Colin Walle, Union President

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES 

1998 Constitution 

 PREAMBLE 

With a view to improving the Government service and promoting the common welfare of Government employees through cooperation, education and organization, we, a Local of the National Federation of Federal Employees, adopt this constitution. 

ARTICLE I 

Objects and Methods 

SECTION 1. The objects of this Local shall be to promote the social and economic welfare and education of Local members and to work toward the perfection of systems that will make for greater efficiency in the various services of the Government.

SECTION 2. The methods for attaining these objects shall be by petition to Congress, by creating and fostering public sentiment favorable to proposed reforms, by cooperation, consultation, and negotiation with Government Official and employees, by legislation and other, lawful means. As a responsible organization of public employees, it shall take leadership in obtaining, through legislation or other means, necessary machinery to ensure public employees have adequate protection against unfair and discriminatory action of Government. 

ARTICLE II 

Membership 

SECTION 1. Any person eligible for membership under Article III, Section 1 of the National Constitution is eligible for membership in Local 1998. No eligible person shall be denied membership in this Local because of race, color, creed, sex, national origin or physical/mental handicap. 

SECTION 2. No person may hold office in this Local who has been convicted of or has served any part of a prison term resulting from his conviction of violating 18 USC 1001 by making a false statement in any report required to be filed pursuant to Subpart A of the Federal “Standards of Conduct for Labor Organizations.” 

SECTION 3. The Local shall be composed of the following types of members. 

a. Benefit Member. One who pays full membership dues is entitled to participate actively in all Local affairs, and who qualifies to participate in the applicable Federation approved group insurance program. A benefit member’s insurance premium is included in his dues. 

b. Associate member. A benefit member may, upon retirement or separation from the service, continue as such as long as he/she pays such dues. However, if he/she does not wish to continue as such and ceases to pay regular or benefit member dues, he/she may become an associate member or an associate benefit member by payment of the appropri­ate dues in advance. Where an associate membership or benefit associate membership has lapsed because of non‑payment of dues, the desired membership may be reinstated by payment of appropriate dues in advance. An associate member of benefit associate member may not vote or hold office as such, but may reinstate as an active regular or benefit member by resumption of the payment of such dues. 

c. Auxiliary Member. Spouses of members may become members of an auxiliary Local group. Membership may be as a regular auxiliary or key auxiliary member. Key members will receive such newsletters, news bulletins and other informational material that the National office may send them. In the event of the death of member, the spouse may continue as an auxiliary member as long as the required dues are paid. 

d. Honorary member. Any person not eligible for membership may be elected by a Local to honorary membership; provided that the Local shall pay the appropriate membership fee to the National Office. Such honorary membership shall carry with it no right to vote or hold office.

ARTICLE III 

Revenues 

SECTION 1. The revenues of this Local shall be obtained through donations; receipts from rentals; investments; sales; duplicating and mailing services and dues from the following categories of members. 

a. Benefit Member: Dues will be paid by payroll deduction $4.50 per biweekly pay period or $117.00 per annum or 58.50 per six months, of which $7.00 per month (Group Accident Program), is a trust fund due the National office for per capita tax payments. 

b. Associate Benefit Member: Dues for an associate benefit member shall be $14.00 per annum of which $12.00 (Group Accident Program) per annum shall be remitted to the National Office. For those over the age of 65, associate member dues will be $8.00 per annum of which $6.00 shall be remitted to the National Office. 

c. Auxiliary Member: The dues for an auxiliary member shall be $2.00 per annum of which $1.00 per annum shall be remitted to the National Office. 

d. Key Auxiliary Member: The dues for a key auxiliary member shall be $6.00 per annum of which $5.00 per annum shall be remitted to the National Office. 

e. Honorary Member: $4.00 per annum will be paid by the Local to the National Office for an honorary member, and $10.00 per annum for a benefit honorary member. 

SECTION 2. Dues will increase by an amount equal to an increase in the per capita tax voted by the NFFE Executive Council in accordance with Article VII, Section la of the National Constitution.

SECTION 3. Dues withholding checks shall be sent directly to the National Secretary‑Treasurer of the NFFE. The National Office shall deduct per capita tax charges for each member listed on record at the National Office and remit to the Local its share of the withholding check. 

