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c. Organizational AffiliationsInstructor Notes:Discuss the importance of a local unionaffiliating itself with other labor organizations(use slide #9).It is wise for your local union to affiliate itselfwith other labor organizations. The most common affiliations would be with other AFL-CIObodies such as your area’s central labor council,your state labor body, and the IAFF state/provincial association having jurisdiction overyour local union.By maintaining an active role with other labororganizations, your local’s sphere of influencecan be greatly broadened in terms of publicrelations, political activities, and how organizedlabor represents the interests of your members.As an affiliate of an AFL-CIO labor body, yourlocal’s issues—political and otherwise—becomethe issues of a much broader group that alreadyhas an established support network.In addition, your local should consider usingthe wide range of services that your IAFFstate/provincial association offers. It is important that your local union inquire and then usethese services to help meet the needs of yourmembership.2. Bargaining Agent Responsibility(Duty of Fair Representation)Instructor Notes:Discuss a local’s bargaining agent responsibility and the items that each local union shouldbe familiar with when representing their members at the bargaining table (use slide #10).Define “duty of fair representation” anddiscuss the importance of representing allmembers of a local indiscriminately and fairly(use slide #11).Most local unions are responsible for securingbetter wages and working conditions on behalfof their membership. This is true in both anunstructured and structured bargaining environment. Therefore, because of your local’sbargaining agent responsibility, the fundamentals of bargaining a collective agreementshould always be applied when appropriate.This means that your local union should familiarize all the direct participants in this processwith each of the following:an understanding of your exact bargainingenvironment;the purpose of collective bargaining and itsprocess;a knowledge of the different techniquesused to facilitate the process;how to prepare contract proposals andcounterproposals;how to use the strategy of “pressure”; andan understanding of the processes at thebargaining table, including preparation, groundrules, presentation of proposals, actual negotiation, caucusing, and tentative agreements(subject to the entire agreement) which in turnare presented for membership consideration(ratification).Your local union is also responsible for theprotection of the rights of all of its members.Under the National Labor Relations Act yourlocal is legally obligated to represent all of itsmembers indiscriminately and fairly.2 Thismeans that all members of your local are entitled to the same treatment and cannot betreated differently because of internal politicalconsiderations. It also means that your localcannot charge a fee to a non-union member ifthe other bargaining unit members are notsubject to the same charge.Obviously it is to the advantage of your localto avoid any possibility of being sued forbreach of “duty of fair representation.” Courtcosts are substantial even if your local wins.Therefore, all officers of your local shouldknow what standards exist for fair representation and the duty it imposes. Your local shouldalso make certain all of its newly elected orappointed officials receive thorough trainingand instruction in “duty of fair representation.”2. Some IAFF locals that represent state and municipal government workers are not subject to the National Labor Relations Act. Theselocals should consult their state statutes or PERB decisions for any requirements concerning “duty of fair representation.” Federallocals are required under section 7114(a)(1) of Title 5, United States Code, to represent all their members without discrimination.9

C. M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G SInstructor Notes:List the items that should be considered whenconducting a membership meeting (use slide #12).Discuss the responsibilities of a presidingofficer at a membership meeting (use slide #13).In most circumstances, you will find that attendance at your membership meetings is highestwhen elections are being held or when your contract is up for ratification. Since it is impossibleto have an election or contract ratification forevery meeting, it is important to plan an agendathat will attract the interests of your members.Your membership meetings should have a purpose and require some sort of action from yourmembership. Ideally, issues should be discussedthat your members need to decide on.Once a decision has been made on the topics tobe presented, an agenda will need to be preparedand circulated among your membership. Thisagenda should serve as a notice and state the purpose of the meeting. It should be distributed threeto five days in advance so your members willhave a chance to consider the topics and makelogistical arrangements.When conducting the meeting, several itemsshould be considered. These include:Starting the meeting on time. Punctuality letsyour membership know that the agenda will befollowed and that their time is respected.Introducing the officers. Even if there areonly one or two new people at the meeting, introductions of the officers and others is appropriate.Using the parliamentary procedure adoptedby your local union. The IAFF suggests using“Atwoods Rules for Meetings.”As an elected officer of your local, your president will serve as the presiding officer at yourmembership meetings. Running the actual meeting requires the presiding officer to accomplishseveral different tasks simultaneously, includingthe following items.10Maintaining Order—Your members mayaddress the meeting only after the presiding officer has given them the floor. Never forget thatthe presiding officer decides WHEN a memberwill speak, not WHETHER a member will speak.Debates—The presiding officer must neverallow debating to result in personal abuse or thequestioning of members’ motives. It is hisresponsibility to see that a debate is orderly andon the issue.Setting an Example—The presiding officermust always set an example for all your membersby obeying the International’s Constitution andBy-Laws and he must refuse any motions madecontrary to any provision of this document.Voting—As a member of your local, thepresiding officer has the right to vote. However,no member, including the president, can beforced to vote.II. COMMITTEESInstructor Notes:Point out that a local union functions throughits standing and specially designated committees(use slide #14).Your local union as an organization functionsthrough its standing and specially designatedcommittees. Under the direction of your localunion president, these committees perform theinvestigative and research work on motions andpolicies prior to a vote by your membership.A . S TA N D I N G C O M M I T T E E SInstructor Notes:Define standing committees (use slide #15).Standing committees can either be elected by yourmembership or appointed by your president to servefor a definite term as described by your local’sconstitution and by-laws. The foremost standingcommittee in your local is your executive board.The authority of your executive board is set forth inyour local’s by-laws and its quorum is establishedwith your president as chairperson of the board.

