Constitution

of the

United Brotherhood of Carpenters

and Joiners of America

and Rules for Subordinate Bodies

Under its Jurisdiction

Established August 12, 1881

Constitution as Amended at the

40th General Convention
Effective November 1, 2010

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ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Call the Meeting to Order.
2. Warden, take Charge of the Door.
3. Salute the Flag.
4. Roll Call of Officers by the Recording Secretary.
5. Reading of Minutes.
6. Report of new Members Initiated or Transferred in
Since Last Meeting.
7. Communications and Bills.
8. Reports of Accidents, Sickness or Death.
9. Appropriations of Money (Drawing Orders for Bills).
10. Reading by President of Receipts from General
Secretary-Treasurer for Moneys Sent to the General
Office (and from District Councils where such exists).
11. Election and Installation of Officers.
12. Reports of Officers, Delegates and Committees.
13. Good of the Order.
14. Any Member Out of Work?
15. Can Anyone Report Where Members may Procure
Employment?
16. Unfinished Business.
17. New Business.
18. Detailed Receipts and Expenses (to be read by the
Secretaries).
19. Adjournment.

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TABLE of CONTENTS
Section Page
Name of Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Our Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
General Office Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Affiliations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Jurisdiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Trade Autonomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
General Officers and Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
General President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
General Secretary-Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Board of Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
General Executive Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Supplies for Local Unions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
General Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Order of Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Duties of Officers at Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
General President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
General Secretary-Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
General Executive Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Board of Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Period Covered By Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Jurisdiction and Powers of Local Unions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Jurisdiction and Powers of District and Regional Councils. . . . . .28
Jurisdiction of State and Provincial Councils. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Jurisdiction of Auxiliary Unions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Admission of Local Unions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Suspended and Lapsed Local Unions and Councils . . . . . . . . . 33
Nomination, Election and Appointment in Subordinate Bodies . . . 33

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Section Page
Vacancies in Local and Council Offices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Duties of President of Local Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Duties of Vice President of Local Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Duties of Recording Secretary of Local Union. . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Duties of Financial Secretary of Local Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Duties of Treasurer of Local Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Duties of Conductor of Local Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Duties of Warden of Local Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Duties of Trustees of Local Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Duties of Committees of Local Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Qualifications for Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Apprenticeship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Admission of Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Finances and Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Resignation of Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Members Entitled to Funeral Donations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Application For Donations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Reduced Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Offenses and Penalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Charges and Trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Appeals and Grievances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Funds of Local Unions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
General Strikes and Lockouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Pension Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Codification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Standing Decisions of the General Executive Board . . . . . . . . . 87
Parliamentary Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Installation Ceremony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

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NAME OF ORGANIZATION
A Section 1. This organization shall be known as the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and shall consist
of an unlimited number of Local Unions, Councils, and members
subject to its laws and usages and shall not be dissolved while there
are three (3) dissenting Local Unions.
B The following abbreviations, when used in the United Brother-
hood, shall have these meanings, viz:
U. B., U. B. C., or United Brotherhood—
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
G. E. B.—General Executive Board.
B. of T.—Board of Trustees.
S. C.—State Council.
P. C.—Provincial Council.
D. C.—District Council.
R. C.—Regional Council.
G. P.—General President.
G. V. P.—General Vice President.
G. S. T.—General Secretary-Treasurer.
D. V. P.—District Vice President.
L. U.—Local Union.
R. S.—Recording Secretary.
F. S.—Financial Secretary.
G. O.—General Office.
B. R.—Business Representative.

OBJECTS
Section 2. The objects of the United Brotherhood are: to orga-
nize workers, to encourage an apprenticeship system and a higher
standard of skill, to develop, improve and enforce the program and
standards of Occupational Safety and Health, to cultivate friend-
ship, to develop good public relations in the community, to assist
each other to secure employment, to reduce the hours of daily labor,

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to secure adequate pay for our work, to establish a weekly pay day,
to promote the establishment of fringe benefit plans for our mem-
bers through the collective bargaining process, to coordinate bar-
gaining toward the goal of taking wages out of competition, and by
legal and proper means to elevate the moral, intellectual and social
conditions of all our members and to improve the trade in every way
possible.

OUR PRINCIPLES

UNION MADE GOODS

Section 3. Members of this organization should make it a rule to
purchase goods and services which bear the trade-mark of organized
labor or are made or provided by union members, and to support
businesses and individuals that respect and honor the goals and prin-
ciples of the labor movement.

LABOR LEGISLATION
It is of the greatest importance that members should vote intelli-
gently, hence the members of this Brotherhood shall strive to secure
legislation in favor of those who produce the wealth of the country,
and all discussions and resolutions in that direction shall be in order
at any regular meeting.

LABOR DAY
The working men and women of the United States and Canada
are honored each year on Labor Day. Labor Day is of special signifi-
cance to the members of the United Brotherhood because its founder
(Peter J. McGuire), the father of Labor Day, was a General Officer
of the United Brotherhood. We, therefore, urge each member and
each subordinate body of the United Brotherhood to observe Labor
Day in a manner appropriate to its purpose and urge each member
to participate as fully as may be possible in Labor Day programs in
which his or her Local Union takes part.

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FAITHFUL WORK
We hold it as a sacred principle that Trade Unionists, above
all others, should set a good example as good and faithful workers,
performing their duties to their employers with honor to themselves
and their organization. We do not recognize the practice of grading
skilled workers.

SHORTER HOURS OF LABOR

We hold a reduction of hours for a day’s work increases the intel-
ligence and happiness of the laborer, and also increases the demand
for labor and the price of a day’s work. We advocate the adoption of
the Five-Day, Thirty-Hour Work Week and urge all Local Unions to
put this into effect as soon as possible.

OTHER INTERESTS
We recognize that the interests of all labor are identical regard-
less of occupation, sex, nationality, religion, or color, for a wrong
done to one is a wrong done to all. We oppose all unlawful discrimi-
nation and harassment against workers, whether based on race, gen-
der, nationality or any other basis. We object to prison contract labor
because it puts the criminal in competition with honorable labor for
the purpose of cutting down wages, and also because it helps over-
stock the labor market.

GENERAL OFFICE HEADQUARTERS

Section 4. The General Office Headquarters of the United
Brotherhood shall be located in Washington, D.C.

AFFILIATIONS
Section 5. If the International Body is affiliated with the AFL-
CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress, Local Unions, with the
consent of their affiliated Council, and Councils may affiliate with
the appropriate Central, State and Provincial Bodies of the AFL-CIO
and the Canadian Labour Congress. Tax to the AFL-CIO and Cana-
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dian Labour Congress is to be paid directly from the General Office.
If the International Body is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the
Canadian Labour Congress, Local Unions, with the consent of their
affiliated Council, and Councils may affiliate with all Provincial,
State and Local Building and Construction Trades Councils where
such bodies exist. The General Executive Board may affiliate the
United Brotherhood with or disaffiliate the United Brotherhood from
any coalition, federation or other group of labor organizations if the
Board determines that such affiliation or disaffiliation is in the best
interest of the United Brotherhood and its members.

JURISDICTION
A Section 6. The jurisdiction of the United Brotherhood of Car-
penters and Joiners of America shall include all branches of the Car-
penter and Joiner trade, the industrial sector, and any kind of work
being performed by any members of the United Brotherhood. In it
shall be vested the power through the International Body to estab-
lish and charter subordinate Local and Auxiliary Unions, District,
Regional, Industrial, State and Provincial Councils in all branches
of the trade, and its mandates must be observed and obeyed at all
times.
In view of technological developments and industrial diversifi-
cation, no type of employment category shall be excluded from the
jurisdiction of the United Brotherhood, whether or not spelled out in
Section 7.
The United Brotherhood is empowered, upon agreement of the
Local Unions and Councils directly affected, or in the discretion
of the General President subject to appeal to the General Execu-
tive Board, where the General President finds that it is in the best
interests of the United Brotherhood and its members, locally or at
large, to establish or dissolve any Local Union or Council, to merge
or consolidate Local Unions or Councils, to establish or alter the
trade or geographical jurisdiction of any Local Union or Council, to
form Councils and to permit, prohibit or require the affiliation with
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or disaffiliation from any Council by any Local Union, including
the right to establish statewide, province wide and regional Local
Unions or Councils having jurisdiction over specified branches or
subdivisions of the trade. When action is taken pursuant to this Sec-
tion to establish or dissolve any Local Union or Council, to merge
or consolidate Local Unions or Councils or to establish or alter the
trade or geographical jurisdiction of any Local Union or Council,
the General President shall have authority to transfer members from
any Local Union to any other Local Union. The vested rights of the
members shall be preserved and where action as herein described
is taken, the General President and General Executive Board shall
preserve the membership rights of the members of affected Local
Unions, including their right to attend and participate in meetings, to
vote, to nominate candidates and to be nominated and run for office.
In connection with the foregoing, the General President may, upon
finding it appropriate, appoint a committee to hold hearings upon
due notice to directly affected Local Unions or Councils, and make
findings and recommendations.
B The right is reserved to the United Brotherhood through the
International Body to regulate and determine all matters pertaining
to the various branches and subdivisions of the trade. The General
President may designate subdivisions of the trade and may provide
such support as he deems appropriate to further the interests of the
United Brotherhood and its membership in such trade subdivisions.
C To subordinate Local or Auxiliary Unions, District, Regional,
Industrial, State and Provincial Councils the right is conceded to
make necessary laws for Locals and District, Regional, Industrial,
State and Provincial Councils which do not conflict with the laws of
the International Body.
D The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
shall have the right to establish supervision over and to conduct the
affairs of any subordinate body (including the removal of any or all
officers of such subordinate body) to correct financial irregularities
or to assure the performance of collective bargaining agreements and
5
the responsibility of the subordinate body as a bargaining agent or
to protect the interests and rights of the members or whenever the
affairs of the subordinate body are conducted in such a manner as to
be detrimental to the welfare of the members and to the best inter-
ests of the United Brotherhood, subject, however, to the provisions
of Paragraph H of Section 10. The authority granted to the United
Brotherhood herein includes the authority to establish supervision to
prevent secession or disaffiliation by any subordinate body or bod-
ies.
E The United Brotherhood shall enact and enforce laws for its
government and that of subordinate Locals and Auxiliary Unions
and District, Regional, Industrial, State and Provincial Councils and
members thereof.

TRADE AUTONOMY
A Section 7. The broad, evolving trade autonomy of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America includes at its
core, but is not limited to, the milling, fashioning, joining, assem-
bling, erection, fastening or dismantling of all material of wood,
plastic, metal, fiber, cork and composition, and all other substitute
materials, as well as the handling, cleaning, erecting, installing,
repair, renovation, maintenance, and dismantling of all machinery,
equipment and all materials used by members of the United Brother-
hood.
B Our claim of jurisdiction, therefore, covers all kinds of work
being performed by members of the United Brotherhood and
includes but is not limited to the following classifications: Car-
penters and Joiners; Millwrights; Pile Drivers, Bridge, Dock and
Wharf Carpenters, Divers, Underpinners, Timber Workers and Core
Drillers; Shipwrights, Boat Builders, Ship Carpenters, Joiners and
Caulkers; Cabinet Makers, Bench Hands, Stair Builders, Mill and
Factory Workers; Wood and Resilient Floor Layers, and Finishers;
Carpet Layers; Shinglers, Siders; Insulators; Acoustic and Dry Wall
Applicators; Shorers and House Movers; Loggers, Lumber and Saw-
6
mill Workers; Furniture Workers; Reed and Rattan Workers; Shingle
Weavers; Casket and Coffin Makers; Box Makers, Railroad Carpen-
ters and Car Builders; Show, Display and Exhibition Workers; and
Lathers, regardless of material used; also Public Sector Workers,
Health Care Workers, Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Industry Workers
and Aerospace Workers; and all those engaged in the operation of
woodworking or other machinery required in the fashioning, milling
or manufacturing of products used in the trade, or engaged as help-
ers to any of the above divisions or subdivisions, and the handling,
erecting and installing material on any of the above divisions or
subdivisions; burning, welding, rigging and the use of any instru-
ment or tool for layout work, incidental to the trade; the erection and
placement of all materials used in lathing procedures; and all work
with and on robotics, included but not limited to, rigging, handling,
installing, maintaining, programming, and use of all stationary and/
or portable robots, this includes the use of all robots used in any
industry, including the nuclear field. When the terms “carpenter(s)”
or “carpenter(s) and joiner(s)” are used, it shall mean all the divi-
sions and subdivisions of the trade.

LAWS
A Section 8. The Constitution of this organization shall include
general laws of the United Brotherhood and rules for subordinate
bodies under its jurisdiction. The terms “Constitution” and “Consti-
tution and Laws” shall have the same meaning. All references in the
Constitution to the masculine gender shall automatically include the
feminine gender.
B The Constitution and Laws can be amended or altered in con-
formity with the provisions of Section 57 except as provided for in
Section 14A.

GENERAL OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

A Section 9. General Officers of the United Brotherhood shall
consist of a General President, General Vice President, a General
7
Secretary-Treasurer, and one District Vice President from each dis-
trict of the United Brotherhood, who shall be exempt from all duties
in their respective Local Unions.
B The General Officers shall be elected at the General Conven-
tion by a plurality vote of the delegates present and voting by secret
ballot. The nominations shall be made on the third day of the first
week of the Convention, and the election shall be held on the fourth
day of the first week of the Convention.
C The election shall be conducted by an Election Committee, the
members of which shall be appointed by the General President. No
nominee for General Office shall be eligible to serve on said Com-
mittee. Upon completion of the tabulation of the votes, the Election
Committee shall report to the General President the names of the
General Officers elected and same shall be reported to the Conven-
tion, and those elected shall hold office for a term of five (5) years
or until their successors are duly chosen and qualified, whichever
is later. Each newly elected officer shall be administered the oath
of office at the General Convention and shall officially assume his
office 45 days after the election or, in the event of an earlier vacancy,
at the time such vacancy occurs.
D A member to be eligible for nomination and election as a
General Officer must be present at the time of nomination, or in
the anteroom on authorized business, or out on official business,
or prevented by accident or sickness or other substantial reason
from being present in which case the candidate shall submit a let-
ter of acceptance if nominated, nor shall the member be eligible
unless working for a livelihood in a classification within the trade
autonomy of the United Brotherhood as defined in Section 7 or
in employment which qualifies him or her for membership, or is
depending on the trade for a livelihood, or is employed by the orga-
nization as a full-time officer or representative; provided, further,
that members who are life members, apprentices, trainees or proba-
tionary employees shall not be eligible. A member must have been

8
twelve (12) consecutive months a member in good standing in his or
her Local Union and a member of the United Brotherhood of Car-
penters and Joiners of America for five (5) years immediately prior
to nomination. The member shall be required to establish eligibility
to the Election Committee to qualify under these provisions of the
Constitution and Laws at the time of nomination. To be eligible for
nomination or election as a General Officer, a member must meet
the requirements of Section 31D.
E No General Officer or Representative of the United Brotherhood
shall be subject to charges or trial in any Local Union or Council.
F Where charges are filed against a General Officer or represen-
tative of the General Office of the United Brotherhood, the Execu-
tive Committee of the District Council or the Local Union may
dismiss the charges, or the charges shall be referred by the District
Council or Local Union to the General Executive Board. The Gen-
eral Executive Board may conduct an investigation and hearing and
dismiss the charges or, in the case of a General Officer, if it finds
upon the entire record that the accused has violated the Constitution
and Laws, may issue a reprimand or may, by a two-thirds vote, rec-
ommend suspension from office. No General Officer shall be fined
or expelled and no General Officer shall be suspended from office
except by a majority vote of the members voting in a general vote of
the United Brotherhood taken in accordance with the Constitution
and Laws; provided, however, that the General Executive Board
may suspend the accused pending determination of the charges by
a two-thirds vote of the General Executive Board. Prior to any gen-
eral vote taken under this Section, all Local Unions shall receive
a copy of the charges, a summary of the evidence and position of
the parties, and a report of the findings and recommendations of
the General Executive Board, if any, and the same shall be fully
published to the membership. If the General Executive Board finds
a Representative guilty of charges, the Board may fine, suspend
or expel the Representative and/or terminate his or her employ-

9
ment. The authority so granted to the Board does not supersede the
authority of the General President to terminate a Representative.