SECTION 4. Any member who shall fail to pay dues before the end of the period specified in Section 1 of this article shall have suspended his membership and his insurance benefits by such failure to pay dues. A person who has been listed on the monthly Form 3 as a loss because of nonpayment of dues may be reinstated by payment of dues for at least six months in advance or by executing SF 1187 if eligible for payroll withholding dues. 

SECTION 5. Members are eligible upon retirement or separation from the service to continue as members by payment of appropriate dues as established by this Local.

ARTICLE IV 

Officers and Their Duties 

SECTION 1. The elected officers of this Local shall be a President and Secretary-Treasurer to be elected by the total membership of Local 1998; a Vice President from each Domestic Passport Agency office to be elected by the membership in that office. Currently: Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Honolulu, Hawaii; Houston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; Stamford, Connecticut; and Washington, D.C. Should a Vice President after election transfer out of the regional office in which he/she was elected, or cease to be a member in good standing, he/she shall forfeit his/her office and be replaced in accordance with Article VIII of this constitution. In the event of the closing of a regional office, that Vice‑President position will be abolished effective on the closing date of the regional office. 

SECTION 2. The term of office shall be for two years or until their successors are elected and qualified. Upon separation from office, an officer shall immediately turn over his/her successor, or other properly designated official, all books, money and other property of the Local in his/her possession. 

SECTION 3. The President shall preside at all meeting of the Local within the office where he/she works and at all meetings of the Executive Board/Committee unless absent or unable to serve; have general supervision of all activities of the Local and conduct other duties that properly pertain to his/her office. He/she shall with the approval of the Executive Board/Committee and the Local membership, in turn, designate the chief steward and appoint all committees of the Local except those otherwise constituted by this Constitution. 

SECTION 4. In the absence of the President or, in case of his/her inability to preside as provided in Section 3 above, the Vice-President for that office shall preside at the office meeting and the Secretary-Treasurer will preside at the Executive Board/Committee meetings. In the case of death or permanent total disability of the President the Secretary-Treasurer shall execute the duties of that office, unless four or more months of the unexpired term remain. In this case the office of President will be filled in accordance with Article VIII of this constitution. 

SECTION 5. The Secretary Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of the Local and of the Executive Board/Committee; conduct correspondence to the Local and Executive Board/Committee as directed; keep a record of the correspondence of the Local; and keep the constitution and bylaws and standing rules current for ready reference. In the event of the absence of the President, the Secretary-Treasurer shall preside at the Executive Board/Committee meetings. The Secretary Treasurer shall be responsible for, and keep a record of all monies received by the Local and of all disbursements of Local funds. He/she shall keep the membership records of the Local and shall give notice to members by mail, through dues collectors, through the Local publication, or otherwise as applicable as to when dues become payable under Article III, Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this constitution. He/she shall prepare and submit monthly Report Form 3s to the National Office, as well as the required reports to members and to Government agencies; shall deposit all funds to the credit of the Local in such bank or trust company as may be designated by the membership; and shall disburse with appropriate countersignature the funds of the Local by check. He/she shall have custody the Official Seal and Charter of the Local. He/she shall receive and report to the Local all applications for membership. Upon completion of term of office the Secretary-Treasurer shall deliver all monies, books records and other property of the Local to the duly elected and installed successor, or other properly designated official. The Local’s financial records shall be kept in conformance with Article VII, Section 5 of the National Constitution, which provides that the financial records of the Local be kept on a fiscal year basis. The fiscal year shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30. 

SECTION 6. The Vice-President shall be ranking Local Officer in his/her office acting for and on behalf of the Local President. He/she shall represent the Local in promoting the Local’s objectives in his/her office under regulations established by the Local. The Vice-President shall be the liaison officer between the Local members in his/her office and the Executive Board/Committee. He/she shall preside at all meetings held in his/her office, be responsible for overall supervision and maintenance of the Steward Corps within his/her office, furnish guidance, training and assistance in resolving problems and coordinate all activities and communications between the Stewards and the Local’s Executive Board/Committee and staff. The Vice President shall keep an accurate record of all meetings within his/her office and forward a copy to the Local Secretary-Treasurer promptly. 

