LABOR-MANAGEMENT COLLABORATION | ARTICLE 7 – QUALITY PROGRAMSDepartment of Veterans Affairs Labor Management Relations | DVA /AFGE Master Agreement242 . Each member of the Council will normally serve a minimum of 18 months . The Council will be co-chaired by the union and management .C . Function The NQC/work group fosters implementation of quality improvement by: 1 . Examining the Department’s Mission of the Quality Improvement (QI) Program and promoting the goals and principles established in it; 2 . As necessary, establishing cross-functional and other projects designed to foster quality improvement throughout VA; 3 . Providing assistance and support to other Councils/work groups;4 . Reviewing positive/negative quality improvement experiences from specific facilities as presented by NQC members; 5 . Establishing guidance, procedures, and format for implementing quality improvement projects at the NQC/work group level; and, 6 . Operating under the rules and procedures specified in Appendix A .