University of Washington Libraries Union Chapter, SEIU 925
Chapter Bylaws
University of Washington
Chapter of SEIU Local 925
Note: UWLU, SEIU 925 Chapter Bylaws, Ratified by ULWU members April 2025, revised May 28, 2026. Approved by SEIU Executive Board June 5, 2026.
The name of this organization is “University of Washington Libraries Union (UWLU) Chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 925, American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations”.
The purpose of this organization is to organize workers at the University of Washington to defend their interests, win dignity and respect on the job, and justice in our society. The Chapter will also represent members in matters of collective bargaining with their employer (the University of Washington), and to represent their interests in matters before the State Legislature, and any other body or organization that has an impact upon these members. The objectives of this organization are to unite workers, win fair wages, hours, and working conditions, together with active participation in the policies and operations of their work places, to promote recognition and respect for the value of their work, to advance the lives and welfare of members and working people in economic, social, political, and other areas, and to advance democracy.
Section 1. Full membership is open to employees of the University of Washington in bargaining units for which SEIU Local 925 is the exclusive bargaining representative. Membership in good standing is defined in Section 4.
Section 2. Other forms of membership (associate, retired, etc.) are subject to the current Constitution and Bylaws of SEIU Local 925 (as of October 6, 2018, “Article III. Membership and Membership Meetings”).
Section 3. There will be no discrimination against any member, or applicant for membership by reason of race, ethnic origin, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin or immigration status, ancestry, disability, marital status, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, or age, subject to the exceptions with respect to age contained in applicable law.
Section 4. Members must be in good standing to vote on any business, routine or extraordinary. Membership in good standing is determined in accordance with Local and International Bylaws. “Good standing” is defined by the SEIU 2024 Constitution and Bylaws, Article XIII (Revenue), Section 2: “Dues of members are due and payable on or before the last day of the current month and in order for a member to be in good standing their dues must be paid on or before the last day of each month.”
Section 5. Membership Meetings.
General membership meetings will be convened at least quarterly, and will be scheduled in such a way as to encourage maximum membership participation. The membership as a body will:
Fill vacancies in elected positions per Article X. Nominations & Elections.
Act on resolutions and motions brought by members or by recommendation of the Leadership Group.
Discuss other issues of concern.
Adopt amendments to the Bylaws per Article XIII. Amendment and Review.
Quorum. 25% of members in good standing will constitute a quorum for routine business. The vote formula will be a simple majority for routine business. The members may move to invoke a supermajority formula (66%) or consensus vote.
Section 6. Union Membership and Interim Roles.
A person's interim role may compromise their ability to act impartially in the best interest of the Union. See Article IV.
If a member believes their interim appointment makes them ineligible for membership, they should confer with the Employer and the Union regarding member status.A person's interim role may compromise their ability to act impartially in the best interest of the Union.
Ineligibility: Members who transition into an interim role with any or all of their FTE that makes them ineligible for union membership– such as those eligibility criteria used by the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) like access to personnel records, hiring/firing authority, full budget control, or supervising two or more levels of ULWU-represented staff– shall be ineligible for union membership for the duration of their time in that interim role.
Reinstatement: Once an interim appointment is concluded, and the person returns to an eligible role, they are welcome to resume full membership in the union and are eligible for all the benefits and responsibilities of full union membership.
Section 1: Power Dynamics, Procedure for Blended Union.
This organization acknowledges the power differentials between supervisor and non-supervisor designations within this union.
Leadership Group (LG) will publish procedures to follow when this power differential makes it necessary for designated supervisors and non-supervisors to have separate communications and meetings. See Article VII. Section 3. for more information on the policy implementation guidelines.
Section 2: Conflict of Interest (COI).
“Conflict of Interest” (COI) occurs when a member has a direct personal or financial stake not shared by other members or imbalanced power dynamics as they relate to fellow union members.
Section 3: Procedure for Conflict of Interest.
Disclosure: Members who have a potential or actual conflict of interest are obligated to disclose it as soon as they become aware of it. This disclosure, including a brief description of the conflict, should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
Once a conflict is disclosed, the member should not participate in the discussion or vote on the matter in question.
Leadership Group (LG) generally has the authority to determine how a conflict of interest should be handled, including whether the member needs to recuse themselves or if disclosure and abstention from discussion and voting are sufficient.
Addressing Undisclosed Conflicts: If a member knows another member has an undisclosed conflict, they can approach the member or raise the issue with the Leadership Group.
