Agencies must “respect and facilitate” the role of delegates
CPSU delegates play an important role in helping to make our workplaces a
better place. They provide advice for colleagues, help solve problems and
support campaigns for a fair, flexible and safe workplace.
The Government formally recognises the legitimate role played by unions in
the workplace. In fact, it is now a government policy that the role of the
delegate is to be respected and facilitated. Agencies are expected to work
together with delegates constructively and professionally.
Your right to communicate with colleagues
To perform their role delegates need to be able to communicate and consult
with colleagues in the workplace. Agencies are now required to facilitate
employee access to their delegates in a fair and reasonable way. This
specifically includes the provision of information to employees by their
representatives.
Accessing union training
Training is an important way that delegates can develop their skills and
confidence. It is once again becoming normal practice in the Public Service for
delegates to attend union training courses.
You may already have the right to training leave in your
collective agreement. It is also
government policy that agencies facilitate reasonable access to training. This
may, for example, include leave for training during paid time.
CPSU Charter of Workplace Delegate Rights
In 2008 the CPSU established a Charter of Workplace Delegate Rights. The
Charter outlines what CPSU considers to be the minimum standard of delegate
rights for our industry. It’s based on best practice examples that are already
in operation in both public and private sector. The Charter provides a
commonsense guide for any employer to have a modern and constructive engagement
with it’s employees. Download the Charter.
Australian Government Policy
In 2007 the Australian people showed their support for the role of unions in
our workplaces. This is now reflected in the federal government policy on
bargaining in the Australian Public Service.
The new policy commits the government to respect freedom of association
rights for employees and their representatives (delegates).
Some of the key elements addressed by the policy are:
your right to provide information to your colleagues,
your right to attend union/health and safety training
your right to represent members at work
an expectation that agencies will not just respect but also facilitate
the role of delegates