SECTION 7.

a. No officer or agent of this Local shall, directly or indirectly through his/her spouse, minor child, 3 or otherwise: 

(1) have or acquire any pecuniary or personal interest which conflicts with his/her fiduciary obligation to this Local; 

(2) engage in any business or financial transaction which conflicts with the fiduciary obligation. 

b. Actions prohibited by paragraph a. of this section include, but are not limited to, buying from, selling, or leasing directly or indirectly to, or otherwise dealing with this Local, its affiliates, subsidiaries, or trusts in which this Local has an interest, or having an interest in a business any part of which consists of such dealings, except bona fide investments exempted from reporting under Section 202(b) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended. The receipt of salaries and reimbursed expenses for services actually performed or expenses actually incurred is not prohibited. 

SECTION 8. The following oath of office shall be administered to all Local officials by a duly authorized installing officer: “I, ____________________, do hereby sincerely promise to faithfully perform the duties of my office and to abide by the constitution of this Local and the constitution of the National Federation of Federal Employees; that I will attend all meetings of this Local during my term of office when possible to do so; that I will endeavor to advance the interests of this Federation; that I will safeguard all property of the Local which may come into my possession while I am in office; that I will assist my successor in assuming the duties of the office and I will deliver to my successor all books, papers, funds, or other property of the Local that I may have. I agree to make available for inspection by proper officials of this organization, upon reasonable notice and request, all records pertaining to my office and to deliver all such to the President of the National Federation of Federal Employees or his representative on demand. I further promise that I will never defraud the Local of anything whatever, or allow it to be defrauded, if within my power to prevent it. To all of this I solemnly pledge my sacred word of honor.” Violations of the oath or actions by any member which are deemed contrary to the welfare and best interests of the Local shall, when reported to the National President, be immediately investigated and appropriate measures taken. Any member or official of the Local may be removed for violation of the oath or lack of fidelity to the Local. 

SECTION 9. Local officers may be removed for serious misconduct in office. Charges against an officer for misconduct in office shall first be filed with the President and Executive Board/Committee of the Local. The Executive Board/ Committee shall direct corrective action necessary to resolve the charges. If the charges are not answered and/or resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant within 30 days, the charges may be filed with the NFFE National President. Charges filed with the NFFE National President shall be accompanied by the signatures of 25 percent of the Local’s membership. When 25 percent of the Local’s membership brings charges in writing against an officer, the National President shall direct the National Vice President to conduct a hearing on any charges for misconduct against a Local officer. The officer charged with misconduct shall be given due notice of the hearing and adequate time to present a reply to the charges. He/she may be represented at the hearing by any individual of his/her choice. A hearing officer and the National Vice President shall issue a finding subsequent to the hearing and supply a copy to the Local, the National President and the officer charged with misconduct. If he/she finds that the officer is guilty of misconduct, the National Vice President may recommend to the National Executive Council the removal of the officer. If concurred in by the National Executive Council, this recommendation shall take place if, in a secret ballot, the majority of the membership of the Local voting cast votes for such removal.

ARTICLE V 

Meetings 

SECTION 1. Each office will set a regular meeting date, provided that such date be no later than the 10^th of each month, unless otherwise ordered by the Local or the Executive Board/Committee. 

SECTION 2. The regular meeting in June shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of installing officers, receiving reports from officers and committees, and for business that may arise. 

SECTION 3. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board/Committee, and shall be called upon the written request of ten members of the Local. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in the case of an emergency, at least five days notice shall be given. 

SECTION 4. Ten percent plus three of the Local’s members within an agency shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VI 

The Executive Board/Committee 

SECTION 1. The Executive Board/Committee shall be composed of the elected officers of the Local as provided for in Article IV, 1 of this constitution. In the absence of the President, the Secretary-Treasurer shall act as Chairman of the Executive Board/Committee. One more than one-half of the voting members of the Executive Board/Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Executive Board/Committee business. The Executive Board/Committee shall adopt rules governing its own procedures except that it shall meet at the call of the President and at such times as deemed expedient and practical by a majority of the members thereof. The use of the mail, conference calls and other means of telecommunications shall be deemed as an appropriate medium for the conduct of Executive Board/Committee meetings and business. Accurate minutes of each meeting shall be kept and read at the next meeting of each agency office of the Local. 

