You can also check out the answers to many common questions on our Factsheets and FAQs page
Delegates' questions and suggestions
Use the comments form below to send us questions, comments and suggestions...
Comments(8)
Posted by:Matt Goodwin - 8 Dec 2008, 12:23pm
Hi Leighanne. You're right and that is something that a lot of delegates experience. In fact, in many workplaces you would be surprised who is a union member!
A lot of senior people are in the union, whether it's because they've been a member since they started out or in case they need support and protection themselves one day. Sometimes it's tricky to tell which hat they are wearing. Some team leaders manage these different roles better than others. At times it may be worth asking which hat they are wearing.
A particularly tricky time is bargaining when conflicts of interest can and do arise. I would recommend talking closely with your organiser. Every situation is slightly different and your organiser will help you judge the best way to handle it.
Keep up the good work.
Matt
Posted by:Leighanne Spierings - 4 Dec 2008, 8:45pm
Hey guys, the new delegates area look great! My question relates to team leaders. I have a few "closet" team leader members at work but more often than not the team leaders believe they have to blindly accept and promote the organisations decisions. Any ideas on how to approach them?
Posted by:Joe Hubbard - 1 Dec 2008, 5:44pm
I am a delegate in the ATO and I have attended quite a few meetings as a Support Person. I've found that every meeting I've attended involving someone from Human Resources they always give a big warning at the start of the meeting that I am only there to support and not to answer for the member. However it has never stopped me from asking questions or making an input. As long as we are constructive and not obstructive we should not have a problem. It's a just a shame that there are some people we have to deal with who get off on the power trip, I think.
Posted by:Matt Goodwin - 25 Nov 2008, 11:26am
Tony, that's a good question. We'll place your question on the FAQ page because I'm sure this has come up for other delegates.
The answer is yes, you can definitely ask questions and actively represent your member as necessary. As a delegate, you are there as an authorised union *representative*, not just an observer or witness.
In the public service you also have some specific rights that come from the 'Australian Government Employment Bargaining Framework', the federal govt policy on bargaining in the Australian Public Service. It is a government policy that employees have the right to representation from their union in the workplace. An individual employee's choice to be represented by their union must be respected by all parties in the workplace. Where an employee elects to be a member of a union, their Agency must respect the employee's right to deal on workplace matters through their representative.
For more info see the 'Feeling confident about your rights' section. At any stage you can call in some back up from the Member Service Centre on 1300 137 636.
Posted by:Tony, Queanbeyan - 25 Nov 2008, 10:47am
I have a question. I am involved in representing members at work and I sometimes attend meetings with management. I find most managers to be constructive and professional. But on one occasion I was told that I was there only as a 'support person' and I'm not entitled to ask questions or contribute to the process. Is this true? Our collective agreement mentions 'support persons'. What are our rights as delegates?
Hi Leighanne. You're right and that is something that a lot of delegates experience. In fact, in many workplaces you would be surprised who is a union member!
A lot of senior people are in the union, whether it's because they've been a member since they started out or in case they need support and protection themselves one day. Sometimes it's tricky to tell which hat they are wearing. Some team leaders manage these different roles better than others. At times it may be worth asking which hat they are wearing.
A particularly tricky time is bargaining when conflicts of interest can and do arise. I would recommend talking closely with your organiser. Every situation is slightly different and your organiser will help you judge the best way to handle it.
Keep up the good work.
Matt
Hey guys, the new delegates area look great! My question relates to team leaders. I have a few "closet" team leader members at work but more often than not the team leaders believe they have to blindly accept and promote the organisations decisions. Any ideas on how to approach them?
I am a delegate in the ATO and I have attended quite a few meetings as a Support Person. I've found that every meeting I've attended involving someone from Human Resources they always give a big warning at the start of the meeting that I am only there to support and not to answer for the member. However it has never stopped me from asking questions or making an input. As long as we are constructive and not obstructive we should not have a problem. It's a just a shame that there are some people we have to deal with who get off on the power trip, I think.
Tony, that's a good question. We'll place your question on the FAQ page because I'm sure this has come up for other delegates.
The answer is yes, you can definitely ask questions and actively represent your member as necessary. As a delegate, you are there as an authorised union *representative*, not just an observer or witness.
In the public service you also have some specific rights that come from the 'Australian Government Employment Bargaining Framework', the federal govt policy on bargaining in the Australian Public Service. It is a government policy that employees have the right to representation from their union in the workplace. An individual employee's choice to be represented by their union must be respected by all parties in the workplace. Where an employee elects to be a member of a union, their Agency must respect the employee's right to deal on workplace matters through their representative.
For more info see the 'Feeling confident about your rights' section. At any stage you can call in some back up from the Member Service Centre on 1300 137 636.
I have a question. I am involved in representing members at work and I sometimes attend meetings with management. I find most managers to be constructive and professional. But on one occasion I was told that I was there only as a 'support person' and I'm not entitled to ask questions or contribute to the process. Is this true? Our collective agreement mentions 'support persons'. What are our rights as delegates?