Section 1.

All candidates for election as National Executive Secretary-Treasurer must be able to qualify for a personal or surety bond in any amount designated by the National Executive Officers. Cost of the bond shall be borne by the National Federation of Independent Unions.

Section 2.

Eligibility Requirements for all National Officers. In order that a representative of an affiliate Union may be eligible to election any office in the Organization;

1. He must be an American Citizen.
2. He must be at least 21 years of age.
3. He must be a member in good standing of an affiliated union.
4. He must not be a member or advocate of an Un-American or subversive Organization.
5. He must be a person of good character who shall comply with this Constitution, the By-Laws, and Official Resolutions of the National Federation of Independent Unions.
6. No more than two (2) National Executive Officers shall be from any member Union.
7. A candidate for office of an Executive Officer must be a member of a Union for at least two (2) consecutive years immediately prior to taking office.
   1. A candidate for the office of Regional Vice President must be a member of a Union that has been affiliated with the National Federation of Independent Unions for at least one (1) continuous year immediately prior to taking office.

Section 3.

The nomination of candidates for National or Regional Office shall be from the Convention floor by qualified delegates or the Election Committee. Members of affiliated Unions in good standing may be nominated even though not in attendance at the Convention if prior written verification has been obtained that they will be in a position to serve if elected. Nominations shall be deemed closed by the Election Committee after three (3) succeeding calls for nomination have been made without response from the floor.

Section 4.

The election of National Executive Officers and Regional Vice Presidents shall be by roll call, per capita tax vote when there is more than one (1) candidate for each office and shall require a majority of all votes cast to constitute an election. When there are more than two (2) candidates for the same office, the one receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped. The voting shall continue until one has received a majority over all. All elections for Officer shall be by secret ballot whenever there is more than one (1) candidate nominated for such Office. Each candidate shall be entitled to be present or represented when ballots are counted. When there is only one candidate nominated for an office, the Secretary shall cast a unanimous vote for that candidate.

Section 5.

All National Executive Officers and Regional Vice Presidents following their election, shall take the Oath of Office. The Installation Ceremony may be performed by a retiring National President, the Acting President, or any duly authorized Representative of the National Federation of Independent Unions.

I, ________________, do hereby pledge my most sacred honor that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office, or other duties assigned to me, during the term for which I have been elected, or until my successor is duly elected and installed; that I will keep in strict confidence the private proceedings of this Union, and that I will do all in my power at all times to further the cause of the National Federation of Independent Unions.

ARTICLE II - DELEGATES AND VOTING STRENGTH

Section 1.

Each affiliated Union in good standing shall be entitled to representation in the General Convention.

Section 2.

Each affiliated Union in good standing shall be entitled to votes on the basis of their average per capita dues paid during the previous year, or the average for the period of time since their affiliation, if less than one (1) year.

Section 2a.

Observer affiliates have no vote.

Section 3.

Each affiliated union may conduct the election of its convention delegate or delegates, in whatever manner shall seem most desirable to such affiliated Union, but such delegate or delegates shall not be recognized by this Organization, nor permitted to participate in the Convention of this Organization unless the Secretary of such affiliated Union shall have furnished to the National Executive Secretary a written statement certifying the name or names of the person or persons, or their alternates; nor shall such delegate or delegates be permitted to participate in the Convention unless all dues payable by his or their affiliated Union the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer are fully paid up to date.

Section 1.

The National Executive Officers shall meet immediately prior to Convention and elect one of their members to serve as National Recording Secretary of the Convention. This Officer shall serve as National Recording Secretary until replaced by a majority vote of the National Executive Officers, or until immediately prior to the next Convention when the same procedure shall be followed. In case of resignation, the Office will remain vacant until the next official meeting of the National Executive Officers.

Section 2.

Prior to the Convention call to order, the National President shall appoint a Credentials Committee consisting of five (5) members. The Chairman of said Committee shall then appoint one (1) member to serve as Sergeant of Arms during the Convention. Immediately after the Convention is opened, the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer and the Chairman of the Credentials Committee shall report on credentials and rules.

Section 3.

As soon as feasible after calling the Convention to order, the National President shall appoint the following Committees, (of not less than three (3) members each).

1. Budget, Audit and Finance
2. Constitution and By-Laws
3. Election
4. Any special committee deemed necessary.

Section 4.

A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of one-third (1/3) of the delegates seated. The business of the convention shall proceed in the following order:

1. Call to Order
2. Presentation of Credentials
3. Roll Call of Officers
4. Appointment of Committees
5. Communications and Bills
6. Resolutions, etc.
7. Reports of Committees
8. Unfinished Business
9. Nomination and Election of Officers
10. New Business
11. Adjournment

Section 5.

All affiliated Unions in good standing shall be notified in writing by the National Executive Secretary-Treasure at least sixty (60) days prior to holding of the convention.

Section 6.

Except as herein provided, in order for any action to be official action, of the convention, it must be approved by a majority vote of those present and voting.

Section 7.

The annual Legislative Conference shall be set by the Executive Officers. The call of the Legislative Conference shall be given to all affiliates at least sixty (60) days prior to the conference.

Section 1.

NATIONAL PRESIDENT: It shall be the duty of the National President to attend and preside over all conventions of the National Federation of Independent Unions and meetings of the National Executive Officers. He shall have the full power to enforce the provisions of this constitution and by-laws; and the will of the membership as expressed in resolutions adopted. He shall appoint all convention committees as herein provided and he shall be a member ex-officio of all committees. He may delegate such of his duties as he deems necessary to the National Executive Vice Presidents and the Regional Vice Presidents. He shall countersign all vouchers where appropriately authorized. He shall be responsible for all organizing activities of the National Federation of Independent Unions. He shall perform all other duties pertaining to his Office.

Section 1a.

He shall keep all affiliates advised to all important developments affecting organized labor for the economic and legislative standpoint.

Section 2.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS: The National Executive Vice Presidents shall be responsible to the locals within his area, and responsible to the National President to perform these duties. Any approach within any of the areas by the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer and/or the National President, the National Executive Vice President must be notified.

Section 3.

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS: All Regional Vice Presidents shall perform all duties assigned to them by the National President or the National Executive Vice President of their region. It shall be the duty of each Regional Vice President to assist affiliates and potentials in their region when requested.

Section 4.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER:

Section 4a.

He shall perform such duties as directed by the National President and/or the National Executive Vice Presidents.

Section 4b.

He shall receive all funds of the Organization and deposit same in a bank or banks approved by the National Executive Officers in the name of the National Federation of Independent Unions.

Section 4c.

He shall pay for all claims legally due. He shall issue vouchers for all claims legally due for which expenditure of funds has been authorized by the National Executive Officers. All vouchers shall be signed by the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer and counter-signed by the National President.

Section 4d.

He shall present annual audits to the Convention Delegates properly certified by the Budget, Audit and Finance Committee. Copy of said audit report shall be sent to all affiliate unions in good standing.

Section 4e.

He shall present a bond of not less than $5,000.00 or prescribed by law.

Section 4f.

He shall take all action necessary to obtain and maintain compliance with government regulations related to the finance affairs of the organization.

Section 4g.

The Secretary shall record minutes of all meetings of the National Federation. He shall also record minutes of all Executive Officers meetings. He shall mail a copy of the minutes to affiliates no later than forty-five (45) days after the meetings.