How to protect the vote, that is the question:

ACRE Local Division 1 reported a 94% return of ballots received back from members for the last contract ratification vote. This percentage of returned ballots is unusually high. Most unions experience approximately 70-75% return. For the first ratification vote on their contract, TWU Local 100 reported a 58% return from members. The second ratification vote had approximately a 70% return and TWU members had several voting options available to them.

To insure the integrity of the ratification vote for a contract, ACRE Local Division 1 should eliminate the policy of verifying a members eligibility to vote by using a preprinted number on the outside of the ballot envelope. This would help avoid controversy concerning the ratification process. Any member can request this policy change.

The Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, contains provisions for the election process of unions. One provision indicates a union must retain all election material for at least one year from the conclusion of any vote conducted by the union. The Department of Labor considers any violation of election procedures a denial of a union members rights.