18.01 The Officers of this Union shall have the power to merge with any other union or unions provided that the following steps are taken:

18.01.01 The National Executive Board at a meeting called for this purpose approves such merger.

18.01.02 The decision of the National Executive Board is presented to a special or biennial Convention of this Union and a majority of the delegates voting approve of the merger. Prior to the special or biennial Convention the terms of the merger, including the proposed Constitution shall be presented for discussion to each Local.

Convention delegates shall be asked, as part of the vote referred to above, to vote on whether they authorize the officers of the Union to transfer the funds and property of the National Union and/or the Locals to any successor trade union. If a majority of the delegates casting ballots vote in favour, the Officers of this Union shall have the power to effect such transfer of funds and property. The Officers of this Union shall ensure that a merger agreement with any other organization or organizations contains terms permitting established Locals of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada to continue as entities of the successor union and also permitting transfer of their Local funds to these new entities. The Officers of the Union shall be empowered to take any further steps to carry out any further procedures as are required by law to enable a transfer of bargaining rights to any successor union.

18.01.03 The vote referred to in 18.01.02 above shall be by secret ballot on a per capita basis.

18.01.04 Where another union(s) is merging with the Union and there is to be no change in the structure or name of this Union as a result of the merger the National Executive Board shall have the authority to approve such merger at a meeting called for this purpose. The National Executive Board shall also have the authority to empower the Officers to take any and all steps necessary, including those outlined in 12.01.04, to effect the merger and steps 18.01.02 and 18.01.03 above shall not be required.