2008 Steward's Manual - Union Benefits

Below is a list of the most important reasons for being an NWSEO member.

• The primary benefit of NWSEO membership is the right to have a say in changes in working conditions, particularly work scheduling.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, and the Statute, work schedules are determined by a consensus or agreement of the MIC and Steward.

Although suggestions by all employees as to work schedules and other conditions of employment may be submitted to the Union steward for consideration, only the union may submit actual proposals to management and all work schedules are subject to approval by the steward.

Work Schedules are not subject to a vote by or approval of bargaining unit employees. However, the Union in selecting which among various work schedules to propose to management may submit the issue to a vote of the local union membership exclusively.

Management is prohibited by law from dealing with anyone but the Union concerning conditions of employment. The Federal Labor Relations Authority has held that in no case may management solicit , consider, or implement work schedules submitted directly to it by employees.

• NWSEO members have the right to vote on ratification of NWSEO negotiated collective bargaining agreements. NWS management has notified the NWSEO that they wish to renegotiate the current collective bargaining agreement. Ground rules have been negotiated. When the contract is finished, NWSEO members will be presented the opportunity to vote up or down on whether they want the contract that is negotiated. This contract will rule everyone's work life and provide the basic rights of all employees in the NWS for the next three years or longer. Every employee should wish to have a vote on this contract, but only NWSEO members have the legal right and responsibility to make this decision.

• NWSEO Representation on Local Office Teams at every office in the National Weather Service, Regional Labor Councils in every NWS Region and the National Labor Council ensures continued cooperation and the best representation for every employee in the National Weather Service.

• NWSEO membership provides members with representation in Washington, D.C. before the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate over matters such as the annual appropriations for the National Weather Service and NOAA.

• NWSEO members receive legal representation for discrimination complaints over EEO matters against the agency. Nonmembers must provide their own representation when deciding whether or not to file a discrimination complaint against the agency.

• NWSEO members receive legal representation for appeals of OPM's denial of disability retirement to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Once again, nonmembers must find and pay for their representation before the MSPB.

• NWSEO members are provided with guidance, advice, or representation when management proposes disciplinary or termination (please note that employees cannot receive a proposed disciplinary action and then join NWSEO to receive legal representation, you must have already been a member).

I think these are excellent reasons for joining NWSEO. They certainly provide plenty to you and your coworkers for only one percent of base pay to a maximum of $19.70 per pay period. Finally, it is important to remind you that membership in a Federal employee labor organization is completely voluntary. Employees are free to join or refrain from joining. Those who elect to join through payroll deduction must remain members for one full year.

I hear from the field that there are some employees who are told that union membership will hurt their careers in the NWS. Nothing could be further from the truth. In 1998 alone, NWSEO experienced a loss of 15 members to promotion to management positions. In 1995 and 1996, we experienced twice as many losses due to members being promoted to management than for any other single reason. These promotions have continued at this rate to this day. That is why we continually need to recruit new members, to keep up our membership numbers. 

We even lost Mike Gahagan to promotion. Mike was the lead plaintiff in Gahagan v. U.S., a case which held that the National Weather Service's work scheduling policies illegally deprived forecasters of holiday premium pay and night differential.

The point here is simple. When you join NWSEO and take an active role in the union, you not only demonstrate your leadership qualities to your fellow members, but you also demonstrate your abilities to management. And management takes advantage of those abilities by actively promoting union members who demonstrate their leadership qualities.

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