Governing Structure
GMWU CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 7 - STRUCTURE
The structure of the Union shall be as follows:
i. Delegates Conference
ii. National Executive Council
iii. Management Committee
iv. Finance Committee
v. Office of the General Secretary
vi. Branch/PMS Unions
7.1 Delegates Conference
7.1.1 Powers
The highest governing body of the Union shall be the
Delegates Conference and its decision shall be by a simple majority vote.
7.1.2 Composion
Persons entled to aend the Conference shall consist of the following:
a. Delegates of the various Branch/PMS Unions, Observers and O cials
b. Delegates to the Conference shall be the Chairperson and Secretary of the Branch/PMS Unions and any other member(s) elected by the Execuve Commi}ee of the Branch/PMS Unions.
c. Selecoon of Delegates from Branch/PMS Unions to the Conference in accordance with their paid-up membership shall be as follows:
i. Membership up to 200 – 2
ii. Membership between 201 and 300 – 3
iii. Membership between 301 and 500 – 4
iv. Membership between 501 and 1000 – 5
v. Membership between 1001 and 200 – 6
vi. Membership between 2001 and 3500 – 8
vii. Membership between 3501 and 4500 – 10
viii. Membership between 4501 and 6500 – 13
ix. Membership between 6501 and 8500 – 16
x. Membership between 8501 and 10,500 – 19
xi. Any additional 500 membership shall attract one more delegate
d. Selection of Observers from the Branch/PMS Unions to the Conference shall be as follows:
I. Membership up to 1000 – 1
ii. Membership between 1001 and 4000 – 2
iii. Membership between 4001 and 6000 – 3
iv. Membership between 6001 and 8000 – 4
v. Membership between 8001 and 10000 – 5
vi. Membership between 10001 and 12000 – 6
vii. Any membership above 12000 – 7
e. Members of the Naonal Execuve Council not elected by the Branch Union as Delegates shall aend the Conference as observers.
f. Persons selected by the Union as Guests shall aend the Conference as observers.
g. Members selected from Branch/PMS Unions to the Delegates’ Conference as Delegates shall include women where there are female members.
h. Members selected from Branch/PMS Unions to the Delegates Conference as Delegate shall include the youth representave who is within the ages of 18 and 35 years.
I. Execuve members of the Naonal Women’s Commiuee shall aend as Delegates.
7.1.3 MEETINGS
a. The Delegates Conference shall be held once every four (4) years.
b. The National Executive Council shall fix the date and select the venue for the Conference.
7.1.4 DUES
The Delegates Conference shall perform the following dues:
a. Receive, discuss and adopt reports of the Naonal Execuve Council for the period under review.
b. Receive, discuss and adopt the Audited Financial Report for the period under review.
c. Amend the Constitution Union if necessary.
d. Elect the following National Officers of the Union:
i. National Chairperson
ii. 1st National Vice Chairperson
iii. 2nd National Vice Chairperson
iv. General Secretary
v. Deputy General Secretary
vi. 1st National Trustee
vii. 2nd National Trustee
viii. National Porter/Chaplain
e. Formulate and prepare Policies and Resolutions of the Union.
a. Three quarters (3/4) of the Branch/PMS Unions of the Union shall form a quorum at the opening of every Conference.
b. In the course of the Conference, two-thirds (2/3) of the registered delegates shall form a quorum of every session.
7.1.6 Voting Rights
At any Conference,
a. Every accredited Delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
b. Incumbent elected National Officers shall have voting rights.
7.1.7 Conference Committees
There shall be established at Conference the following
Committees:
i. Credential
ii. Standing Orders
iii. Resolutions
iv. Constitution
v. Elections
vi. Any other Committee deemed necessary by the National Executive Council subject to the approval of Conference.
7.1.5 QUORUM
a. Three quarters (3/4) of the Branch/PMS Unions of the Union shall form a quorum at the opening of every Conference.
b. In the course of the Conference, two-thirds (2/3) of the registered delegates shall form a quorum of every session.
7.1.6 VOTING
At any Conference,
a. Every accredited Delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
b. Incumbent elected National Officers shall have voting rights.
7.1.7 COMFERENCE COMMITTES
There shall be established at Conference the following
Committees:
i. Credential
ii. Standing Orders
iii. Resolutions
iv. Constitution
v. Elections
vi. Any other Committee deemed necessary by the National Executive Council subject to the approval of Conference.
7.2 EXTRA-ORDINARY CONFERENCE
a. An Extra-Ordinary Delegates Conference shall be convened by the National Executive Council at any me by giving not less than one month notice to all Branch/PMS Unions in writing.
b. Upon a request by not less than two third (2/3) of the total number of Branch/PMS Unions, the National Executive shall convene an Extra-Ordinary Conference by giving not less than one (1) month notice to all the Branch/PMS Unions in writing.
c. Notice for convening an Extra-Ordinary Conference shall be given within one (1) month after a request has been made.
d. Every notice shall specify the nature of business for which the meeting is requested.
