90-Day Referendum Ballot. Members who do not currently pay the $100-a-quarter dues rate received a two-question ballot, without the dues question.

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1 90-Day Referendum Ballot Referendum ballots mailed out to each member on Friday, January 15, 2016, at his or her address of record on file with Headquarters. A dues increase proposal is part of the secret ballot referendum but only members who currently pay $100-aquarter received the dues question, as part of a three-question ballot. Members who do not currently pay the $100-a-quarter dues rate received a two-question ballot, without the dues question. The two other questions on the ballot include a proposal for realigning M.E.B.A. s Gulf Coast structure without compromising elected representation, and a proposal to put the M.E.B.A. on a four-year election cycle following the next election. The referendum is being put out to the membership for a 90-day period. A memberelected tallying committee, selected at the April membership meetings, will be responsible for overseeing the tabulation of the returned referendum votes. Votes will be counted on April 18, in Washington D.C. TrueBallot, Inc. is serving as the Impartial Administrator for the referendum vote. As part of their duties, the Tally Committee will ensure that each member who casts a ballot is in good standing. Headquarters must have record that voting members are current on their second quarter dues in order for their vote to count. Please ensure that your dues are current to the second calendar quarter well in advance. If you did not receive a ballot, or lose a ballot, you may request a duplicate in writing by contacting TrueBallot, Inc. at: TrueBallot, Inc. 3 Bethesda Metro Center Suite 750 Bethesda, MD @trueballot.com Further information on the referendum questions follows.

2 PROPOSED BY-LAWS AMENDMENT #1 Gulf Restructure M.E.B.A. s District Executive Committee (by a 4-1 vote) introduced DEC Resolution No to the membership at the December 2015 meetings. The resolution seeks to better organize M.E.B.A. s Gulf Coast structure based on shipping data and modern realities without diminishing elected representation. The resolution was passed by members in a vote. A Constitutional Committee then examined the passed resolution and recommended that the proposal be put to the membership in a referendum vote. The Constitutional Committee s recommendation was approved by the membership at the January 2015 meetings and the proposal is now being considered by the membership as part of a referendum. The text of DEC Resolution No is attached to this document. PROPOSED BY-LAWS AMENDMENT #2 - Four-Year Terms The second proposed By-Laws amendment seeks to put District No. 1-PCD, M.E.B.A. on a four-year election cycle beginning for those elected in the officers elections of The proposal was originally forwarded in Oakland Resolution No which was introduced and passed at the Oakland Union hall in July Nationwide at the August 2015 meetings, the resolution passed in a vote. In October 2015, a Constitutional Committee examined the resolution and recommended that the proposal be put before the membership in a referendum vote. That recommendation was approved by members at the November meetings in a vote and the proposal is now being considered by the membership as part of a referendum. The text of Oakland Resolution No is attached to this document. PROPOSED BY-LAWS AMENDMENT Dues Increase The District Executive Committee ascertained that it is imperative that the Union help counteract the financial toll on the Union taken by inflation, cost of living growth and membership decline. In a unanimous vote, the DEC determined that the Union can help solidify its foundation through an increase in dues for those currently paying the $100-aquarter rate. The proposal was presented to the membership in October and repeatedly offered for discussion at the halls and membership meetings. As explained by the M.E.B.A. By-Laws in Article Six, Section 7(k): The District Executive Committee shall have the authority, whenever it may determine that it is in the best interest of the membership, to submit to a referendum vote among the membership any issue, policy or action. The proposal was thus put before the membership for a referendum vote. The text of DEC Resolution No is attached to this document.

3 DISTRICT NO. 1-PCD, MEBA DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RESOLUTION NO Re: Proposed Relocation of Gulf Coast Vice President and Branch Agent WHEREAS, the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association District No. 1 PCD (AFL-CIO) ( MEBA ) District Executive Committee ( DEC ) has validated port activity in Houston, New Orleans and Tampa by review of reports on shipping averages, shipping list registration, hall dispatches, company clearances, and port relief dispatches as shown in the attached dispatching report for 2015; and, WHEREAS, MEBA member population as of November 2015 for the (3) ports referenced above is as follows; 360 members and applicants in Florida, 151 members and applicants in Texas and 38 members and applicants in Louisiana, and all Ports in these Gulf states are expected to experience an increase in port activity, maritime related employment and shipping due to the Panama Canal expansion; and, WHEREAS, MEBA considers all expenses incurred vs. all revenue produced at each Union hiring hall location as one of the factors for determining the cost effectiveness of representation and this metric was considered when determining the recommendations in this resolution; and, WHEREAS, MEBA is committed to serving and representing the membership in a logical, efficient and effective manner by strategically placing Union officials nationwide; and, WHEREAS, Amendment to the By-Laws is needed to effect this proposed relocation of the GCVP and establishment of a branch office and adjustment to rank and file committees will be made accordingly and where possible for cost saving measure; and, WHEREAS, The Oakland and Seattle Union halls approved a resolution to move the Gulf Coast Vice President s Office from New Orleans to Houston and a duly elected Constitutional Committee rejected said resolution in its report submitted to the membership at the November 2015 meetings; and,

