Article I: Structure • Article II: Membership Meeting • Article III: Executive Board • Article IV: Elections • Article V: Units • Article VI :Duties of Officers • Article VII: Executive Secretary • Article VIII: Membership • Article IX: Discipline • Article X: Referendum • Article XI: Dues and Assessments • Article XII: Pension Board • Article XIII: Hospitalization and Medical Surgical Services Trust Board • Article XIV: Amendments • Article XV: Interpretation

The following bylaws of the Northeast Ohio Newspaper Guild, a local of The Newspaper Guild, are supplementary to the Constitutions of the Newspaper Guild, hereinafter called the local, and in their application these bylaws shall be governed by the Constitution of The Newspaper Guild and its policies adopted in Convention.

The bylaws were amended: November 4, 1993, by membership referendum regarding the Executive Secretary position; February 25, 1997, at an Executive Board/General Membership meeting regarding when to elect delegates to the International TNG Convention and the International CWA Convention; and November 28, 2000, at an Executive Board/General Membership meeting regarding Guild representatives on the pension board and hospitalization and medical-surgical services insurance trust board.

ARTICLE I
Structure

SECTION 1. The membership meeting of the local shall be the supreme authority of the local, except as the membership may act by referendum.

SECTION 2. Between general meetings of the local subject to the mandates of the membership, and subject to these bylaws, the affairs of the local shall be administered and the authority of the membership shall be exercised by the Executive Board, elected as hereinafter provided except that no decision permanently establishing or affecting general policies of the local. Between meetings of the Executive Board, a majority of the officers of the local may make decisions, subject to review by the Executive Board at its next meeting.

SECTION 3. Shop units shall exercise only those function and powers specifically granted by TNG constitution and these bylaws.

ARTICLE II
Membership Meeting

SECTION 1. Regular meetings of the membership shall be held quarterly, the time and place to be set by the Executive Board. The annual meeting will be held in November, so far as possible.

SECTION 2. The Executive Secretary shall give not less than 5 days' notice by mail to the membership in advance of every meeting.

SECTION 3. The order of business at the annual meeting shall be as follows: reading of minutes of last regular meeting and intervening special meetings; submission of minutes of the Executive Board for the past year; report of the president, executive secretary, treasurer and standing committees; unfinished business; new business; good and welfare; nomination of officers who shall be president, first vice president, second vice president, third vice president, fourth vice president and treasurer. At all other regular general membership meetings and Executive Board meetings, the order of business shall be as follows: reading of minutes of last regular meeting and intervening special meetings; correspondence (including receipt of applications of membership by Executive Board only); financial report; committee reports; unit reports; unfinished business; new business; good and welfare. The order of business at any meeting may be changed at any time by a majority vote of the meeting.

SECTION 4. A special general membership meeting shall be called by the Executive Secretary in accordance with Article II, Section 2 upon instructions by the Executive Board, or upon written petition signed by not fewer than ten percent of the members in good standing. Any group petitioning for a special meeting shall specify the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. The
action of any special meeting shall be limited to the business announced in the meeting notice.

SECTION 5. At any regular or special meeting, a quorum shall consist of twenty members present and in good standing, provided they include members of at least three units of the local.

SECTION 6. At meetings of the units, divisions or any group within the local, any action taken shall be merely advisory to the local or to the Executive Board.

ARTICLE III
Executive Board

SECTION 1. (a) The Executive Board shall consist of the president, first, second, third and fourth vice presidents, and treasurer, and unit delegates elected at the rate of two delegates from each unit, and one additional delegate for every twenty-five members of the unit, in good standing, or major fraction thereof.

(b) In a delegate's absence the unit will be represented at Executive Board meetings by an alternate or, in the absence of any alternates, by a substitute chosen by the delegate. Alternates will be candidates not elected to the
Board serving in order of vote totals. It will be the responsibility of the delegate and unit chairperson to see that the unit is fully represented. Alternates and substitutes so identifying themselves will be entitled to vote.

SECTION 2. New officers and new members of the Executive Board shall be installed at the first regular meeting held after the annual election in so far as possible.

SECTION 3. At the request of any ten members, the executive secretary shall call a meeting of the Executive Board as promptly as possible.