ARTICLES - 8
There shall be established, a Naonal Execuve Council of the Union.
8.1 Powers
The governing of the Union during the periods between Delegates Conference shall be vested in the National Executive Council.
8.2 Composition
The National Executive Council shall be composed of:
a. Elected Members
i. National Officers
ii. Branch Union/PMS Representatives
iii. Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the National Women’s Committee
b. Ex-Officio Members
i. Chairperson of the Finance Committee (including where he/she is not an elected member of the National Executive Council).
ii. Heads of Department
iii. Gender Desk Officer
8.2.1 BRANCH/PMS UNION REPRESENTATION
Representaon from Branch/PMS Unions shall be as follows:
i. Two (2) representaves from each Branch/PMS Unions up to membership of 1000
ii. Three (3) representaves from each Branch/PMS Unions with membership between 1001 and 3000
iii. Four (4) representaves from each Branch/PMS Unions with membership between 3001 and 5000
iv. Five (5) representaves from each Branch/PMS Unions with membership between 5001 and 7000
v. Six representatives from each Branch with membership between 7000 and 10,000.
vi. Any additional 1000 membership shall attract one more representative.
8.3 ORDINARY MEETINGS
The National Executive Council shall hold at least two ordinary meetings in a year
8.4 EMERGENCY MEETINGS
a. Fifty percent (50%) plus one (1) of the total number of Branch/PMS Unions shall have the power to call for an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council.
b. The Management Committee of the Union shall have the power to call for an Emergency Meeting of the National Executive Council when necessary.
c. Notice for convening the emergency meeting of the National Executive Council shall be given within two-weeks after a request has been made.
8.5 DUES
The National Executive Council shall perform the following dues:
a. Set forth regulations and make policy directives other than those in this constitution, and these shall not be inconsistent with any provision of this constitution.
b. Interpret the constitution when necessary and determine any point on which the constitution is silent.
c. Intervene in disputes/conflicts within Branch/PMS Union and other structures of the Union.
d. Intervene in disputes between Branch/PMS Unions and their employers.
e. Suspend the election of officers in any Branch/PMS Unions where there is evidence that there is no peace due to the conduct of such Branch/PMS Unions and/or the officers. The National Executive Council shall accordingly appoint Interim Committee to manage the a airs of such Branch/PMS Union pending resolution of the problem.
f. Convene an Extra-Ordinary Conference to deal with any contingency that may arise.
g. Enter into relations with friendly workers organizations, other organizations or individuals with a view to achieving the objects of the Union.
h. Approve budgetary proposals submitted by the Finance Committee and other financial transactions of the Union as laid down in this Constitution.
i. Protect the funds of the Union against extravagant use or misappropriation.
j. Enter into transactions and execute contracts in the name and on behalf of the Union.
k. Accept on behalf of the Union, donations, grants, endowments for the purpose of achieving its objects provided that the acceptance of any such assistance shall not compromise the independence of the Union.
l. Seek loans or overdra on behalf of the Union from appropriate sources.
m. Approve Condivons of Service for Sta , Naonal O cers, Branch/PMS Union O cers and Members of the Naonal Execuve Council.
n. Take disciplinary acon against:
i. Member(s) of the Union
ii. Branch/PMS Union O cer(s)
iii. Heads of Departments
iv. Member(s) of the National Executive Council who after having been given an opportunity to defend himself is proved, to the satisfaction of the Council to have been guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interest of the Union and in flagrant disregard of the provisions of this Constitution, the Internal Regulations, the Policy Directives and decisions of the Union.
o. Appoint Special Committee as deemed necessary to improve the services of the Union or deal with any question which may arise from me to me. Each Committee shall appoint its own Chairperson from among its members whilst the Secretary shall be appointed by the General Secretary. Such Committee shall act in advisory capacity and the National Executive Council shall take all decisions on questions referred to such Committees.
The General Secretary or his Deputy shall be an ex-officio member of all such Committees.
p. Examine audit reports, reports of the General Secretary and Committees and other bodies as may be appointed by it or referred to it by the Delegates Conference.
q. Prepare reports on its activities to the Delegates Conference.
r. Nominate persons to contest for positions at Congress and elect delegates who will attend Congress of the Trades Union Congress on behalf of the Union.
s. Fill the following vacancies according to the laid down conditions and procedures for selecting a member of the Council:
i. Death or resignation from the Council
ii. Removal from office as Branch/PMS Union Official
iii. Leaving the service of an establishment by a member of the Council
t. Extend mandate of Branch/PMS Union Officers to continue in office after the expiration of tenure of office in case where legal suits prevent the holding of elections.