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Statement Opposed to Proposed Amendments to Statewide Constitution

WHY A QUORUM MATTERS

A reasonable quorum (the number of members who must participate in a vote) is one that is achievable but high enough to require broad member approval. It's a basic democratic protection for any organization that makes decisions by voting. A reasonable quorum protects against a few making major decisions for the entire organization.

THE QUORUM FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

CUE's constitution establishes local autonomy, sets checks and balances, divides dues money between the locals and statewide, and requires major decisions (including how to change the constitution) to have broad membership approval. To make most changes in the constitution, 40% of the members must participate in the vote (a 40% quorum), and two-thirds of those voting must vote for the change, so about 25% of the membership can change the constitution. A vote to amend the constitution has never failed.

This proposal sets a quorum of 15% of the membership if a convention (50-80 delegates) votes for an amendment, with a majority of the voters voting "yes." With 5300 members, 7.5% of the membership (400 members) could make such changes affecting all locals and members. They could make it easier to increase dues, to allow us to affiliate with a national union, and make other critical changes.

POLITICAL POSITIONS

This proposal makes it very easy for CUE to adopt political or other positions. If recommended by a convention, a position could be adopted without any quorum requirement at all. If 70 delegates vote and 36 of them vote yes, the position could be adopted for all of CUE no matter how few members then vote.

CONVENTIONS

Our constitution already allows for conventions with decision-making authority if the decision to hold a convention is approved by a membership vote. In addition, we've had many statewide meetings where members meet, trade information, get training from experts. However, the proposal requires a convention every 2 years, for 3 or more days, with statewide paying for up to 5 delegates from each local. A conservative cost estimate for a 3-day convention for statewide is $35,000. This comes at a time when we've come to see that it may take a university-wide strike to gain better wages; how would this new mandated expense fit in with our need to develop a strong strike fund?

Democracy depends on member involvement - let’s keep the quorum high enough to guarantee that! Please vote "no."

“NO” vote recommended by these members & groups:

Local Executive Board, CUE Local 1 (Santa Barbara)
Elinor Levine, CUE Local 3 (Statewide E-board; Chief Steward, Berkeley/Office of the President)
Judy Shattuck, CUE Local 3 (Statewide secretary; Statewide E-board; local E-board, Berkeley/Office of the President)
Margy Wilkinson, CUE Local 3 (Statewide Chief Steward)
Becky Klein, CUE Local 10 (President, Santa Cruz)
Shann Ritchie, CUE Local 10 (Statewide E-board; local E-board, Santa Cruz)
Mary Higgins, CUE Local 6 (Statewide E-board; Local E-board, SF)
Richard Kerr, Local 6 (San Francisco contact)
Mary Efferen, CUE Local 6 (Local E-board, SF)
Rose Nelson, CUE Local 6 (Statewide E-board, SF)