2008 Steward's Manual - Introduction

NWSEO exists to serve the members of our bargaining units. As of the writing of this edition of the NWSEO Steward's Manual, those units include all professional and non-professional non-supervisory employees in the National Weather Service, all non-supervisory employees of the Command and Data Acquisition Station, National Environmental Satellite and Data Information Service, all non-supervisory attorneys employed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of General Counsel, all professional and non-professional non-supervisory employees at OAR's Atlantic Oceanography and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, FL, and all professional and non-professional non-supervisory employees at OMAO's Aircraft Operations Centers at MacDill AFL, FL.

It is the duty of Branch Stewards to provide all bargaining unit employees, in the organizational unit where he/she is employed, with representation before the agency and Congress, to uphold the collective bargaining agreement between the union and management, and to uphold the Constitution and By-Laws of NWSEO.

Fulfillment of the Branch Stewards' duty entails the following:

1. Maintain a constructive relationship between the Union and local management.

2. Serve as the first line representative of the Union at the Branch level.

3. Protect working conditions.

4. Insure the dignity and security of the membership.

5. Organize and conduct union meetings at the Branch level.

6. Understand the collective bargaining agreement and any partnership agreements and instruct others of their provisions.

7. Recognize problems and provide assistance to employees in their solution.

8. Understand agency policy and regulations as they relate to the employees.

9. Insure that Union publications and correspondence is promptly posted on Union bulletin boards.

10. Espouse the benefits of Union membership to potential members.

11. Promote the Union and uphold the Constitution and Bylaws of the Union.

To fulfill these duties, NWSEO presents the following Stewards' Manual. This manual contains a detailed discussion on problem resolution, means and methods of providing legislative representation, and a discussion on the role of the Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute.

Effectiveness of the National Weather Service Employees Organization is totally dependent on the leadership that is elected by the membership. This Union is completely dedicated to the principle of union democracy.

The members of each branch elect their own Branch Steward on an annual basis. Likewise, the members of each regional unit of the Union elects their Regional Chair and Vice Chairs annually. The Regional Chairs participate in the National Council. The National Council also consists of a National President, Executive Vice President and a National Secretary-Treasurer. These last three officers are elected for three year terms and are limited to only two terms in office.

The union is officially run by the membership who attend the National Conventions held annually. When not in session, the National President runs the Union with the advice and consent of the National Council.

As for advice on how to be good steward, a long time ago there was a very famous labor consultant that the most successful labor leaders went to for advice.
One day an unhappy union steward asked, "How can I obtain the respect of those I deal with?" The steward was relatively new at the job and was being continually put-off by management.
"I know of only one way," answered the labor consultant. And this is the wisest union advice ever given to date:
"Always consider the honor and integrity of your own name and the union you represent before speaking. Let your words be a bond never broken. Think before you speak."

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