RESOLUTION CONCERNING REPORTS ON NOLSW ACTIVITIES AND FINANCES

   Whereas, it is essential to an open and democratic union that the membership regularly receive information regarding the activities of the union; and

 Whereas, the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320 (NOLSW) is comprised of nearly 4,000 members in more than 100 bargaining units spread across the country; and

 Whereas, the membership of NOLSW is often geographically distant from one another and would benefit from having information about the struggles and success of other units who deal with similar issues in their workplace; and

 Whereas, pursuant to the By-Laws of NOLSW and the Constitution of the International Union, NOLSW has constituted a Committee of rank-and-file Trustees who perform an audit of the books and financial records of NOLSW semiannually as provided in the International Constitution, a report of which is prepared and sent to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the UAW at the conclusion of the Trustees’ audit; and

 Whereas, any member in good standing is entitled to review a copy of the Trustees’ Semi-Annual Audit Report; and

 Whereas, NOLSW is required to file an annual financial report with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS 990), which reports are open to public inspection by law;

 Be it resolved that the National Executive Board (NEB) will ensure that information concerning current union activities is made available to the membership on a regular basis, such as by posting newsletter on the NOLSW website or in such other manner as the NEB determines to be appropriate and efficient for achieving the broadest distribution possible based on available resources. Such information will ordinarily include:

  1. Updates on local unit activities of interest or significance, including bargaining struggles and successes, strikes, grievances and arbitrations;
  2. Updates on lobbying efforts and political campaigns of interest or significance, on both the National and local level;
  3. Updates on organizing efforts, including recent organizing drives and newly organized or affiliated units;
  4. Information concerning current officers and staff of NOLSW, including contact information, and updates on any vacant officer or staff positions; and

 Be it further resolved that the National Executive Board (NEB) will ensure that a copy of the Trustees’ Semi-Annual Audit for June will be mailed to each unit chair at a confirmed home address within sixty days of its completion and that a copy of the Trustees’ Semi-Annual Audit for December and annual IRS 990 will be mailed to each unit chair within sixty days of completion of the IRS 990; and

 Be it further resolved that the NEB will ensure that copies of the minutes of NEB meetings are made available upon request to any member in good standing; and

 Be it further resolved that the NEB will cause a notice to be sent to each Unit advising members of their right to access such documents and providing information on how they may be obtained.

Sponsored by:   Jim Provost, Unit Chair, on behalf of the Legal Services Staff Association

Adopted by National Joint Council - June 23, 2004