Notice is hereby given that a referendum to repeal the International's 75 cents monthly per capita tax increase, scheduled to take effect January 1, 2002, has been unanimously adopted and scheduled by the General Board. Ballots will be mailed to the verified last known home address of each member in good standing on July 6, 2001. To be eligible to be counted, all ballots must be received in the designated post office lock boxes by August 14, 2001. The tally of the ballots will commence on August 14, 2001.

REPEAL OF 75 CENTS IN PER CAPITA TAXES, PER MEMBER PER MONTH, SCHEDULED TO TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2002.

This referendum, if adopted, will repeal the 75 cents per member per month per capita tax increase, passed by the September 2000 Convention and scheduled to take effect January 1, 2002. A vote in favor of the referendum will prevent this 75 cents per member per month increase from going into effect.

The General Board, at its February 2001 meeting, unanimously adopted a resolution repealing the 75 cents per capita tax increase and directed that the resolution be sent out in the form of a referendum to the membership. The General Board took this action because of concern that the per capita taxes approved by the Convention were too high. Under Article XIV, Section 5, the General Board has the authority to initiate "any matter that in its judgment may be necessary for the welfare of the International Union and its members." The Board unanimously believes that repeal of the scheduled 75 cents per capita tax increase is necessary for the welfare of the International and its members.

A vote in favor of the referendum, as unanimously recommended by the General Board, will repeal the 75 cents per member per month per capita tax and prevent it from going into effect on January 1, 2002. A vote against the referendum will mean that members will pay an additional 75 cents per month, beginning January 1, 2002. \

No constitutional changes are required because the 75 cents per capita tax has not yet been incorporated into Article XXII: Revenue, since it does not become effective until January 1, 2002. The ballot therefore will simply be a vote in favor or against for repeal and will be as follows:

REPEAL OF 75 CENTS IN PER CAPITA TAXES, PER MEMBER PER MONTH, SCHEDULED TO TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2002.

This referendum, if adopted, will repeal the 75 cents per member per month per capita tax increase scheduled to take effect January 1, 2002. A vote in favor of the referendum will prevent this 75 cents per member per month increase from going into effect. A vote against the referendum will mean that members will pay an additional 75 cents per month, beginning January 1, 2002.