1. GAO Employee Organization Draft Constitution Briefing and feedback session for bargaining unit employees Presented by the Interim Council Constitution Committee

2. Agenda 1.Background 2.Process to develop constitution 3.Overview of constitution components 4.Next steps 5.Issues for BU for input 6.Questions

3. Background Establishes the components of the union structure and how they relate Establishes basic operations of how the union will function, including –Forms of representation, leadership, and elections Must be in place before elections for first permanent assembly and officers Does not address –“Nitty gritty” rules of how the union operates (by-laws or policy manual) –How the union will relate with management (contract) The constitution Interim Council was charged to develop the constitution

4. Development Design (completed in April) Message (completed in June) Product (August – September) Interim Council (IC) formed the Constitution Committee to draft the constitution The Committee developed an approach similar to a GAO audit to develop the constitution

5. Structure Large model Executive (5 officers) President VP, Grievance & Dispute Resolution VP, Field Operations Treasurer Secretary Assembly (35 delegates) HQ (13) Field (11) PDP (3) CA Diversity (6) Band I Stewards (to be determined)

6. Structure Small model Executive (5 officers) President VP, Grievance & Dispute Resolution VP, Field Operations Treasurer Secretary Assembly (21 delegates) At-Large (15), at least: -6 field -2 PDP Diversity (6) Stewards (to be determined)

7. Constitution: Opening Preamble – states purpose and guiding principles, such as fairness, openness, accountability, etc. Name: GAO Employee Organization/IFPTE Local 1921

8. Constitution: Membership Outlines the two types of membership –Full: Current bargaining unit employees –Associate: Retirees, other employees (not bargaining unit) Lists privileges of membership for each type

9. Constitution: Assembly Delegates represent members –Provide input to officers for negotiations –Set policy and dues Also trained to serve as stewards Two models under consideration: –35 delegates, similar to current IC –21 delegates, smaller body elected at-large

10. Constitution: Stewards Provide support, education and outreach Assist bargaining unit with –Adverse actions –Grievances –Meetings Envision more stewards than delegates—at least one in each unit/office Activities coordinated by the Vice President for Grievance and Dispute Resolution

11. Constitution: Officers Five officers: –President –VP, Grievance & Dispute Resolution –VP, Field Operations –Treasurer –Secretary Implement union policy as set by assembly, by-laws and constitution Responsible for day-to-day union operations

12. Constitution: Committees Two key committees established by the Constitution: –Grievance: Ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreement Evaluates grievances Makes recommendations to Assembly –Election: Runs elections Assembly may establish other committees as needed

13. Constitution: Other Nomination and voting procedures for union offices Finances Succession/removal from office Amendments Separation of duties Political independence and nonpartisanship

14. Next steps Listening sessions with Bargaining Unit Constitution Committee will draft full text of constitution IC will vote to approve draft IC will administer referendum before bargaining unit to ratify constitution After ratification, the IC will work with Election Committee to begin election process

15. Issues for further input Size of the Assembly Which is the preferred model - 1.Larger Assembly with delegates elected by unit and at-large diversity seats or 2.Smaller Assembly all elected at-large?

16. Issues for further input Chair of the Assembly Who should chair this body? 1.The President or 2.A Delegate the Assembly would select as chair?

17. Issues for further input Proportional Representation Should units/offices need to meet a minimum threshold of union members to have their own Delegate on the Assembly? (large model only)

18. Questions?