GENERAL PRESIDENT
A Section 10. The General President shall issue and sign all char-
ters, may grant dispensations in extraordinary cases and may fill
any vacancies among the General Officers by consent of a majority
of the General Executive Board. The General President shall have
the authority to appoint any member as a Representative to assist in
carrying on the affairs of the United Brotherhood. Such representa-
tive shall have the same qualifications as those required by General
Officers. When directed by the General President, the Representa-
tive shall assist and advise the officers and Business Representatives
of Local Unions and Councils. They shall also perform such other
duties as directed by the General President. The compensation for
Representatives shall be fixed by the General President.
B The General President may personally, or by deputy, take pos-
session for examinations of all books, papers and other records,
including all financial records, of any Local Union, Council, or other
subordinate body, summarily when necessary, and the same shall
remain in possession of the General President within the jurisdic-
tion of the Local Union, Council, or other subordinate body until a
complete report has been made and filed. During said examination
a representative of the Local Union, Council, or other subordinate
body may be present.
C The General President may issue charters to Auxiliary Unions.
D The General President may authorize the formation of Retiree
Clubs composed of retired members of the United Brotherhood no
longer working at the trade.
E The General President shall appoint a permanent Financial
Oversight Committee comprised of Local Union and Council repre-
sentatives, and all other committees unless otherwise provided. All
members of the Financial Oversight Committee shall be appointed
10
for a three-year term and shall not serve consecutive terms. The
General President shall designate a member of the Financial Over-
sight Committee as chair for a one-year period, and no member
shall serve consecutive periods as chair. The compensation of all
members of committees shall be regulated by the General Execu-
tive Board.
F The General President shall have the authority to decide all
points of law, grievances and election appeals, under Section 53G,
except funeral donations. All other appeals shall be decided by the
Appeals Committee established in Section 53, except as otherwise
provided. The General President shall have the power to suspend
any Local Union or Council for violation of the Constitution and
Laws of the United Brotherhood, or for willfully or directly violat-
ing the Constitution and Laws or principles of this United Broth-
erhood, or acting in such a manner as to undermine its welfare,
after due notice and hearing and subject to an appeal to the General
Executive Board by the subordinate body involved.
G The General President shall supervise the entire interest of the
United Brotherhood, and perform such other duties as the Constitu-
tion and Laws of the United Brotherhood may require, and may by
virtue of the office be a delegate to the Conventions of the AFL-CIO
and the Building and Construction Trades Department, and such
other Departments with which the United Brotherhood is affiliated,
and shall submit a quarterly report to the General Executive Board
and shall also submit monthly to the General Secretary-Treasurer
an itemized account of all moneys expended by the General Presi-
dent on behalf of the United Brotherhood.
H Whenever it appears to the satisfaction of the General Presi-
dent that any Local Union or member thereof, or any Council is act-
ing contrary to the welfare of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America, or that supervision should be established
over the conduct of the affairs of any subordinate body as set forth
in Section 6D, the General President may appoint a committee to
hold a hearing, after due notice to such subordinate body or mem-
11
ber. Upon completion of the hearing, the committee shall report its
findings and recommendations to the General Executive Board and
to the member or subordinate body involved. The General Execu-
tive Board is empowered to take such action as is necessary and
proper for the welfare of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America, subject, however, to the right of appeal to
the next General Convention, to the extent permitted by Section
53G. If the General President determines that an emergency situ-
ation exists, the General President may appoint a representative to
assume supervision over any Local Union or Council pending the
holding of a hearing and the completion of the proceedings as pro-
vided for in this Section.
I Where an Auxiliary, Local Union, or Council has asked the
assistance of the General Office, the General President may, with
the consent of the General Executive Board, make settlement with
employers, and the said Auxiliary, Local Union, or Council must
accept the same.
J Whenever, in the judgment of the General President, subor-
dinate bodies or the members thereof are working against the best
interests of the United Brotherhood, or are not in harmony with
the Constitution and Laws of the United Brotherhood, the General
President shall have the power to order said body to disband under
penalty of suspension.
K The General President shall have the power to grant dispensa-
tion on all matters which will be beneficial to the United Brother-
hood.
L No two subordinate bodies of the Brotherhood shall negotiate
for the same contract with the same employer but if two subordinate
bodies do open negotiations, the General President shall designate
the proper bargaining unit of the Brotherhood which shall complete
negotiations for said contract.
M The General President shall have authority to appoint interim
officers and delegates of newly established, consolidated or merged
Local Unions or Councils.

12
N The General President shall have the authority to develop poli-
cies regarding the UBC membership processing system and other
computer and technological matters pertaining to the United Broth-
erhood which shall be binding on all Local Unions and Councils
affiliated with the United Brotherhood.
O The General President shall have the authority to repudiate any
jurisdictional agreement entered into by any subordinate body.

GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT

A Section 11. The General Vice President, under the supervision
of the General President, shall render such assistance to the General
President as may be required and by virtue of the office may be a
delegate to the Convention of the Union Label and Service Trades
Department, AFL-CIO. In case of a vacancy in the office of the
General President, the General Vice President shall become the
General President and perform the duties of that office.
B The General Vice President shall maintain headquarters at the
General Office. The duties of the office shall be to examine and
approve or disapprove of all Local Union and Council Laws. The
General Vice President shall have charge of and issue the Label
and keep a record of same in accordance with the Constitution and
Laws of the United Brotherhood, also keep a record of all union
and nonunion shops, mills and factories, their wages, hours and
conditions for the General Office. This information shall be made
available to Local Unions, Councils, Representatives, and Business
Representatives. The General Vice President shall perform such
other duties as may be assigned by the General President. In the
event of a vacancy in the office of General Vice President, the Gen-
eral President may appoint a member to fill the vacancy by consent
of a majority of the General Executive Board.

GENERAL SECRETARY-TREASURER
A Section 12. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall have the
following responsibilities: preserve all important records, cor-

13
respondence and documents relating to the business of the United
Brotherhood; conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the
office; sign all charters, if in proper order; have charge of the seal of
the United Brotherhood, and affix it to all important official docu-
ments; keep a record of membership status of the United Brother-
hood’s members; receive all moneys due from Local Unions and
other sources, giving credit for same; deposit all funds in the name
of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in
such banks or other financial institutions as may be designated by
the General Executive Board; invest the funds of the United Broth-
erhood in accordance with the Investment Policies approved by the
General Executive Board; make disbursements for general operat-
ing expenses, claims and bills legally due and those authorized by
the General Executive Board, in accordance with the Disbursement
Policies approved by the General Executive Board and using checks
or similar instruments that are signed by the General Secretary-
Treasurer and counter-signed by the General President or General
Vice-President, or by those fiduciaries designated by the General
President and approved by the General Executive Board or through
the use of electronic transfers; examine and pay donation claims in
accordance with the Laws of the United Brotherhood, order Local
Unions to furnish such evidence and information as may be required
to render decisions in donation claims, and may retain such evidence
and papers on file as the case may warrant, furnishing copies upon
the request of the Local Union; keep a correct financial account
between Local Unions and the United Brotherhood, notifying the
Local Unions when two months in arrears, before the fifteenth day
of the third month; submit an itemized statement of revenues and
expenses of the United Brotherhood to the General Executive Board
at the quarterly meetings, submit to them all books and vouchers per-
taining to the office of the General Secretary-Treasurer for inspec-
tion and deliver to the General Executive Board all such books and
vouchers when called on to do so; and perform such other duties as
the General Executive Board may require. The General Secretary-
Treasurer shall employ clerical assistance in the office of the General

14
Secretary-Treasurer at reasonable salaries payable from the General
Fund. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall assist the General Pres-
ident in the discharge of the duties of that office and shall perform
such other duties as may be assigned by the General President. In
the absence of the General President and the General Vice President
from the General Office, the General Secretary-Treasurer shall per-
form the duties of the General President under the direction of the
General President and when not engaged at the General Office shall
devote full time to the interest of the United Brotherhood under the
direction of the General President. In the event of a vacancy in the
office of the General Secretary-Treasurer, the General President may
appoint a member to fill the vacancy by consent of a majority of the
General Executive Board.
B The General Secretary-Treasurer shall publish “The Carpenter”
magazine pursuant to the schedule decided by the General Executive
Board, and mail a copy of same to the home address of each member;
publish and forward to the Secretary of each Local Union a quarterly
Financial Statement of revenues and expenses; compile, and make
available to each Local and Council, directory information including
the addresses and meetings of Local Unions and Councils.
C The General Secretary-Treasurer shall print the Constitution and
Laws of the United Brotherhood in English and any other appropriate
language as approved by the General Executive Board, and the inter-
pretation of the Constitution and Laws in the English language shall
be the only one by which the United Brotherhood shall be governed.
D The General Secretary-Treasurer shall make an annual report,
and shall perform such other duties as are required by the Constitu-
tion and Laws of the United Brotherhood. The General Secretary-
Treasurer may by virtue of the office be a delegate to the Conventions
of the AFL-CIO and Building and Construction Trades Department.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
A Section 13. The General President, General Vice President,
General Secretary-Treasurer, and the six (6) District Vice Presidents
15
shall by virtue of their office constitute a Board of Trustees for the
management and control of the Headquarters and real estate of the
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America in the
City of Washington, D.C. and elsewhere.
B By virtue of their office, the General President shall be Chair-
person and the General Secretary-Treasurer shall be Secretary of the
Board of Trustees and it shall be their duty to keep a record of the
meetings of the Board of Trustees.
C The said Board of Trustees shall make a report to the General
Convention of all business transacted in connection with the Head-
quarters and the real estate of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America.
D The said Board of Trustees shall authorize the General Presi-
dent and General Secretary-Treasurer to pay all legitimate expenses
in connection with said Headquarters and real estate, subject to
examination and approval of the Board when in session.
E The title of the Headquarters and real estate now held by this
United Brotherhood, or which may be hereafter acquired, shall be
vested by proper conveyance in said Board of Trustees and their suc-
cessors in office, to be held by said Board of Trustees in trust for the
sole use, benefit and behalf of this United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America or in the name of the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners of America.
F Said Board of Trustees shall have the management and control of
all property, to sell, rent, lease and improve the same in such manner
as the majority of said Trustees shall direct. However, the Headquar-
ters or real estate on which it is located shall not be sold, conveyed
or encumbered except in accordance with the following steps: (1)
a Headquarters Oversight Committee shall be appointed, including
the members of the permanent Financial Oversight Committee and
seven additional members from among officers or representatives
of affiliated subordinate bodies of the United Brotherhood; (2) the
Headquarters Oversight Committee, exercising fiduciary respon-

16
sibility, shall independently review the proposed sale, conveyance
or encumbrance and report their recommendation in writing to the
Board of Trustees; (3) approval shall be obtained by a secret bal-
lot vote of the combined committees of the Board of Trustees, the
Financial Oversight Committee, and the additional seven members
representing various Councils and Locals of the Brotherhood, or by
a majority vote of the membership of the United Brotherhood vot-
ing in a referendum vote taken in accordance with the Laws of the
United Brotherhood.
G All legitimate expenditures in connection with said Headquar-
ters and real estate shall be paid by the General Secretary- Treasurer
out of the funds of the United Brotherhood in accordance with the
Constitution and Disbursement Policies approved by the General
Executive Board.
H All income received from rents, lease or sale of said property, or
any part thereof, shall be received by the General Secretary-Treasurer
as provided for in the Constitution and Laws of the United Brother-
hood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and shall become a part
of the General Fund of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America. An accounting of all such receipts and expenses
shall be published in the regular quarterly Financial Statement sub-
mitted by the General Secretary-Treasurer to the Local Unions.
I Members of the Board of Trustees shall receive no additional
compensation for their services in connection with the management
of the Headquarters and real estate.

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

A Section 14. The General Executive Board between Conven-
tions, in addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in the Constitu-
tion and Laws, shall exercise all the executive and judicial power and
authority of the United Brotherhood, except such power or authority
as may be specifically delegated by the Constitution and Laws to
General Officers and Trustees. The General Executive Board shall

17
have authority to determine the number of District Vice Presidents,
the number of Districts, the geographical area of the Districts and
to make appropriate provisions for the administration of the various
Districts.
B One member of the General Executive Board shall be elected
from each District. Unless altered by the General Executive Board,
the Eastern District shall consist of Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and
West Virginia. The Midwestern District shall consist of Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Southern Dis-
trict shall consist of Alabama, Arkansas, North and South Carolina,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas,
Canal Zone, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The Western District shall
consist of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Mon-
tana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Canadian District shall consist of the entire country of Canada.
C The General Executive Board shall be composed of the General
President, General Vice President, General Secretary-Treasurer, and
one District Vice President from each of the above districts of the
United Brotherhood, who between Board meetings shall devote their
entire time to the interest of the United Brotherhood, under the super-
vision of the General President. The General President shall chair
the General Executive Board and the General Secretary-Treasurer
shall be its Secretary; they shall hold quarterly meetings, or when
required, and shall hold special meetings at the call of the Chair.
All correspondence and appeals for the General Executive Board
shall be sent to the General Secretary-Treasurer, who shall present
same at the next regular meeting of the Board. No General Officers
shall vote on decisions rendered by themselves. Proceedings of the
General Executive Board shall be published in pamphlet form and
sent directly to Local Unions, District, Regional, Industrial, State
and Provincial Councils.

18
D The General Executive Board shall decide points of law and
appeals that may be submitted to it. An appeal to the General Con-
vention shall not operate as a stay of the decision of the General
Executive Board except, however, that the General Executive Board
shall have the authority to grant a stay of its decision or a deci-
sion of the Appeals Committee when in its judgment such action
is warranted. A member of the General Executive Board may file
charges alleging a violation of the Constitution and Laws against
any officer or member of any subordinate body and the process-
ing and trial of such charges shall be conducted under procedures
to be established by the General Executive Board. The Chairperson
of the General Executive Board shall from time to time designate
members of the United Brotherhood to serve on a panel which shall
constitute a standing Trial Committee, of which any three (3) or
more members may be designated to conduct trial of a case. In all
such trials a complete record of the proceedings shall be made. An
accused found guilty of violating the Constitution and Laws may be
fined, suspended or expelled by majority vote of the Trial Committee
subject, however, to appeal to the General Executive Board and the
Convention. Appeal of any such decision must be filed with the Sec-
retary of the General Executive Board within thirty (30) days from
the date on which notice of the Trial Committee verdict or penalty
is mailed to the accused. During the period in which an appeal from
such decision may be filed and while an appeal of such decision is
pending before the General Executive Board, the penalty imposed
shall be stayed. When an appeal is filed, a complete record of the
proceedings together with the verdict and penalty of the Trial Com-
mittee shall be submitted to the General Executive Board. A finding,
verdict or penalty of the Trial Committee may be affirmed, set aside
or modified on appeal. A decision of the General Executive Board
may be appealed to the Convention under Section 53H.
E The General Executive Board shall have power to authorize
strikes in conformity with the Constitution and Laws of the United
Brotherhood, and when necessary to defend the organization in any
locality against the attacks of employers, combinations or lockouts,
19
or any attempt to disrupt or destroy the organization, to support such
locality by levying a per capita assessment and by ordering a cessa-
tion of work for any employer involved, irrespective of where such
work is located; enter into agreement with other organizations with
reference to jurisdiction over work; or a general offensive or defen-
sive alliance.
F The General Executive Board shall have power to protect the
property and interest of the United Brotherhood in such a manner as
they may deem helpful and beneficial.
G The General Executive Board shall have power to disavow
agreements that may have been entered into by any subordinate Local
Unions or Councils, unless such agreements have been approved by
the General President.
H The General Executive Board shall have power to make agree-
ments with employers covering our jurisdiction; provided such
agreements require employers to conform with the trade rules of the
district where the work is located, or which provide special terms
and conditions found by the General Executive Board to be appro-
priate to a particular industry or type of work. In negotiating pen-
sion, health and welfare and other fringe benefit agreements, Local
Unions and Councils shall wherever possible provide for participa-
tion therein by contractors and their employees working in the area
under agreements with the United Brotherhood.
I The General Executive Board and its members are fiduciaries
entrusted with responsibility for the assets of the United Brotherhood.
In carrying out this responsibility, the General Executive Board shall
establish and control the investment policy governing the investment
of United Brotherhood assets. Such investments shall be made only
with prior approval of the General Executive Board or by one or
more investment managers who have been appointed by the General
Executive Board. A written investment report shall be made to all
Local Unions and Councils on a regular basis. The General Execu-
tive Board shall obtain proper surety bonds for all General Officers

20
and Trustees and such employees of the United Brotherhood as it
may deem necessary. The General Executive Board shall require an
annual audit of the accounts and books of the United Brotherhood
by a Certified Public Accountant, and such audit shall be reported in
writing to the General Executive Board. The General Executive Board
shall perform such other duties as may be provided for in the Constitu-
tion and Laws of the United Brotherhood.
J Whenever, by virtue of an increased death rate, a deficiency
is likely to arise in the revenues provided for payment of Funeral
Donations under the Constitution, the General Executive Board shall
have the authority to draw from the funds of each Local Union such
sum for each member in good standing as may be provided against
such deficiency.
K The General Executive Board shall provide for the bonding of
the officers and personnel of the United Brotherhood. The General
Executive Board shall have the authority to provide for the bonding
of officers and personnel of subordinate bodies of the United Broth-
erhood. When the General Executive Board provides such bond
coverage through the General Office, all such officers and person-
nel must be bonded thereunder to be eligible to hold any office or
employment. The price of such bonds shall be a standing appropria-
tion to be paid to the General Secretary-Treasurer upon the receipt of
notice from the General Office.
L The General Executive Board shall have power to define in detail
the trade autonomy and jurisdiction of the United Brotherhood.
M The General Executive Board shall be empowered to autho-
rize contributions or expenditures in support of or in opposition to
legislation or other political activity, including support of particular
candidates for office, political parties and other entities, to the extent
permitted by law, where such support is deemed by the General
Executive Board to be in the best interests of the United Brotherhood
or its subordinate bodies or members, or organized labor, generally

21
or in a particular area. This authority may be delegated by the Gen-
eral Executive Board to the General President.
N Meetings of the General Executive Board may be conducted in
person or by telephone. For any meeting of the General Executive
Board, those present shall constitute a quorum, provided that at least
one Resident Officer and a majority of the members of the General
Executive Board are present.

SUPPLIES FOR LOCAL UNIONS

Section 15. All Constitutions, cards and supplies shall be fur-
nished by the General Secretary-Treasurer, per order of the Financial
Secretary or Recording Secretary of any Local Union or subordinate
body in good standing, and the money for the same will be billed
or shall accompany all orders for supplies when sent to the General
Secretary-Treasurer.

REVENUE
Section 16. The revenue of the United Brotherhood shall be
derived from a per capita tax from all Local Unions on all members,
applicants and persons paying agency shop or similar fees, also the
amount specified on each new member admitted, charter fees, rent of
office building, interest on bank deposits, income from investments,
subscribers to and advertisements in the Carpenter, fines, supply
sales and other miscellaneous receipts.

GENERAL CONVENTION
A Section 17. The United Brotherhood shall meet in General
Convention in 2000 and every five (5) years thereafter, on a date set
by the General Executive Board, and the Board shall provide a suit-
able place for holding such Convention. The General Convention,
while in session, shall be vested with all the executive, legislative
and judicial authority of the United Brotherhood together with all
powers necessary or incidental thereto.

22
B A Special Convention may be called as follows: Whenever
fifteen Local Unions, no two of which are located in the same State
or Province, present to the General Executive Board a resolution
calling for a Special Convention, the General Executive Board
shall consider the matter no later than its next regular meeting. If
the General Executive Board is satisfied that a Special Convention
for the purpose requested is in the best interest of the United Broth-
erhood, it shall make provision for the holding of such a Conven-
tion at the earliest practical date. Whenever the General Executive
Board shall decide that a Special Convention is necessary, it shall
have authority by majority vote to issue a call for a Special Con-
vention. A Special Convention shall be subject to the same rules
as a General Convention except that a Special Convention cannot
consider any matter other than as may be stated in the Convention
Call.
C A Local Union shall be entitled to representation in the
Convention for members in good standing in the month that the
Convention Call is issued according to the General Secretary-
Treasurer’s records, on this basis: 100 members or less shall be
entitled to one delegate; more than 100 members and not more than
500, two delegates; more than 500 and less than 1,000, three del-
egates; 1,000 members and less than 1,500, four delegates; 1,500
members and less than 2,000, five delegates; 2,000 and less than
2,500, six delegates; 2,500 and less than 3,000, seven delegates;
a Local Union with 3,000 or more members shall be entitled to
eight delegates plus one additional delegate for every 500 mem-
bers over 3,000. State, Provincial, Regional, Industrial, and District
Councils and the Canada Council shall be entitled to representation
by election of one delegate. The General Officers of the Brother-
hood (as set forth in Section 9, Par. A) shall receive full accredited
delegate credentials to the Convention from their respective Local
Unions. Each duly elected delegate shall be entitled to one vote in
the Convention, except that delegates elected by Councils shall not
be entitled to vote in the election of General Officers.