SECTION 4. A quorum at any meeting of the Executive Board shall consist of twelve members, provided they include members from at least three units of the local.

SECTION 5. At all meetings of the Executive Board each member, including the presiding officer, shall be entitled to one vote.

SECTION 6. The Executive Board shall pass on the handling of all local funds except for payment of a routine nature which shall be handled by the Executive Secretary. All checks shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the executive secretary or president of the local.

SECTION 7. The President with the approval of the Executive Board may at any time appoint committees to perform certain duties, and may delegate specific
authority to such committees. Such committees and their members shall at all times be subject to control, removal or replacement by the local and the Executive Board.

SECTION 8. The Executive Board shall have general direction of all local officers.

SECTION 9. The Executive Board shall meet monthly on a regular day, as it shall provide.

SECTION 10. Members of the Executive Board who absent themselves from three consecutive meetings of the Board without valid cause shall lose membership on
the Board upon a majority vote of the other members of the Board. In such case the Executive Board shall instruct the unit to elect a new delegate. The Executive Secretary shall notify all units, at least quarterly, of the attendance record of their delegates. Valid cause from absence shall be determined by the Executive Board, but appeal from the decision of the Board may be made to
the general membership.

SECTION 11. Notice of all action of the Executive Board shall be transmitted to the general membership, either through the medium of shop papers or by posting the minutes of Board meetings in each unit.

SECTION 12. Negotiators in collective bargaining on behalf of the local or any of its units shall be selected by the Executive Board and shall be answerable to the Board. Any agreement reached in negotiations shall be submitted to a vote of the units concerned. Such vote shall be considered by the Executive Board, but an affirmative vote shall not be binding on the Board. Before signing, an agreement shall require ratification by the Executive Board. Units which include editorial and commercial departments shall have adequate representation from both departments on the negotiating committee.

ARTICLE IV
Elections

SECTION 1. The officers of the local, except for the executive secretary, shall be elected annually by secret ballot membership referendum in January. Nomination of officers shall be received from the floor at the annual meeting of the Guild next preceding, by not less than thirty days, the annual election. The meeting notice shall state that nominations of officers will be made at the
meeting. Not less than fifteen days prior to the election, the executive secretary shall mail to the home address of each member a list of the qualified candidates, together with notice of the time and place of elections.

SECTION 2. The number of delegates to be elected and sent by the Local to the International TNG Convention and to the International CWA Convention shall be
determined at a meeting of the membership. Delegates shall be nominated at the same meeting and elected by secret ballot in a special election for which at least 15 days' notice has been given to the membership. Candidates not elected will be alternates in order of their respective votes. Convention delegates' expenses shall be paid by the local.

SECTION 3. Vacancies in the post of local officers or delegates shall be filled by the Executive Board. Persons so designated shall hold office only until the next regular membership meeting of the local for which proper notice can be given.

SECTION 4 (a) In any election for local or unit office, including that of convention delegate, persons nominated shall not be recorded as candidates unless they signify acceptance in person at the nominating meeting or in a written statement given beforehand to the meeting chairperson.

(b) If the nominees for any local or unit office do not exceed the number to be elected, the person or persons nominated shall be declared elected at the nominating meeting.

(c) In contests for local and unit offices, a majority of those voting shall be required to elect. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff election between the candidates with the highest number of votes shall be conducted by secret ballot referendum within 14 days.

(d) In contests for the posts of executive board member and convention delegate, candidates receiving the most votes, up to the number required to fill the posts, shall be declared elected.

(e) In all secret ballot elections, position of names on ballots will be determined by lot.

ARTICLE V
Units

SECTION 1. (a) Each unit shall meet annually during the week following the election of local officers to receive nominations for and elect a unit chairperson, vice chairperson, treasurer and secretary and delegates to the Executive Board as per Article III, Section 1 of these bylaws. If there is a contest for any office, the unit meeting may be majority vote provide for a secret ballot referendum.

(b) Notice of the meeting for the nomination and election of unit officers and delegates to the Executive Board, including nominations and elections to fill vacancies under Article V, Section 5 shall be mailed to each member of the unit at his or her home address no less than fifteen days before the meeting. The notice shall state that nominations will be received and election held for the unit officers and unit delegates to the Executive Board up for election, and shall specify the time and place of the meeting.

