Local 251 members voted for reforms to strengthen our union in March. Now these reforms have been officially approved by the International Union.

Local 251 members voted to change our local union bylaws to establish

• the right to elect their shop stewards
• the right to elect rank-and-file members to contract negotiating committees
• the right to vote on any salary increases for union officers and representatives

These changes were first proposed three years ago but the officers who ran Local 251 at that time fiercely opposed the changes.

A majority of members voted in favor the reforms, but the Local 251 Bylaws were not changed because a two-thirds majority was required to officially amend the bylaws.

Your current Executive Board cut our salaries, launched contract campaigns, held elections for bargaining committees, started a new organizing program, and proposed the Member Bill of Rights in our local union bylaws.

Members voted to approve the reforms by 90 percent.

Members also voted to lower the union dues rate for all members who make less than $15 an hour and to establish a Local 251 Strike Fund to help members win good contracts.

This issue is being reviewed by the International Union. We will keep you informed.

Click here to download the Local 251 bylaws.