SECTION 2. The Executive Board/Committee shall be the governing body of the Local with the responsibility to recommend the policies of the Local and submit them to the Local membership for action; to administer the business of the Local subject to the approval of the Local membership; to act for the Local in matters arising between meetings of the Local; to consider matters presented for adjustment; to delegate to officers or designees such authority as it may deem appropriate; and to have custody of the Local’s funds and property except as otherwise provided for in this constitution. 

SECTION 3. The Executive Board/Committee shall ensure that in accordance with Article VII, Section 5 of the National Constitution and required reports to members, National Office and Government agencies, a system of records is established and maintained to account for membership gains and losses and funds received and expended. The Board/Committee shall ensure that all required reports to Government agencies are submitted in a timely manner and shall furnish or otherwise make available to its members the information required to be contained in such reports and shall furnish or otherwise make available to every member a copy of its constitution and bylaws. The Board/Committee shall be under duty to permit any member with just cause to examine any books, records and accounts necessary to verify such reports and constitution and bylaws. 

SECTION 4. The Executive Board/Committee shall ensure that every officer, agent, steward, other representative or employee who is authorized to handle funds or property of the Local be bonded in conformance with Article VII, Section 4 of the National Constitution. These officials shall be covered by a blanket bond secured by the National Office in an amount agreed upon by the Local and the National Office, but not less that $5000. The premium on such bond shall be paid from the funds of the Local. Further, that members’ rights are preserved in accordance with Article XI of the National Constitution.

ARTICLE VII 

Committees 

SECTION 1. The President shall appoint a Membership and Credentials Committee; a Grievance Committee; an Auditing Committee; a Finance Committee; a Consultations/Negotiations Committee; and such other committees as he/she may consider necessary. All committee appointments are subject to ratification by the Local membership. 

SECTION 2. The committee on membership and credentials shall make determinations as to all questions of eligibility. The committee shall work persistently to obtain new members and to retain old ones.  It shall promote person-to-person solicitation, shall be alert to invite new employees to join, shall promote payment of dues in advance and shall encourage members who are separated to retain their memberships. It shall promote and encourage members to participate in the payroll deduction of dues to help stabilize membership. It should encourage members to participate in the NFFE sponsored insurance programs. It shall plan and conduct membership campaigns, and shall keep the Executive Board/Committee and the Local informed of its plans and progress. 

SECTION 3. The Grievance Committee shall constitute the legal staff of the Local, being versed in the appropriate regulations pertaining to personnel policies and the working environment. The committee shall receive and investigate grievance questions referred to it by stewards and /or members; advise on procedures and grievance and appeal questions. The committee shall refer, with recommendations, unresolvable member/steward disputes or complaints to the Executive Board/Committee. 

SECTION 4. It shall be the duty of the Auditing Committee to make an audit of the financial records of the Local as of June 30 each year. The Auditing Committee’s written report shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the regional office following each audit, and a copy of the report shall be mailed by the Local to the National Secretary-Treasurer. The Auditing Committee shall make such other audits as it may deem necessary, or as the Executive Board/Committee may authorize. In making an audit, the Auditing Committee shall ascertain and       report whether all per capita tax due the National Office has been remitted to the National Secretary Treasurer. The Auditing Committee shall ensure that all officials are properly bonded. 

SECTION 5. A Finance Committee composed of the Treasurer and two other members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each annual meeting. It shall be the duty of this Committee to prepare a budget for the fiscal year beginning the first day of July, and to submit it to the Local at its regular meeting in August. The Finance Committee can from time to time submit supplements to the budget for the current fiscal year. 

SECTION 6. The Consultation/Negotiations Committee shall be composed of at least three members      and shall be responsible for all consultations and negotiations with the top level of management. The Committee shall prepare a memorandum of record for each consultation or negotiation action consummated. All actions shall be reported to the Executive Board/Committee and the Local membership, in turn, as soon as possible. The Board/Committee shall be the watchdog of the Local’s agreement with management. It shall also be responsible for developing agreement revision and supplements as necessary. 