SECTION 2. The unit officers, and such members as the unit may elect, shall comprise the Unit Council, which shall call unit meetings when necessary and direct the affairs of the unit between meetings.

SECTION 3. Unit election disputes shall be decided by the local Executive Board.

SECTION 4. Each unit shall, after each unit meeting, file promptly with the Executive Secretary a report of all action taken and questions raised. Such report shall be filed within five days.

SECTION 5. Vacancies in the post of unit officers, or delegates to the Executive Board, shall be filled by nomination and a unit election by secret ballot at the next meeting for which proper notice can be give. Notice for such meeting shall be given in accordance with Article V, Section 1 (b).

SECTION 6. (a) A special unit meeting shall be called by the chairperson or vice chairperson upon written petition signed by not fewer than 20% of the membership of the unit in good standing. Any group petitioning for a special meeting shall specify the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is to be called, and the action of the meeting shall be limited to the business announced in the meeting notice.

(b) Any vote on calling a strike, respecting the picket line or acting on a contract settlement must be by secret ballot by the members present at a legally constituted meeting for which adequate notice has been given. Adequacy of the notice, if challenged, shall be determined by a vote of the members present. Only members in good standing shall vote. Eligibility shall be checked and confirmed by the unit treasurers or acting treasurers.

(c) In normal working conditions, forty-eight hours bulletin-board notice must be given for all unit meetings. During a strike or lockout, twelve hours notice must be given by posters, radio, television and telephone to whatever extent possible.

SECTION 7. (a) Shop stewards shall be appointed by the unit chairperson to assist him or her in the duties of the office.

(b) The unit chairperson shall also appoint a Grievance Committee.

ARTICLE VI
Duties of Officers

SECTION 1. The president shall: preside at all membership meetings and at meetings of the Executive Board; supervise other officers in the exercise of their duties; sign all membership cards and meet weekly with the other officers, unless otherwise provided.

SECTION 2. The first vice president shall perform the duties of the president in his or her absence.

SECTION 3. The treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the local under the direction of the Executive Board. He or she shall provide annually a report of audit of accounts. The treasurer shall be bonded in a sum set
annually by TNG and paid for by the local.

ARTICLE VII
Executive Secretary

SECTION 1. The Executive Secretary shall be the chief administrative officer of the local union, and shall be primarily responsible for the conduct of its business. He or she shall see to it that notices of the union's desire to
open contract negotiations are delivered on time, and shall be answerable to the Executive Board for the conduct of the office. He or she shall recommend to the Executive Board the hiring of office staff and shall direct its work. The Executive Secretary shall keep the local's records in accordance with the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959; shall conduct the
correspondence of the local and shall cause the minutes of membership meetings and Executive Board meetings to be kept. He or she shall also keep records of the
resolutions of grievances.

SECTION 2. Effective with its first meeting of 1994, the Executive Board shall appoint the Executive Secretary.

SECTION 3. (a) The contract between the local and the Executive Secretary shall be ratified by the Executive Board.

(b) Individual contracts shall not exceed two years. But they can be extended or renewed by mutual consent.

(c) The Executive Secretary's wage and fringe package shall at least equal that for the top classification at the local's major dailies.

SECTION 4. Applicants for the position of the Executive Secretary need not be members of Local One or The Newspaper Guild. But upon appointment, the Executive Secretary shall join and pay regular dues and assessments.

SECTION 5. The Executive Secretary shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

SECTION 6. In the event the Executive Secretary leaves office during the term of his or her contract, the Executive Board shall select a temporary administrator until a permanent appointment can be made.

ARTICLE VIII
Membership

SECTION 1. An applicant for membership shall submit an application card to the Executive Board of the local. Final action shall be by the Executive Board, subject to the appeals provided in TNG constitution.

SECTION 2. Good standing requirements of TNG constitution in respect to dues shall apply equally to initiation fee payments and assessment payments
required by TNG constitution and these bylaws.

ARTICLE IX
Discipline

SECTION 1. Discipline under these bylaws shall be governed by the constitution.