23
D General Officers shall be accredited delegates to any Gen-
eral or Special Convention of the United Brotherhood by virtue of
their office. The designation of General Officers as delegates shall
not affect the number of delegates to which their respective Local
Unions shall otherwise be entitled.
E A Local Union shall not be entitled to representation which
owes two months’ per capita tax to the General Office.
F The election of delegates and alternates shall be held by secret
ballot within the time specified by the General Executive Board. All
members shall be notified by mail to attend the meeting at which the
delegates and alternates are to be elected. To be eligible for nomina-
tion or election as a delegate or alternate to a General Convention, a
member must meet the requirements of Section 31D.
G The Recording Secretary shall at once report to the Gen-
eral Secretary-Treasurer the name and post office address of the
delegate(s) and alternate(s).
H Each delegate other than a General Officer shall establish claim
to a seat by presenting proper identification and credentials, duly
signed by the President and Recording Secretary of the Local Union
or the President and Secretary of the State, Provincial, Regional,
Industrial or District Council the delegate represents with seal
attached. Eligibility of General Officers shall be certified by the
General Secretary-Treasurer.
I No proxy representation shall be allowed. A delegate to the
Convention of the United Brotherhood, other than a General Officer,
must hold credentials from the Local Union or Council he or she
represents. No member may be a delegate from or represent more
than one subordinate body.
J The mileage and expenses for the attendance of said delegates
shall be defrayed by the Local Union or Council they respectively
represent.

24
K A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a
majority of the delegates attending the Convention. Any delegate
who refuses to recognize and obey the sound of the gavel in the
hands of the presiding officer shall be debarred from further voice
or vote during the session, and the action taken by the presiding
officer shall be reported by the General Secretary-Treasurer to the
Local Union or Council which elected the offending delegate as
their representative.
L The Committee on Constitution and the Committee on Griev-
ances and Appeals shall meet in advance of the Convention at a time
and place designated by the General President. Members of the Gen-
eral Executive Board shall not be eligible to act on either of these
committees.
M The Committee on Finance shall examine the accounts of the
General Secretary-Treasurer, and shall verify the audits made by the
General Executive Board, and shall meet at a time and place desig-
nated by the General President.
N The General President shall appoint a Committee on Creden-
tials, consisting of not less than five members. The Committee shall
meet at the call of the chair. In the event the credentials of a delegate
are protested, the Committee on Credentials shall hear the protest
and submit its findings to the Convention.

ORDER OF PROCEDURE
Section 18. The order of procedure in Convention in the trans-
action of business shall be the same as at the preceding Convention
until such time as the Committee on Rules reports.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS AT CONVENTION

Section 19. The General Officers shall be required to attend the
Convention and they shall have a voice and vote in same, except
that General Officers shall not be permitted to vote in the election of
General Officers. Their expenses for attendance at the Convention
shall be paid out of the funds of the United Brotherhood.

25
GENERAL PRESIDENT
A Section 20. It shall be the duty of the General President to pre-
side at all Conventions of the United Brotherhood and conduct same
according to parliamentary rules and in conformity with the laws
of the United Brotherhood, and immediately after the opening of
the Convention shall appoint a Committee on Rules. The General
President shall appoint such other committees as may be necessary.
Each committee shall consist of not less than five delegates.
B The General President shall submit a report to the Convention.

GENERAL SECRETARY-TREASURER
Section 21. The General Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a cor-
rect record of the proceedings of the Convention and shall submit a
report to the Convention, including a report of the United Brother-
hood’s revenues and expenses.

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 22. The General Executive Board shall submit a report
to the Convention.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 23. The Board of Trustees shall submit a report to the
Convention.

PERIOD COVERED BY REPORTS

Section 24. The reports required by Sections 20B, 21, 22 and 23
shall cover the period beginning on January 1 of the year in which
the last General Convention was held and ending on December 31
of the year preceding that in which the General Convention is held at
which the reports are to be submitted.

JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF LOCAL UNIONS

A Section 25. It is the continuing obligation of every Local Union
to organize workers.
26
B Local Unions shall be governed by applicable uniform bylaws
and have the power to make laws and trade rules which in no way
conflict with the Constitution and Laws of the United Brother-
hood, and must be approved by the General Vice President before
becoming law, and shall be filed with the General Vice President;
likewise, all future amendments must be submitted and filed. Local
Unions not affiliated with a District, Industrial or Regional Council
shall have the power to conduct trials of members who have been
charged with violating the Constitution and Laws or violating the
Trade Rules in the Local Union when such violations occur within
the Local Union’s jurisdiction and impose such penalties as they
may deem the case requires, subject to Sections 51 and 52, and the
right of appeal under Section 53. Local Unions cannot debar their
members from working for contractors or for employers who are not
connected with the Employers’ or Builders’ Association, nor shall
Local Unions affiliate with any central organization whose Constitu-
tion or Bylaws conflict with those of the United Brotherhood.
C At any regular or special meeting of the membership of a Local
Union, duly called for the transaction of any business, those present
shall constitute a quorum, provided seven (7) or more members are
present. For any regular or special meeting of the Executive Com-
mittee of a Local Union, those present constitute a quorum, provided
a majority of the members of the Executive Committee are present.
The terms special meeting and special called meeting have the same
meaning.
D Local Unions shall have power to regulate and make payment
of sick donations only by an established Bylaw of the Local Union.
E A Local Union cannot dissolve itself. A Local Union cannot
withdraw from the United Brotherhood so long as two members in
good standing object thereto.
F In communities where there are not a sufficient number of per-
sons eligible for membership in the United Brotherhood to form a
Local Union, the Representative, or some other person designated by
the General President, shall have the power to initiate applicants in

27
such localities and provide such members with Dues Books, Consti-
tutions, etc. Members so initiated shall be under the jurisdiction and
shall pay dues to the Local Union designated by the Representative.
G Each Local Union is responsible for the carelessness or negli-
gence of its officers.
H All Local Unions and Councils are prohibited from sending out
circulars or appeals asking for financial aid from any other Local
Union or Council of the United Brotherhood, except by and with the
approval of the General Executive Board.
I The donation coverage of any member may not be changed
from Donation Schedule 1 to Donation Schedule 2, or from Dona-
tion Schedule 2 to Donation Schedule 1 without the written approval
of the General President. Members may not change coverage status
from Donation Schedule 2 to Donation Schedule 1 after reaching
their fiftieth birthday.
J The geographical or trade jurisdiction of any Local Union may
not be changed without the written approval of the General President.

JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF DISTRICT AND

REGIONAL COUNCILS
A Section 26. It is the continuing obligation of every District and
Regional Council to organize workers.
B Where there are two or more Local Unions located in one city,
they must be represented in a District Council or Regional Coun-
cil unless otherwise determined by the General President. District
Councils and Regional Councils shall be composed of Delegates
from Local Unions of the United Brotherhood. They shall be gov-
erned by applicable uniform Bylaws and have the power to make
laws and trade rules which in no way conflict with the Constitution
and Laws of the United Brotherhood and which are approved by
the delegates of the Council and the General Vice President. The
General President shall have power to order such Local Unions to
affiliate with such District or Regional Council, and to determine the

28
jurisdictional area and trade autonomy of such District or Regional
Council subject to appeal. No Local Union may withdraw from such
a District Council or Regional Council without approval of the Gen-
eral President.
C District Councils and Regional Councils may be formed in
localities other than in cities where two or more Local Unions in
adjoining territory request it, or when in the opinion of the General
President the good of the United Brotherhood requires it. No Local
Union shall affiliate with or withdraw from such a District Council
or Regional Council without the approval of the General President.
District and Regional Councils so formed shall be governed by appli-
cable uniform Bylaws and have the power to make laws and Trade
Rules which in no way conflict with the Constitution and Laws of
the United Brotherhood and which are approved by the delegates of
the Councils and the General Vice President.
D At any regular or special meeting of a District or Regional
Council, duly called for the transaction of any business, those present
shall constitute a quorum, provided seven (7) or more delegates are
present. For any regular or special meeting of the Executive Com-
mittee of a District or Regional Council, those present shall consti-
tute a quorum, provided a majority of the members of the Executive
Committee are present. The terms special meeting and special called
meeting shall have the same meaning.
E The jurisdiction of District or Regional Councils shall be deter-
mined in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of the United
Brotherhood. The title to all property of the District or Regional
Council shall be held in the name of the Trustees of the District or
Regional Council and/or their successors in office or in the name of
the District or Regional Council. If the property is not directly held
by the Council, but instead by an entity such as a corporation, the
officers of that entity shall be officers of the Council and/or their suc-
cessors sufficient to control the Council’s interest in that property. In
the event that real property is held by a District or Regional Council
through a building corporation or other entity that is wholly owned
29
by the District or Regional Council, the officers of such corporation or
entity shall consist solely of current officers of the District or Regional
Council who shall be officers of the corporation or entity by virtue of
their District or Regional Council officer positions. District or Regional
Councils having annual receipts amounting to Fifty Thousand Dollars
($50,000.00) or more from all sources shall engage a certified or reg-
istered public accountant for periodic audits, but not less than once
a year, and such audits shall be examined by the Trustees for com-
parison with the Trustees’ audits who shall report their conclusions in
writing to the District or Regional Councils. The Trustees of a District
or Regional Council shall report annually to the General Secretary-
Treasurer on Bond Report Forms supplied by the General Office.
F A District Council or Regional Council shall have the power to
conduct trials of members or Local Unions within its jurisdiction who
have been charged with violating the Constitution and Laws, violating
the District Council or Regional Council Bylaws and/or Trade Rules
or violating the Trade Rules of a Local Union when such violation
occurs within the District Council’s or Regional Council’s jurisdic-
tion, and impose such penalties as they may deem the case requires,
subject to Sections 51 and 52 and the right of appeal under Section
53. District Councils and Regional Councils cannot debar their mem-
bers from working for contractors or employers not connected with
Employers’ or Builders’ Associations, nor shall District Councils or
Regional Councils affiliate with any central organization whose Con-
stitution or Bylaws conflict with those of the United Brotherhood.
G Examining Boards may be established by District or Regional
Councils or Local Unions where no District or Regional Council exists.
H The General President may authorize and charter Regional
Councils to be composed of two or more Local Unions and/or Dis-
trict Councils. There shall be a Canada Council, with Bylaws to be
approved by the General Vice President.
I The General Executive Board may establish uniform Bylaws
to govern State Councils, Provincial Councils, Regional Councils,
30
District Councils, Industrial Councils and Local Unions, not incon-
sistent with the Constitution and Laws, which shall be in full force
and effect pending ratification or modification by the next General
Convention.
J The geographical or trade jurisdiction of any Council may not
be changed without written approval of the General President.

JURISDICTION OF STATE AND PROVINCIAL COUNCILS

A Section 27. State and Provincial Councils may be formed in
accordance with Section 6A of the Constitution and Laws. All Laws
of State and Provincial Councils must be submitted to the General
Vice President for approval, and all officers and members of such
Councils shall be held responsible for compliance with all Laws
governing the United Brotherhood.
B State and Provincial Councils shall have the power to make
laws to govern such State and Provincial Councils, which shall in no
way conflict with the Constitution and Laws of the United Brother-
hood, and which must be approved by the General Vice President
before becoming law.
C The jurisdiction of State or Provincial Councils shall be the
State or Province for which they are chartered, unless otherwise pro-
vided in the Constitution and Laws of the United Brotherhood.
D The title to all property of the State and Provincial Councils
shall be held in the name of the Trustees of the State and Provin-
cial Councils and/or their successors in office or in the name of the
State or Provincial Council. If the property is not directly held by the
Council, but instead by an entity such as a corporation, the officers
of that entity shall be officers of the Council and/or their succes-
sors sufficient to control the Council’s interest in that property. In
the event that real property is held by a State or Provincial Council
through a building corporation or other entity that is wholly owned
by the State or Provincial Council, the officers of such corporation
or entity shall consist solely of current officers of the State or Pro-
31
vincial Council who shall be officers of the corporation or entity by
virtue of their State or Provincial Council officer positions. State and
Provincial Councils having annual receipts amounting to Fifty Thou-
sand Dollars ($50,000.00) or more from all sources shall engage
a certified or registered public accountant for periodic audits, but
not less than once a year, and such audits shall be examined by the
Trustees for comparison with the Trustees’ audits who shall report
their conclusions in writing to the State and Provincial Councils.
The Trustees of a State or Provincial Council shall report annually
to the General Secretary-Treasurer on Bond Report Forms supplied
by the General Office.

JURISDICTION OF AUXILIARY UNIONS

A Section 28. Jurisdiction of Auxiliary Unions shall be as pro-
vided for by the Constitution and named in their Charter.
B Auxiliary Unions may make laws to govern their members in
the same manner as Local Unions, provided that such laws are not
in conflict with the Constitution of the United Brotherhood or the
Local Union or Council’s Bylaws in the area in which the Auxiliary
operates.
C Any member in good standing is permitted to become a mem-
ber of a Ladies’ Auxiliary Union.

ADMISSION OF LOCAL UNIONS

Section 29. Applicants who wish to organize a Local Union
may apply to the General Secretary-Treasurer and request the outfit
necessary for the institution of a Local Union. Issuance of a charter
shall be discretionary with the General President under Section 10A.
If after investigation issuance of a charter is approved, the General
Secretary-Treasurer shall forward the Charter and any administrative
materials necessary to begin operations as a Local Union under the
Constitution of the United Brotherhood. The Charter is at all times
the property of the United Brotherhood.

32
SUSPENDED AND LAPSED LOCAL UNIONS AND COUNCILS
A Section 30. If, at any time, a Local Union, Council or other
subordinate body should withdraw, lapse, dissolve, be suspended
or expelled, or otherwise cease to function as a subordinate body
of the United Brotherhood, all Property, Books, Charter and Funds
held by, or in the name of, or on behalf of said Local Union or other
subordinate body must be forwarded immediately to the General
Secretary-Treasurer for such use or disposition in the interests of
the membership of the United Brotherhood as the General President
in the exercise of his or her discretion may direct or to such Local
Union(s) or Council(s) as the General President in the exercise of his
or her discretion may direct.
B The officers and members of said Local Union, Council, or
other subordinate body will be held responsible for compliance with
the above Section, under penalty of being prosecuted by law, and
forfeiture of membership and donation in this United Brotherhood.
C A member of a lapsed or suspended Local Union, if in good
standing, and upon payment of any dues or assessments then unpaid,
can be cleared for transfer to the nearest Local Union in the vicinity,
upon application to the General Secretary-Treasurer. Once a mem-
ber is cleared for transfer by the General Secretary-Treasurer, such
member can be transferred to the nearest Local Union without the
personal attendance of the member.
D In no event shall the United Brotherhood be liable for the obli-
gations or debts of a subordinate body, including a subordinate body
which has withdrawn, lapsed, dissolved, been suspended, expelled,
or otherwise ceased to function as a chartered subordinate body of
the United Brotherhood.

NOMINATION, ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT IN

SUBORDINATE BODIES
A Section 31. The officers of a Local Union shall be a President,
Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer,
33
Conductor, Warden and three Trustees. The officers shall constitute
the Executive Committee of the Local Union. A Business Represen-
tative who is not a member of the Executive Committee shall attend
the meetings of the Executive Committee with voice but without
vote. No member may hold more than one office or be a candidate
for more than one office in a regular election, in the same subordi-
nate body, unless dispensation to combine the two offices has been
granted by the General President. The offices of Financial Secretary
and Treasurer may also be combined by a properly adopted Bylaw
of the Local Union that has been approved by the General Vice
President. In elections held to fill vacancies, a member who holds
an office must resign said office in writing before accepting nomina-
tion as a candidate for another office in the same subordinate body
(unless the offices are combined by dispensation) and all existing
vacancies, including those left by such resignations, shall be filled by
the same nominations and election. Neither the President, Treasurer,
Financial Secretary nor Recording Secretary can act as Trustee.
B Where Local Unions are affiliated with a District, Industrial
or Regional Council, the services of any Business Representatives,
Assistant Business Representatives, and Organizers shall be pro-
vided by and through such Council and such Business Represen-
tatives, Assistant Business Representatives, and Organizers shall
be appointed by the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Council,
subject to approval of the Executive Committee of the Council, and
shall be employees of the Council. All Business Representatives and
Assistant Business Representatives shall be required to participate
in any training program for Business Representatives which shall be
established by the United Brotherhood, and all Organizers shall be
required to participate in any training program for Organizers that
may be designated by the General President. Local Union officers
shall be required to participate in any training program established
by the United Brotherhood for the Local Union officer position they
hold. Council delegates shall be required to participate in any train-
ing program for Council delegates established by the United Broth-

34
erhood. An appointed Business Representative, Assistant Business
Representative, or Organizer shall serve at the discretion of the Dis-
trict, Industrial, or Regional Council. No member may be appointed
to or hold the position of Business Representative, Assistant Busi-
ness Representative or Organizer while receiving a pension under
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Pension Plan.
C The regular terms of elected officers shall be three years in
Local Unions and three or four years in District, Industrial and
Regional Councils, or until their successors are elected, qualified and
installed.
D A member cannot hold office or the position of Delegate or a
Committee position, or be nominated for office, Delegate or a Com-
mittee position, if receiving a pension under the United Brotherhood
of Carpenters Pension Plan, or unless present at the time of nomina-
tion, except that the member is in the anteroom on authorized busi-
ness or out on official business, or prevented by accident, sickness,
or other substantial reason accepted by the Local Union or Council
from being present; nor shall the member be eligible unless working
for a livelihood in a classification within the trade autonomy of the
United Brotherhood as defined in Section 7 or in employment which
qualifies him or her for membership, or is depending on the trade
for a livelihood, or is employed by the organization as a full-time
officer or representative; provided, further, that members who are
life members shall not be eligible. A member must have been twelve
(12) consecutive months a member in good standing immediately
prior to nomination in the Local Union and a member of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America for two consecu-
tive years immediately prior to nomination, unless the Local Union
has not been in existence the time herein required, and must remain
a member in good standing at all times in order to remain in the
position to which he is elected or appointed. A member who retires
after being elected may complete the term for which elected unless
receiving a pension under the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
Pension Plan. Contracting members are not eligible to be nominated