SECTION 7. The Steward Corps will be composed of the necessary number of stewards to effectively represent employees in the unit in consonance with the Labor-Management Agreement. Stewards are officials of the Local and will be established at each management level, such as first level supervisor, Branch, Division, Group, etc., to the extent feasible. Stewards shall be selected in consonance with the desires of the personnel in the representative unit and appointed by the Vice President after approval by the Executive Board/Committee and agency office membership, in turn. The Steward is responsible for representing the personnel of his/her unit to the Local and to management at his/her level. The Steward is the Local’s representative for his/her unit and shall strive for 100% membership and communicate the Local’s goals, accomplishments, and operation to the members. The Steward shall consult with management officials at his/her level, constructively relating to the position of the majority of the people. The Steward shall objectively and sincerely represent personnel from within his/her designated unit regarding dissatisfactions, adverse actions, etc.

ARTICLE VIII 

Election of Officers and Delegates 

SECTION 1. All elected officers and convention delegates shall be elected in a fair and democratic manner. The election shall be by secret ballot biennially. Each member must be provided an opportunity to nominate and vote for candidates. A member in good standing as provided in Article II, Section 4, of this Constitution is eligible for any office and to be a delegate. Not less than fifteen (15) days prior to nomination and/or election of officers or delegates, notice thereof shall be mailed to each member at his/her last known home address. Each member eligible to vote shall be entitled to one vote. All election procedures shall be in consonance with appropriate law and regulations and Article VIII, Section 8 of the National Constitution. 

SECTION 2. Delegates and alternatives to the biennial convention of the National Federation of Federal Employees shall be elected in May of the convention year, in accordance with Article VIII, Section I. A plurality vote is required to elect. 

SECTION 3. Delegates or representatives to other conventions which elect delegates to the National convention must be elected in the same manner as set forth in Section 1 of this Article. 

SECTION 4. The President will appoint a nomination and election committee in February of each even-numbered year. The committee will be made up of two members located at the same city. No current officer or candidate for office may serve on the committee. The committee will prepare a notice of nomination and nomination form to be mailed to all members in good standing no later than April 1. The notice will instruct the members that nominations must be received no later than April 20. All members in good standing may nominate candidates for President and Secretary-Treasurer. Members may nominate candidates for Vice President for the office at which they work. 

The Committee will prepare a notice of election and a ballot listing all nominated candidates to be mailed to all members in good standing no later than May 10. The notice will state that no write-in votes will be counted. Ballots must be received by May 30. The committee will tally the ballots and certify the results to the President. The new officers will be installed in June. 

A majority vote is required to elect and if not obtained, the two individuals receiving the greatest number of votes will have their names placed on the run-off ballot, and voting will continue, in accordance with appropriate law and regulations for those office(s) for which a majority vote was not obtained. 

SECTION 5. No member shall hold more than one office at a time. 

SECTION 6. Any member that desires to protest the election of Local Executive Officers or delegates will do so within ten calendar days after the official notice of the election results is posted. The protest will be filed with the Local Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall reply within 15 calendar days of the protest. If not satisfied with the resolution of the protest, it may be appealed to the National Executive Council but not later than 25 calendar days after the Local Executive Committee decision. 

SECTION. 7. In the event an office becomes vacant prior to the expiration of a term of office, the Executive Board will appoint an eligible member to complete the term of office. Such appointment will be subject to the approval of the Local membership.

ARTICLE IX 

Discipline 

SECTION 1. Discipline or removal of a Local Officer: 

a. A Local Officer may be removed for misconduct in office. Charges against a Local Officer for misconduct in office should be brought to the attention of the National President through Local channels. When 25% of the Local’s membership brings charges in writing against an officer, the National President shall direct a National Vice President to conduct a hearing on any charges of misconduct against the Local Officer. The officer charged with misconduct will be given due notice of the hearing and adequate time to present a reply to the charges. He or she may be represented at the hearing by an individual of his/her choice. 

b. As hearing officer, the National Vice President shall issue findings subsequent to the hearing and supply a copy to the Local, the National President and the officer charged with misconduct. If he/she finds that the officer is guilty of misconduct, the National Vice President may recommend to the National Executive Council the removal of that officer. If concurred in by the National Executive Council, this recommendation shall be communicated to the membership of the Local involved. A majority vote among the Local’s membership shall be required for removal from office. 

