.
The Defense Fund was established and is maintained by a fifty‑cent
per capita per month allocation from CWA membership dues.
Effective October, 1989, the Defense Fund financing
was increased by a one percent allocation of the International portion of dues
and a one percent allocation of the Local portion of minimum dues.
Effective October, 1991, the Defense Fund financing
will be increased to a two percent allocation of the International portion of
dues and a two percent allocation of the Local portion of minimum dues.
Effective January 1993, the two percent allocation
by the International and Locals will cease and their portions will revert to
the International and Locals respectively.
C. The Defense Fund shall be
invested in interest‑bearing accounts. All interest earned shall be
placed in the Fund.
D. The Members' Relief Fund shall be funded by an allocation of 1/4
hour of basic wages (.15%) per month of members and fee payers who are eligible
to strike.