Constitution

The Constitution is HSAA’s highest expression of the collective will of the membership of the Union. It stands as the ultimate authority upon which every decision is based. As such, it can only be amended by a 2/3 vote of the delegates at Convention of a special meeting.

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On this page you can review the web version of the Constitution. A PDF file can also be downloaded.

Article 36 - Duties of the Board

  1. The duties of the Board shall be, in addition to any duties described elsewhere in the Constitution or otherwise implied by the Constitution:
    1. To formulate policy on issues affecting the Union and manage its affairs between general meetings;
    2. To meet to conduct its business as often as required;
    3. To consider all matters placed on the agenda by the Board Members for such meetings and to take such action on each item as the Board may consider wise;
    4. To appoint such committees as are necessary for the functioning of the Union and to further its objectives;
    5. To approve investigators as per Article: Complaint(s) of a Constitutional Breach;
    6. To appoint representatives to affiliated labour organizations and advocacy bodies;
    7. To have in charge the general interests of the Union and its members in the intervals between general meetings;
    8. To ratify the appointment of the Executive Director;
    9. To establish the policy governing all Union publications;
    10. To appoint the auditors of the Union and ensure that the books of the Union are audited each year, or as often as required during the year;
    11. To report on its activities to the membership at its general meetings; and
    12. To determine, from time to time, the location of any office of the Union;
    13. To prepare and approve an annual budget;
    14. Represent HSAA to external bodies as delegated or assigned.
  2. Board of Directors Authority During Job Action

    In case of any job action involving HSAA and its members, the Board of Directors shall have the authority and responsibility, subject to express provisions of this Constitution, to determine appropriate policies and procedures.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and regardless whether the job action is initiated by HSAA, by another Union, or by the employer, the Board of Directors has the authority:

    1. To set and revise job action pay.
    2. To establish conditions for receiving job action pay, which may include a requirement to perform an amount of picket or alternate duty.
    3. To determine which members are assigned to perform essential services.
    4. In the case of a job action initiated by HSAA, to determine the timing and duration of strike at any facility.