EN
2025 Bylaws Changes
Review the changes made to the bylaws below.
Bylaws Changes Cover Letter
IUPAT DC7 Members,
This letter outlines proposed changes to the DC7 Bylaws and details the upcoming vote, held every five years following the IUPAT General Convention (last held August 2024). Since then, the DC7 Bylaws Committee—which consists of members from each affiliated local, has met monthly to discuss the changes that need to be made. The Committee considered DC7’s finances, staff wages and benefits, building maintenance needs, and potential upgrades to our facilities.
The following changes aim to strengthen DC7’s finances, prepare for future costs, and align policies with our values. Key updates include changes to STAR Program funding, administrative dues, Business Representative compensation, and automatic updates from the IUPAT Constitution.
1. STAR Program Funding Change
The STAR program was created in 2005 to promote safety on the job through upgrade training for the membership. From the beginning, STAR has been funded by a $0.10 per hour contribution from members into the Apprenticeship and Training Fund. The only exception is Local 579 Paint Makers, who can’t contribute this way due to how their contract is set up. Until now, this funding has worked.
Last year, a former DC7 staff member and union member quit the union and became a Right to Work freeloader. Since he was no longer a member in good standing, he wasn’t allowed to take part in STAR- which has always been the rule. He then filed an unfair labor practice charge against DC7, the STAR Program, and the Training Fund.
Here’s the issue: because STAR is currently funded as an employer-paid benefit, federal law says even someone who doesn’t pay dues, a freeloader, has the right to participate. The committee strongly believes that only dues-paying members should be eligible to participate. To fix this, we’re recommending a simple change: move STAR’s funding from the Training Fund to administrative dues. Members wouldn’t pay more- just shift where the money goes. If we don’t make this change, the STAR Program will go away. We won’t be able to run the program without opening it up to non-members.
2. Administrative Dues Increase
The committee is proposing an increase to administrative dues from 3% to 3.25% of the total package. This quarter of a percent increase is necessary to cover rising operational costs and long-overdue maintenance of our buildings.
While DC7 finances remain stable, consistently maintaining 8–9 months of reserve levels, we have not yet reached the recommended 12-month reserve mark. Which indicates a strong financial position. As a result, critical repairs have been delayed:
· Replacement of 8 rooftop HVAC units (approx. $60,000 each),
· Roof replacement/repairs (approx. $1 million),
· Fire suppression system ($30,000),
· Updated lighting ($25,000),
· Audio/visual equipment for meeting spaces
Even with this increase, our dues rate remains the lowest of the district councils in our region and among other trades in our jurisdiction. We are very conscious of the cost of being a union member and we take this financial responsibility very seriously.
3. Business Representative Compensation
The third recommendation from the Bylaws Committee is to standardize how Business Representatives are compensated.
Business Reps don’t just serve their own local—they support the entire District Council. They handle organizing, political work, enforcement, Council-wide programs, and assist members across all locals. Their role is consistent no matter where they’re based.
To reflect that, we recommend setting Business Rep compensation to the highest rate for their respective trade within IUPAT DC7 . This ensures fair, consistent compensation for equal work performed on behalf of the entire membership.
4. Constitutional Changes
The final changes that are included are automatic changes due to the changes in the IUPAT Constitution voted upon at last year’s IUPAT General Convention and are not subject to the vote but are included because they are changes from the current bylaws. We are recommending that each local votes on the proposed changes at a special called meeting in May that complies with the following section of the IUPAT Constitution:
Section 124(c) of the Constitution, which requires that members must be accorded the opportunity to “consider and vote” upon bylaw changes. This requires a copy of the specific changes to be mailed to all members and that members must have the opportunity to discuss and debate the changes at a regular or special called meeting concurrently with a secret ballot vote.
All members who attend their special called meeting in May will have the opportunity to discuss the proposed changes, ask questions of the committee members and debate the changes during the meeting. After each special called meeting where members have voted, the ballots will be held by the President of the local until every local has voted which will be Wednesday May 21. The ballots will be counted by the members of the DC7 Executive Board/Bylaws committee, on Thursday May 22 at the DC7 office in Big Bend at 5pm. Any member wishing to witness the ballot counting is welcome to observe.
Sincerely,
IUPAT DC7 Bylaws Committee