ARTICLE IV. 

Eligibility for and Effect of Membership 

Section 1.

Any person shall be eligible for membership in this organization upon compliance with this Local Union's By-Laws, the International Constitution and the rulings of the General Executive Board.

Section 2.

Persons who own, lease or operate a team or vehicle and/or perform any other work as well as so-called "vendors" or "owner-equipment drivers" as defined in our International Constitution, shall be eligible for membership subject (1) to the provision that they fall within our jurisdiction and (2) to the provisions and limitations contained in Article II of our International Constitution, or as it may hereafter be amended.

Section 3.

This Local Union shall not exclude or expel from membership or otherwise discriminate against any individual, or cause or attempt to cause any employer to discriminate against any individual, because of his/her religion, race, creed, color, national origin, age, physical disability or sex, nor limit, segregate or classify its membership, or classify or fail or refuse to refer for employment any individual in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or would limit such employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his/her status as an employee or as an applicant for employment because of such individual's religion, race, creed, color, national origin, age, physical disability or sex.

Section 4.

No member seeking to resign from membership in any Local Union may do so except by submitting such resignation in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Local Union.  Any member who resigns before he/she has paid all dues, assessments, fines and other financial obligations owing to any subordinate body shall be obligated to pay such obligations to his/her former Local Union.  All members acknowledge that any obligations owing at the time of resignation shall be collectible by the Local Union in any appropriate forum.  This shall not relieve any member of any obligation to comply with any other provision of these By-Laws and/or the International Constitution regarding acquisition or maintenance of membership in good standing.  After the Secretary-Treasurer has determined that the foregoing requirements have been complied with, such resignation shall then be effective thirty (30) days after its receipt by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 5.

No person who actively advocates the overthrow of a federal or state or provincial government by force or violence, or is a member of any party and knows of and actively advocates its purpose to overthrow a federal, state or provincial government by force or violence, shall be allowed to hold membership in this Local Union.  If any such person obtains Union membership, or after having been admitted to Union membership advocates the overthrow of a federal, state or provincial government by force or violence, or becomes a member of a party and knows of and actively advocates its purpose to overthrow a federal, state or provincial government by force or violence, he/she shall be expelled from membership upon the filing of charges and the conduct of a trial in accordance with the applicable procedures set out in these By-Laws.

Section 6.

Additionally, no person shall be eligible for membership in this organization if:

(a)   There is reason to believe that he/she may fail to recognize a responsibility to this organization as an institution or that he/she may refuse to refrain from conduct that would interfere with the performance of our legal or contractual obligations;

(b)   He/she refuses to obligate himself/herself to promptly pay the lawful dues, assessments and financial obligations required of all members;

(c)   He/she refuses to pay our initiation fee or re-initiation fee;

(d)   There is reason to believe that he/she may not adhere to and abide by our Constitution and By-Laws and our rules, regulations and resolutions;

(e)   There is reason to believe that he/she may not adhere to sound trade union principles;

(f)   He/she refuses to participate in and agree to the rituals which may be required to consummate membership in this organization.

Section 7.

All new members presenting themselves for initiation shall receive upon request a free copy of the International Constitution and of this Local Union's By-Laws.  However, any alleged failure to receive such copy shall not excuse a member from violation of any duty or obligation imposed upon him/her by his/her oath of office, initiation or membership.