4 WHEREAS, the recent Constitutional Committee s report regarding a member driven resolution was voted down by the M.E.B.A. membership; and, WHEREAS, The MEBA Constitution Article 8 Section 3 allows for amendment of the By-Laws by the membership, and MEBA By-Laws Article 21 Section 1(b) provides for a By-Law amendment process after vote by the District Executive Committee members, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that: The MEBA District Executive Committee DEC agrees to vote on a proposal to amend the By-Laws to move the Gulf Coast Vice President s Office from New Orleans to Houston, establish a Branch Agent in the Tampa Office, and maintain the New Orleans office as an informational port, in accordance with By-Laws Article 19, Section 6 and Article 20, Section 3 of the MEBA By-Laws. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that: if this DEC resolution is approved by a vote of the membership it shall be put forth as recommended action from the DEC to a newly formed Constitutional Committee: Laws: THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that: The changes below be made to the By- Strike the current language (struck-through below) and insert new language (italicized below) as follows: Article 3, Section 2: The location of Headquarters of the District shall be determined by the District Executive Committee. Branch Offices shall be maintained, unless elsewhere provided in these By-Laws, in the ports of New York, Norfolk, New Orleans, Tampa, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, and other such Ports as may be determined by the District Executive Committee. 2

5 Article 3, Section 3(a): There shall be one Branch Agent for each of the Ports designated in Section 2. The Branch Agent for the Port of San Francisco shall also be designated as the District Executive Vice President. The Branch Agents for the Ports of New York and New Orleans Houston shall also be designated as District Vice Presidents; the former serving the Atlantic Coast and the latter serving the Gulf Coast. At the election of said Branch Agents, the ballots shall specify that in addition to Branch Agent, their office includes that of the District Executive Vice President and District Vice president, as appropriate. Article 4, Section 1: The officers of the District shall be elected except as otherwise provided in these By- Laws. These officers shall be the District President, the District Executive Vice President, who shall be the Branch Agent for the Port of San Francisco, the two District Vice-Presidents, one of whom, serving for the Atlantic Coast, shall be the Branch Agent for the Port of New York and the other, serving for the Gulf Coast, shall be the Branch for the Port of New Orleans Houston, the District Secretary-Treasurer and the Branch Agents. Article 6, Section (d): The Financial Review Committee shall annually review the finances of the Union. This committee shall be composed of five (5) members and one (1) alternate, who are not officers or employees of the Union. Committee members and committee alternate eligibility is as stated in Article 9, Section 2 of the By-Laws. One member shall be elected at each of the April Membership Meetings at the New York Hall, New Orleans, Houston Hall, San Francisco Hall, Norfolk Hall, Houston Tampa Hall, and Seattle Hall. An individual may not be elected in more than one hall. Once elected and after the Union's previous year-end financial reports are prepared and available, the committee shall promptly meet at Union's Headquarters. Once met, the Committee shall choose by random drawing each year the alternate member and then review the Union's finances, and prepare a report to the membership of its finding. The report of the Financial Review Committee shall be submitted to the membership for action at the next regularly scheduled membership meetings. The membership may either accept or reject the report and refer it back to the Committee for further action. 3

6 Article 10, Section 2(a): A Credentials Committee of three members and two alternates who are in attendance shall be elected at the regular July meeting held in the following Ports: One member shall be elected at each of the meetings at the New York Branch, New Orleans, Houston Branch and San Francisco Branch and one alternate shall be elected at each of the meetings at the Norfolk Branch and Houston, Tampa Branch. Article 10, Section 3(a): The District President shall ensure the proper and timely preparation of ballots without partiality as to candidates or Branches. The names of the candidates for each separate office or job shall appear in alphabetical order. The names of all candidates shall be numbered in sequence commencing with the first name under the first office and ending with the last named candidate under the last office. In the case of Branch Agents and Patrolmen, the Branches shall be listed in the following order: New York, New Orleans, Houston, San Francisco, and the remaining Branches in alphabetical order. Article 10, Section 4(a): A Tallying Committee of five members and two one alternates who are in attendance shall be elected at a special meeting held in the Ports of New York, New Orleans, Tampa, Houston, Norfolk, Seattle and San Francisco and Los Angeles one week prior to the December meeting of the election year. One member shall be elected at each of the meetings at the New York Branch, Norfolk Branch, Seattle Branch, Houston Los Angeles Branch and Houston Tampa Branch and one alternate shall be elected at each of the meetings at the New Orleans Houston Branch and San Francisco Branch. No officer or candidate for office or job shall be eligible for election to this Committee. Article 12, Section 3: If the charges are rejected by a majority vote of the Branch, no further action may be taken thereon unless ruled otherwise by a majority vote of the membership of the Union within 90 days thereafter. In the event a majority of the membership of the Union shall vote to accept charges after the 4

