(a) When officers of a national or international labor organization
or of an intermediate body are to be elected by secret ballot among the
members of the constituent local unions, it is not unreasonable for the
organization to employ a nominating procedure whereby each local may
nominate only one candidate for each office. When such a procedure is
employed the organization may require that each candidate be nominated
by a certain number of locals before his name will appear on the ballot.
The reasonableness of the number of local union nominations or
endorsements required depends upon the size and dispersion of the
organization.
(b) Nominations for national, international or intermediate body
office by locals or other subordinate organizations differ from primary
elections in that they are not subject to all the technical requirements
of secret ballot elections. \35\ However, where nominations are made by
locals or other subordinate organizations fundamental safeguards must be
observed including the right of members to vote for and support the
candidates of their choice without improper interference.
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\35\ In Hodgson v. United Mine Workers of America, the Court
directed that the nomination proceedings within the local unions be
conducted by secret ballot and in accordance with the provisions of
title IV. [80 LRRM 3451, 68 L.C. para.12,786 (D.D.C. June 15, 1972)].
This Order indicates that the use of secret ballot nominating procedures
may be an appropriate remedial measure in a supervised election.
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