This fall, the BLET will hold elections for all Local Division Offices. The process kicks off with nominations being held at each Division’s first regular meeting in September. All eligible members are encouraged to run for office.
The IBT Constitution provides that members are eligible to run for election only if they are “in continuous good standing . . . and actively employed in the craft . . . for a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months prior to the month of nomination” (IBT Constitution, Article II, Section 4(a)(1)).
In general, “continuous good standing” means the timely payment of dues for each of the twenty-four (24) months during the applicable period, together with no interruptions in active service during that period. If exempt from the payment of dues, a member who wishes to maintain continuous good standing must pay dues at the non-working rate.
To be eligible to be a candidate for division office, a member must have paid full or non-working dues in a timely manner from August 2022 through July 2024. Members in active duty in a reserve component of the military or the National Guard for more than thirty (30) days but not more than twenty-four (24) consecutive months are deemed to maintain their continuous good standing without the payment of dues. To remain in continuous good standing following the twenty-four (24) month expiration, the member must pay non-working dues.
A package of election material, including a revised edition of the National Division’s “On the Right Track” publication, will be mailed to all Division Secretary-Treasurers in the near future. This publication will also be available to all members on the BLET website.
Because determinations of eligibility to run for office may involve an interpretation of the BLET Bylaws, any eligibility questions must be submitted, in writing and via a signed letter, to National President Eddie Hall.