Numsa’s shop steward elections will kick off from September 19, 2003 . We should by now be all geared up for this important event on our calendars. Each region will have their own regional programme. Some regions have started already, others are waiting for September. Here are some basic tips (in terms of our constitution) on how the elections should be conducted.
1. Have a general meeting to notify your members when the elections will take place.
2. Nominations must be proposed and seconded in writing.
Every Numsa member can vote for a shop steward in their factory/ workplace or stand as a shop steward.
Current shop stewards can also be re-elected.
Your Numsa organiser or yourselves as shop stewards must ask members to nominate people to stand as shop stewards.
Get someone else to second the name.
Candidates must sign acceptance of nomination.
3. Elections
If there are more names nominated than numbers of shop stewards allowed, then you must have an election.
Inform your local office. The current shop steward or union official must tell your fellow workers at least 3 days before the elections:-
Where and when to vote
Who are the people who are standing?
Ensure that a union official/ office bearers/ full time shop stewards from other plants assist as presiding officers.
Remember: If there are two posts for shop stewards (including alternates), then each voter has two votes. If there are four posts for shop stewards (including alternates), then each voter has four votes. And so on.
Secret ballot or ‘show of hands’:
Our union’s constitution says members can choose to vote
By secret ballot (if more than 10% of the members ask for it) or by ‘show of hands’.
If you choose to have a secret ballot ensure you have:
Enough voting papers with a clear list of who the candidates are
Sealed ballot boxes
List of all your paid-up members – which you can get from the wage department
Or show of hands
Remind workers of how many times they can vote: 2 votes if it’s 2 shop stewards (including alternates), 4 votes if it’s 4 shop stewards (including alternates) and so on.
4. After the elections, the presiding officer will inform workers who are the new shop stewards.