B. S P E C I A L C O M M I T T E E SInstructor Notes:Define special committees (use slide #16).Special committees are also elected or appointedas required by your local’s by-laws. They areestablished to accomplish a specific task thendissolved when their final reports are submitted(unless discharge requires a membership vote.) Aspecial committee is created by a motion thatshould include the selection process of its members, the number of members and the date itsfinal report is to be given. Your local union president oversees the work of each special committeeand provides specific directions to each chairperson. It is the responsibility of the local unionsecretary to transfer all necessary materials toeach special committee chairperson. Upon receiptof these materials, the special committee chairperson is responsible for these materials until thefinal report is submitted, with all materials thentransferred back to the local union secretary.C. S I Z E A N D M A K E U PCOMMITTEESOFInstructor Notes:Point out that a committee can consist of oneor more members, but that it is best if a committee is held to a small number.A committee can consist of one or more members.However, care should be taken that the committee is held to a small number. Committees foraction usually consist of one to three members,while committees whose objective is to deliberateusually consist of five or more members.D. G O A L S , C H A R G E S A N DAUTHORITY OF COMMITTEESInstructor Notes:Discuss the general rules, rights and responsibilities that govern the committees of a local(use slide #17).Committee meetings are much more informalthan your local union meetings. Committeemembers have the right to speak as many timesas they want on a subject and if he chooses, thecommittee chairperson can make motions whilepresiding. Also, many motions made during acommittee meeting do not require a second.Unless they are committee members, members of your local do not have the right to attenda committee meeting. The only exception to thismandate is if the member is invited to addressthe group and then is excused for the committee’s discussions and voting activities.Committee meeting minutes are only readbefore the committee and never before the localunion membership. Members of a committeeshould also refrain from discussing the proceedings and actions taken by their committee withother members of your local until the final reportof the committee is delivered.A committee has the option of creating a subcommittee. A subcommittee consists of membersof the committee appointed by the chairperson.The chairperson’s responsibilities to his subcommittees are the same as that of a local unionpresident and secretary to their committees inthat the chairperson must provide specific directions and delivery of necessary materials for theassignment.In the event a committee does not functionand fails to submit a report, your local unionmembership has the authority to dissolve thecommittee by a motion and a vote. A vote to dissolve a committee requires a two-thirds voteunless your membership has received an advancenotice concerning the committee’s discharge. In acase such as this, a majority vote is required todissolve the committee.Some general rules, rights and responsibilitiesthat govern the committees of your local includethe following items:11

I I I . P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S,C O M M U N I CAT I O N S, A N DMEMBERSHIPM OT I VAT I O NA. INTERNALInstructor Notes:Give examples of how to motivate membersthrough the internal use of public relations (useslide #18).One of the best ways for a union member to keepinformed and motivated is by attending unionmeetings. However, due to a variety of reasons,there are a number of members who do notattend all meetings, and as such are not asinformed and motivated as you might want themto be. One of the best ways to overcome thisproblem is with the publication of a localnewsletter. A newsletter gives your local theopportunity to maintain contact with all of itsmembers concerning important issues. A newsletter will also help to establish an openness andcredibility for your organization as well.While a newsletter is probably the most effectiveway to foster good member relations and motivation, it does not have to be the only way. Thereare an assortment of other items that can helppromote your union’s image of brotherhood andsisterhood among your membership, while at thesame time be of public relations value. For example, you can issue memos, use bulletin boards,and allow members to access information viatheir computers.You should also use your steward as much aspossible. Every steward has a special relationshipwith the fire fighters he represents. In some ofthe larger local unions the average fire fightermay not even know his own union president. Notonly is the steward a key person in your local,but in some instances he is the first-line of leadership for the majority of your local’s members.His ability to transmit information and motivateyour membership should not be overlooked.B. E X T E R NA LInstructor Notes:Discuss some of the various methods of conducting an effective and on-going PR campaign(use slide #19).Public relations is an important key to the success and future of your local union. A wellmanaged PR operation can help your local unionpresent a positive image to your community andinfluence decisions that affect your members asprofessional fire fighters and emergency medicaltechnicians. By conducting an effective and ongoing PR campaign, your local can have directaccess to the public and better present your sideof the story on important issues.Everyday and in everything you do, your localshould be reaching out to politicians, businessleaders, community groups, and the general public. One such way of accomplishing this objective is through community relations. Generally,community relations activities include projectsthat might not be a direct benefit to your members, but will benefit the community in whichthey live and work. These types of activities helpthe community remember that your members arededicated public servants. Some examples ofcommunity relations activities your local maywant to consider include: assisting boy scouttroops, sponsoring little league teams, setting upblood donor visits for the Red Cross, performingCPR demonstrations, operating blood pressurescreenings, or conducting fire/burn preventiondemonstrations for homeowner and businessassociations.Another important aspect of your PR operation ispublic education. Due to the drama of fire fighting your career is a highly salable item to thepublic. However, many people do not fullyunderstand all of the techniques, procedures,operations and problems associated with firefighting. It is up to your local to communicateand inform your citizens to help alleviate theseinaccuracies.13

