Why nominate to become a Housing delegate – August 2017 (PDF version)

NOMINATE TODAY!

To find out how to nominate to be a delegate, click HERE.

Delegates are the key to building collective strength

Collective representation is critical for building power in your workplace. A key role of delegates is organising members in the workplace as a group and encouraging them to become active in the union’s affairs.

Delegates assist in protecting, and wherever possible, advancing, the interests and rights of members at the local level. They also participate in departmental committees, branch or workplace groups.

Organising colleagues to strengthen the union and make sure they are active, united and strong in their stance is a key part of the role of delegates.

Delegates are elected by their workmates to be their spokesperson and represent their interests. Involving workmates in union matters whenever and wherever possible is the key to a strong union.

You get support from the union office

PSA organisers are able to assist in arranging meetings with members, recruiting new members and providing the resources and material that will enable the building of union strength in the workplace.

Delegates have access to a range of trade union training provided by the PSA. These courses include ‘the role of the delegate’, ‘improving negotiating skills’ and ‘dealing with bullying in the workplace’. The full list of training courses available is on the PSA website HERE.

If assistance is required with an industrial matter, you can call the PSA’s dedicated Member Support Centre on 1300 772 679.

You have legislated and award rights, entitlements and protections

Delegates have a legal right to carry out union responsibilities in the workplace.

Depending on the workplace, these duties include:

• a range of activities that can be considered being on duty, such as distributing official PSA material or attending induction sessions for new employees

• time to attend and prepare for meetings in the workplace

• access to facilities such as notice boards, telephones and email in the workplace

• leave to attend union training, participate in committees or to attend industrial proceedings.

Delegates are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the full details of their rights in clauses 53-64 of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009.