5.02 Applications

5.02.01 Membership in the Union shall be obtained and maintained through membership in a Chartered Local of the Union. However, a person or persons working where there is no Chartered Local with jurisdiction for them, or where the National Executive Board so determines, may join as members-at-large.

5.02.02 Each application for membership shall be accompanied by the appropriate initiation fee, or fees, as established by the Local, the National Executive Board or this Constitution.

5.02.03 The initiation fee established by a Local shall not be more than thirty-five dollars ($35.00) without the approval of the National Executive Board. If the initiation fee has not been set by a local it shall be deemed to be the first month's dues to the local. For newly organized members the initiation fee, dues and all other fees shall be the minimum required by law in the jurisdiction concerned. Members-at-large shall pay directly to the Union the minimum required by law in the jurisdiction concerned.

5.02.04 Each Local may establish a membership committee or membership committees which shall act upon applications for membership. Membership committees shall accept or reject applications, subject to the right of the local to overrule the committee. The Executive of the local may act as the membership committee if the local has not otherwise provided for a membership committee.

5.02.05 A Local shall not establish qualifications for membership which contravene qualifications set forth in this Constitution.

5.02.06 A Local shall have the right to deny membership to an applicant for good and valid reason or if the applicant has committed any of the offences listed in Article 17.01 of this Constitution.

5.02.07 An applicant who has been denied membership by a Local shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Local to a Local membership meeting and to present the appeal in person.

5.02.08 The National Executive Board shall serve as the membership committee and act upon applications for members-at-large.

5.02.09 The National Executive Board may assign members-at-large to a Local or Locals at such time and under such conditions as is deemed appropriate by the National Executive Board.