Delegates Handbook

Contents
Section 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.1 About this handbook.........................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 PSA Structure.........................................................................................................................................................................4
Section 2 Your role as a delegate..............................................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Your role as a delegate.......................................................................................................................................................8
2.2 Your rights............................................................................................................................................................................ 10
2.3 Your Protection.................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Section 3 Organising in your workplace............................................................................................................................................. 12
3.1 Getting others involved.................................................................................................................................................. 13
3.2 Planning to organise your workplace........................................................................................................................ 17
3.3 Identifying organising issues........................................................................................................................................ 20
3.4 Organising women and indigenous workers......................................................................................................... 22
3.5 Organising your workplace group.............................................................................................................................. 24
3.6 Workplace meetings........................................................................................................................................................ 26
3.7 Workplace groups ............................................................................................................................................................ 29
Section 4 Skills for handling problems and issues.......................................................................................................................... 31
4.1 Steps for dealing with issues in the workplace...................................................................................................... 32
4.2 Natural Justice.................................................................................................................................................................... 34
4.3 Effective delegate skills................................................................................................................................................... 35
4.4 Negotiating with management................................................................................................................................... 38
4.5 Dispute notifications....................................................................................................................................................... 40
4.6 The Delegate as a Support Person in Investigations............................................................................................ 41
Section 5 Organising on specific issues............................................................................................................................................... 44
5.1 Work health & safety ....................................................................................................................................................... 45
5.2 Psychological hazards – occupational stressors, violence & bullying............................................................ 47
5.3 Workers compensation and injury management................................................................................................. 49
5.4 Discrimination & harassment....................................................................................................................................... 50
5.5 Grievances........................................................................................................................................................................... 52
5.6 Performance and conduct............................................................................................................................................. 53
5.7 Review of promotion decision appeals.................................................................................................................... 54
5.8 Work and family issues.................................................................................................................................................... 55
5.9 Reviews and restructures............................................................................................................................................... 57
5.10 Contracting out and privatisation............................................................................................................................ 59
Section 6 Resources.................................................................................................................................................................................... 60
6.1 Legislation, awards and agreements......................................................................................................................... 61
6.2 PSA statement of ethics.................................................................................................................................................. 62
6.3 PSA Members Complaint Resolution Process......................................................................................................... 63
6.4 PSA meeting procedures............................................................................................................................................... 64
6.5 Value added services....................................................................................................................................................... 68
6.6 PSA Resources.................................................................................................................................................................... 69
6.7 Tools for delegates............................................................................................................................................................ 70
6.8 PSA Contacts...................................................................................................................................................................... 72
Appendices Appendix A: Proud to be Union.......................................................................................................................................... 73
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