Standing Committees
Article 44 of the UAW Constitution requires the local union to establish ten local union committees. These committees have defined functions to perform for the local union membership. The local union shall have the following standing committees:
and such other committees as they deem necessary
Article 44 further states that all committee members should be appointed or elected subject to the discretion of the local union or unit workplace organization in the case of an amalgamated local union.
Standing committees shouldn't exist just because "it says so in the Constitution". They are designed to be the "building blocks" upon which a successful local union is based. Standing committees also provide the starting point for many long-term union activists.
How Standing Committees Operate
Standing committees have officers as well as members. Most standing committees consist of:
a chairperson
a vice/co-chair
a secretary
a treasurer/financial secretary (where applicable)
members
and sometimes sub-committees/task force
The local union president, as provided under Article 40 of the UAW Constitution, is an ex-officio member of all committees in the local union.
Standing committees hold meetings on a regular basis as determined by their local union bylaws, or as determined by the committee in the consultation with the leadership.
What Standing Committees Do
An effective standing committee is a motivated, energetic and innovative group of members who can apply their abilities to their area of interest. Standing committees work in cooperation with their local union executive board. They identify topics, programs and issues that are important to the membership, the community, the local union, the international union and labor movement as a whole. They develop plans and proposals for activities and, when approved by the local union executive board, carry out those plans. Standing committees report out at membership meetings on the progress of their activities and future plans.
What are Standing Committees all about
Local Union Standing Committees are the tools through which the policies and programs aimed at strengthening our union are put to work. These committees support UAW members by implementing activities that further the social, economic and political goals of the UAW. Local Union Standing Committees are made up of individuals who may have a special interest or strength in a particular area or they may just want to learn more about a subject and find a way to contribute to the labor movement.
An effective standing committee uses the diversity of its local membership to bring together ideas, opinions and information needed to support common labor objectives that include:
Building solidarity among the membership
Encouraging members to take part in activities in the local union
Providing communication links within the workplace
Becoming politically active
Working with other standing committees to keep the membership informed of current issues
Educating members to become active in the local union by setting up classes and exchanging information on issues that concern working families
Working with our coalition partners in building a progressive social movement
How To Get Involved
Local union bylaws determine how to become a standing committee member. Some local union standing committee members are elected, while others are appointed by the local union president. Contact your local union president regarding the procedure for becoming a standing committee member.
Consistent with the union's values and principles, effective standing committees reflect the diversity of a membership.
It is important that appointees have initiative, energy and a willingness to learn. Members who choose to participate on a standing committee make significant contributions toward building strong locals and a more equitable society. They do this by educating, motivating and mobilizing the membership around issues of key concern to working families.
Those interested in joining a Local 1895 Standing Committee should submit a resume to the Fred Dorrell.