Regional Vice Presidents Roles and Responsibilities

While below are the main duties and role of the NAAE Eastern and Western Region  Vice Presidents, Executive Committee members all cross over into each other’s from time to time when needed. One of the unique aspects about PPQ and NAAE is that we are small; most people know many other fellow workers throughout the country.  NAAE has never been as formal as other unions or particular about which union member you come to for help.  NAAE wants to help you if you need it to the extent of our ability and expertise.  Reach out to whomever you are most comfortable, we’ll take it from there.  That’s the way NAAE and its EC operate.

The most difficult job on the Executive Committee is serving as a Regional Vice President.  Ideally, a local branch becomes active; the local president is able to attend the National Convention for training and to make contacts and is fully prepared to work with his/her managers and represent his/her local bargaining unit.  Of course this doesn’t happen because there’s always something new and different that comes up, something complex or something for which the local president has had no training.  We’re still learning on the Executive Committee and it’s a continuous process, so we recognize that it’s the same for the locals or more so.  The RVP acts as an advisor and provides guidance on any and all issues that arise for the locals. He or she has direct access to other valuable, knowledgeable resources – the other EC members and NAAE General Counsel – to assist in providing that advice and guidance. The RVP is also the direct union representative for all of the members in his/her Region who don’t have a local branch.  Since the split with CBP, we have smaller and smaller work units, and as a result more inactive locals and “at-large” members. 

Remember, it’s a committee, so everyone weighs in, debates, and votes on issues, concerns and advice regarding representation of our very diverse bargaining unit.  Just trying to keep up with the many national and local issues going on and coming up is pretty much a position in itself.