7 rejection by a Branch, the trial shall take place in either the Ports of New York, San Francisco or New Orleans, Houston, whichever is closest to the Port where the original vote was taken. Article 12, Section 5(b): In the event a new trial is ordered by a majority vote of the membership, it shall be held at the Ports of New York, San Francisco or New Orleans Houston, whichever is closer to the Port where the original trial was held. Article 12, Section 11(b): If a new trial is ordered, it shall be held at the Port of New York, San Francisco or New Orleans, Houston, whichever is closer to the Port where the original trial was held. Any decision so providing for a new trial shall contain such directions as will ensure a fair hearing to the accused. Article 19, Section 1: Regular membership meetings shall be held in the Branches at the following times: During the week following the first Sunday of every month, a meeting shall be held on Monday - at Seattle; on Tuesday - at Houston and San Francisco; on Wednesday - at New Orleans; on Thursday - at New York, Norfolk, Tampa and Los Angeles. Article 19, Section 6: Members attending informational meetings held in the Ports of Boston, MA; Tampa, FL; New Orleans, Jacksonville, FL; Honolulu, HI; the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School; and Charleston, SC, provided that a quorum is present at such meetings, shall be permitted to introduce resolutions and vote on resolutions presented at the regular membership meetings in the Branches on all issues requiring a majority vote of the membership 5

8 Article 20, Section 3: When applicable to the District as a whole, the term "majority vote of the membership" shall mean the majority of all the valid votes cast by members at an official meeting of those Branches and the Ports of Boston, MA; Tampa, FL New Orleans; Jacksonville, FL; Honolulu, HI; the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School; and Charleston, SC, holding a meeting. This definition shall prevail, notwithstanding that one or more Branches and/or the Ports of Boston, MA; Tampa, FL New Orleans; Jacksonville, FL; Honolulu, HI; the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School; and Charleston, SC, cannot hold a meeting because of a lack of a quorum; the term "meeting" shall refer to a meeting or meetings during the time period within which a vote must be taken, in accordance with: (A) The Constitution and By-Laws; (B) District Policy; and (C) Custom and Usage of the District, in the indicated priority 6

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10 Oakland Resolution No To provide more stability to the M.E.B.A. by making the Union s election cycle more practical. Whereas, the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act permits all National and International unions to hold elections every five years or less; and, Whereas, the M.E.B.A. currently undergoes an officers election every three years, a process encompassing most of the election year at large cost (Credentials Committee expenses, Hiring of Impartial Arbitrator, Setup & Mailing of Ballots, Election Issue, Tally Committee expenses, etc.); and, Whereas, three year terms continue to complicate the Union s relationship with employers and give an advantage to our competitors who enjoy longer terms; and, Therefore Be It Resolved That, the M.E.B.A. By-Laws be amended with the following language that will help strengthen the M.E.B.A. and save us money; Effective Next Election ARTICLE SEVEN Wages, Terms of Office of Officers and Other Elective Job Holders, Employees and Others Section 1. The following elected offices shall be held for a term of four years: District President, District Executive Vice President-Branch Agent, San Francisco, the District Vice Presidents, District Secretary-Treasurer and Branch Agents. Section 2. The term for Patrolman (when elected) shall be four years

11 DISTRICT NO. 1-PCD, MEBA DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RESOLUTION NO Re: Proposed Annual Dues Increase To Be Submitted To a Secret Ballot WHEREAS, the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association District No. 1 PCD (AFL-CIO) MEBA has not had an Annual dues increase since 2002, dollar inflation, cost of living growth and year over year Union membership decline have acted to financially impact the value of our current Annual dues receipts; and, WHEREAS, over the past (12) years the Union has operated with a budget in varying status, either close to cost neutral, in surplus or at a deficit, by utilizing union revenue, investment income and reducing costs; and, WHEREAS, MEBA has managed to operate more efficiently by controlling costs through reductions in Headquarters and Outport rent, Outport locations, Outport operating hours, MEBA personnel, travel costs, IT / communications costs and other administrative costs; and, WHEREAS, due to existing budget outlays and without a Union due s revenue increase, the MEBA will have to consider further reductions in personnel and Outports which would impact member representation and services; and, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that: the MEBA District Executive Committee DEC agrees to submit an Annual dues increase of $200 per year ($50 per quarter), to raise Annual dues from $400 to $600 dollars commencing on April 1, 2016 or as practicable after a referendum vote.