At its May meeting, the International Executive Council instructed the International Secretary-Treasurer to submit an amendment to the IBEW Constitution (full text below) to all IBEW local unions modifying the manner in which pay increases for International Officers, Assistants and representatives are to be calculated over the next three years. The purpose of the amendment was to divert some of the increases that would be due to bolster the funding of the pension plan for International officers and staff.

Local unions voted during the period from June 1 to August 15, 2009. Each local cast one vote. The amendment passed with 374 locals voting in favor and 93 against.

Full text of amendment:

WHEREAS, the International President and International Secretary-Treasurer have discussed the financial situation of the IBEW with the International Executive Council. While the IBEW remains in solid financial shape, it has been adversely affected, as have all unions, by the current worldwide financial crisis; and

WHEREAS, it has become increasingly difficult to fund the Pension Plan for International Officers, Representatives and Assistants of the IBEW out of General Fund assets; and

WHEREAS, the International President, the International Secretary-Treasurer and the International Executive Council all agree that an amendment to the IBEW Constitution which would modify pay increases for Officers, Assistants, Directors and International Representatives over the next three years to give the IBEW a greater ability and flexibility to fund the Plan is necessary and warranted.

NOW, THEREFORE, the International Executive Council instructs the International Secretary-Treasurer to submit this proposed amendment to all local unions for a vote pursuant to Article XXVII, Section 1 (b) of the IBEW Constitution. Article III, Section 8 of the IBEW Constitution shall be amended by including the following language at the end of the first paragraph:

"Notwithstanding the above, effective beginning with the October 1, 2009 pay increase, such increase shall be 50 percent of the increase described above and then added to the pay rates in effect. This method of calculating the pay increases shall be used to calculate the October 1, 2010 and October 1, 2011 pay increases. However, as the intent of this amendment is to result in additional funds for the Pension Plan for International Officers, Representatives and Assistants of the IBEW equal to 5 percent of Officers', Assistants', Directors' and International Representatives' salaries over the three year period, the International Secretary-Treasurer is authorized to discontinue or modify this calculation in 2009, 2010 and/or 2011 as necessary to achieve the overall 5 percent additional funds. This language shall be removed from the IBEW Constitution effective January 1, 2012."