About the UWUA

WHO WE ARE LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OFFICERS HISTORY DIRECTORY CONSTITUTION

OFFICERS OF THE UWUA: NATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER
Gary M. Ruffner

UWUA National Secretary-Treasurer Gary M. Ruffner comes to the National Union from the ranks of the membership with over thirty years experience as a Union member, working with a Utility Company. Gary, who is 52 years old, was elected to the position of National Secretary-Treasurer at the 1999 convention of the Utility Workers Union of America.

Gary comes out of the ranks of the Michigan State Utility Workers Council with more than 20 years experience as a Union Representative. He was elected Michigan State Council President twice, after serving as Council Executive Vice President, Council Vice President, Local 123 President, Chief Steward and Department Steward early in his career as a union representative. Gary is very proud to serve the National Union in the footsteps of the late Marshall Hicks who also came out of the Michigan State Council.

Gary is a life member of the NAACP, a member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women serving as an officer of his CLUW chapter for over ten years, and believes in equal rights for all workers.

Current Experience:

  • National Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Committee Member
  • UWUA Director of Safety
  • UWUA Webmaster and Editor
  • UWUA Pension Plan Administrator
  • UWUA Political Action Committee, Legislative Director,
  • UWUA Lobbyist and PAC Plan Administrator
  • National Safety Council Vice President for Labor; Executive Committee
  • Webmaster of the National Safety Council Labor Division Web Page
  • National Safety Council Utilities Division Member
  • UWUA Labor Liaison to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
  • Member of the National Radiological Protection Board
  • UWUA Labor Liaison to Union Privilege Benefit programs for members
  • UWUA Union Label Labor Liaison

Former Experience:

  • President, Michigan State Utility Workers Council of 23 UWUA Locals
  • Executive Board of the Michigan State AFL-CIO
  • UWUA Deregulation Coordinator for the State of Michigan
  • AFL-CIO Labor Liaison for the Tri-County Workforce Development Board
  • Executive Board, Economic Alliance of Michigan
  • Treasurer and co-founder of Protect Michigan coalition of business and labor
  • Protect Michigan Inc.Webmaster
  • Director, Consumers Professional Credit Union

Gary has served on legislative committees at the State Capitol, testified before the Michigan State Legislature on deregulation and quality of service issues, testified before the State of Michigan Certificate of Need Commission on behalf of the Michigan State AFL-CIO, and promises to serve the UWUA membership to the best of his abilities.

  • Executive Committee of the National Safety Council Labor Division, Chair of the Utilities Committee and Webmaster of the Labor Division Web Page
  • Vice President for Labor serving on the National Safety Council Board of Directors 
  • Executive Committee of the National Safety Council Utilities Division and Chair of the Legislative Regulatory Committee,
  • Member, National Executive Committee
  • National Representative, Nuclear Energy Institute
  • National Liaison,  Union Privilege    

Duties of the National Secretary-Treasurer:

Section 1-E. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall act as the Financial Officer and Executive Secretary of the National Union. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall cause to be recorded the proceedings of all National Conventions all sessions of the National Executive Board and all sessions of the National Executive Committee. He/she shall have charge of and preserve all books, documents and effects of the National Office.

Section 2-E. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall make the necessary arrangements for the maintenance of financial books and records, the receipt of all funds due the National Union and shall deposit all such funds in the name of the National Union in depositories approved by the National Executive Board. He/she shall invest all such funds as may be deemed by the National Executive Board to be in excess of current needs in such securities as the National Executive Board may decide.

Section 3-E. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall pay all bills and current expenses unless otherwise ordered by the National Executive Board or its Executive Committee. He/she shall keep copies of all important correspondence sent out and received by his/her office.

Section 4-E. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall give a bond of at least $10,000 to insure the faithful discharge of his/her duties. The National Executive Board shall approve said bond. The cost of the bond shall be paid out of the funds of the National Union.

Section 5-E.The National Secretary-Treasurer shall have the authority to employ such help as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the affairs of his/her office. Such help employed by the National Secretary-Treasurer shall be paid in accordance with the prevailing rates of wages for the duties performed and shall be responsible to him/her for the rightful performance of their duties.

Section 6-E. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall perform such other duties as pertain to his/her office or may be assigned him/her by the National Executive Board or its Executive Committee.

Section 7-E. He/she shall have charge of the seal of the National Union and shall affix it to all official documents.

Section 8-E. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall devote full time to his/her office, and between National Conventions and sessions of the National Executive Board he/she shall report his/her acts to the Executive Committee of the Board.

Section 9-E. He/she shall submit a Certified Public Accountant's Financial Report to the Executive Board yearly.

Section 10-E. In the event of any delinquency on the part of any local union in paying its per capita, it shall be his/her duty to give to the local union involved notice of such delinquency and demand that the fault be remedied. He/she shall have the power to examine or to order an examination of the books of account of any affiliated local union. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall require all national, regional and local union officers handling funds to be bonded by an accredited surety company.