The fund shall be maintained by the Defense/Members’ relief fund oversight committee

The Committee:

1. Shall be comprised of one (1) elected representative from each district and one (1) elected Public Worker Sector representative with the Fund Director as a non‑voting member.

2. Chair is to be elected by and from the Committee.

3. Shall have terms of office of three (3) years with staggered terms.

4. Is responsible to review receipts, disbursements, educational programs, administration and investment of the Funds.

5. Shall make reports to each regular CWA Convention.

6. Shall meet at least once each year and at the Convention.

7. Shall establish initial rules and procedures for the Members' Relief Fund, subject to the approval of the 1990 Convention.

8. May recommend changes and improvements in the Funds' Rules and/or the Administrative Rules governing use of the Funds as time and experience dictate the need for such changes.

9. Shall authorize expenditures from the Defense Fund for items not connected with approved CWA strikes by a two‑thirds vote of the Committee and a two‑thirds vote of the CWA Executive Board.

10. May authorize expenditures from the CWA Members' Relief Fund to increase established weekly payout for approved CWA strikes by a two‑thirds vote of the Committee and a two‑thirds vote of the CWA Executive Board.

How the fund is obtained

A. Per capita allocations to the Defense Fund became effective with dues refund checks issued during the month of September, 1952.

B. The Defense Fund was established and is maintained by a fifty‑cent per capita per month allocation from CWA membership dues.

Effective October, 1989, the Defense Fund financing was increased by a one percent allocation of the International portion of dues and a one percent allocation of the Local portion of minimum dues.

Effective October, 1991, the Defense Fund financing will be increased to a two percent allocation of the International portion of dues and a two percent allocation of the Local portion of minimum dues.

Effective January 1993, the two percent allocation by the International and Locals will cease and their portions will revert to the International and Locals respectively.

C. The Defense Fund shall be invested in interest‑bearing accounts. All interest earned shall be placed in the Fund.

D. The Members' Relief Fund shall be funded by an allocation of 1/4 hour of basic wages (.15%) per month of members and fee payers who are eligible to strike.