Laborers for JUSTICE is pleased to provide IUOE members with an electronic hyperlinked copy of the Constitution of the International Union of Operating Engineers. See Index for hyperlinked search terms.

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To All IUOE Members:

This International Constitution, as amended and revised by the 36th General Convention, sets forth your rights and obligations as members of this great International Union.

Our organization has a long and proud history to build on. I believe the future holds even more opportunities for the IUOE.

The continued vitality of our International lies in the collective strength of you, the members. Accordingly, I urge your active participation in the endeavors of your Local Unions and your International Union.

Fraternally yours,

Frank Hanley
General President

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The CONSTITUTION Governing THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS And All Subdivisions, Bodies, Local Unions and Members Thereof The International Union of Operating Engineers Organized December 7, 1896 Affiliated with AFL-CIO Compiled by the Constitution Convention Sept. 30, 1938, and adopted by Referendum Vote of Entire Membership Dec. 31, 1938.

Amended by 21st Int. Convention    Amended by 22nd Int. Convention    Amended by Referendum    Amended by 23rd Int. Convention    Amended by Referendum    Amended by 24th Int. Convention    Amended by 25th Int. Convention   Amended by 26th Int. Convention    Amended by 27th Int. Convention    Amended by 28th Int. Convention    Amended by 29th Int. Convention    Amended by 30th Int. Convention    Amended by Referendum   Amended by 31st Int. Convention    Amended by 32nd Int. Convention    Amended by 33rd Int. Convention    Amended by 34th Int. Convention    Amended by 35th Int. Convention    Amended by 36th Int. Convention

April 1940 April 1944 September 1, 1947 April 1948 August 1, 1951 April 1952  April 1956 April 1960 April 1964 April 1968 April 1972 April 1976  September 28, 1977 April 1980 April 1984 April 1988 April 1993 April 1998 April 2003

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CONTENTS
Preface	Suggested Order of Business	4
Art. I	Name, Purposes, Government and Ritual	5
Art. II	Emblem	7
Art. III	General Conventions, Powers, Delegates, Etc	8
Art. IV	General Officers, Election, Etc	15
Art. V	General Executive Board	18
Art. VI	General President	21
Art. VII	General Vice Presidents	25
Art. VIII	General Secretary-Treasurer	25
Art. IX	Board of Trustees	28
Art. X	Membership	29
Art. XI	Income of International Union	30
Art. XII	Territorial Jurisdiction	33
Art. XIII	Craft Jurisdiction	33
Art. XIV	Charters	37
Art. XV	Transfer, Clearance, Service     Dues, Withdrawal Cards and    General Office Membership .	43
Art. XVI.	Discipline and Expulsion	56
Art. XVII.	Appeals	58
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Art. XVIII.	Amending and Revising Constitution, Initiative, and Recall	61
Art. XIX.	Defense Fund, Lockouts, Strikes .	62
Art. XX.	Death Benefits	64
Art. XXI.	Joint Executive Boards	70
Art. XXII.	District Councils	71
Art. XXIII.	State, Interstate and Provincial Organizations	71
Art. XXIV	Government of Local Unions	74
Art. XXV	Apprenticeship	105
Art. XXVI.	District Administration Form of Local Union Government	106
Art. XXVII.	The General Pension Fund Plan . .	109
Art. XXVIII.	Honorary Positions Created	109
Art. XXIX.	Savings Clause	110
	Index	111

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PREFACE

SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR
LOCAL UNIONS

1. Meeting called to order per Ritual.

2. Examination of clues books and/or cards by Conductor.

3. Roll call of officers.
4. (a) Minutes of the previous meeting.

(b) Minutes of the Local Executive Board.

5. Presentation of applications for membership.
6. Reports of committee on applications.

7. Reading of communications-by the Recording-Corresponding Secretary.

8. Reading of receipts for the per capita tax and other monies sent to the General Secretary-Treasurer.

9. Election and installation of officers.

10. Reports of sickness, accident and death of members.

11. (a) Reports pertaining to apprentices.

