Questions Regarding the By-Laws for the Translation Bureau Local
July 30, 2003
By-Laws for the Translation Bureau Local (Adopted July 30, 2003)
How did you decide on how to apportion positions on the Executive?
It was decided that each major sub-population of the Bureau would be represented by at least one person, while trying to balance the numerical proportions in the make-up of member population in the Bureau. It cannot be an arithmetically exact exercise however. For example, there are 80 interpreters in the Bureau and 850 translators in Operations; the former have 1 representative and the latter 4 representatives on the Executive. One could therefore argue that Operations TRs will be underepresented because they would warrant at least 10 times the number of Board members as compared to interpreters, who are by the same logic overepresented. But since we cannot fraction humans, that a weighted voting system for Board members would be cumbersome and that trying to get an exact proportional representation could result in a bloated Executive, the final make-up was ultimately chosen.
Why won't the Local be involved in collective bargaining?
This is in accordance with Article 13 of CAPE's Constitution. Collective bargaining is under the aegis of a Bargaining Committee, independant from local sections or the National Executive. There is nothing however to prevent a member of the Local Executive from volunteering for the Bargaining Committee.
Why will CAPE's TR Vice-president sit ex-officio on the Local Executive?
This was the majority choice of current TR local stewards to ensure there is a continuous interface between the Local and the union's national bodies. The present incumbent of the TR VP position was not enthused about imposing his presence on the Local, but he did agree this option was preferable to the other suggestion which would have automatically made him President of the Local and have really smacked of the National Executive exercising control over the Local.
Won't the Local manage its own finances?
CAPE offers locals a choice between paying for its operations through receiving a rebate on dues or having these expenses paid directly by the Association. Considering the expected volume of outlays necessary because of the pan-Canadian nature of the Bureau Local, it seemed simpler to choose the recommended option and thus avoid asking repeated extensions to the basic rebate.
No Vice-president, Treasurer or Secretary?
The position of Treasurer is no longer necessary considering the financial operation described in the previous answer. As for the Secretary, since the mandate and resulting decisions of the Local will not have as wide a scope as they had in the TR Group for example, the need for detailed minutes is less pressing; members of the Local Executive may decide that each of them will alternate in drawing up what minutes they consider necessary for their operations. As for the Vice-presidency, it was the present TR Group Vice-president himself who suggested this position could be eliminated, a suggestion which was ultimately incorporated in this text.
July 30, 2003
By-Laws for the Translation Bureau Local (Adopted July 30, 2003)
How did you decide on how to apportion positions on the Executive?
It was decided that each major sub-population of the Bureau would be represented by at least one person, while trying to balance the numerical proportions in the make-up of member population in the Bureau. It cannot be an arithmetically exact exercise however. For example, there are 80 interpreters in the Bureau and 850 translators in Operations; the former have 1 representative and the latter 4 representatives on the Executive. One could therefore argue that Operations TRs will be underepresented because they would warrant at least 10 times the number of Board members as compared to interpreters, who are by the same logic overepresented. But since we cannot fraction humans, that a weighted voting system for Board members would be cumbersome and that trying to get an exact proportional representation could result in a bloated Executive, the final make-up was ultimately chosen.
Why won't the Local be involved in collective bargaining?
This is in accordance with Article 13 of CAPE's Constitution. Collective bargaining is under the aegis of a Bargaining Committee, independant from local sections or the National Executive. There is nothing however to prevent a member of the Local Executive from volunteering for the Bargaining Committee.
Why will CAPE's TR Vice-president sit ex-officio on the Local Executive?
This was the majority choice of current TR local stewards to ensure there is a continuous interface between the Local and the union's national bodies. The present incumbent of the TR VP position was not enthused about imposing his presence on the Local, but he did agree this option was preferable to the other suggestion which would have automatically made him President of the Local and have really smacked of the National Executive exercising control over the Local.
Won't the Local manage its own finances?
CAPE offers locals a choice between paying for its operations through receiving a rebate on dues or having these expenses paid directly by the Association. Considering the expected volume of outlays necessary because of the pan-Canadian nature of the Bureau Local, it seemed simpler to choose the recommended option and thus avoid asking repeated extensions to the basic rebate.
No Vice-president, Treasurer or Secretary?
The position of Treasurer is no longer necessary considering the financial operation described in the previous answer. As for the Secretary, since the mandate and resulting decisions of the Local will not have as wide a scope as they had in the TR Group for example, the need for detailed minutes is less pressing; members of the Local Executive may decide that each of them will alternate in drawing up what minutes they consider necessary for their operations. As for the Vice-presidency, it was the present TR Group Vice-president himself who suggested this position could be eliminated, a suggestion which was ultimately incorporated in this text.