35
for or hold an officer, delegate, or Committee position, nor shall a
member who has been a contracting member until six months have
elapsed following notification by the member to his or her Local
Union in writing that he or she has ceased contracting.
E Nomination of officers and delegates of Local Unions shall take
place in May and the election shall take place in June. All members
shall be notified by mail of the time, date and place of the nomi-
nating meeting and of the election, and the notice(s) shall specify
all offices to be filled. Notice shall be by letter or postcard, or by a
notice conspicuously placed on the front page of the union news-
letter or newspaper, and must be sent to the members’ last known
address as reported to the Recording Secretary under Section 44F.
Notice in newspapers or similar publications shall not constitute
proper notice, but may be used as a supplementary notice. Members
shall receive not less than fifteen days’ notice of nominations and
elections, and where a combined notice is used it shall be mailed
not less than thirty days prior to the date of the election. Notices of
nomination and election shall be mailed not more than sixty (60)
days prior to the date of such nominations and/or election. Where
District Council officers are to be elected by delegates to the Council
in any year in which the affiliated Local Unions hold regular election
of such delegates, the election of District Council officers shall be by
the incoming delegates and not by the outgoing delegates. In Local
Unions that are not affiliated with a District, Regional or Industrial
Council, if Business Representatives or Assistant Business Repre-
sentatives are elected, their qualifications, nomination, and election
shall be governed by the provisions of this section and the same rules
which apply to Local Union officers shall apply to such Business
Representatives.
F The election of officers and delegates shall be by secret ballot.
Ballots shall be prepared in advance listing the names of all can-
didates nominated for election. The nominees receiving a plurality
of votes shall be declared elected. Write-in votes shall neither be
authorized nor permitted in the election of Officers or delegates in

36
any Local Union, District, Industrial, Regional, State or Provincial
Council.
G All Local Union elections shall be conducted by an Election
Committee appointed by the President of the Local Union. For
Council elections, all elections shall be conducted by an Election
Committee appointed by the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the
Council, or by the President of the Council if no Executive Secretary-
Treasurer position exists or if such position is vacant. No nominee
for office or nominee for delegate shall be eligible to serve on such
Committee. To be eligible to nominate a member for a Local Union
officer, delegate or Committee position, a member must be a mem-
ber in good standing of the Local Union at the time of nominations.
The Financial Secretary shall be available with all necessary records
to establish eligibility of members to be nominated for and to hold
office and to vote in any election. For purposes of determining the
eligibility of members to be nominated for and to hold office and to
vote in any election, the UBC membership processing system shall
be used to determine whether the length of membership and mem-
bership in good standing requirements have been met, along with
other relevant information. If more than one polling place is used, a
list of eligible members shall be available at each location. The Elec-
tion Committee shall tabulate the vote and report to the Local Union
or Council. The Chairperson of the Election Committee shall declare
the result of the balloting and announce the name of the elected can-
didate. In the event of a tie between two candidates, the tie shall be
broken by a coin toss. In the event of a tie between more than two
candidates, the tie shall be broken by a runoff election. If the runoff
election is conducted on the same date as the original election, the
notice of the election must have so indicated. When voting machines
are used the Tellers shall examine the machines before the start of
the voting to see that they are properly set. A candidate, or his or her
observer, may also examine the machines in conjunction with the
Tellers. After the polls have closed the Tellers shall review the result
of the election, fill out and sign the teller sheets giving the names of
the candidates and total vote each received, which sheet shall be held

37
in safe-keeping by the Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary
shall preserve all ballots used and unused and all records pertaining
to the election for one year following the date of the election.
H Where required or permitted by law, a qualified candidate for
office shall be permitted to examine the membership list contain-
ing the names and addresses of all the members once within thirty
days prior to the election, and a Local Union or Council shall honor
reasonable requests from candidates to have their campaign litera-
ture mailed by the Union at the candidates’ expense. A candidate for
office may designate a member in good standing as an observer at
the poll and tabulation of the ballots. More than one observer may
be appointed by each candidate as needed to adequately observe the
polls and tabulation. Observers must be members in good standing.
The Election Committee shall determine the number of observers
permitted in each election.
I The installation of Local Union officers shall take place on the
first meeting in July. In case an officer does not appear for instal-
lation within two regular meetings thereafter, the office must be
declared vacant. All Local Unions and Councils shall provide the
United Brotherhood an accurate and current listing of their officers,
Council delegates, organizers, and representatives immediately fol-
lowing their election or appointment by entering such information
on the UBC membership processing system. Any interim changes
shall be entered on the UBC membership processing system imme-
diately following such changes.
J A Local Union or Council may adopt a Bylaw providing that an
officer or representative duly nominated and elected in accordance
with the Constitution and Laws shall, by virtue of his or her office,
be a delegate to a General Convention of the United Brotherhood or
any other subordinate body with which the Local Union or Council
is affiliated. The notices of nominations and election, and the ballot,
must advise the members that the candidate elected to the office or
position will be a delegate to the General Convention of the United
Brotherhood or other subordinate body.
38
VACANCIES IN LOCAL AND COUNCIL OFFICES
A Section 32. If any officer shall fail to discharge the duties of the
office for three successive meetings, without satisfactory excuse, the
office shall be declared vacant by the President. This provision shall
also apply to the position of Business Representatives and delegates.
Failure to attend a regular or special called meeting without satisfac-
tory excuse shall constitute failure to discharge duties of the office at
that meeting.
B When vacancies occur in any elective office of a Local Union
or in the position of delegate to a Council from a Local Union, the
President of the Local Union may appoint a qualified member to a
fill the vacancy pro tem, until such time as an election is held to fill
the vacancy. When a vacancy occurs in any elective office of a Coun-
cil, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Council may appoint a
qualified member to fill the vacancy pro tem, until such time as an
election is held to fill the vacancy. If no Executive Secretary-Trea-
surer position exists or such position is vacant, the President of the
Council may make such pro-tem appointment.
C Any officer or Business Representative may be removed after
due trial upon charges preferred in conformity with Sections 51 and
52 of the Constitution and Laws.
D In the absence of both the President and the Vice President, the
Recording Secretary shall call the meeting to order and those present
shall elect a President pro tem.
E Any Local Union or District Council Officer, elected Business
Representative, Delegate or committee member, who applies for
and is issued a Transfer Card from his Local Union shall be deemed
thereby to have resigned his office or position.

DUTIES OF PRESIDENT OF LOCAL UNION

A Section 33. The President shall preside at all meetings, preserve
order and enforce the Constitution and Laws of the United Brother-
hood; shall decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the
Local Union. The President shall determine all questions of eligibil-
39
ity for office, subject to an appeal to the General President under
Section 53G. The President shall have the deciding vote in case of a
tie, except in cases of a secret ballot vote.
B The President shall appoint all committees or such other offi-
cers as may be necessary, unless otherwise ordered, and shall have
the power to order the Recording Secretary to call special meetings
when requested in writing by five members in good standing, see
that bonds are procured for officers and shall perform such other
duties as are required by the office. Members must be notified of
special meetings in writing sent to their last known address and stat-
ing the date, time and place of the meeting and the business to be
transacted. No business not stated in the notice shall be transacted.
Special meetings may be held in conjunction with regular meetings.
C Any member entering the meeting in a state of intoxication or
who disturbs the harmony thereof, or uses profane or unbecoming
language during the meeting shall be admonished by the Chair. If
the member again offends, he or she shall be admonished again; and
for the next offense may be excluded from the room. The fact that a
member is admonished or excluded from the room under this Sec-
tion shall not constitute a bar to the filing and processing of charges
against the member based on his or her conduct at the meeting. A
visiting member shall be subject to these Laws. The Chairperson
shall strictly enforce this Section.

DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL UNION

Section 34. The Vice President shall assist the President in the
discharge of the official duties and shall perform the duties of Presi-
dent in the event of the absence of the President. In the event of the
death, removal or resignation of the President, the Vice President shall
fill the office of President, until such time as a President is elected.

DUTIES OF RECORDING SECRETARY OF LOCAL UNION

A Section 35. The Recording Secretary shall keep the correct
minutes of each meeting, read and preserve all documents and cor-

40
respondence, issue all summons for special meetings, have charge
of seal and affix the same on all official documents, and conduct
all official correspondence. Minutes of meetings shall be safely pre-
served as a permanent record of the Local Union, in a form approved
by the General Office.
B The Recording Secretary shall report to the Local Union the
expenditures at the close of each meeting and perform such other
duties as the Local Union may direct, or as prescribed in the Consti-
tution and Laws of the United Brotherhood.
C The Recording Secretary, when properly instructed, shall notify
all members of the Local Union to present their Dues Books to the
Trustees during the first month of each quarter for the purpose of
comparing them with the books of the Financial Secretary.

DUTIES OF FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF LOCAL UNION

A Section 36. The Financial Secretary shall receive all moneys
paid into the Local Union and ensure that such moneys are entered
on the UBC membership processing system and shall without undue
delay see that same is deposited either by paying same to the Trea-
surer who shall give a receipt for money received, or by directly
depositing same in the Local Union’s name in such bank or banks
as may be designated by the Local Union. The Financial Secretary
shall keep a record of all applications for membership and a correct
account of each member, with full name and address, on the UBC
membership processing system. The Financial Secretary shall ensure
that the names and addresses of all new officers are entered into the
UBC membership processing system, with the correct beginning and
ending dates for terms of office, and that such information is kept up
to date.
B The Financial Secretary shall enter and date each payment on
the member’s Dues Book, if applicable, and sign the same, and shall
record all receipts on the UBC membership processing system and
report same to the Local Union.

41
C The Financial Secretary shall report to the Local Union as to
the numerical and financial standing of the Local Union for the pre-
ceding month at a membership meeting of the Local Union on a
monthly basis and shall be bonded as required by the Constitution
and Laws of the United Brotherhood.
D Local Unions having an established business office shall have
the power, by regularly passed motion, to designate the books and
other property to be kept at the office, and to delegate such duties
to the Financial Secretary as may be deemed expedient for proper
transaction of its business. Where no established business office is
maintained, the Financial Secretary and other officers shall securely
maintain, on the Local Union’s behalf, any records or other property
that may be in their possession, and shall make such records and other
property available to authorized officers and representatives upon
request.
E The Financial Secretary shall have full control of all supplies,
and shall issue the same, subject to orders of the Local Union.
F The Financial Secretary shall ensure that the per capita tax is
promptly sent to the General Secretary-Treasurer each month for the
month preceding, together with the portion of initiation fees payable
to the United Brotherhood.

DUTIES OF TREASURER OF LOCAL UNION

A Section 37. The Treasurer shall receive from the Financial Sec-
retary all moneys collected and give receipt for and deposit same
in the name of the Local Union in such bank or banks as may be
designated by the Local Union. The Treasurer shall make no dis-
bursement without the sanction of the Local Union. All checks of
a Local Union must be signed by two or more officers of the Local
Union. The Executive Committee of the Local Union shall designate
which officers shall have authority to sign checks on behalf of the
Local Union, except that the Trustees of a Local Union shall not be
permitted to sign checks of a Local Union.

42
B The Treasurer shall make an itemized statement the first meet-
ing of each quarter for the preceding quarter, to the Local Union, of
all moneys received and paid out, and submit books and vouchers
for inspection at any time when called upon, and perform such other
duties as the Local Union may require.
C All moneys shall be payable by check, money order, electronic
transfer, or other form of payment as authorized by the General
Secretary-Treasurer. If a disbursement is made by a Local Union
by electronic transfer, in addition to any necessary approval of the
membership required under Section 54, the disbursement by elec-
tronic transfer must be approved, in writing, by two officers of the
Local Union prior to the disbursement and be in compliance with
any additional requirements established by the General Secretary-
Treasurer for payments by electronic transfer.
D The Treasurer shall be bonded as required by the Constitution
and Laws of the United Brotherhood.

DUTIES OF CONDUCTOR OF LOCAL UNION

Section 38. In the case of those Locals which desire to use the
additional oral initiation ceremony, the Conductor shall obtain the
names of all candidates awaiting initiation and report the same to
the President and shall conduct the candidate through the initiation
ceremony, and shall perform all duties pertaining to the office, and
shall be furnished an assistant when necessary.

DUTIES OF WARDEN OF LOCAL UNION

Section 39. The Warden shall take charge of the doors at the
meeting and see that no one but members shall enter.
DUTIES OF TRUSTEES OF LOCAL UNION
A Section 40. The Trustees shall have the supervision of all funds
and properties of the Local Union, subject to such instructions as they
receive from time to time from the Local Union. The title to all prop-

43
erty of the Local Union shall be held in the name of the Trustees of
the Local Union and/or their successors in office or in the name of
the Local Union. If that property is not directly held by the Local
Union, but instead by an entity such as a corporation, the officers of
that entity shall be officers of the Local Union and/or their successors
sufficient enough to control the Local Union’s interest in the property.
In the event that real property is held by a Local Union through a
building corporation or other entity that is wholly owned by the Local
Union, the officers of such corporation or entity shall consist solely
of current officers of the Local Union who shall be officers of the
corporation or entity by virtue of their Local Union officer positions.
B It shall be the duty of the Trustees to see that the Treasurer or
Financial Secretary deposits all moneys received in such bank(s) as
the Local Union designates. The Trustees shall see that the Record-
ing Secretary of the Local Union notifies the bank(s) of the names
of the officers duly authorized to sign checks for withdrawals on the
account, and that all disbursements are made by check, money order,
electronic transfer, or other form of payment as authorized by the
General Secretary-Treasurer, except that a petty cash fund for either
the Financial Secretary or the Treasurer is permitted. If a disburse-
ment is made by a Local Union by electronic transfer, in addition to
any necessary approval of the membership required under Section
54, the disbursement by electronic transfer must be approved, in
writing, by two officers of the Local Union prior to the disbursement
and be in compliance with any additional requirements established by
the General Secretary-Treasurer for payments by electronic transfer.
C The Trustees shall audit all books and accounts of the Financial
Secretary and the Treasurer, audit all receipts and accounts of any
other person authorized to collect funds, examine the bank book(s)
monthly, and shall report to the Local Union monthly in writing, and
annually to General Secretary-Treasurer on Bond Report Forms sup-
plied from the General Office; and shall perform such other duties as
are provided for in the Constitution and Laws of the United Brother-
hood or as the Local Union may direct. Local Unions having annual
44
receipts amounting to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) or more
from all sources shall engage a certified or registered public accoun-
tant for periodic audits, but not less than once a year. Such audits
shall be examined by the Trustees for comparison with the Trustees’
Audits and the Trustees shall report their conclusions in writing to
the Local Union. If a Local Union is affiliated with a Council, the
audit report of the certified or registered public accountant shall be
provided to the Council annually.

DUTIES OF COMMITTEES OF LOCAL UNION

A Section 41. All Committees shall perform the duties assigned to
them within the time specified, and shall report in writing. Eligibility
to serve on a Committee is governed by Section 31D, and no per-
son shall be exempt from serving on a committee when called upon,
except the Recording and Financial Secretaries, unless excused by
vote of the Local Union, or who is already a member of some other
committee.
B The first person named on a committee shall chair the commit-
tee until another is chosen by the committee.
C Any committee member who neglects or fails to perform any
duty required by the Constitution and Laws of the United Brother-
hood may be removed by the President, with the exception of mem-
bers of the Executive Committee.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

A Section 42. Members admitted before January 1, 1994 and
before reaching age 60 shall be covered by Donation Schedule 1
or Donation Schedule 2 and may be eligible for a funeral donation
under the provisions of Section 48. Members admitted on or after
January 1, 1994 shall not be covered by Donation Schedule 1 or 2
and shall not be eligible for any funeral donation provided in the
Constitution.
B Members in good standing who, on or after January 1, 1987
have or attain 50 years of continuous membership in the United
45
Brotherhood shall not be required to pay dues to any Local Union
and the Local Union in which they hold membership shall not be
required to pay per capita tax with respect to them to the United
Brotherhood. Such members shall, nevertheless, retain all rights
and privileges as well as other obligations of membership, and shall
pay working dues while working in the jurisdiction of any Local
Union or District Council that has established such working dues,
work fees or supplemental working dues pursuant to Section 45C.
C A candidate to be admitted to membership in any Local Union
of the United Brotherhood must not be less than seventeen (17).
D A candidate must be of good moral character and competent to
command standard wages. Candidates shall not be denied the right
to membership because of their particular sex, race, color, creed or
national origin.
E A candidate for membership cannot join any Local Union other
than the one in the district in which the candidate is employed unless
permission is granted by the Local Union or District, Regional, or
Industrial Council where employed.
F A member who has been expelled from any Local Union or by
a District, Regional or Industrial Council of the United Brotherhood
shall not be eligible for membership in any other Local Union with-
out consent of the Local Union or District, Regional or Industrial
Council, and only then by a majority vote of the members present
at a meeting of the Local Union or District, Regional or Industrial
Council from which the member was expelled.
G Any member incapacitated by age or accident may be permit-
ted to obtain employment at less than the regular scale of wages
with the consent of the union by obtaining a Privilege Card from the
District, Industrial, or Regional Council or the Local Union where
no such Council exists.
H Members who contract work or become supervisors must com-
ply with the Constitution and Laws of the United Brotherhood.

