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Feeling confident about your rights

it is now government policy that the role of the delegate is to be respected and facilitated it is now government policy that the role of the delegate is to be respected and facilitated
Delegates often feel more confident when they know their rights and what they can and can’t do.

The good news is CPSU delegates have a solid foundation of rights that are enshrined in:

  • Government policy
  • the CPSU Charter of Workplace Delegate Rights, and in
  • Australian Law

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

Download the policy and supporting guidance here.

Future industrial relations legislation

This role for delegates is likely to gain further recognition and legitimacy under future industrial relations legislation.

Click here to ask a question about your rights

Resources
Downloadable docs
CPSU Charter of Delegates' Rights CPSU Charter of Delegates' Rights
Download the PDF
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URL: http://www.cpsu.org.au/members/topics/10445.html
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