Union Structure and Governance

Union Structure LOCAL FS Council NFFE IAMAW AFL-CIO

The Local The Membership is the Local. Local Officers and Stewards: are the “face” of the union; are the Local’s negotiators; provide Local representation on a day-to-day basis.

Local Union Structure President Vice-president(s) Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary Conductor-Sentinel Trustees Stewards

Forest Service Council NFFE Locals in the FS are part of a “consolidated bargaining unit” – the Forest Service Council (FSC). 90 Forest Service Locals in the FSC. Represents 20,000 employees. The FSC, and its officers, and committees: Negotiate the Master Agreement; Participate in the FS Partnership Council; Negotiate National policy/MOUs; Handle National grievances; Provide Regional level representation; Provide assistance to Locals. Note: Not all NFFE Locals in other Agencies are part of a Council.

FSC Executive Board Council President – Mark W. Davis Council Secretary Treasurer – Melissa Baumann Council Vice-Presidents – One for each region, Job Corps, and Research: R1 – Ron Angel R8 – Dante Whittaker R2 – Karen MoraR9 – Joe Drozdowski R3 – Randy GonzalezR10 – Barney Freedman R4 – David Chevalier CCC – Larry King R5 – Dan DuefreneRes – Loa Collins R6 – Lisa WolfeWO+detached– Chris Berry See for more about the FSC.

NFFE National Federal District 1, IAMAW Supports Locals (representation, negotiations) Legislative work Administrative support Legal advice Business Representatives (aka: labor relations specialists) See for more details.

NFFE National Structure President – Bill Dougan Secretary/Treasurer – Bill Fenaughty Vice – Presidents (elected at large) Rob Arnold (Passport Agency) John Obst (Retired FS) Joe Drozdowski (Retired FS) Patty La Sala (VA) Kolleen McGrath (AMC) Tim Ostrowski (DoD) Debbie Ransom (GSA)

NFFE National Staff Jim Davis– Assistant Directing Business Representative. Business Representatives: John Griffin Dave StameyGary Johanson Jan Thompson Steve Flory Stefan Sutich, General Counsel Cassie Kerner Bond, Organizing Coordinator, West Brittany Paull, Organizing Coordinator, East Randy Erwin, Legislative Director Omar Arnold, Financial Director Jai Atkins, Assistant to the President Cory Bythrow, Communications Director Amy Burns Office Manager

IAMAW, The Fighting Machinists (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers NFFE is affiliated with IAMAW. IAM represents employees in many professions in many organizations. Powerful lobbying force. Provides training at William W. Winpisinger Center (Leadership, Safety, Women’s Conference, Federal Employee Conference, etc.).

IAMAW Structure President – Thomas Buffenbarger Secretary-Treasurer – Warren Mart 7 General Vice-Presidents – Southern TerritoryWestern Territory Eastern TerritoryMidwest Territory CanadaTransportation Grand Lodge – Federal District 1 (NFFE) is in Grand Lodge Territory; Rich Michalski is GVP Locals within the Territories may be organized into Districts. NFFE is Federal District 1 within IAM.

IAMAW Staff In addition to the elected Executive Council, IAM Departments handle the “staff” work of the IAM. Departments that you may encounter include: Government employees (Frank Carelli) Woodworkers (Rod Kelty) IAM communicationsAuditing WWW CenterSafety Human RightsWomen HPWO PartnershipsOrganizing Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) See for more details.

AFL-CIO The mission of the AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families—to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our nation. See for more details.

Union Structure LOCAL FS Council NFFE IAMAW AFL-CIO

Union Governance Raise your hand if: You were elected into your office through a ballot of all of your Union members Your Local has had a members meeting within the last 6 months You know when elections were last held in your Local You have attended a NFFE Convention You have participated in an election at your Local

What are you supposed to do? It depends on your bylaws! Which must not be in conflict with the IAMAW Constitution, NFFE FD 1 Bylaws, and FSC Bylaws Have you ever seen a copy of your Local’s Constitution or Bylaws?

Internal Union Rules Constitution (IAMAW) Bylaws NFFE FD-1 Forest Service Council Local Constitution and Bylaws determine: What officers you have Duties of officers How and when elections are held Dues Discipline of members/officers Rules regarding holding and attending conventions

Local Bylaws Written by your Local Approved by members Must be submitted and approved by IAM Many NFFE Locals may have a “Constitution” left over from before NFFE affiliated with IAM. If your Local has not replaced the Constitution with Bylaws, this needs to be done!

Local Bylaws Bylaws govern such things as: When nominations and elections are held Which officers your Local has and their duties Local dues and how dues are set Local committees and how they are “staffed” When and how often Local meetings are held Procedures for approval of expenditures How Convention delegates are selected How Bylaws are changed Bylaws MUST be consistent with the IAM Constitution