46
I No member of the United Brotherhood can remain in or become
a member of more than one Local Union, or any other organization
of carpenters and joiners, or any mixed union of building trades
workers, or any organization whose jurisdictional claims overlap
or infringe upon those of the United Brotherhood, under penalty of
expulsion. Any member who accepts employment under nonunion
conditions during the time of a strike or lockout, or being employed
as an armed guard during a strike or lockout, shall not be entitled to
any donations. If a member is accused of holding membership con-
trary to this Section, the Executive Committee of the Local Union
or District, Industrial or Regional Council shall give the member
due notice of the charge, shall afford the accused a hearing and a
full opportunity to present a defense. If after hearing the Executive
Committee finds that the member holds membership contrary to
this Section, the member shall be permitted thirty days in which
to resign or withdraw from any conflicting membership and to so
notify the Executive Committee. If the member fails to do so, his or
her membership shall be revoked.
J No member of a Local Union shall be eligible to vote for Offi-
cers or Delegates unless such member has been at least 12 consecu-
tive months a member of the Local Union and is in good standing in
the Local Union at the time of voting, except where the Local Union
has not been in existence the time here required. Retired members
not working at or depending on the trade for a livelihood shall not
be entitled to vote on trade movements affecting wages or working
conditions or on ratifications of contracts. For purposes of deter-
mining eligibility to vote, the UBC membership processing system
shall be used, along with other relevant information. The method
of contract ratification, which may include a vote of the member-
ship, shall be decided by the Regional, Industrial or District Council
where such a Council exists or by the Local Union if such Local
Union is not affiliated with a Regional, Industrial, or District Coun-
cil and is not mandated by the Constitution and Laws.

47
APPRENTICESHIP
A Section 43. The United Brotherhood may establish Standards
for apprenticeship and training programs, including skill upgrading,
covering trades and industries within the United Brotherhood’s juris-
diction. Where such Standards have been established, it shall be the
responsibility of District Councils or Regional Councils, or of Local
Unions where no District or Regional Council exists, to develop and
implement programs complying with the Standards and approved
by the United Brotherhood. A graduate of an approved apprentice-
ship program shall be recognized within the United Brotherhood as
a journeyman at his or her trade.
B Individuals participating in approved apprenticeship and skill
training programs may be admitted to membership in the United
Brotherhood prior to attaining journeyman certification, at the fol-
lowing reduced initiation fees: the initiation fee before attaining
second year apprenticeship status shall be 20 per cent of the journey-
man fee; when admitted as a second year apprentice, 40 per cent
of the journeyman fee; when admitted as a third year apprentice,
60 per cent of the journeyman fee; and when admitted as a fourth
year apprentice, 80 per cent of the journeyman fee. Participants in
apprenticeship and training programs shall be subject to the lawful
agreements, conditions and procedures required by the Council or
Local maintaining the program. Participants in approved appren-
ticeship and skill training programs who are members of the United
Brotherhood shall comply with all lawful agreements, conditions,
rules, and procedures of an apprenticeship program maintained by
a Council or Local. Any member who violates this rule may be sub-
ject to a fine, suspension or expulsion after due notice of the charge,
opportunity to defend, and hearing.
C Each Regional and District Council, and each Local Union that
is not affiliated with a Regional or District Council, shall contrib-
ute 10 cents ($.10) per hour worked to the Carpenters International
Training Fund (“Training Fund”) for each employee working in con-
struction under a collective bargaining agreement of the District or

48
Regional Council or Local Union that does not provide for contribu-
tions to the Training Fund. In the event that a collective bargaining
agreement of a Regional or District Council or Local Union that is
not affiliated with a District or Regional Council provides for contri-
butions to the Training Fund and the required contribution for each
employee working under the agreement in construction is less than
10 cents ($.10) per hour worked, the Regional or District Council or
Local Union shall contribute to the Training Fund an amount equal
to the difference between 10 cents ($.10) and the amount of the per
hour contribution provided for in the collective bargaining agreement
for each hour worked under the agreement by an employee working
in construction. Payments made to the Training Fund pursuant to
this provision shall be due by no later than the first day of the third
month following the month in which the work was performed. Con-
tributions to the Training Fund pursuant to this provision shall be a
standing appropriation and shall not require the vote of the Local
or Council. The General Executive Board is authorized to reduce
the amount of contributions payable by any Local Union or Council
pursuant to this section in the event that the Board determines, in its
sole discretion, that a reduction is warranted. This provision shall be
effective as of July 1, 2011.

ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
A Section 44. The General President shall authorize the use of a
Membership Application form containing the Obligation. Where an
applicant signs such an application, and makes a payment, thereby
becoming bound by the Obligation, action of the investigating
committee or approval of the membership shall not be required for
admission to membership. A candidate qualified and who desires
to become a member of any local union of the United Brotherhood
must fill out and sign the regular application. The Financial Secretary
shall forward completed membership applications to the General
Secretary-Treasurer and shall enter the names and addresses of all
applicants and new members into the UBC membership processing
system.
49
B The application of the candidate must be presented to the Finan-
cial Secretary, with the full initiation fee, which (except for appren-
tices) shall be not less than Forty Dollars ($40.00) for individuals
who work in construction and not less than Twenty-Five Dollars
($25.00) for individuals who do not work in construction, and a sum
equal to the current month’s dues. An applicant may be permitted to
pay the initiation fee in installments over a period not to exceed 90
days. In such cases the applicant shall deposit dues for each month
commencing with the month of application. When the applicant is
accepted into membership his or her membership shall date from
the day of application. If an applicant fails to complete payment of
the initiation fee within 90 days (or such period not to exceed an
additional period of 60 days which may be granted by the Local
Union for good cause), the applicant shall forfeit all amounts paid
for dues or initiation fees and can only join by filing a new applica-
tion to be processed in accordance with this Section. The initiation
fee and dues paid shall be retained by the Local Union or District or
Regional Council, except for per capita to the United Brotherhood
for all months for which dues were deposited whether or not the
applicant becomes a member. Applicants for membership permitted
to pay the initiation fee in installments shall not be eligible to trans-
fer until six (6) months after completing all installment payments.
While an applicant he or she shall not be eligible to transfer.
C The new member shall be supplied with a Dues Book, or the
equivalent, and a copy of the Constitution and Laws of the United
Brotherhood and Bylaws and Working Rules of the District. Local
Unions using check-offs are not required to issue dues books, except
when a transfer is granted under Section 46, or as otherwise needed.
D Each member will be entitled to all the rights and privileges of this
Brotherhood as prescribed in the Constitution and Laws of the United
Brotherhood by strictly adhering to the Obligation as prescribed.
Obligation
I do, of my own free will and accord, solemnly and sincerely
promise–on –my sacred honor–that I will never reveal–by word

50
 or deed–any of the business of this United Brotherhood–unless
legally authorized to do so. I promise to abide by the Constitution
and Laws–and the will of the majority–observe the By Laws and
Trade Rules–established by Local Unions and Councils–affiliated
with the United Brotherhood–and that I will use every honorable
means–to procure employment for brother and sister members.
I agree that I will ask for the Union Label–and purchase union
made goods–and employ only union labor–when same can be had.
And I further agree that–if at any time it should be discovered–
that I have made any misstatements–as to my qualifications for
membership–I shall be forever debarred from membership–and
donations in this order. I pledge myself to be obedient to author-
ity–orderly in the meetings–respectful in words and actions–and
charitable in judgement of my brother and sister members. To all
of this I promise and pledge–my most sacred word and honor–to
observe and keep–and the same to bind me–as long as I remain
a member of this Brotherhood. And I further affirm and declare–
that I am not now affiliated with–and never will join or give aid–
comfort–or support to any organization that tries to disrupt any
Local Union–District Council–Regional Council–State or Pro-
vincial Council or the International Body–of the United Brother-
hood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
E Members in good standing may visit any Local Union.
F Each member is required to keep the Recording Secretary and
Financial Secretary properly notified of correct place of residence
and any change of same, and shall be assessed administrative costs
of One Dollar ($1.00) if this information is not kept current.
G A member can remain a contractor or enter into the business of
contracting, provided the member becomes signatory to and com-
plies with the United Brotherhood collective bargaining agreement
covering his work, obeys trade rules and complies with the Constitu-
tion and Laws of the United Brotherhood. Any violation of this rule
shall be punished after due trial by a fine or expulsion. A contracting
member shall not be eligible as an officer, business representative,
51
or delegate of a Local Union or eligible to vote for officers, business
representative(s), and delegates and shall not be eligible to vote on
the wage question.
H An ex-member desiring to rejoin the United Brotherhood may
be readmitted only as a new member, subject to such readmission fee
as provided for in the Bylaws of the Local Union or Council where
application for membership is made. The Local Union or Council
readmitting the ex-member shall ascertain the reason he or she was
dropped from membership and if dropped for nonpayment of dues,
shall collect an additional sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00). Also if
said ex-member owed any fines or assessments at the time of being
dropped from membership in the Brotherhood, the Local Union or
Council readmitting such ex-member shall collect the amount of the
indebtedness and forward it to the Local Union or to the Council to
which it is due. If an ex-member does not pay any such indebtedness,
the ex-member may not be accepted for readmission unless dispensa-
tion is granted by the General President. An ex-member desiring to
rejoin a Local Union in the same subdivision of the trade in which he
previously held membership shall not be required to take an examina-
tion with respect to his qualifications in that subdivision of the trade.
I The General Executive Board shall have the power to set the
maximum initiation fee for all Local Unions and District Councils.
Special dispensation to lower the initiation fee may be granted by
the General President for organizing purposes by written request for
periods up to twelve months and same may be renewed.

FINANCES AND DUES

A Section 45. The minimum dues in all Local Unions shall be
established in an amount not less than Fifteen Dollars and Eighty
Cents ($15.80) per month for Schedule 1 Local Unions and Thir-
teen Dollars and Ninety Cents ($13.90) per month for Schedule 2
Local Unions, to be paid by all members. The minimum dues shall
be increased by the amount by which the per capita tax provided in
Section 45D, E or F is increased by action of any Convention of the

52
United Brotherhood, as of the effective date of any such increase in
per capita tax. Whenever, in the judgment of the General President,
the dues established by any Local Union or per capita tax by a Dis-
trict Council appear inadequate to enable the Local Union or District
Council to function properly and in accordance with the Constitution
and Laws of the United Brotherhood, the General President shall
have the authority to make a survey of the finances of such Local
Union or District Council. Upon completion of the survey the Gen-
eral President shall submit a report to the General Executive Board.
The General Executive Board is authorized and empowered upon
the basis of the survey to establish the proper amount of such dues.
The General Executive Board is also authorized and empowered to
establish a minimum fee to be paid by each member for a working
card. The amount of monthly dues payable by each member to his or
her Local Union shall be increased by the amount by which the per
capita tax provided in Section 45D, E or F is increased by action of
any Convention of the United Brotherhood, as of the effective date
of any such increase in per capita tax. When a Local Union raises its
dues, initiation fee or levies an assessment, a secret ballot vote shall
be taken at a special or called meeting. All members shall be notified
by mail of time, place, and purpose of the vote. All members in good
standing shall be eligible to vote. All assessments must be approved
by the General President.
B Monthly dues are due on the first day of each month, but a
member does not fall in arrears until the last day of the month in
which the member owes three months’ dues. No officer or mem-
ber shall be exempt from paying dues or assessments, nor shall the
same be remitted or canceled in any manner. Credit for payment of
any month’s dues will not be granted based on partial payments but
only on full payment of that month’s dues. All non-checkoff monthly
dues shall be considered paid on the date that payment is received at
the Local Union.
C Any Local Union, District Council or Regional Council may
establish working dues, dues checkoff, supplemental work dues or

53
work fees payable to the Local Union or Council by members work-
ing in its jurisdiction. If a member who owes such dues or fees fails
to pay them as provided by the Local Union, District Council, or
Regional Council, such dues or fees shall be charged to the member
by the Financial Secretary by notice in writing that same must be
paid within 30 days to entitle the member to any privilege, rights or
donations. If the member does not make payment of arrears within
the time prescribed, the member shall not be in good standing and
he or she shall be notified in writing by the Financial Secretary that
unless the amount owing is paid within thirty (30) days thereafter his
or her name shall be stricken from membership. Notices shall be sent
to the last known address of the member as reported by the member
to the Local Union. In cases of such assessments, working dues or
fees owed to a District or Regional Council, notice to the member
by the District or Regional Council shall satisfy the requirements of
this Section. No officer or Business Representative, and no mem-
ber receiving benefits of a collective bargaining agreement, shall be
exempted from paying dues or fees established pursuant to this Sec-
tion, nor shall the same be remitted or canceled in any manner.
D Each Local Union shall pay to the General Secretary-Treasurer
Forty Dollars ($40.00) on each new member admitted (except first
year apprentices) who works in construction, and except as provided
in Section 50, Eleven Dollars ($11.00) per month for each member
in good standing working in construction and each non-member
working in construction for whom an agency shop or similar fee is
received. All such revenue shall be used for the general management
of the United Brotherhood.
E Each Local Union shall pay to the General Secretary-Treasurer
Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) on each new member admitted who does
not work in construction, and except as provided in Section 50, Seven
Dollars ($7.00) per month for each member in good standing not work-
ing in construction and each non-member not working in construction
for whom an agency shop or similar fee is received. All such revenue
shall be used for the general management of the United Brotherhood.

54
F Local Unions whose members were classified as Benefit
Schedule 1 members as of December 31, 1993 shall be subject to
the per capita rates set forth in Section 45D on January 1, 1994 and
thereafter. Local Unions whose members were classified as Benefit
Schedule 2 members as of December 31, 1993 shall be subject to
the per capita rates set forth in Section 45E on January 1, 1994 and
thereafter. Local Unions having members who, prior to January 1,
1994, received the United Brotherhood disability donation or joined
at age 60 or older, shall pay Six Dollars and Ten Cents ($6.10) per
month effective January 1, 1996, for each such member to be used in
the general management of the United Brotherhood, and each such
member who received a disability donation prior to January 1, 1994
shall pay the minimum dues set forth in Section 45A, unless eli-
gible for reduced dues under Section 50. No exception shall be made
except upon written approval of the General President.
G The per capita tax shall be held as a standing appropriation. An
order for the same shall be signed by the President and Recording
Secretary without requiring a vote of the Local Union. Per capita
tax includes the amounts prescribed under Sections 45D, 45E, 45F
and 50 for all members, applicants on applicant billing, persons for
whom an agency shop or similar fee is received, and members on
reduced dues as provided in Section 50. United Brotherhood of Car-
penters and Joiners of America Pension Plan contributions required
under Section 59 shall also be a standing appropriation.
H The term “general management of the United Brotherhood” as
used in Sections 45D, 45E, 45F and 50 shall include the establishment
and maintenance of a Defense Fund. The General Executive Board is
authorized to establish and maintain such a Defense Fund, to allocate
a portion of the assets of the United Brotherhood to establish such
a Fund and to allocate a portion of the per capita tax of the United
Brotherhood to the maintenance of such a Defense Fund. The alloca-
tion of the per capita tax to the Defense Fund may be increased or
decreased from time to time as determined by the General Executive
Board. The Defense Fund shall be established and maintained for the