Members with conflicts of interest will continue to receive union communications.
Section 1. Elected Officers.
The officers of this organization will be:
President
Vice President/Reporting Secretary
Recording Secretary
Section 2. Term Duration and Limits. Per Article X. Nominations & Elections, the term of office is tied to contract duration. Each office may not be held for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Section 3. Officer Committee Service and Meeting Attendance.
The officers are required to be members of the Leadership Group and those specific workgroups which are the responsibility of each office.
One elected officer of the UWLU Chapter is automatically a member of all Bargaining Teams (refer to these Bylaws, Article IX. Bargaining Teams).
Attendance requirements at Leadership Group meetings will be defined, monitored and executed by the Leadership Group. Excessive unexcused absence (as defined by the Leadership Group) is grounds for removal from office by a simple majority vote of the Leadership Group.
Section 4. President. The President is elected at large by members in good standing, serves as presiding officer at meetings of the Leadership Group and general membership, is a spokesperson or designates a spokesperson for the UWLU Chapter on all necessary and appropriate occasions, and oversees all activities. The President or a designee makes a report on all matters of importance at each membership meeting. The President helps set the agenda for the Leadership Group meetings..
Section 5. Vice President/Reporting Secretary. The Vice President is elected at large and acts as President in the absence of the President. The Vice President prepares and presents a semi-annual statement on chapter membership numbers; and ensures that annual performance feedback from ULWU chapter officers and members is provided to the SEIU staff liaison and SEIU local union officers.
Section 6. Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary is elected at large and records the minutes of business meetings of the Leadership Group and general membership, and will maintain and update a complete and accurate archive of such minutes. The minutes archive remains the property of the chapter and will be available for review by any member in good standing. The secretary is responsible for maintaining chapter records in accordance with SEIU Local 925, and SEIU International records management policies.
Section 1. Stewards. Stewards are volunteers accountable to the membership. Stewards serve on the Leadership Group and have the authority to do representational work on behalf of their colleagues. Stewards will serve as a liaison between the membership and all the University of Washington (UW) SEIU 925 units and make a good faith effort to stay in regular communication with both groups.
Section 2. Term Parameters. Steward positions have no term limits, and stewards are subject to the terms of recall or removal from office as outlined in these Bylaws, Article VI. Stewards & Political Organizers.
Section 3. Political Organizers. One (1) to two (2) stewards will be appointed as political organizers and help coordinate and oversee the Chapter’s work in the electoral arena.
Section 4. Training Requirement. Stewards must complete local union grievance handling training before representing grievances alone. To effectively empower new stewards and ensure their timely onboarding, SEIU Local 925 will provide, obtain access to, and/or advertise quarterly stewardship training sessions or shadowing opportunities from experienced stewards, member resource center officers, or regional labor resources.
Section 1. Composition. The Leadership Group (LG) consists of the elected officers of the UWLU Chapter as well as the chapter stewards.
Section 2. Purpose and Objective. The Leadership Group (LG) will meet monthly at a minimum to conduct the business of the UWLU Chapter. The Leadership Group sets organizational direction and approves strategic recommendations from committees, workgroups, and staff; takes action on behalf of the UWLU Chapter on matters requiring attention; makes recommendations it considers appropriate on matters to come before the membership; serves as a liaison with the SEIU Local 925 staff and the Local 925 President on matters affecting the UWLU Chapter activities.
Section 3. Policy Implementation and Rules of Order. The Leadership Group (LG) develops policies, rules (including rules of order and parliamentary procedures) and guidelines for the operation and business of the Chapter. The LG implements those policies and the policies of SEIU Local 925.
Section 4. Planning. At the start of their term, each Leadership Group will develop and adopt written term objectives and contract campaign plans. LG will maintain written annual evaluations of progress on those objectives and plans.
Section 5. Leadership Development. The Leadership Group is responsible for working with SEIU Local 925 staff on continuous development of leaders and recruitment of new leaders.
Section 6. Committees. When needed, the Leadership Group will appoint and disband ad-hoc committees and workgroups to accomplish Chapter goals. These groups must outline goals, a plan of action, and a timeline. Workgroups may address issues such as leadership development, communications, lobby day planning, legislative concerns, human rights, health and safety, etc. Such goals and actions may require approval of the Leadership Group prior to implementation.
Section 7. Quorum. A majority of the Leadership Group, excluding vacancies, constitutes a quorum. The vote formula will be a simple majority for routine matters.
