Challenges
A “challenge” is a formal objection to someone’s right to run for office. It must be raised by a member before the election is actually held.
A challenge must be based on some provision of the constitution of the International Union or of the local union. Examples of valid bases for challenges are:
- The nominee has not been a member of the local for the length of time required by the constitution.
- The nominee has retired or has stated the intent to retire before the date of the election.
- The nominee is ineligible because the nominee is a member of the union staff. (This basis is valid only if the local constitution requires that candidates be working in the jurisdiction of the local.)
- The nominee has been declared ineligible for a time period, which includes the date of the election as a result of charges and a trial held under provisions of the International Constitution.
- The nominee is ineligible because the nominee is employed in a position for which another labor organization is the exclusive representative with regard to wages, hours or other terms and conditions of employment.
Any challenge that is raised must be referred immediately to the election committee. The committee should meet as quickly as possible, offering both the challenged nominee and the member making the challenge the opportunity to be heard. The committee may also wish to examine official records affecting the challenge, and it has an absolute right to do so.
The committee must then decide the matter and report its decision to the membership before the election takes place. The committee’s decision is subject to acceptance or rejection by the membership. Action on a challenge may later be appealed to the Judicial Panel, under the provisions of Section 4 of Appendix D of the International Constitution. The filing of such an appeal, however, should not be used as a basis for delaying the election.