SECTION 2. Charges Against a Member: Charges against a member must be preferred in writing by another member of this Federation. They must be filed with the President of the Local to which the accused belongs and must specify the acts or Statements detrimental to the best interests of the National Federation of Federal Employees. 

a. A copy of such charges must be furnished the accused by the accuser, and a written statement that he/she has done so must be made by the accuser on the copy of the charges filed with the President of the Local. 

b. The charges must be brought to the attention of the Executive Board or Committee of the Local by the President and that Board/Committee shall set a date for the hearing and shall hear such charges after the accused has been given 30 days’ notice of the date set for the hearing. Both the accuser and the accused may appear in person and each may produce witnesses if without good cause the accuser and witnesses against the accused fail to appear on the date set for the hearing, the charges against the accused shall be dismissed. Charges may be sustained, in whole or in part, by a 2/3 vote of a quorum of the Executive Board/Committee. 

c. The accused may be fined, reprimanded, suspended from membership for a specific time, or expelled. Such member has the right to appeal from the Local’s action to the National Executive Council within 30 days of the date of notification. If the action is appealed, it may not be enforced pending the Executive Council’s decision. 

d. The appeal shall be submitted in writing to the National Executive Council which shall for good cause have the authority to modify or revoke the proposed disciplinary action. Such revocation or modification may only be taken when it appears that the disciplinary action was arbitrary, capricious or otherwise unjustified by the facts. 

e. Any fines levied under this article may not exceed either the total per capita or Local dues for a member for one year. The failure of a member to pay a fine within 30 days shall result in his or her expulsion from the Local; Provided, however, that upon the majority vote of the Executive Board/Committee, the member shall be readmitted upon paying the fine.

ARTICLE X 

Recall 

Any officer, delegate, or other representative of this Local may be recalled prior to expiration of his/her term of office in accordance with the provisions of Article X, of this Constitution and Robert’s Rules. of Order, Newly Revised; Provided, The Local membership has been notified of the pending action at least one month in advance.

ARTICLE XI 

Trusteeship 

Article X of the National Constitution is hereby incorporated in this Local Constitution by reference.

ARTICLE XII 

Bill of Rights of Members 

SECTION 1. This Local subscribes to the pertinent Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, labor-management relations rules, regulations, and laws governing the Federal “Standards of Conduct for Labor organizations.” 

SECTION 2. Neither this Local nor any officer, steward, or other representative or any employee thereof shall fine, suspend, impel, or otherwise discipline any of its members for exercising any right to which he/she is entitled under the provisions of the pertinent Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, Labor-Management Relations, or the Federal “Standards of Conduct for Labor Organizations.” No person shall use, conspire to use, or threaten to use force or violence to restrain, coerce, or intimidate, or attempt to restrain, coerce, or intimidate any member of this Local for the purpose of interfering with or preventing the exercise of any right to which he/she is entitled under the pertinent Executive Order, Labor-Management Relations or the Federal “Standards of Conduct for Labor Organizations.” 

SECTION 3. This Local shall not directly or indirectly make any loan to any officer or employee. 

SECTION 4. Every regular and benefit member of this Local shall have equal rights and privileges to nominate candidates, to vote in elections or referendums, to attend membership meetings and to participate in the deliberations and voting upon the business of such meetings, subject         to reasonable rules and regulations. 

SECTION 5. Every regular and benefit member shall have the right to meet and assemble freely with other members and to express any views, arguments or opinions; and to express at meetings of the Local his views upon candidates in a Local election or upon any business properly before the meeting, subject to established and reasonable rules pertaining to the conduct of meetings; Provided, That nothing herein shall be construed to impair the right of the Local to adopt and enforce reasonable rules as to the responsibility of every member toward the Local as an institution and to his refraining from conduct that would interfere with its performance of its legal or contractual obligations. 

SECTION 6. The rates of dues and initiation fees payable by members shall not be increased, except by majority vote by secret ballot after reasonable notice of the intention to vote upon such question has been given to the membership in accordance with Article III, Section 2 and Article XIII of this Constitution. 