Per the current Constitution and Bylaws of SEIU Local 925 (Article VIII), the UWLU Chapter is entitled to representation on the Local 925 Leadership Assembly as follows: “each chapter of twenty (20) or more members will have one (1) Assembly member and an additional member for every 200 members above the first 200”.
The UWLU Chapter’s seat on the Local 925 Leadership Assembly will automatically be held by a UWLU Chapter officer serving on the Chapter Leadership Group. Per these Bylaws, Article XII. Quorum and Thresholds, the representative seat and any vacancy will be filled by majority vote of the UWLU Leadership Group.
If the representation formula for the Leadership Assembly changes or the total number of UWLU seats in the Leadership Assembly exceeds the number of members of the Leadership Group, the remaining seats will be elected for three (3)-year terms at the same time and in the same manner as UWLU officers.
Section 1. Purpose and Objectives. Bargaining Teams prepare proposals and negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
Section 2. Composition. Bargaining Team members must be members in good standing. One elected officer of the UWLU Chapter is automatically a member of all Bargaining Teams.
Section 3. Election and Duration of Term. No later than six (6) months prior to contract expiration, Bargaining Team members are elected in a process administered by the Nominations and Elections Committees that accords with these Bylaws, Article X. Nominations and Elections. The Nominations Committee will strive to present a slate of candidates for the Bargaining Team that represents the diversity of our membership– including, but not limited to, staff classification, work location, and duration of employment. Bargaining Team members may serve as the Impact Bargaining Team throughout the duration of the contract until such time as new Bargaining Team members are elected for the next contract negotiations.
Section 1. Election Timing.
Routine officer elections, for those positions outlined in Article V. Elected Officers, are held within six (6) months of the ratification of a new contract.
Bargaining Team member elections, for those positions outlined in Article IX. Bargaining Teams, are conducted no later than six (6) months prior to contract expiration.
Section 2. Nominations Committee and Preparation of Slate.
Nominations Purpose & Objectives. The Nominations Committee identifies at least one (1) member in good standing for each officer position office that is up for election, verifies each candidate’s eligibility and willingness to serve, and explains the duties of office and the elections process. The Nominations Committee submits its complete slate of candidates to the Elections Committee.
Nominations Committee Composition. A current member of the Nominations Committee is ineligible for elected officer or Bargaining Team member candidacy, including ballot write-in candidacy.
For routine officer elections, the Leadership Group, within three (3) months of the ratification of a new contract, appoints a Nominations Committee composed of three (3) members who are not otherwise candidates for officers in the Leadership Group.
For Bargaining Team member elections, the Leadership Group, within eight (8) months prior to contract expiration, appoints a Nominations Committee composed of three (3) members who are not otherwise candidates for membership on the Bargaining Team.
Nominations Committee Term Duration. This is an ad-hoc committee that dissolves once the elections conclude.
Candidate Recruitment. Candidates for elected office are recruited by:
Automatic Nomination of Eligible Members. All eligible members in good standing shall be automatically nominated for all elected offices, including Bargaining Team membership. Members who are unable or unwilling to run may opt out.
At membership meetings of the UWLU Chapter, nominations from the floor will be considered and, if valid, accepted by the Nominations Committee.
Members may asynchronously submit to the Nominations Committee the names of other members for candidacy nomination.
To become a valid candidate, nominees must formally accept their nomination and submit to the Nominations Committee a candidate statement, not exceeding 250 words, for their desired office(s) before the deadline.
Such nominations will constitute the ballot of official candidates.
Section 3. Elections Committee
Elections Committee Purpose & Objectives. The Committee is responsible for the conduct of all UWLU Chapter elections, including the preparation and distribution of ballots by five (5) months after ratification (at the latest), the counting of votes, and certification and notification of successful candidates within one (1) month of ballot distribution.
Elections Committee Composition. A current member of the Elections Committee is ineligible for elected officer candidacy, including ballot write-in candidacy.
For routine officer elections, the Leadership Group, within three (3) months of the ratification of a new contract, appoints an Elections Committee composed of three (3) members who are not otherwise candidates for the Leadership Group.
For Bargaining Team member elections, the Leadership Group, within eight (8) months prior to contract expiration, appoints an Elections Committee composed of three (3) members who are not otherwise candidates for membership on the Bargaining Team.
Elections Committee Term Duration. This is an ad-hoc committee that dissolves once the elections conclude.
