Union and Management recognize the importance of building a constructive and cooperative bilateral relationship that will aid in achieving the mission of the Forest Service. We are both jointly committed to serving the public interest by promoting "good government". We are both committed to the use of consensual decision-making and interest-based problem solving to achieve the effective conduct of public business and the well-being of employees. We both recognize that the well-being of employees and efficient administration of the Government are benefited by providing employees an opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of personnel policies and practices affecting the conditions of their employment.

With a view of the betterment of the Federal service in general, and for the promotion of the common welfare of government employees through cooperation and organization, the National Federation of Federal Employees adopted their first constitution on September 20, 1917.

NFFE's objective is to advance the social and economic welfare and education of Federal employees. Their objective is achieved through its continued work in the following areas: organizing units of exclusive recognition made up of Federal employees; representing the interests of these employees through collective bargaining, legislative action and other appropriate means; improving working conditions through constructive dealings with appropriate agencies; and promoting high standards and greater efficiency in the various services of the United States.

The methods by which NFFE's objective are achieved including the following: petitioning to Congress; creating and fostering public sentiment favorable to NFFE's position on proposed reforms, and negotiating, consulting, and cooperating with Government officials and employees. As a responsible organization of Government employees it shall take leadership in obtaining, through legislation or other means, the necessary machinery to discriminatory action of Government.