(b) Reports pertaining to Branch Locals.

12. Unfinished business.
13. New business.
14. Reports of (a) Officers

(b) Delegates

(c) Committees:

Safety and health

Legislation and political action

Other

(d) Business Representatives

(e) Trustees

(f) Auditors

(g) Treasurer.

15. Subjects for the good and welfare.

16. Appropriations for monies from the treasury (drawing orders signed by the President and the Recording-Corresponding Secretary authorizing the payment of bills and other expenses).

17. Motion or order for adjournment.

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THE CONSTITUTION
OF
THE INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF
OPERATING ENGINEERS

ARTICLE I

NAME, PURPOSES, GOVERNMENT
AND RITUAL

Name

Art. I. Section 1.	This organization shall be known as the International Union of Operating Engineers  and it shall be the policy of this organization to be affiliated with the AFL-CIO and such of its departments as this organization may deem expedient.
Purposes
Art. I.  Section 2.	The objects and purposes of this organization are to elevate the trade of operating engineers  (by which trade the membership thereon earn a livelihood for themselves and their dependents) to its proper position in all industrial activity and the ranks of organized workers; to encourage a higher standard of skill among its members; to cultivate feelings of friendship among the men of the craft and those who may employ its members; to organize all persons working in the jurisdiction of this International Union without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, age or national origin; to promote the health, welfare and-safety of its members and their families; to promote, foster and develop apprentice programs, training programs and other means to advance the skills, efficiency and working knowledge of its members; to assist its members in securing and stabilizing employment; to assist employers in obtaining skilled craftsmen; to secure improved wages, hours, and working conditions through assisting affiliated Local Unions in negotiating collective bargaining agreements and through legislative

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action and other appropriate means; to further, directly and indirectly, the joint interest of the members of the International Union in the betterment of general economic and social conditions in the world, by engaging in legislative, political, educational, civic welfare, and other appropriate activities; while preserving the integrity and autonomy of this International Union, to work within the AFL-CIO and to cooperate with other International Unions for the advancement of the entire labor movement, and to assist and cooperate with free and democratic labor organizations through- out the world; to provide aid and assistance for and to bring about cooperation and coordination of effort among affiliated Local Unions; to insure the better protection of life and property by securing, the enactment of state, provincial and city Engineers License Laws and by other appropriate means; and to protect and strengthen our democratic institutions and to vigorously oppose the efforts of those who advocate the overthrow of the established order, either of government or of this organization, by force or violence or subversive tactics.

Government

Art. I. Section 3.

The International Union of Operating Engineers shall be governed by the following bodies:

1	General Convention

2	General Executive Board

3

Officers

4	Board of Trustees

5	State and Provincial Organizations

6	Joint Executive Boards

7	District Councils

8	Parent Local Unions
	and each of such bodies shall constitute a distinct entity each with its own separate identity but functioning in conformity to the Constitution and Ritual. No Local Union or its officers, employees or members, shall have power or authority to act, nor be deemed to act, on

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behalf of or agent for, or legally bind any other Local Union or member thereof, the General Convention, the General Executive Board, any of the General Officers, or the International Union of Operating Engineers, unless such authority is expressly granted by the provisions of this Constitution or by the General Executive Board. No Local Union, officer or member thereof, Supervisor or Representative, shall be authorized or permitted to accept service of summons, subpoena, or make entry of appearance, for or on behalf of the International Union, any General Officer, the General Executive Board, the Board of Trustees, or any other Local Union or other subdivision of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
Ritual
Art. I.  Section 4.	The Ritual and Obligation shall form a part of this Constitution and shall be administered in such form, and from time to time revised in such manner as the General President, with the approval of the General Executive Board, may direct.
ARTICLE II EMBLEM Description
Art. II.   Section 1.	The offic