Section 4. Voting Process. Voting for officers is by secret ballot. Ballots will have a space for write-in candidates. 25% of members in good standing must vote in the election for its results to be valid. If this minimum participation is not met, the Elections Committee will notify membership and conduct another election within fifteen (15) days. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes per office and consents to serve is declared elected.
For routine officer elections, the ballots are distributed to members by five (5) months after new contract ratification (at the latest) and are counted within one (1) month.
For Bargaining Team member elections, the ballots are distributed to members within seven (7) months prior to contract expiration and are counted within one (1) month.
Section 5. Use of Union Resources. Candidates may not make use of Union resources for campaign purposes with the exception that one (1) Union distribution with equal space allotted for each candidate will be sent together with the ballot.
Section 6. Accession of Office. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President by reason of death, resignation, or otherwise, the Vice President assumes the duties of the President. In the event of a vacancy in any other office in the first half of a term, the Elections Committee will conduct an election to choose a successor, with the collaboration of the Nominations Committee. The election will be held with at least a fifteen (15)-day notice to the members. In the second half of a term, the Leadership Group will choose a successor for the remainder of the term.
Section 1. Recall of Officers and Stewards for Non-Performance of Duties. An officer or steward may be recalled by the membership for demonstrable non-performance of duties. In order to recall an officer or steward, at least ten percent (10%) of membership must sign a valid recall petition, setting forth specific complaints of the officer or steward’s failure to perform the duties of the office, and must file this petition with the UWLU Chapter Recording Secretary. As soon as possible, but not more than five days later, the Recording Secretary must notify the officer or steward.
Section 2. Removal of Officers for Excessive Unexcused Absence. Per Article V. Section 3, “Excessive unexcused absence (as defined by the Leadership Group) is grounds for removal from office by a simple majority vote of the Leadership Group.”
Section 3. Special Recall Meeting. A special meeting for the recall of an officer or steward will be held within thirty (30) days of the filing of such a petition. Members will be notified via electronic communication (e-mail or phone) at least fifteen (15) days prior to a special meeting for recall.
Section 4. Appeals. A removed officer or steward may appeal the decision to the President of Local 925 or their designee and avail themselves of their rights to appeal under the Bylaws of Local 925 and the SEIU International Constitution.
Section 5. Charges Different From Non-Performance of Duties. Local Unions and their officers or members may be charged with offenses different from non-performance of duties. These charges will be addressed in accordance with the procedure established in the SEIU International Constitution (“Article XVII. Trials and Appeals”).
Section 6. Recall Quorum and Voting Formula. Quorum for a special recall meeting will be 50% of the members in good standing. A 66% vote of the members present at such a meeting will be required to remove the officer or steward.
For the purposes of this section, the percentage of members in good standing is determined by the most recent membership numbers available, as reported by the Vice President/Reporting Secretary.
Section 1. Routine Business.
Chapter Officer Elections. 25% of members in good standing will constitute a quorum. The candidate receiving the largest vote per office is declared elected.
SEIU 925 Leadership Assembly Representative. Representative position will be filled by majority vote of the UWLU Leadership Group. A majority of the Leadership Group, excluding vacancies, constitutes a quorum.
Section 2. Extraordinary Business.
Contract Ratification. 50% of members in good standing will constitute a quorum. Contract ratification may be approved by at least 66% vote.
Bylaws Amendment. 25% of members in good standing will constitute a quorum. Bylaws amendments may be approved by at least 66% vote.
Strike Vote. 50% of members in good standing will constitute a quorum. A strike action may be approved by at least 66% vote.
Officer or Steward Recall.
A recall vote may occur when at least 10% of members in good standing petition in writing for an officer or steward recall. Refer to Article XI. Recall from Office.
50% of members in good standing will constitute a quorum at a special recall meeting. A recall may pass by at least 66% vote.
Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed by the Leadership Group or by written petition of at least 10% of the members. Any amendments to the Bylaws must be presented in writing to the membership at least two (2) weeks before a meeting of the general membership. If a quorum of 25% of members in good standing is present, the amendments may be approved by at least 66% of those present.
This chapter membership may, by amendment of these Bylaws, create new positions and standing committees and elect officers to those positions.
Members will review these Bylaws every five (5) years, specifically in years ending with 5 or 0. The Nominating Committee will put out a call to the general membership and evaluate volunteers. The Leadership Group will determine the desired number of committee members and, from the pool of volunteers evaluated by the Nominating Committee, appoint those deemed eligible to serve on the Bylaws Review Committee.