THE BLACK CAUCUS

THE BLACK CAUCUS OF NEW YORK STATE PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL WORKERS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FEDERATION – AFL/CIO

The Black Caucus of New York State Professional, Scientific and Technical Workers – Public Employees Federation originated at the 1979 P.E.F Founding Convention. The Black delegates at that time realized the importance of assuring the proportionate representation of Blacks in the elected body of the Public Employees Federation.

To monitor the employment practices of the State of New York for purposes of detecting and exposing discriminatory patterns and/or practices with respect to hiring, dismissing, promoting or transferring employees within the P.S. & T. bargaining unit.

To promote the unique welfare of Black P.S. & T Employees of the State of New York and to improve their conditions by:

· Gathering and uniting in this Unit all Black employees for membership herein.

· Engaging in those civic, social, political, economic, cultural, educational, charitable and other activities which will advance the Black workers’ standing in the labor movement and further the interest of the Caucus.

· Cooperating with and assisting the Public Employees Federation A.F.L.–C.I.O. and any other group or organizations having objectives which are of a nature beneficial to Black people.

· Promoting our aims and objectives in common with the Public Employees Federation A.F.L.-C.I.O.

The Executive Council is the policy making body in accordance with the goals and purposes of The Black Caucus. The Council consists of all duly elected Officers and Standing Committee Chairpersons. All Black elected officials of the Executive offices of P.E.F. shall serve in a non-voting, advisory capacity to the Executive Council.

The Council meets on the first Tuesday in each month to conduct official business and/or as called by the President.

The Black Caucus shall meet annually at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Council. This annual meeting shall be known as the Annual Conference.

A Chapter may be formed by a Black Caucus member or members in State Departments, Facilities, Agencies or geographical areas, subject to the approval of the Executive Council.

Special Committees (convened on an as needed basis). Special Committees shall be: P.E.F. Convention, Caucus Annual Conference, and Election.

Standing Committees of the Black Caucus are: Membership, By-Laws, Public Relations, Political Action, Fundraising, Ethics, Civil Service, Legal, Scholarship, Budget, Program, and Committee on the Aged.

The fiscal year of The Black Caucus shall begin April 1^st and end March 31^st of the following year.

The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Active Membership present at the Annual Conference at a General Membership meeting formally announced and designated for this purpose.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be maintained through the regular payment of dues, which is currently $2.00 per pay period. Honorary members are exempt from the payment of dues.

Active: Open to any person employed in the State of New York in the PS&T Unit. All persons eligible for such shall apply in a manner as prescribed by the Executive Council.

Associate: Open to any employee of NYS, any NYS retiree, any former employee of NYS and to any person outside of the State of NY System who can demonstrate a commonality of interest in the objectives and/or purposes of The Caucus. Applications for Associate membership shall be subject to the review of the Executive Council. Associate members are not eligible to vote, dues are ½ of the amount of the bi-weekly dues paid by Active members.

Honorary: Reserved for persons who have made outstanding contributions to the Black Caucus’ goals and purposes and/or to the Black Community directly or indirectly. Nominations for Honorary membership shall be submitted by any Active Black Caucus member to the Executive Council for its approval.

Regional and/or Institutional Vice Presidents, all together shall be members of the Executive Council.