55
purpose of enabling the United Brotherhood to combat the forces
at work throughout our jurisdiction which seek to destroy or limit
the United Brotherhood and its subordinate bodies in achieving our
legal aims of protecting the rights of its members and prospective
members and in carrying out the objects and principles of the orga-
nization.
I A member who owes three months’ dues shall be automatically
reported as in arrears on the UBC membership processing system
on the last day of the third month and per capita tax deducted only
for the third month. When the member pays dues to keep within the
six months’ limit, but does not square the current month, starting
with the third month of his or her arrearages or any month thereaf-
ter, arrears tax will be charged for the dues paid for that month or
months. When the member squares his or her arrearage by paying
all back dues and the current month’s dues, per capita tax for the
unpaid months will be charged.
J It is the duty of the members of a Local Union to see that the
per capita tax of the Local Union is promptly paid. Therefore, when
a Local Union is three months in arrears to the United Brotherhood
or to a District Council in payment of per capita tax, the General
President may suspend payment of all donations to the Local Union
or its members, and such Local Union shall not be entitled to repre-
sentation in a District, State or Provincial Council or other chartered
body of the United Brotherhood. When a Local Union is six months
in arrears to the United Brotherhood or to a District, Industrial, or
Regional Council in payment of per capita tax, its charter may be
revoked by the General President. The Local Union shall be so noti-
fied and shall, upon notice by the General President, cease to exist
and shall return its charter to the General Secretary-Treasurer, and
the Local Union and its members shall comply with the provisions
of Section 30. The General President may grant dispensation for
the Local Union to continue to operate provided it agrees to and
complies with arrangements established by the United Brotherhood
for payment of arrearages.
56
K A member who owes the Local Union two months’ dues shall be
notified by mail, in an Address Correction Requested envelope, at last
known address by the Financial Secretary, not later than the fifteenth
(15th) day of the second month that such dues are late and that pay-
ment should be made immediately. A member who owes the Local
Union three months’ dues shall be notified by mail, in Address Cor-
rection Requested envelopes, at last known address by the Financial
Secretary, not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month of
said delinquency, that if said arrearages are not paid before the last day
of the third month that the member will no longer be in good stand-
ing, will not be entitled to vote on union matters, will not be entitled
to the Password, or a seat, or office in any meetings of any Local
Union or Council, and will be suspended from benefits of funeral
donation, until the member squares up entirely all of the indebtedness
(including dues for the month in which the member squares up the
arrearages). Such member shall further be notified that he or she will
not be entitled to any donations during the time of such arrearages or
for a three-month period from the date of squaring all arrearages.
L A member who owes three months’ dues or who has not squared
his or her arrearage in full shall not be entitled to a seat, or office in
any meetings of a Local Union or Council and is not in good stand-
ing and is not entitled to vote.
M A member who owes a Local Union five months’ dues shall be
notified by mail, in Address Correction Requested envelopes, at the
last known address by the Financial Secretary not later than the 15th
day of the sixth month of said arrearage. Unless dues are paid by the
end of the sixth month, the member’s name shall be stricken from
the list of membership without a vote of the Local Union.
N Local Unions may impose an assessment not to exceed Five
Dollars ($5.00) for each notice mailed pursuant to the requirements
of Paragraphs K and M, above, to be paid by the member to whom
such notice is sent.
O All fines imposed and assessments legally levied including
strike assessments, and working dues, dues checkoff, supplemental
57
work dues or work fees duly established under Section 45C, shall be
charged by the Financial Secretary to the member from whom due,
and the member shall be notified in writing that same must be paid
within thirty (30) days to entitle the member to any privilege, rights
or donations. If the member does not make payment within the time
prescribed, the member shall not be in good standing and he or she
shall be notified in writing by the Financial Secretary that unless the
amount owing is paid within thirty (30) days thereafter his or her name
shall be stricken from membership, except in case of a fine where an
appeal is pending. Notices shall be sent to the last known address of
the member as reported by the member to the Local Union. In cases of
fines, assessments or such dues or fees owed to a District, Industrial or
Regional Council, notice to the member by the District, Industrial or
Regional Council shall satisfy the requirements of this Section.
P It shall be the duty of a member’s home Local Union to promptly
charge and collect, in accordance with the provisions of Sections
45C and 45O, all fines imposed and assessments legally levied, and
all dues and fees imposed under Section 45C, against such member
by any other Local Union, District Council, Industrial Council, or
Regional Council, upon written request of such other Local Union
or Council, and to forward same to the Local Union or Council to
which the amount is owed. If a Local Union fails to comply with this
duty the General President may suspend payment of all donations to
the Local Union or its members.
Q A member who owes a fine or assessment may continue to pay
dues unless and until stricken from membership under Section 45O.
R Effective July 1, 2011, all District and Regional Councils and
Local Unions that are not affiliated with a Council shall pay a per
capita tax to the General Secretary-Treasurer equal to Five Cents
($.05) for each hour worked by members of the United Brotherhood
in construction under a collective bargaining agreement within the
jurisdiction of the Council or unaffiliated Local, as applicable, per
month. Such per capita tax shall be paid to the General Secretary-
Treasurer for each month beginning with July of 2011 by the first
day of the third month following the month in which the work was
58
performed. This per capita tax shall be held as a standing appropria-
tion and shall not require a vote of the Council or the membership of
an unaffiliated Local Union. This per capita tax shall be in addition
to any per capita tax owed by a Local Union that is not affiliated with
a Council pursuant to Sections 45-D, 45-E, 45-F or 50.
TRANSFERS
A Section 46. A member who desires to transfer from one Local
Union to another Local Union must surrender his or her working
card to the Financial Secretary, who shall clear the member for trans-
fer on the UBC membership processing system if such member is
eligible for transfer. Any Local Union or Council may make applica-
tion for a transfer on behalf of a member at the member’s request.
To be qualified to be cleared for transfer, a member must have been
a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of
America for at least six (6) months, be in good standing, and have
paid all monthly dues owed, including the current dues for the
month in which the clearance is to be issued. It shall be compulsory,
except in case of strike or lockout, for the Local Union to clear such
member for transfer, providing the member has no charges pend-
ing and pays all arrearages, together with current month’s dues. All
dues in excess of month of issue shall be refunded to the member or
be refunded upon request to the Local Union accepting transfer. A
member against whom charges are pending and who desires to trans-
fer may be required to deposit a sum not to exceed One Hundred
Dollars ($100.00) in escrow with the District or Regional Council
or Local Union where no District or Regional Council exists. Clear-
ances for transfer shall expire thirty (30) days from date of issue. It
shall be optional with the Local Union or Council to clear a member
for transfer in a jurisdiction where a strike or lockout is in effect. A
member may leave such jurisdiction without a clearance for trans-
fer to seek work in another jurisdiction where no strike or lockout
exists, provided the member presents a statement over the seal of
the Local Union or Council in which membership is held, showing
that a strike or lockout is in effect in said jurisdiction. A District or
Regional Council may by a Bylaw properly adopted and approved
59
restrict the use of transfers among Local Unions within the District
or Regional Council area.
B It is compulsory for the member to report to the office of the
Local Union or District or Regional Council, to request a transfer
into the Local Union before securing work, and comply with all local
laws. And, in no case shall the Financial Secretary accept dues other
than to secure a transfer from a member working in the jurisdiction
of any other Local Union or Council without the consent of such
Local Union or Council. It shall be the duty of the Financial Secre-
tary accepting dues from a member for transfer who is working in
another jurisdiction to immediately report same to the Council or
Local Union where no Council exists.
C A member who desires to work in another jurisdiction and who
does not wish to transfer membership, shall before going to work
notify the Local Union, District Council, or Regional Council in the
jurisdiction where work is secured. The member shall be subject to
any working dues or other charges established in the area pursuant to
Section 45C or 55B. The member shall not be required to pay build-
ing or other assessments payable by members of the Local Union/
District or Regional Council in the jurisdiction in which the work
is secured, unless the General President approves of the application
of such assessment to members from other areas who are working
within the jurisdiction of the Local Union or Council. Such member
will be required to notify the Local Union or Council upon his or
her departure from their jurisdiction. The General Executive Board
may establish procedures to govern Working Permits with respect
to specially trained workers employed by specialty or specialized
contractors who hold agreements with United Brotherhood. Subject
to the approval of the General Executive Board, where the General
President finds it to be in the best interest of the members, locally or
at large, the General President may establish such policies or proce-
dures with respect to Working Permits as the General President may
find to be appropriate.
D No Local Union shall have the right to collect dues again for the
month paid on a member in transfer status. The Local Union clearing
60
the member for transfer shall pay to the General Secretary-Treasurer
the tax for said member for the month only in which the clearance
for transfer is issued, and membership will remain in the Local
Union clearing the member for transfer until the member transfers
into another Local Union. When a Local Union transfers a member
into its Local Union, the member shall be considered, for per capita
tax purposes, a member of the Local Union effective the first day of
the month following the month in which the transfer was issued.
E Any General Officer, while employed by the United Brother-
hood, shall not be required to take a transfer from the Local Union in
which the General Officer holds membership at the time of election
or appointment.
F On entering a Local Union a member who has been cleared
for transfer shall present his or her Dues Book or its equivalent to
the Local Union office. If the clearance for transfer on the UBC
membership processing system and Dues Book are in order, and the
identity of the member established, the member shall be admitted
to the Local Union as a member thereof, provided there is no strike
or lockout in effect in that district, and the membership shall be so
notified at the next regular meeting.
G The Local Union clearing the member for transfer shall refund
to the member all dues in excess of the current month. The Finan-
cial Secretary who transfers the member into the Local Union shall
immediately report the same to the Financial Secretary who cleared
the member for transfer.

RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS
A Section 47. A member can withdraw or sever connection with
the United Brotherhood by submitting a clear and unequivocal res-
ignation in writing to the Local Union. A member who resigns can
only be readmitted as a new member.
B A member in good standing who resigns with current dues paid
may be given an Honorary Resignation Card indicating honorary
withdrawal from the United Brotherhood if the member truthfully

61
affirms in writing that he or she is leaving the industry unless it is
known that the resignation has been submitted for the purpose of
violating Trade Rules. Such card shall be furnished by the General
Secretary-Treasurer on application by the Local Union. Within 24
months of honorary withdrawal, an ex-member who in fact left the
industry may be readmitted to membership without payment of any
initiation fee. If such member pays all back dues for the period of
withdrawal, he or she will maintain the previous initiation date and
as per Section 45K will regain donation status three months after the
date of readmission but time during which the member is on with-
drawal shall not be counted as time in good standing for the purpose
of computing donations. If the member chooses not to pay all back
dues but commences paying dues as of the current month, he or she
will be given a new initiation date as of the date of readmission and
shall be treated as a new member. In either event, voting rights in
accordance with Section 42J will be reestablished upon completion
of 12 months’ consecutive membership in the Local Union follow-
ing readmission, and such member cannot be nominated for or hold
office under the terms of Section 31 until 24 consecutive months
after readmission. The foregoing readmission privilege may not be
used more than once in a 3-year period. When a member resigns,
or is expelled, or an applicant as covered by the Constitution and
Laws of the United Brotherhood, who works to the detriment of the
United Brotherhood, the Local Union, District Council, or Regional
Council may place a special initiation fee against such person, not to
exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00) over their regular initiation fee for new
or ex-members as provided for in their Bylaws.

CONDITIONAL WITHDRAWALS
C A member employed under an industrial agreement (non-
construction member) at time of layoff (involuntary cessation of
employment) whose dues are paid up for the current month may
request conditional withdrawal. If within 24 months the member
reapplies, the member can reactivate his or her membership in the
Local Union in which conditional withdrawal was granted without
62
payment of initiation fee. If at the time the member so reactivates
membership the member pays all back dues, he or she will maintain
the previous initiation date and as per Section 45K will regain dona-
tion status three months after the date of reactivation of membership
at the Local Union level but time during which the member is on
conditional withdrawal will not be counted as time in good stand-
ing for the purpose of computing donations. If the member chooses
not to pay all his or her back dues but commences paying dues as
of the current month, he or she will be given a new initiation date
as of the date of readmission and shall be treated as a new member.
When any member on conditional withdrawal reactivates his or her
membership, voting rights will be reestablished immediately after
reactivating membership but such members cannot hold office or be
nominated for office until 24 consecutive months after reactivation
of membership at the Local Union level and must satisfy the require-
ments of Section 31.

MEMBERS ENTITLED TO FUNERAL DONATIONS

A Section 48. A funeral donation is payable for an eligible mem-
ber, according to the Donation Schedules below. An eligible member
is a person admitted to membership in the United Brotherhood before
January 1, 1994, who was not over sixty (60) years of age at the time
of admission, who dies while in good standing and at least three
months after fully squaring any arrearages in monthly dues, and who
has at least thirty (30) years’ continuous membership under Schedule
1 or 2 at the time of death. Members admitted before January 1, 1994
shall retain the Schedule classification they had as of December 31,
1993 subject to the provisions of Section 25I, provided that members
who work in construction shall not be eligible for Schedule 2 status.
Donation Schedule 1: An eligible member with thirty (30) years’
continuous membership and Schedule 1 status at the time of death,
qualifies for a $1,000 funeral donation.
Donation Schedule 2: An eligible member with thirty (30) years’
continuous membership and Schedule 2 status at the time of death,
qualifies for a $300 funeral donation.

63
B The purpose of the funeral donation is to see that the deceased
member is respectably interred; therefore, on the death of a member
in good standing as defined in Section 45, the donation shall be paid in
the following order of priority: (1) To any person (including the estate
of the deceased member) presenting satisfactory proof that he or she
has paid the funeral bill, in an amount not to exceed the full donation
or the amount of the bill, whichever is the lesser; (2) if no satisfactory
proof, as called for in (1), is received within sixty (60) days after
the member’s death, or if there is a remainder after payment is made
under (1), the full donation, or the remainder, may be paid to (a) the
surviving spouse, if any; (b) if there is no surviving spouse, to one or
more of the surviving children, if any, in amounts to be determined
in the sole discretion of the General Secretary-Treasurer; (c) if there
are no surviving spouse or children to the estate of the deceased. If
it appears to the satisfaction of the General Secretary-Treasurer that
there are insufficient assets of the deceased to warrant opening of an
estate, payment may be made in the sole discretion of the General
Secretary-Treasurer, to the person who has accepted responsibility to
see that the deceased is respectably interred.
C All revenues of the United Brotherhood, including those pro-
vided for payment of Donations under the Constitution, are part of
the United Brotherhood’s assets for the general management of the
union and may be subject to the claims of general creditors of the
United Brotherhood. If claims of general creditors of the United
Brotherhood or other circumstances should require use of such rev-
enues, it could be necessary to reduce or terminate Donation pay-
ments provided for under the Constitution.

APPLICATION FOR DONATIONS

A Section 49. The person applying for donation shall present to
the Local Union concerned a certificate of death, and, if approved
by the Local Union, the same shall be forwarded by the Financial
Secretary to the General Secretary-Treasurer, with the United Broth-
erhood’s donation application form properly completed and with all
other papers required.

64
B All applications for donations with respect to members whose
death occurs prior to January 1, 2006 must be filed with the General
Secretary-Treasurer within six months from the date of death, failure
to do so shall invalidate the claim. All applications for donations
with respect to members whose death occurs on or after January
1, 2006 must be filed with the General Secretary-Treasurer within
twelve months from the date of death, failure to do so shall invali-
date the claim. If a claim is disapproved by the General Secretary-
Treasurer, the party or parties shall have the right to appeal to the
General Executive Board any time within three months from the
date of disapproval.
C Upon receipt of a claim, the General Secretary-Treasurer shall
investigate the same and, if approved, shall at once forward to the
Financial Secretary a bank check or draft for the amount of the dona-
tion due and payable to the person entitled to receive it.
D Any officer, member or Local Union making use of improper
means to obtain donations, or who shall make false statements or know-
ingly presents or signs any claim of a fraudulent character for donations,
upon proof thereof when properly charged and if found guilty, may be
fined, suspended or expelled from the United Brotherhood.

REDUCED DUES
A Section 50. Dues for members who are no longer working at the
trade, who are age 65 or older, and who have not less than 30 years’ con-
tinuous membership, shall be Six Dollars ($6.00) per month. The Local
Union shall pay to the General Secretary-Treasurer Four Dollars ($4.00)
per month per capita tax for each such member. All such revenue shall
be used for the general management of the United Brotherhood.
B Dues for members who are no longer working at the trade and
who are totally disabled shall be Six Dollars ($6.00) per month.
The Local Union shall pay to the General Secretary-Treasurer Four
Dollars ($4.00) per month per capita tax for each such member. All
such revenue shall be used for the general management of the United
Brotherhood. For purposes of this section, a member shall be consid-

65
ered totally disabled if drawing a Social Security Disability pension,
or a Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pen-
sion in Canada.

OFFENSES AND PENALTIES

A Section 51. Any officer or member found guilty after being
charged and tried in accordance with Section 52, for any of the fol-
lowing offenses, may be reprimanded, fined, suspended or expelled
only by a majority vote of the members of the Local Union present
at a regular meeting, or of the delegates to the District or Regional
Council having jurisdiction of the offense. No Industrial Local Union
or Industrial Council, however, may reprimand, fine, suspend, or
expel a member unless such member is an officer of a Local Union or
Council or was an officer of a Local Union or Council at the time of
the alleged offense. In cases of Industrial Councils, reprimands, fines
or suspensions of membership rights may be imposed by majority
vote of the Executive Committee. Expulsions may be ordered only
by majority vote of the delegates to the Industrial Council.
(1) Causing dissension among the members of the United
Brotherhood.
(2) Advocating division of the funds of the United Brotherhood or
any subordinate body thereof.
(3) Advocating separation of any subordinate body from the United
Brotherhood.
(4) Misappropriating the funds of any subordinate body, or any
moneys entrusted to him or her by a member or candidate for
the account of any subordinate body.
(5) Improper harassment of any member of the United Brotherhood.
(6) Defrauding the United Brotherhood or any subordinate body.
(7) Furnishing to any unauthorized person, without the consent of
the Local Union, a list of the membership.
(8) Divulging to any unauthorized person, the business of any
subordinate body without its consent.
66
(9) Crossing or working behind a picket line duly authorized by
any subordinate body of the United Brotherhood.
(10) Failure to meet transfer procedures before going to work in a
locality where a strike or lockout is pending or in effect.
(11) Lumping for any owner, builder, contractor, manufacturer or
employer.
(12) Violating the Obligation.
(13) Soliciting or accepting contributions, by a candidate for any
elective office or position, from other than members of the
United Brotherhood.
B Any member charged with violating the Bylaws and Trade
Rules of the locality in which he or she is working may be charged
and tried in accordance with Section 52, and if found guilty may be
fined in an amount not in excess of Three Hundred Dollars ($300)
by the Local Union, District Council, Regional Council, or Industrial
Council having jurisdiction, except that no Industrial Local Union or
Industrial Council may conduct a trial with respect to charges filed
against a member or impose a fine against a member unless such
member is an officer of a Local Union or Council.
C No officer, representative or member of the United Brotherhood
or any Council or Local Union shall be subject to charges or trial
based on their actions in complying with or assisting or cooperating
in implementing any instructions, directions or rulings of the United
Brotherhood or any General Officer.
D A member against whom charges have been preferred, may
attend meetings until the charges have been disposed of. An offi-
cer, business representative, delegate, or committee member may be
suspended from office by a majority vote of the members of a Local
Union at a regular meeting, or by a majority vote of delegates to a
District Council or Regional Council or members of the Executive
Committee of an Industrial Council while the case is pending. Where
a Local Union is affiliated with a District or Regional Council, only
the District or Regional Council shall have the authority to vote such

67
a suspension. Where a Local Union is affiliated with an Industrial
Council only the Industrial Council Executive Committee shall have
the authority to vote such a suspension. An officer or Business Rep-
resentative may be suspended without pay but if such an officer or
Business Representative is found not guilty of all charges, by a Trial
Committee or on appeal, he or she shall be entitled to recover all
back pay withheld from the Local Union, District or Regional Coun-
cil, or Industrial Council.

