Why would I want to join the union?

Your decision to join NFFE may be based on philosophical reasons, ensuring that you get the full benefits of representation, obtaining access to benefits available to union members, or a combination of these reasons.

1. It’s the right thing to do: Many workers join simply because they understand that the Union brings value for all Forest service workers through negotiating over conditions of employment, lobbying in Congress in support federal employee pay and benefits, and holding management accountable for taking action in an equitable and legal manner. These workers view it as the right thing to do to ensure that the Union can continue to provide benefits for all workers, even if they don’t ever expect to need direct Union assistance on any workplace matters. You know how this works in other areas in your life:
   • You don’t HAVE to give blood to get blood;
   • You don’t HAVE to donate to a church to get attend and receive spiritual guidance;
   • You don’t HAVE to be a good neighbor to live in a good neighborhood.
   Many benefits that Federal employees now take for granted were fought and won by Federal sector unions: i.e. pay raises; benefits; holiday, sick and annual leave; retirement systems; protection from unfair labor practices; the ability to defend against unfair disciplinary practices; and fairness in promotions and job assignments. These benefits are under constant attack, and joining your Union is the right thing to do to support an organization who supports you every day in your role as a Federal employee.
2. To ensure full benefits of representation: By now, it should be clear that for matters covered by the Master Agreement, your Union must provide representation, whether you join the Union or not. But those who join the Union get the full benefits of representation:
   • Only members can participate in votes that serve to direct the Local Lodge (Union) with regards to issues.
   • Only members can vote for the Union officers and serve as Officers and Stewards
   • The Union does not have to represent non-members in issues outside of the Master Agreement, such as EEO Cases, Workplace Injuries (OWCP), Merit Systems Protection Board, Whistleblower Complaints, and more.
3. The Perks: The Union has worked with a number of organizations to obtain benefits that are only available to Union members. These include:
   • Disability, dental, vision plans offered for NFFE members
   • Union Plus benefits and discounts, including everything from discounts on flowers, tires, insurance, travel, and even pet insurance. https://www.unionplus.org/
   • Free college programs for Union members and their families
   • Scholarships available only to Union members and their families
   • Support for Union members and family members who are facing addiction issues, including assessment, placement into a treatment facility, follow up, and aftercare.

Stop! Read This First!!

The following contains multiple instructions. Read this page in its entirety before taking any action. Failure to follow the correct instructions for your specific Bargaining Unit Status (BUS) may result in costly delays.

Step One: How to Join - Determine Your Eligibility

Determine your eligibility as a Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE) by reading your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to locate and identify your Bargaining Unit Status (BUS) Number.

• You need your latest SF-50. You can obtain your latest SF-50 from your eOPF.
• Once you you have your SF-50, look at Block 37.
• Block 37 of the SF-50 form refers to the bargaining unit status of your position. This block indicates whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. It is important to remember that a position is assigned a BUS code, not an employee. When an employee leaves the position, the BUS code remains with that position. If they take a position in another unit, the new position may have a different BUS code which will be reflected on the new SF-50.
• A Bargaining Unit Employee (BUE) is not obligated to become a Union member simply because they are in a bargaining unit. Nor is Union membership automatic just because the position is in a Bargaining unit. A BUE must pay Union dues to become an official Union member. BUEs are covered by the Master Agreement and have a right to Union representation regardless of membership.

Step Two: Identify your Bargaining Unit Status

Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status: 2009

If Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status says 2009, you are a NFFE-FSC Bargaining Unit Employee. You are covered by the NFFE-FSC Master Agreement. Follow the steps below to complete a Union membership application:

1. Download Master Agreement - Appendix A - Bargaining Unit Descriptor. Search through Appendix A to determine your Local Number and make note of it. You must enter the Local number into the appropriate box of the membership form described in the next step.
2. Download the NFFE-FSC SF-1187 Standard Membership PDF form to your computer.
3. Open the PDF form in Adobe Pro/Reader or equivalent application on your computer. Complete the PDF form as required. We prefer the actual PDF form, digitally signed. You may use your LincPass, or create your own digital signature when using Acrobat Reader. Just make sure it is an actual digital signature. (Note: You cannot complete the PDF form in a web browser. You cannot properly complete and sign the PDF form in a smartphone.)
4. Send your completed membership PDF form to this address: membership.nffefsc@gmail.com. Make sure the email subject line states: NFFE-FSC 2009 Membership Application

Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status: 7777

If Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status says 7777, you are not a NFFE-FSC Bargaining Unit Employee. You are not covered by the NFFE-FSC Master Agreement.

1. An SF-50 with a code of 7777 in Block 37 indicates that your position is eligible for coverage by a bargaining unit, but no unit currently exists.
2. NFFE-FSC is currently collecting 7777 employee information to assist in organizing 7777 employees.
3. Download Master Agreement - Appendix A - Bargaining Unit Descriptor. Search through Appendix A to determine your Local Number and make note of it. You must enter the Local number into the appropriate box of the membership form described in the next step.
4. Download the NFFE-FSC SF-1187 Organizing PDF form to your computer.
5. Open the PDF form in Adobe Pro/Reader or equivalent application on your computer. Complete the PDF form as required. (Note: You cannot complete the PDF form in a web browser. You cannot properly complete the PDF form in a smartphone.)
6. Print the completed PDF form to create a paper hard copy.
7. Sign the paper hard copy completed PDF form with a "wet" signature (pen and ink - black or dark blue). Digital signatures are not accepted.
8. Scan your hard copy form to create a digital copy. Or take a CLEAR IMAGE photograph of the signed hard copy form with your smartphone camera.
9. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the form as to where you send the scanned copy. Make sure the email subject line states: NFFE-FSC 7777 <Insert Work Unit>

Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status: 8888

If Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status says 8888, you are not a NFFE-FSC Bargaining Unit Employee. You are not covered by the NFFE-FSC Master Agreement.

• An SF-50 with a code of 8888 in Block 37 indicates you are excluded from representation by any federal union.
• This does not necessarily mean that an entire unit is exempt from Union representation. Because the position itself is covered, the duties of the position must be reviewed. A position might be in a unit which has Union representation but the position may be coded as 8888 because of an exemption. The Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute identifies those positions that are excluded from a Bargaining Unit. See list below for 6 categories of Bargaining Unit exclusions:
  • Management Officials
  • Supervisors
  • Confidential Employees (Only refers to those with direct access to Labor-Management Relations info)
  • Employees engaged in Personnel Work
  • Employees engaged in National Security activities
  • Employees involved in Internal Audit functions

Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status: Any Other Number

If Block 37 Bargaining Unit Status is any other number, you are not a NFFE-FSC Bargaining Unit Employee. You are not covered by the NFFE-FSC Master Agreement. You are a BUE of a different Union. Refer to the FS HRM website for more information.