Short answer: It's up to the local's bylaws. The Roofers' Constitution (as amended at the 30th Convention, 2023) sets three-year terms and names no voting method; locals forward their constitution and bylaws to the International Secretary-Treasurer, and any provision that conflicts with the International's is void.
| Verdict | Method left to local bylaws |
| Ratification / strike votes | Method left to local bylaws |
| Confidence | Medium |
| Last verified | 21 October 2026 |
What the text says
How local officer elections are run
"Local Union officers shall be elected and serve for a period of three years."
"In the event there shall be any protest or charges by any member of the Local Union concerning the conduct of an election, after the election has been held, such protest or charges shall be made in writing, by registered or certified mail or email, by such member to the Local Union Secretary within forty-eight (48) hours after the final tally of ballots"
International approval of local bylaws or election rules
"Upon being granted a charter, each Local Union shall adopt a Constitution and By-Laws, which shall conform with this Constitution and By-Laws, and forward a copy to the International Secretary-Treasurer. It shall also deliver to the International Secretary-Treasurer a copy whenever such Local Constitution and By-Laws are amended in any way."
"Any provision in any Local Union or District Council Constitution or By-Laws shall be void if it is in conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws of this International Union."
"Between Conventions, it shall have the authority to make such laws and rules as may be needed in the interest of and for the benefit of this International Union and its membership, on issues not defined in this Constitution and By-Laws, provided that such laws and rules are approved by the International President and are published to the affiliates and members;"
Contract ratification and strike votes
"The procedures for strike authorization shall be described in a Local Union's Constitution and/or By-Laws and, unless exempted by the International President, shall provide for strike authorization through a secret ballot vote by at least 51% of the active members covered by the involved contract, provided that the described minimum shall not be applicable if a strike vote is by mail referendum, in which event the majority shall be of ballots returned."
Open questions
The text sets local officer terms, eligibility and protest procedure but names no balloting method; local constitutions/by-laws need only be filed with (not approved by) the International Secretary-Treasurer and are void to the extent they conflict. The ratification verdict covers strike authorization only (secret ballot; mail referendum mentioned); no contract ratification method is stated.
The federal rules still apply
Federal law sits on top of every constitution. For unions covered by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), officer elections must meet Title IV's secret-ballot, notice and observer requirements however members vote. The Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) addresses remote electronic voting in its Compliance Tip Electing Union Officers Using Remote Electronic Voting Systems (updated December 10, 2024). The Tip describes safeguards for secrecy, observation and records, says it "does not offer unions safe harbor," and says each system is evaluated case by case. Federal-sector unions follow 29 CFR Part 458, which applies the same standards; postal unions are covered by the LMRDA. Locals made up entirely of state or local government employees are generally outside Title IV and follow state law and their own rules. OLMS Compliance Tip
Sources
- Constitution and By-Laws of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers (OLMS attachment 'By-Laws.pdf', 'Constitution, Bylaws and Other Attachments', filed by ROOFERS AFL-CIO, National Headquarters, OLMS file no. 000-135, received 2024-09-19) — Amended and adopted at the 30th Convention held October 9-13, 2023 - Las Vegas, Nevada (conventions every five years, Const. Art. V Sec. 1). https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=69672&rptForm=attachment (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Constitution and By-Laws (prior edition, comparison only; OLMS attachment '2018 Final Const. By-Laws.pdf') — 2018. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=17986&rptForm=attachment (accessed 2026-10-21)
Not verified: No international local election manual or IEB election rules found; unionroofers.com did not post the constitution.
This page summarizes the published text of a union's governing documents. It is not legal advice and not an official interpretation by the union. Constitutions change at conventions, and locals' own bylaws matter. Confirm with your International and your counsel before changing how members vote. Spotted an error or a newer edition? Tell us at info@votem.com and we'll correct it.
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