SECTION 7. No limits shall be placed upon the right of any regular or benefit member to institute an action in any court, or in a proceeding before any administrative agency except as provided in Article IV, or the right of any member of this Local to appear as a witness in any judicial, administrative, or legislative proceeding, or to petition any legislature or to communicate with any legislator; Provided, That any such member may be required to exhaust reasonable hearing procedures set forth in this Constitution before instituting legal or administrative proceedings against the Local or any officer thereof. 

SECTION 8. No member shall be fined, suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined except for nonpayment of dues or by any officer hereof unless such member has been: 

(a) served with written specific charges; 

(b) given a reasonable time to prepare his/her defense; and 

(c) afforded a fair hearing as provided in Article 11, Section 5. 

SECTION 9. Nothing contained herein shall limit the rights and remedies of any member under any state or Federal law or before any court or other tribunal except as provided in Article X. 

SECTION 10. Every Local shall forward a copy of each agreement to any unit employee who requests such a copy and whose rights are directly affected by such agreement. Each Local shall maintain copies of any such agreement, more of which shall be available for inspection by any member or by any employee whose rights are affected by such agreement.

ARTICLE XIII 

Arbitration 

SECTION 1. An arbitration fund is established. Twenty cents  (20 cents) per member per month shall be placed into this fund, which shall be used only to defray the cost of arbitration. 

SECTION 2. Decisions on which cases shall be taken to arbitration shall be made by the Executive Committee. Special meetings of the Committee shall be called if necessary to meet the deadline to invoke arbitration. Anyone dissatisfied  with the Committee’s decision may appeal it to the full membership. 

SECTION 3. In deciding which cases to take to arbitration, the Executive Committee shall be mindful of the duty of fair representation imposed by Title VII of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. No case shall be refused simply because it is brought by a non-member. 

Cases which will affect only the grieving employee will be sent to arbitration only if the grievant agrees to pay the Local’s share of the cost of arbitration. 

The following criteria shall be used in determining whether to invoke arbitration in cases where the decision will have an impact on a major portion of the workforce: 

* whether there is a good possibility of winning the case; 

* amount of money in arbitration fund; 

* whether victory will increase Local’s prestige and membership.

Article XIV 

Parliamentary Authority 

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, New Revised, shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution and any special rules of order this organization may adopt.

ARTICLE XIV 

Amendments 

This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the Local by a majority vote of the members present and voting; provided, That such amendment has been introduced not less than one month prior thereto at a regular meeting of the Local, and the due notice thereof shall have been given to all members in good standing; Provided further, That such amendment has been approved by the National President.

ARTICLE XVI 

Adoption 

This Constitution, approved by the National President, is adopted by the Local in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, Section 10 of the National Constitution. A written notification of the decision rendered by the agency, including the number of votes cast for and against adoption of this document shall be forwarded to the National Office promptly. A copy of minutes of the Local meeting at which changes are made as to the number and types of officers, dues established, meeting dates, and other pertinent information must be forwarded to the National Office promptly.

APPENDIX A 

National Federation of Federal Employees 

Local 1998 

By-Laws 

ARTICLE I 

Order of Business 

The order of business shall be as follows, unless suspended by a majority vote of the members present: 

1.       Calling the meeting to order.

2.       Invocation and pledge of Allegiance.

3.       Roll Call of Officers.

4.       Reading of minutes of previous agency office meeting and of Executive Board/Committee meeting.

5.       Report of Membership Committee.

6.       Installation   of officers when appropriate.

7.       Reports       of officers, delegates, and committees.

8.       Unfinished business.

9.       Communications and Bills.

10.     New business.

11.     Education or other program and plans for welfare of Local.

12.     Adjournment.

ARTICLE II 

Rules of Order 

Except as provided in the Constitution of this Local and these By-law, Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the procedures of this Local.

ARTICLE III 

Amendments 

These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Local by a majority vote of the members present and voting; Provided, That such amendment has been introduced not less 3 than one month prior thereto at a regular meeting of the Local and that due notice thereof shall have been given to all members in good standing.