Constitution Article 7
Article 7 ‐ Duties of the National President[edit]
Section 1[edit]
The National President shall have authority to interpret the Constitution and laws of this Union and to decide all questions arising thereunder between meetings of the National Executive Board and shall have authority to settle and determine all grievances and disputes submitted for resolution. Actions and decisions of the National President shall be appealable to the National Executive Board in accordance with Article 18 of this Constitution.
Section 2[edit]
The National President shall receive regular reports from all representatives of this Union and shall make frequent reports to the membership by publishing regular news bulletins. The National President shall have authority to employ such technical and clerical assistance as shall be necessary for the efficient conduct of the affairs of this Union. The National President shall be responsible for directing the Union’s legislative, safety, legal and educational activities.
Section 3[edit]
The National President shall have the authority, when s/he deems it necessary between meetings of the National Executive Board, to conduct a poll of the Board by telephone, by electronic communications, or by mail. All such polls and each member’s vote shall be recorded and published with the next Executive Board meeting minutes if not distributed earlier.
Section 4[edit]
The National President shall convene a meeting of the National Executive Board at least four times each year and at such other times as s/he shall deem necessary for the purpose of conducting the business of this Union. S/he shall also convene an Executive Board meeting within fifteen (15) days at the request of the majority of the Executive Board members. The National President shall preside over all sessions of the National Executive Board as its Chairperson.
Section 5[edit]
The National President shall be authorized to spend the funds of this Union in its interests for such purposes as s/he shall determine and the National Executive Board shall approve or disapprove. Non‐recurring expenditures in excess of $10,000.00 shall require the advance approval of the National Executive Board. All drafts, notes, and checks drawn against the Union shall be signed by both the National President and the National Secretary‐Treasurer.
Section 6[edit]
The National President shall be authorized to appoint, remove, and establish the salary and benefits for the Executive Director of the Mail Handler Health Benefit Plan and the administrator of the National Associate Member Billing Program, with the prior approval of the National Executive Board.
Section 7[edit]
The National President or a designee shall make a reasonable effort to visit each Local Union not less often than once each year.
Section 8[edit]
The National President or her or his designee shall be the principal spokesperson for this Union on all matters pertaining to this Union.
Section 9[edit]
The responsibilities which this Union has with respect to negotiating and executing collective bargaining agreements on behalf of this Union and the employees of the United States Postal Service represented thereby shall be discharged by the National President who shall designate a National Negotiating Committee to prepare collective bargaining proposals based upon submissions received from the Local Unions and conduct collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of this Union. The National President shall present to all bargaining representatives for the United States Postal Service a copy of Article V, Sec. 9 and of this section of this Constitution upon the opening of negotiations. The National President shall convene a meeting open to Local Union Presidents and/or representatives of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union to receive their advice and counsel before agreeing to submit any bargaining dispute during National negotiations to an arbitrator for final and binding resolution. The Local Unions shall be kept informed of the progress of such negotiations. In addition, the National President shall be authorized to appoint or remove all National and Regional Contract Administration representatives and staff who shall be responsible to him or her in the conduct of contract administration and collective bargaining activities.