CHARGES AND TRIALS

A Section 52. Any member charged with an offense under Section
51 or Bylaws or Trade Rules shall be given a fair and impartial trial,
and must exhaust all remedies allowed by Sections 52 and 53 before
taking the case to the civil courts.
B A member must be charged and tried within the jurisdiction of
the Local Union, District Council, Regional Council, or Industrial
Council where the offense was committed. Where a District Council,
Regional Council or Industrial Council exists, all charges shall be
filed in and tried by the District Council, Regional Council, or Indus-
trial Council. Provided, however, that the General Executive Board
shall have jurisdiction to initiate and conduct trials pursuant to the
provisions of Section 14D. Where a District Council, Regional Coun-
cil or Industrial Council is under supervision, the General President
may authorize the filing and processing of charges in an affiliated
Local Union. Furthermore, no charges may be filed in or tried by
an Industrial Local Union or Industrial Council unless the member
charged is an officer of a Local Union or Council or was an officer of
a Local Union or Council at the time of the alleged offense.
C All charges must be in writing, must specify the particular Para-
graph of Section 51 or the particular Bylaw or Trade Rule violated,
and must contain a brief statement of the facts upon which the charge
is based.
D When charges are filed in the Local Union, District Coun-
cil, Regional Council or Industrial Council, they shall be referred

68
promptly to the Executive Committee of the Local Union, District
Council, Regional Council or Industrial Council.
(1) The Executive Committee shall dismiss any charge alleging a
violation described in Section 51A that is filed more than six
(6) months after the date the violation occurred or reasonably
should have been discovered; any charge alleging a Bylaw or
Trade Rule violation that is filed more than thirty (30) days
after the violation occurred or reasonably should have been
discovered; and any charge that the Committee determines
is without sufficient foundation or does not conform to the
provisions of Paragraphs B and C above.
(2) If the Executive Committee determines that charges conform
to the provisions of Paragraphs B and C above, the member
shall be notified in writing to appear before the Executive
Committee. The charges shall then be processed according to
one of the following alternatives:
(a) The Executive Committee may dismiss the charges for a
reason stated in Paragraph 1 above or because the accuser
fails to appear before the Executive Committee after being
notified in writing to appear before the Committee.
(b) The Executive Committee may refer the charges for trial to
the Local Union or District or Regional Council, or to the
Trial Committee of the Industrial Council.
(c) A Local Union, District Council, Regional Council, or
Industrial Council may adopt a procedure whereby an
accused may plead guilty to specific charges, agree to pay
a fine or to a reprimand acceptable to the accused and Local
Union or Council and waive trial and all appeals (other
than an appeal alleging violation of the waiver agreement).
The waiver agreement must recite the Sections allegedly
violated and the specifications for the charges.
E All charges referred to a Local Union, District Council, or
Regional Council must be read at a meeting, and the member must

69
be notified by registered or certified mail by the Recording Secretary
of the Local Union or Council to be present at such meeting, and at
the same time shall be furnished by the Recording Secretary with a
copy of the charges specified. If a standing Trial Committee has been
established, the notice shall list the names of the members of the
Trial Committee and advise the accused member of his right to strike
from said list any three names which appear thereon, and the accuser
shall at the same time be furnished with that list and notified of his
right to strike three names. The notice shall be sent to the member’s
last known address. In the case of an Industrial Council, the accused
shall be furnished by the Secretary of the Executive Committee with
a copy of the charges, sent to the member’s last known address,
together with a list of the names of the members of the standing Trial
Committee and the member shall be advised of his right to strike
from said list any three names which appear thereon. At the same
time the accuser shall also be furnished with a list of the names of
the members of the standing Trial Committee and notice of his right
to challenge three members thereof.
F A Trial Committee consisting of five members of the Local
Union or five delegates to the District or Regional Council shall be
selected as follows:
(1) The Local Union, District Council, or Regional Council
shall nominate eleven members or delegates. The Recording
Secretary of the Local Union or District Council shall place their
names in the ballot box and the Vice President shall draw the
same from the box and call the names aloud until five have been
drawn. The accused and the accuser shall have the alternative
of each challenging any three members of the Trial Committee;
the member so challenged shall not serve. When the five have
been selected, they shall constitute the Trial Committee and the
case shall be given to them for trial.
(2) In the alternative a Local Union, District Council, or Regional
Council may appoint or elect a standing Trial Committee
consisting of eleven members. If the Local Union, District
Council, or Regional Council receives timely challenges in any
70
 case, the names of the challenged members shall be stricken
from the list. After the time for challenges has expired, the
Local Union, District Council, or Regional Council President
shall appoint five members of the standing Trial Committee to
hear the case and the case shall be given to them for trial.
(3) The President of an Industrial Council shall appoint a standing
Trial Committee consisting of eleven members from among
the members of the Local Unions affiliated with the Industrial
Council. If the Secretary receives timely notice of challenges
in any case, the names of the members challenged shall be
stricken from the list. After the time for challenges has expired,
the Secretary shall appoint five members of the standing Trial
Committee to hear the case and the case shall be given to them
for trial.
G Any officer or member who is a party to or directly interested
in any case in a Local Union, District Council, Regional Council,
or Industrial Council, shall not be permitted to act as a member of
the Trial Committee. Members of the Local Union Executive Com-
mittee (where charges are processed in a Local Union), or mem-
bers of the District Council, Regional Council or Industrial Council
Executive Committee (where charges are processed in a District
Council, Regional Council or Industrial Council) shall not be per-
mitted to act as members of the Trial Committee. Where sufficient
eligible delegates are not available to form a Trial Committee panel,
a District or Regional Council may draw upon members of affiliated
local unions.
H At the request of the Chairperson of the Trial Committee, the
Recording Secretary of the Local Union or the Secretary of a Dis-
trict Council, Regional Council, or Industrial Council, shall, without
delay, summon the accused and accuser in writing, together with all
witnesses whose names have been submitted in writing, and the case
shall be tried on such date(s) as the Chair shall determine.
I The accused and the accuser may appear before the Trial Com-
mittee in person and/or by counsel (who shall be a member of the
71
United Brotherhood), and shall be entitled to be present at all times
when the Trial Committee is receiving evidence. All testimony shall
be accurately recorded in writing. There shall be only one official
transcript of the proceedings as authorized by the Local Union,
District Council, Regional Council, or Industrial Council Executive
Committee and the Trial Committee Chairperson shall prohibit the
recording or other transcription of the proceedings other than by the
designated official reporter. Persons who are not members may be
called as witnesses by either side. No member shall be suspended,
expelled or fined in an amount in excess of Two Hundred and Fifty
Dollars ($250.00) unless the proceedings of the Trial Committee
shall have been properly recorded by a competent stenographer who
need not be a member. If the accused fails to appear, the Trial Com-
mittee shall proceed with the trial as though the accused were pres-
ent. In the event that the accuser fails to appear, costs of the trial not
exceeding Fifty Dollars ($50.00) may be charged against the accuser
and the charges shall be dismissed by the Chairperson of the Trial
Committee forthwith.
J The following trial procedure shall be observed:
(1) The Chairperson shall read the charges and ask the accused if
he or she is “guilty” or “not guilty.” If the plea is “guilty” the
Trial Committee shall so find and shall report its verdict to the
Local Union, District Council, Regional Council, or Industrial
Council Executive Committee without further proceedings. If
the plea is “not guilty” the trial shall then proceed.
(2) The accuser’s case shall be presented first.
(3) Witnesses shall be called into the trial room one at a time, and
will leave upon completing their testimony, subject to recall by
either the Trial Committee or any of the parties.
(4) The accuser’s witnesses shall be called first.
(5) Each party or his or her counsel shall have the right to cross-
examine witnesses presented by the other party.

72
(6) Before the Trial Committee shall begin their deliberations, all
other persons shall leave the trial room.
K When the committee has come to a decision in the case, the
Chairperson of said committee shall so notify the Local Union,
District Council, Regional Council, or Industrial Council Executive
Committee. The committee shall submit a full report of the case with
their verdict in writing to the Local Union, District Council, Regional
Council or Industrial Council. The Local Union, District Council,
Regional Council or Industrial Council Executive Committee shall
notify the accused of the meeting at which the committee’s report
will be presented, and that if the finding is guilty that any penalty to
be imposed will be considered at that meeting. The notice shall be
mailed to the accused and accuser at their last known addresses not
less than ten (10) days before the meeting at which the committee
will report.
L If the finding is guilty, the Trial Committee shall recommend
in its report such legal penalty as it deems proper, which then must
be approved by a majority of the members present. There shall be
no debate or review of the case by the Local Union, District Coun-
cil, Regional Council, or Industrial Council Executive Committee,
except that the accused and the accuser shall be allowed to plead for,
or state their side. The Chair shall announce the penalty. The accused
member and the Local Union to which the member belongs shall be
promptly notified of the verdict and the penalty.
M The penalty imposed upon a member may be set aside or
reduced by a majority vote of the members of the subordinate body
which imposed it before an appeal is filed. After an appeal is filed
the penalty may be reduced or set aside only with the approval of the
General Executive Board.

APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES

A Section 53. A member who has been found guilty of a charged
violation under Section 52 may file an appeal with the General Sec-
retary-Treasurer in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

73
No appeal shall be permitted from a verdict of a Trial Committee
finding a member not guilty of charges filed against him or her. All
appeals received in proper form shall be referred by the General
Secretary-Treasurer to an Appeals Committee for decision, subject
to a final appeal to the General Executive Board; provided however,
that cases involving expulsions from membership may be appealed
to the General Convention.
B The Appeals Committee shall be appointed by the General
President and shall consist of five (5) members. The Chairperson
of the Appeals Committee shall be designated by the General
President and all members of the Appeals Committee shall serve
at the discretion of the General President. Three (3) members shall
constitute a quorum of the Appeals Committee and the Appeals
Committee may decide any case referred to it by a majority vote of
the members present and voting at any meeting at which a quorum
is present. Where the circumstances warrant, and subject to the
approval of the General President, the Chairperson of the Appeals
Committee may designate one or more members of the Appeals
Committee to conduct a hearing or other investigation in any case
and report findings and recommendations to the next meeting of the
Appeals Committee. The decisions of the Appeals Committee shall
be reported by the Chairperson to the General Secretary-Treasurer
who shall notify the parties of said decisions.
C The penalty imposed by a Local Union, District Council,
Regional Council, or Industrial Council shall not be effective while
an appeal to the Appeals Committee is pending except as provided
herein. Except as provided in Sections 53C(1) and (2) below, penal-
ties shall be stayed and shall not be enforced during the time pro-
vided for filing an appeal under Section 53D.
(1) No appeal can be entertained by the Appeals Committee where
any sum of money in excess of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) is involved
unless the appellant has first paid to the Local Union, District
Council, Regional Council, or Industrial Council Fifty Dollars

74
 ($50.00) on account, to be held until the appeal is decided by
the Appeals Committee, and if said appeal is decided against
the appellant, the full amount imposed must be paid before a
further appeal can be taken.
(2) In all cases where the fine is Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or less, the
member fined shall pay the full amount to the Local Union,
District Council, Regional Council, or Industrial Council
imposing same.
(3) When a fine is imposed by the Local Union, District Council,
Regional Council, or Industrial Council and an appeal is taken,
any payment of said fine shall be held by the body assessing
same until said appeal is finally and completely decided.
D An appeal to the Appeals Committee shall be filed within sixty
(60) days from the date the penalty was imposed. (An appeal is
considered as filed on the date it is received at the General Office
of the United Brotherhood as provided in Section 53I.) A copy of
the appeal shall be mailed or delivered to the Local Union, District
Council, Regional Council, or Industrial Council imposing the pen-
alty. Every appeal shall contain:
(1) A brief statement of the case and the grounds relied upon by the
appellant.
(2) The penalty, the date imposed and the Local Union, District
Council, Regional Council, or Industrial Council which
imposed it.
All appeals must be sworn to before a Notary Public. If a fine is
involved, the appeal must be accompanied by a receipt showing pay-
ment of the amount required by Paragraph C above.
E When an appeal is filed, the Local Union, District Council,
Regional Council, or Industrial Council shall file an answer which
shall include the following:
(1) A copy of the charges.

75
(2) A copy of the minutes and/or transcript of the Trial Committee
setting forth the evidence submitted at the trial.
(3) The report of the Trial Committee.
(4) The penalty placed against the appellant, the vote thereon, and
the date imposed.
(5) The Council’s or Local Union’s response to the appeal filed by
the accused.
(6) If the charges alleged violations of Bylaws or Trade Rules, a
copy of the applicable Bylaw or Trade Rule provisions.
The answer must be sworn to before a Notary Public and must be
filed with the General Secretary-Treasurer within thirty (30) days
after notice that the appeal has been accepted. A copy of the answer,
together with a complete record of the Trial Committee proceedings,
shall be served upon the appellant by the Local Union or Council
that approved of the penalty.
F If a Local Union, District Council, Regional Council, or Indus-
trial Council fails to file an answer in accordance with the require-
ments of Section 53E, the Appeals Committee shall nevertheless
have the power to decide the appeal on the evidence before it.
G Any member, or any Local Union, District, Regional, State or
Provincial Council or Industrial Council having any grievance may
appeal to the General President within thirty (30) days from the date
the grievance occurred. All protests directed to the conduct of nomi-
nations or elections, or election procedures, in any subordinate body
may be appealed to the General President within thirty (30) days
from the date of the election. All grievances and election protests
shall be in writing and shall contain a brief statement of the grounds
relied upon. Decisions of the General President on protests directed
to the conduct of nominations or elections, or election procedures,
shall be final. Decisions of the General President on grievances may
be appealed to the General Executive Board, whose decision shall
be final. Also, decisions of the General Executive Board in all cases
76
involving geographical jurisdiction, mergers, consolidations, and
formation of Councils shall be final.
H All appeals from decisions of the General President or the
Appeals Committee to the General Executive Board must be filed
with the General Secretary-Treasurer within thirty (30) days from the
date of receipt of the General President’s decision or notice of the
decision of the Appeals Committee. Also, any appeal from a decision
of the General Executive Board to the General Convention must be
filed with the General Secretary-Treasurer within thirty (30) days from
the date of receipt of the decision of the General Executive Board.
I An appeal, protest, grievance or answer shall be considered as
filed under this Section on the date it is received at the General Office
of the United Brotherhood; if received on a Monday or the day after
a holiday they shall be considered as filed on the last preceding day
on which the General Office was open for business.
J All members and all Local Unions and Councils are required to
exhaust the administrative remedies provided in this Section before
commencing proceedings in any court or any agency provided by law.
This provision shall not supersede or limit the right to petition law
enforcement authorities to remedy alleged violations of criminal law.

FUNDS OF LOCAL UNIONS

A Section 54. The General Funds or property of a Local Union
or Council shall be used only for such purposes as are specified in
the Constitution and Laws of the United Brotherhood and as may be
required to transact and properly conduct its business, viz.: Payment
of salaries and donations to sick members; purchasing stationery,
books, cards, printing, payment of rent, or any legally authorized bill
against the Local Union or Council. But under no circumstances shall
any of the General Funds be used for loans or donations to members,
Contingent Funds, credit union sponsored by the Local Union or
Council, or for political or religious purposes, except as approved by
the General President. Violation of this Section subjects the offending

77
Local Union or Council to the penalty of suspension. Funds to be used
for any other purpose must be handled through a Contingency Fund.
B No donation for any purpose, except sick donations, shall be
given except by a majority vote of members present, and cannot be
declared valid at the meeting of its introduction, but must lay over
to the next meeting (except in case of appeals for aid from Local
Unions on strike with sanction of the General Executive Board).
C The funds or property of a Local Union cannot be divided in
any manner among the members individually, but shall remain the
property of the Local Union for its legitimate purpose.
D All moneys paid out of the funds of a Local Union with the
exception of per capita tax, cost of bonds of financial officers and
payments required under Section 59B must be by majority vote of
the members present. No appropriation of money can be voted after
10:30 p.m.
E Any Local Union charging more than the minimum dues as
prescribed in Section 45A or any Council may create a special Relief
and Contingent Fund for use aside from the General Fund. Local
Unions may use all dues in excess of the above dues, proceeds of
entertainments, and may levy an assessment for said fund in accor-
dance with the provisions governing special assessments. Councils
may use any revenue in excess of that required for proper operation
of the Council for such Contingency Fund.
F This fund may be used for the relief of aged members, organiza-
tions, or for any other purpose the Local Union may decide, except to
support a dual organization, for partisan politics, religious purposes,
or investments in a credit union sponsored by the Local Union, or for
any purpose that may be inimical to the interests of the United Broth-
erhood; provided, however, if property is purchased with said fund
the property shall be held in the name of the Local Union or Council
of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, as
specified in the Constitution of the United Brotherhood. The term
partisan politics does not include support of or financial contribution

78
to a candidate for state, provincial or local office provided such sup-
port or contribution is not contrary to law, is approved by vote of the
members or delegates to the body, and is based not on party politics
or the candidate’s political affiliation but is based on the candidate’s
position as a supporter and advocate of objects, principles and legis-
lative goals of our organization.

GENERAL STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

A Section 55. Strikes and lockouts in Local Union or Council
areas shall be financed by the Local Union or Council as provided in
Paragraph B of this Section, together with such funds of the Local
Union or Council as it may appropriate or provide for by separate
assessment. The United Brotherhood shall not be financially respon-
sible for such strikes or lockouts and shall not, by approving strike
action in a Local Union or Council area or by assigning a repre-
sentative to assist a Local Union or Council in settling a dispute or
negotiating an agreement, assume financial responsibility for a strike
or lockout. The General Executive Board may, in its discretion, grant
supplemental financial assistance to a Local Union or Council in the
event of a strike or lockout, in such amount and under such terms
as the General Executive Board shall determine to be appropriate
and consistent with the interests of the entire United Brotherhood.
A Local Union or Council seeking or obtaining such supplemental
financial assistance shall comply with the following provisions set
forth in Section 55. The authority of the General Executive Board
as established in this Section may be exercised by the General Presi-
dent, in consultation with the General Secretary-Treasurer, subject
to such rules as the General Executive Board may from time to time
adopt. Requests for financial assistance, together with all supporting
information, shall be submitted to the General President.
B Members affected by a strike but who are permitted to work in a
bargaining area where a strike is in progress shall pay an assessment
to the District Council, Regional Council, or Local Union an amount
not less than two hours’ pay for each day worked during the strike

79
for the purpose of establishing a strike and defense fund. Such fund
shall be used to provide benefits for members unemployed because of
the strike and to pay bills and other expenses incurred in connection
therewith. A Local Union or Council which has an adequate reserve
in its strike fund may request dispensation from the General President
to reduce the amount of the assessment payable under this Section.

LABEL
A Section 56. The following design shall be the official label of
this United Brotherhood.

B The following design shall be the official emblem of the United

Brotherhood.