ARTICLE X
Referendum

SECTION 1. Any matter to be decided by the local may be submitted to a referendum of the membership by vote of the Executive Board, or upon a petition signed by not less than 20% of the members in good standing and representative of three or more units.

SECTION 2. Provisions for holding a referendum shall be made by the Executive Board, and may take the form of a vote by mail or a vote in person at designated polling places.

ARTICLE XI
Dues and Assessments

SECTION 1. (a) Monthly dues shall be as provided by the local, subject to schedules drawn by the International Convention of TNG and to temporary increases resulting from international assessments.

(b) The rates of dues and initiation fee may be changed by a majority vote in a secret ballot of members in good standing at a regular or special meeting, notice of which, given in accordance with Article II, Section 2, shall state
the intent to vote upon such question at the meeting. Members at such meeting may instead provide, by majority vote, that the question be submitted to a
secret ballot referendum which shall be held within fourteen (14) days. In no case shall these rates be lower than the dues schedules set forth in The Newspaper Guild constitution.

SECTION 2. Each applicant admitted to membership shall pay an initiation fee of $5.00 and one month's dues, or submit a signed checkoff card in lieu of first month's dues.

SECTION 3. Reinstatement fees, where required or allowed by TNG constitution, shall be set by the local Executive Board. The Board may impose a fine or penalty.

SECTION 4. The local treasurer shall be exempt from dues payment. Unit treasurers may, upon written recommendation by the local treasurer and with the
approval of the Executive Board, be exempt from dues payments. Members regularly designated to record minutes of local meetings may also be exempt from dues
payments by the Executive Board. The local shall pay per capita taxes for any member exempt from dues.

SECTION 5. The local may, by majority vote by secret ballot of the members in good standing at a membership meeting, levy an assessment. Notice of intent to vote upon the proposed assessment shall be contained in the notice of the meeting (given under Article II, Section 2) at which it is proposed such action shall be taken. Members at such meeting may instead provide, by majority vote, that the question be submitted to a secret ballot referendum which shall be held within fourteen (14) days.

SECTION 6. All money collected on behalf of or in the name of the local, or any other branch of TNG, shall be the property of the local.

ARTICLE XII
Pension Board

SECTION 1. Guild representatives on boards governing the several pension plans in which Guild members participate will be appointed from the units involved by the local president, after prior consultation with the applicable unit's officers and with the approval of the Executive Board. All representatives shall serve at the pleasure of the President, subject to removal by the
President, after prior consultation with the applicable unit's officers and with the approval of the Executive Board. Alternates may be appointed in the same manner.

SECTION 2. Except as provided in Section 1, appointments of Guild representatives to a pension board will be made annually.

SECTION 3. Pension representatives shall represent the Guild in all pension matters. Any policy agreement into which they enter will be subject to the approval of the Executive Board, after prior consultation with the applicable unit's officers. The representatives will report regularly to the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XIII
Hospitalization and Medical Surgical
Services Insurance Trust Board

SECTION 1. The president, after prior consultation with The Plain Dealer unit's officers and with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint from The Plain Dealer unit two regular and two alternate trustees to serve as Guild representatives on the board. All trustees and alternates shall serve at the pleasure of the President, subject to removal by the President, after prior consultation with The Plain Dealer unit's officers and with the approval of the Executive Board.

SECTION 2. Except as provided in Section 1, appointments of Guild representatives to the insurance trust board will be made annually.

SECTION 3. The trustees shall report at each regular meeting of the Executive Board, which must approve, after prior consultation with The Plain Dealer unit's officers, any proposed major policy agreements before they are entered into by the trustees.

ARTICLE XIV
Amendments

SECTION 1. These bylaws may be amended by any membership meeting provided that:

(a) the proposed amendments have been approved by the Executive Board or submitted to the Board in a petition signed by not less than 20% of the membership in good standing and that

(b) at least ten (10) days before the meeting the proposed changes have been mailed to members or posted on unit bulletin boards.

ARTICLE XV
Interpretation

SECTION 1. These bylaws shall be interpreted by the Executive Board, subject to appeal by the membership to the International Executive Board, and the next international convention of The Newspaper Guild. Questions of procedure not covered by TNG constitution, convention decisions, or these bylaws, shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.