|
Home
About Us
Affiliates
Archives
Calendar
Campaigns/Elections
CBCs
Grievance/Arbitration
Links
NSO Contact
NSO Executive Comm
NSO RA
Other Committees
Research Assistance
Training & Education
Winter Advocacy
2007 News Archive
| |
About Us
Introduction
The world’s largest union of union staff -- that’s what the National Staff
Organization has become. Through the
efforts of literally hundreds of staff leaders, NSO has grown from a mere 35
members in a handful of states in
1969, to 4,823 (as of August, 2005) from 89 affiliates in 50 states and the
District of Columbia. A major portion of
that growth came with the decision by the 1978 NSO Representative Assembly to
organize associate staff members.
Today, NSO has over 2,300 full-time and over 106 part-time associate staff
members.
NSO's record of advocacy has also had astounding growth. Under NSO's legal,
arbitration, and field assistance
policy, $245,216.32 for the year ending August 31, 2005 was spent for cases
ranging from NLRB unit determinations,
dismissal arbitrations and reprimands, to health and retirement legal cases.
NSO believes in member participation. The talent and expertise among members
mean there is plenty of help
available for affiliates. NSO members travel throughout the United States to
provide direct on-site aid to affiliates
and members. In one instance, it took nearly a dozen NSO members three years to
help an affiliate gain recognition
and secure a first-time master contract.
By action of the 1986 Representative Assembly, NSO now has two vice-presidents:
one for defense and the other for
program.
NSO has two major programs to strengthen the bargaining power of its affiliates:
1) Coordinated Bargaining: Affiliates participate in NSO's program of
coordinated bargaining. Four
coordinated bargaining councils (CBCs) have been formed and meet regularly, and
have been actively
involved in helping affiliates reach settlements. All affiliates are required to
participate in the CBC
program.
2) NSO Charlie Love Crisis Fund: The lengthy 1980 Illinois Staff
Organization strike underscored the need
for the creation of a special fund to aid members faced with prolonged crisis.
The fund, now over
$2,777,780 (August 31, 2005), is available to help members who have gone without
a paycheck for an
extended period of time because of a crisis. The NSO Charlie Love Crisis Fund is
supported by a $25 per
member dues assessment as well as timely investments. To aid affiliates, NSO has
established a special
"Crisis Evaluation Team," operating through the CBCs, to work with the affiliate
in exploring ways to
resolve the particular crisis. NSO will also provide facilitators to assist
members and/or affiliates with
internal disputes.
Internal Dispute Resolution
The resolution of internal problems within a union or among unions is
important. By action of the Representative
Assembly, NSO has established an Internal Dispute Resolution policy and program
(Yellow Section) to deal with
problems that occur between associate and professional staff members in the
workplace, between staff members in
an affiliate, or between affiliates in a state. Members can refer to the
Internal Dispute Resolution section of this
handbook. The process is not intended to circumvent the collective bargaining
process or the grievance procedure, but
to be used as an adjunct to already established procedures.
Stay Connected with NSO-R
Click
here to read the benefits
of joining NSO-R
Member Only Access Card
Use your
Member Access Card to save money
Contact Us
Other NSO
Contacts
NSO Logo
Morrissey Sales:
Proud Provider of
Custom Screen Printed and Embroidered Wearables, Recognition Awards,
Jewelry and Promotional Items to NSO and it's affiliates for 20 years
Morrissey Sales is a leader in providing
unions with a variety of customized products. NSO
has enjoyed a long association with Morrissey Sales, and
over the years, the company has provided NSO with a
variety of embossed products. “The Morrissey staff
is exceptional,” said NSO President Chuck Agerstrand.
“They furnish quotes very quickly and offer very
competitive pricing on top-notch designs.”
If you
are interested in purchasing shirts, jackets,
briefcases, etc., for your union members with the NSO
logo, give Mike Morrissey a call at 888.444.4280 or go
online at
www.morrisseysales.com . You won’t be disappointed.
|