C The General Office shall, as soon as possible, through the good

offices of some District Council, Regional Council, or Local Union
in each State or Province, have the label registered. Registry is to be
in the name of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of
America, and the expense to be borne by the General Office. After
such registry, each District Council, Regional Council, or Local
Union where no District or Regional Council exists, shall apply to
the General Vice President for sanction to use the label and give such
information pertaining to conditions in that district as required, and
after receiving sanction from the General Vice President, shall issue
labels of the foregoing design, with name or number of the District
Council, Regional Council, or Local Union issuing same, printed in
its proper place on the label, to such shops and mills in that district as
80
are entitled to same, and all labels must be secured from the General
Office, which shall furnish them at cost under the conditions set forth
herein.
D No agreement shall be made or renewed with any firm granting
the use of the label after April 1, 1916, unless all shops and mills of
the firm have an eight-hour work-day or less and employ only mem-
bers of the United Brotherhood, except where dispensation has been
granted by the General President upon application from the District
Council, Regional Council, or Local Union.
E Each shop, mill or factory shall have a Shop Steward who shall
have supervision over the label, stamp, or die; it shall be the duty of
the Steward to see that said label, stamp, or die shall not be placed
on any manufactured article other than that which is made under the
agreement. Said label must be applied to the article in the shop or
mill where manufactured and must at no time be removed for use
from the shop or mill. It shall be the duty of the Shop Steward to see
that the agreement with the District Council, Regional Council, or
Local Union is carried out in its entirety.
F The Shop Steward shall be appointed by the Business Repre-
sentative or elected by the employees of the shop, mill or factory
where employed.
G Under no circumstances shall employers be permitted to handle
labels or have them in their charge, nor shall anyone but a member
of the United Brotherhood be permitted to attach them, and the Shop
Steward shall at all times keep them securely locked up, so that no
one else may have access. All labels shall be attached to finished
product by members of the United Brotherhood in such a manner
that they cannot be removed therefrom without destroying the label.
H Each label except decal shall have the factory, shop or mill
number stamped thereon. Wherever a label except decal is applied
without the factory number thereon it shall be regarded as forged.
The factory number, in conjunction with the name of the District
Council, Regional Council, or Local Union issuing said label, will
81
thus permit recognition of the product of any particular factory in
any part of the jurisdiction of the United Brotherhood.
I It shall be the duty of the Secretary of each District Council,
Regional Council, or Local Union issuing labels to keep a correct
and accurate account of all labels received from the General Office,
their numbers and the shops to which they have been issued, and to
furnish all information regarding the use of the label which may be
called for by the Council or the General Vice President.
J The Shop Steward shall receive and account for the use of the
labels and make a report to the District Council, Regional Council,
or Local Union monthly, or oftener if required, and to the General
Vice President upon request.
K Upon request of the General Vice President, a representative
shall be sent to investigate the conditions of any mills using the label,
and upon receipt of report the General President shall furnish a copy
of same to the General Vice President.
L In case of any violation of an agreement or grievance against an
employer, the label shall be withdrawn when ordered by the General
Vice President.
M The General Vice President, with the sanction of the General
Executive Board, shall have the power to order the withdrawal of
the label from any factory, shop or mill, upon charges duly made,
and shall have power to regulate and investigate the issuance of the
label in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of the United
Brotherhood. The General Vice President shall have power to grant
dispensation for use of the label, stamp or die where such will be
beneficial to the Organization.
N It shall be the duty of all District Councils, Regional Councils,
Local Unions and each member to promote the use and installa-
tion of trim and shop-made carpenter work, hotel, bank, bar, store,
and office fixtures, and of church, school, household furniture, etc.,
bearing the Union Label, and to make it generally known to the
members of the Local Union that it is necessary to all mill and shop
82
members and the United Brotherhood that products made in facto-
ries, shops or mills where only members of the United Brotherhood
are employed should be installed by fellow-members.
O Where owner or architect specifies that union materials shall
be used on any job or building, none other shall be handled by the
membership of our Brotherhood, under penalty of suspension from
the United Brotherhood.
P The misuse of the Union Label or Stamp by the Shop Steward
shall subject the Shop Steward to charges and if found guilty, after
being charged and tried, he or she shall be fined not less than Fifty
Dollars ($50.00) and removed as Shop Steward for the first offense,
and for the second offense shall be expelled.
Q No member shall use or authorize the use of any copy or replica
or other duplication of the label or emblem of the United Broth-
erhood or any part thereof for any personal, commercial or other
unofficial use without the express written approval of the General
Executive Board or the General Vice President.

AMENDMENTS
A Section 57. The Constitution herein contained can be amended
or altered at regular sessions of the Convention by a majority vote
of the delegates present.
B All amendments to the Constitution submitted by Local Unions,
District, Regional, Industrial, State or Provincial Councils for the
consideration of the Convention shall be filed with the General Sec-
retary-Treasurer not later than sixty days preceding the holding of
the Convention, and the said amendments shall be published in “The
Carpenter” in the issue immediately following the expiration of the
filing deadline by the General Secretary-Treasurer. Proposed amend-
ments must list the Section and paragraph that is to be amended and
must be typewritten, signed by the President and Secretary of the
Local Union or Council, and under Official Seal. No further amend-
ments shall be considered by the Constitution Committee, other than
those submitted in accordance with the above or submitted to the
83
Constitution Committee by the General Executive Board; however,
amendments offered from the floor to any Section while it is being
reported on by the Constitution Committee may be taken under
advisement by the Constitution Committee.
C At any time the General Executive Board deems a new law or
amendment is necessary to govern the United Brotherhood, they may
recommend a clause to the Local Unions to be submitted to a general
vote in accordance with this Section; and should a majority vote of
the members voting at a special called meeting support the recom-
mendation, it shall become a law. No new laws or amendments shall
be submitted for a vote of the Local Unions between Conventions
in which the result of such vote would not become a law six months
prior to the holding of the General Convention.
D Any Local Union may submit an amendment to the Constitution
of the United Brotherhood. The proposed amendment must be sent
to the General Secretary-Treasurer, who shall publish it in “The Car-
penter” one month prior to the next regular meeting of the General
Executive Board, and if approved by that body, it shall be submit-
ted to a general vote. A proposed amendment which is endorsed at
meetings called for that purpose by at least thirty (30) Local Unions
located in as many States and/or Provinces, and provided further
that the members of the Local Unions which endorse the proposed
amendment constitute at least twenty-five (25) percent of the total
membership of the United Brotherhood as of the date the proposal
is submitted, approval of the General Executive Board shall not be
required.
E All proposed amendments to the Constitution must be submitted
separately listing the section and paragraph that is to be amended.
F Whenever a general vote of the members is taken, a statement
shall be submitted along with it by the parties sending it out, giv-
ing their reasons why such amendment should become a law, and
the General Secretary-Treasurer shall state the number and location
of the Locals that have endorsed same. It shall require a majority

84
vote of the members voting, by secret ballot to decide, and said gen-
eral vote, under Seal of the Local Union, shall be returnable to the
General Secretary-Treasurer within six weeks from date of circular
calling for the vote, and the result, pro and con, in each Local Union
shall be published in pamphlet form containing a copy of amend-
ment or amendments voted on and distributed to all Local Unions
in the same manner as the monthly Financial Statement. It shall be
unlawful for any Local Union to report members as having voted on
any referendum unless they are present and voting. Any Local Union
or Union official that conspires to wilfully make a false report on
votes cast on a referendum shall be subject to charges under Section
51 of the Constitution of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America.

PROPERTY
Section 58. All officers, Business Representatives and assistant
Business Representatives, at the expiration of their term of office,
when removed from their offices or positions, when suspended
under Section 51D, when they resign from their offices or positions,
or when their offices or positions are declared vacant, shall deliver to
their successors or to the Local Union, Council, or the United Broth-
erhood, as applicable, all books, papers, records, moneys and other
property in their possession belonging to the Local Union, Council,
or the United Brotherhood, and they shall not be relieved from their
bonds or obligations until this Law is complied with. A member who
has served as a financial officer of a Local Union or Council shall
be entitled to have an audit made of his or her financial books and
records after he or she ceases to hold the financial officer position,
provided that he or she submits a timely written request for an audit
to the Local Union or Council involved. Any request for such an
audit must be submitted to the Local Union or Council involved, in
writing, by no later than thirty (30) days after the member ceases to
hold the financial officer position involved. In the event an audit is
not made in accordance with the foregoing, a financial officer suc-

85
ceeding to office shall be entitled to have an audit made of his or
her predecessor’s financial records. Delivery of financial books and
records to the Trustees or auditor selected by the Local Union or
Council shall constitute compliance with this section. The cost of
such audit is to be borne by the Local Union or Council.

PENSION PLAN
A Section 59. There shall be established and maintained by the
United Brotherhood a Pension Plan for such officers and representa-
tives as may be eligible, including such other employees as may be
necessary to maintain qualification of the Plan as a tax exempt trust
within the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The Pension
Plan shall be known as “United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Join-
ers of America Pension Plan.”
B The United Brotherhood and each Local Union, District,
Regional, State, Provincial and other Councils shall pay each month
to the Trustees of the Pension Plan the contributions owed with
respect to each officer, representative, and employee covered by the
Plan, which shall be a standing appropriation and shall not require
a vote of the United Brotherhood, Local Union or Council. The
General Executive Board is authorized to determine the amount of
contributions payable to the Pension Plan.
C The Trustees of the Pension Fund shall be appointed by the Gen-
eral President with the approval of the General Executive Board.

CODIFICATION
Section 60. All Laws or parts of Laws previously enacted by the
United Brotherhood, and standing decisions of the General Execu-
tive Board, in conflict with the Constitution of the United Broth-
erhood, are hereby repealed and the General Executive Board is
hereby authorized and empowered to make any needed changes as
required by the vote of the delegates to the Convention of the United
Brotherhood.

86
STANDING DECISIONS OF THE
GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
1887 February 15—A Union not holding meetings at least once
a month forfeits its charter and is not eligible to donations.
September 17—Grading wages is demoralizing to Union
principles and to the welfare of the trade and no Local
Union should adopt the system of grading wages.
1888 March 10—A Local Union can fix a fine as penalty for
non-attendance of members at a monthly meeting.
1891 July 16—All donations are forfeited by a suspended
Union the same as a suspended member. A suspended
Union cannot be entitled to any donations other than those
prescribed for a new Union.
1897 April 7—Working Cards can only be issued through the
Local Unions or District Councils of the United Brotherhood
and without discriminating charge in any locality against
outside members.
April 9—Every part of the Ritual is just as binding on
members as is the Constitution and Laws of the United
Brotherhood.
1898 April 5—Members violating Trade Rules and called out on
strike are not entitled to strike donations.

87
PARLIAMENTARY RULES
Rule 1. On motion, the regular order of business (see inside front
cover) may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of the meeting at any
time, to dispose of any urgent business.
Rule 2. All resolutions and resignations must be submitted in
writing.
Rule 3. Any conversation by whispering or otherwise, which is cal-
culated to disturb a member while speaking, or hinder the transaction
of business, shall be deemed a violation of order.
Rule 4. Partisan politics or sectarian discussion shall not be permit-
ted in the meeting under any circumstances.
Rule 5. All questions of a parliamentary nature not provided for in
these Rules shall be decided by Roberts’ Manual.
MOTION
Rule 6. A motion to be entertained by the presiding officer must
be seconded, and the mover as well as the seconder must rise and be
recognized by the Chair.
Rule 7. Any member having made a motion can withdraw it by
consent of the seconder, but a motion once debated cannot be with-
drawn except by a two-thirds vote.
Rule 8. A motion to amend an amendment shall be in order, but no
motion to amend an amendment to an amendment shall be permit-
ted.
Rule 9. Any member may call for a division of a question when the
sense will admit thereof.
DEBATE
Rule 10. A motion shall not be subject to debate until it has been
stated by the Chair.
Rule 11. A member who wishes the floor shall rise and respectfully
address the Chair, and if recognized by the Chair, shall be entitled to
the floor.
88
Rule 12. If two or more members shall rise to speak at the same time,
the Chair shall decide which is entitled to the floor.
Rule 13. Each member, when speaking, shall confine his or her
remarks to the question under debate and avoid all personal, indeco-
rous or sarcastic language.
Rule 14. No member shall interrupt another while speaking, except
to a point of order, and shall definitely state the point, and the Chair
shall decide the same without debate.
Rule 15. If a member while speaking be called to order, he or she
shall take his or her seat until the point of order is decided, when, if
decided in order, he or she may proceed.
Rule 16. If any member shall feel personally aggrieved by a decision
of the Chair, he or she may appeal to the Local Union from the deci-
sion.
Rule 17. When an appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the
Vice President shall then take the Chair, and shall state the appeal
to the meeting in these words: “Shall the decision of the Chair be
sustained as the decision of the Union?” The member will then have
the right to state the grounds of appeal, and the Chair will give the
reason for the decision, thereupon the Union will proceed to vote on
the appeal, without further debate, and it shall require a majority vote
to sustain such appeal.
Rule 18. No member shall speak more than once on the same subject
until all the members desiring the floor shall have spoken, nor more
than twice, without unanimous consent, nor more than five minutes
at any one time.
Rule 19. The presiding officer shall not speak on any subject unless
he or she retires from the Chair, except on points of order and appeals
from the decision of the Chair, and in case of a tie shall have the
deciding vote.

89
PRIVILEGED QUESTIONS
Rule 20. When a question is before the meeting, no motion shall be
in order except: (1) to adjourn; (2) to lay on the table; (3) for the
previous question; (4) to postpone to a given time; (5) to refer or
re-commit; (6) to amend. And these motions shall have precedence
in the order herein arranged. The first three of these motions are not
debatable.
Rule 21. When the previous question is moved and seconded, it
shall be put in this form: “Shall the main question be now put?” If
this is carried, all further motions, amendments and debate shall be
excluded and the main question put without delay.
Rule 22. If a question has been amended, the question on the amend-
ment shall be put first. If more than one amendment has been offered,
the question shall then be put as follows: (1) amendment to the
amendment; (2) amendment; (3) original proposition.
Rule 23. When a question is postponed indefinitely it shall not come
up except by a two-thirds vote.
Rule 24. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except: (1)
when a member has the floor; (2) when members are voting; (3) when
it has been decided to take the previous question.

TAKING THE VOTE

Rule 25. Before putting a question to vote, the presiding officer shall
ask: “Is the Union ready for the question?” Then it shall be open
for debate. If no member arises to speak, the presiding officer shall
then put the question in this form: “All in favor of the motion say
‘Aye,’” and after the affirmative vote is expressed, “Those of the
contrary opinion say ‘No.’” After the vote is taken the Chair shall
immediately announce the result.
Rule 26. When the presiding officer has commenced taking a vote,
no further debate or remarks shall be allowed unless a mistake has
been made, in which case the mistake shall be rectified and the pre-
siding officer shall again take the vote.

90
Rule 27. Before the presiding officer declares the vote on a question,
any member may ask for a division of the house; then the Chair is in
duty bound to comply with the request, and a standing vote shall then
be taken, and the Conductor shall count the same.
Rule 28. Every member present shall vote on all questions before the
Union, unless personally interested or excused by the Union.
Rule 29. When a blank is to be filled, the question shall be taken first
upon the largest sum or number, or the longest or latest time.
Rule 30. When a question has been decided it can be reconsidered
only at the same meeting or on the next regular meeting night.
Rule 31. A motion to reconsider must be made and seconded by two
members who voted with the prevailing side.
Rule 32. All questions, unless otherwise provided, shall be decided
by a majority of all votes cast.

91
OBLIGATION
I do, of my own free will and accord, solemnly and sincerely
promise—on my sacred honor—that I will never reveal—by word
or deed—any of the business of this United Brotherhood—unless
legally authorized to do so. I promise to abide by the Constitu-
tion and Laws—and the will of the majority—observe the By Laws
and Trade Rules—established by Local Unions and Councils—
affiliated with the United Brotherhood—and that I will use every
honorable means—to procure employment for brother and sister
members. I agree that I will ask for the Union Label—and pur-
chase union-made goods—and employ only union labor—when
same can be had. And I further agree that—if at any time it should
be discovered—that I have made any misstatements—as to my
qualifications for membership—I shall be forever debarred from
membership—and donations in this order. I pledge myself to be
obedient to authority—orderly in the meetings—respectful in words
and actions—and charitable in judgement of my brother and sister
members. To all of this I promise and pledge—my most sacred word
and honor—to observe and keep—and the same to bind me—as
long as I remain a member of this Brotherhood. And I further
affirm and declare—that I am not now affiliated with—and never
will join or give aid—comfort—or support to any organization
that tries to disrupt any Local Union—District Council—Regional
Council—State or Provincial Council or the International Body—
of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.

PRESIDENT.—[To Newly Initiated Member.]—You have now

been admitted into the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America and you are entitled to all the rights, benefits
and privileges as a member thereof, as specified in the Constitu-
tion, and having assumed the duties and honors of a member of the
United Brotherhood, we extend to you the hand of fellowship.
92
[After that the President will return to his (her) chair, give ONE
DISTINCT RAP, when the members take their seats. He (she) will
address the Conductor. ]

PRESIDENT.—Brother (Sister) Conductor, you will now lead the

newly initiated Brother (Sister) to the Financial Secretary’s desk,
where he (she) will hand in his (her) name and address, and comply
with all other requirements of the Constitution and the laws of this
union. He (she) will then obtain his (her) card of membership.

[NOTE—The Financial Secretary in the meantime should have

the card of membership prepared, to avoid delay. After complying
with this, the Conductor will escort the new member to his (her)
seat.]

93
INSTALLATION CEREMONY
(For Installation of all General, Local or District Officers.)
[NOTE—The President shall appoint an Installing Officer who will
take the President’s Chair and call the officers elect to take their
places in front of him (her). He (she) will RAP THREE TIMES, and
the members will all arise and remain standing. He (she) will then
administer the following obligations to them collectively:]
INSTALLING OFFICER.—Brothers (Sisters): Please raise your
right hand and repeat after me the following obligation: You will
each of you use your name where I use mine:
I, _____________, ____________, do hereby solemnly and sin-
cerely pledge my honor in the presence of the members of this Order
here assembled—to perform the duties of my office as prescribed in
the Constitution and Laws—unless prevented by sickness or some
unavoidable accident—that I will deliver to my successor in office—
all books, papers, and other property—of the United Brotherhood—
that may be in my possession at the close of my official term. All of
this I most sincerely promise—with a full knowledge that to violate
this pledge—is to stamp me as a person devoid of principle—and
destitute of honor—only worthy of the scorn and contempt of my
Brothers and Sisters.
[At the close of the obligation, the Installing Officer will RAP
ONCE, and the members will be seated. He (she) will then say to
the officers elect:]
INSTALLING OFFICER.—Brothers (Sisters) you have been cho-
sen by this Order to each one serve it in his (her) respective official
capacity, and you may well feel proud of the honor conferred upon
you. You will now proceed to your respective official stations, and
enter upon the duties assigned to you by the Constitution and the
laws of this union.
[The Installing Officer will then surrender the Chair to the incoming
President.]

94
PLATFORM

1. Municipal service wholly divorced from partisan politics.

Tenure of office during good behavior, and promotion for
meritorious services.
2. Eight-hour service for all employees engaged directly or
indirectly on municipal work.
3. Payment of wages weekly, and equal pay to women for equal
work performed with men.
4. Revision and simplification of all municipal laws.
5. Direct legislation, through the initiative and referendum.
6. Sanitary and safety inspection of all places where labor is
employed.
7. Abolition of contract prison labor.
8. Prohibition of child labor under 17 years.
9. Compulsory education.
10. Payment of wages in lawful money.
11. Prohibition of alien ownership of land.
12. Adoption of legislation requiring the election of all public
officials by direct vote of the people.

95
96P
F O
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