Your union’s relationship with your employer isalso vital to the success of your local. The overallpublic opinion regarding your fire department isformulated largely on the quality and quantity ofthe services it provides. However, in terms ofpublic relations, the manner in which theseservices are performed is often more importantthan the actual service itself. In order to establishgood relations with your employer and thepublic, your members must not only be effectivein performing their duties in a technical and professional manner, but must also perform theirduties in a manner that earns citizen approval andconfidence.I V.POLITICAL ACTIONL E G I S L AT I V EI N V O LV E M E N Tvidual voluntary contributions. Federal candidates are not allowed to accept money fromcorporations or labor union treasury fundaccounts. These restrictions are detailed in theFederal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of1975 and subject to regulations by the FederalElection Commission (FEC).State and local campaign laws have the samegeneral purpose as the federal law (FECA) andapply to non-federal elections, such as statejudicial offices, state legislature andcity/county offices. These laws vary from stateto state and are subject to frequent change.2. OrganizationANDInstructor Notes:Point out that the worst time to organize apolitical structure in a local is in a time of crisis(use slide #20).The key to political success is being organized.If you don’t already have a political operation inplace in your local—develop one. The worst timeto begin organizing a political structure in yourlocal is in a time of crisis.A. POLITICAL ACTIONC O M M I T T E E S ( PA C ’ S )Instructor Notes:Discuss how the funds and organizations ofPAC’s are different on the federal, state/provincial,and local levels (use slide #21).1. FundsThere are two types of elections: federal andnon-federal (state and local). Before makingany contributions to a candidate or politicalparty, it is first necessary to determine the typeof election. Federal elections include presidential, U.S. Senate and U.S. House races.Candidates seeking these offices are allowed toaccept money only from individual contributors and federal PAC’s, such as the IAFF’sFIREPAC. These funds are raised from indi-14For your local to remain politically active atthe state and local level, you should considercreating a non-federal PAC to assist in yourefforts. In establishing a non-federal PAC, youwill have to refer to your state’s campaignfinance laws. You can do this by contactingyour state’s agency responsible for governingnon-federal PAC’s.B . I N V O LV E M E N T I N L O C A L ,S TAT E A N D F E D E R A LL E G I S L AT I O N A N D CA N D I DAT E SInstructor Notes:Discuss the reasons for becoming involvedin politics at the local, state and federal levels(use slide #22).Your local has a right and obligation to speak outand participate in the political process whenissues affecting your members are raised by candidates seeking office. Your local also has a rightand obligation to seek out the support of candidates on those issues that affect your membersand their livelihood. Political involvement isimportant and your local must take an active partin the political process at all levels to protectyour member’s jobs, pensions, health, and safety.If not, your local will witness an erosion of itsinfluence in your community.Even though national legislation helps fire fighters,your members are, and will be more directly

affected by legislation adopted at the state/provincial and local levels. When focusing onpolitical activities, keep in mind that politics is a“two-way street”. Your local cannot only beinterested in, and work for legislation that onlyaffects your members. It must be attuned to theproblems and needs of your community as awhole and work towards meeting and correctingthem as well.state/provincial, and local levels who havedemonstrated concern for the good and welfareof your community and membership;involvement in voter registration drives witha special emphasis on your own membership;andraising funds because without adequatefinancing it is unlikely that any of the aboveactivities could be successfully carried out.Always remember that your rig

It is wise for your local union to affiliate itself with other labor organizations. The most com-mon affiliations would be with other AFL-CIO bodies such as your area's central labor council, your state labor body, and the IAFF state/ provincial association having jurisdiction over your local union. By maintaining an active role with other labor