Exerpts from the IBT Constitution . . .
Article XVIII
TRANSFER AND WITHDRAWAL CARDS
Section 6
(a). Local Unions shall have jurisdiction over the granting and acceptance of all honorable withdrawal cards and shall establish rules in their Bylaws not inconsistent with this Constitution to govern the issuance and acceptance of withdrawal cards with respect to members working within the various crafts and industries under their jurisdiction. When a member becomes unemployed in the jurisdiction of the Local Union, he shall be issued an honorable withdrawal card upon his request. If no request is made, an honorable withdrawal card must be issued six (6) months after the month in which the member first becomes unemployed, if he is still unemployed at that time. A member is not considered to be unemployed if the member is on sick leave, Family Medical Leave, or worker’s compensation and retains reemployment rights with an employer party to a collective bargaining agreement.
(d). There may be a maximum charge of fifty cents (50¢) to any member issued a withdrawal card, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer of the Local Union receiving such charge duly to record it in his ledger.
(g). The Local Union shall not charge an initiation fee on the deposit of a withdrawal card.
(h). To be eligible for a withdrawal card a member must have paid to the Local Union issuing the withdrawal card all dues and other financial obligations as a member, including dues for the month in which the withdrawal card is effective. In no event shall the month in which the withdrawal card is effective be earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the date of issuance. The date of issuance shall be the date on which the transaction is recorded on the member’s ledger card.
(i). It shall be compulsory for any inactive member on withdrawal to deposit his withdrawal card immediately upon return to employment at the craft. The Local Union shall collect a month’s dues for the month in which the withdrawal card is deposited. In no case shall the Local Union, when accepting the withdrawal card charge the member dues for the month in which it was effective.
Honorable Withdrawal Card
Section 7(a). This is to certify that the bearer hereof, ................................................................. has paid all dues and demands and has withdrawn in good standing from membership in Local Union No. ...........
(b). This card entitles him to reinstatement to good standing status in the Local Union from which this card was issued at any time; subject, however, to the provisions of subsection (e) of this Section, and provided the bearer has obtained employment at the craft.
(c). Any member of a Local Union refusing full-time employment when offered or leaving employment within the jurisdiction or going to work at another craft or occupation outside its jurisdiction on other than a temporary or part-time basis shall be given an honorable withdrawal card and cannot remain a member.
(d). Any inactive member out on withdrawal card, and desiring to return to membership in good standing, must first deposit his withdrawal card with the Local Union by which it was issued. Refusal of any Local Union to accept a withdrawal card shall be subject to appeal in accordance with the appeal procedure provided for by this Constitution, excluding, however, any appeal to the Convention.
(e). The Local Union must not accept a withdrawal card if the inactive member has committed any offense while out on withdrawal card which would be injurious to union principles. Also, if the Local Union is paying benefits and the inactive member has fallen into bad health or is liable to become a charge against the Local Union or International Union, acceptance of the withdrawal card can be refused by the Local Union. Likewise acceptance of a withdrawal card may be refused where adverse employment conditions exist.
Given under our hands and the seal of Local Union
No. . . . . . . , this . . . . day of . . . . . . . . . . . . , 20 . . . . .
(SEAL)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , Secretary-Treasurer.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , President.