CFMEU :: Forestry Division

CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION NATIONAL DIVISIONAL POLICY ON CONSULTATION ENDORSED BY NATIONAL DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE 13TH May 1993 REVISED 25TH April 1994 CONSULTATION POLICY This document sets out the Policy of the CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION on Consultation for the information of Members, Representatives and Officials. Included with the Policy is an introduction which provides a background for the reading and application of the Policy. This Policy is binding on all CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION Members, Representatives and Officials. Any queries about the Policy should be directed to either the Branch or Divisional Office. 1. INTRODUCTION The FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION of the CFMEU has for some years pursued the right of its members to have a say in the issues which affect them in their workplaces. The Division has had provisions for consultation included in the Federal Timber Industry Award and State counterpart Awards. Training and resources have been provided to workplace representatives to help them in their involvement in consultative structures in their workplaces. National Model Agreements on consultation have been developed as a guide to Officials and Representatives who are involved in setting up consultative mechanisms. The Forest and Forest Products Division believes that its members have the right to provide input to all matters and decisions which affect in their work. The Division believes that in addition to this right members can contribute significantly to the effective operations of the enterprise and company by providing this input. 2. AIMS OF THE POLICY The aims of this Policy are: To implement consultation in workplaces and companies throughout the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry; To ensure that consultation in the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry is effective; To improve the quality of working life for Union Members through consultation; To ensure consultation within the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry is carried out within a consistent framework; To provide guidance to Members, Representatives and Officials on their role in the consultative process. 3. POLICY DETAILS 3.1 DEFINITION OF CONSULTATION Consultation is a two way process which enables members to have meaningful input to and an impact on the decision making processes of the organisation. In order for consultation to occur all information must be provided to the consultative mechanism at a stage that allows involvement of Union members in decision making. Consultation does not mean management merely providing information to members about their plans and activities. 3.2 RIGHT TO CONSULTATION All Union members have the right to be informed and consulted about all matters which affect them in their workplace. This consultation must be an ongoing process in which members are provided with information about the continuing operations of the enterprise and company. The consultation must include planning as well as problem solving. Union members through their elected representatives will provide significant input to the decision making process. 3.3 PURPOSE OF CONSULTATION The purpose of consultation is to ensure Union members have the opportunity to effectively provide input to all decisions which affect them at work. The meaningful involvement of Union members in these decisions can lead to: Improvements in quality of working life of members; Improvements in enterprise industrial relations; Improvements in productivity and efficiency. 3.4 STRUCTURE OF CONSULTATION Consultation must occur at the levels of a company where decisions are made by management. If an enterprise is part of a larger company then consultation must occur at all levels at which decisions are made � this could mean both the enterprise and company levels. Consultation will be covered by a written agreement which sets out the role, aims and functions of consultation and the conditions which it will apply to its operation. Consultation must occur within a structured process and mechanism in which the purpose and method of operation of consultation are clear. The Division's Model Agreements on Consultation set out in detail the Division's position on what this structure should be and how it should work. Consultation will usually occur through a committee. In smaller workplaces consultation May occur through meetings of the whole workforce and management. Union members in an enterprise will be represented in consultation by elected Union representatives. Shop Stewards will have an automatic right as elected Union representatives to represent Union members in any consultative process. Additional Union representatives may be elected by the members. Steps should be taken to ensure that women members and members belonging to minority or disadvantaged groups in the workplace are represented in the consultative mechanism and encouraged to participate. Management will select its representatives. Management must be represented by personnel who are able to effectively represent the views and positions of the enterprise and to make decisions. 3.5 ROLE OF UNION REPRESENTATIVES AND OFFICIALS IN CONSULTATION Consultation is a Union issue. Union representatives and officials involved in consultation will apply Union policy. Their role is to represent the views of members. The views of members will usually be obtained by conducting membership meetings. The majority views of members will be the one which is taken to the consultative mechanism for discussion with management. Union representatives involved in consultation will ensure that the views and interests of women members and members belonging to minority or disadvantaged groups in the enterprise are represented effectively. 3.6 TRAINING To assist in the effectiveness of Enterprise Consultative Committee (ECC) all representatives must be skilled, therefore members must be trained on their role and responsibilities as ECC representatives. Union ECC representatives must attend the National 3 day training program for ECC representatives upon election and prior to being operational on the ECC. ECC representatives on election to office bearing positions on the ECC ie: Chairperson, minute taker, proxies and must attend training courses specific to their role. For example 'chairing a meeting', 'note taking', report writing. Training Providers Appropriate training providers would include the Forest and Furnishing Products Division of the CFMEU, the Trade Union Training Authority and Trades and Labor/Trades Hall Councils. Training Program The Union designs and delivers training courses for members. The Forestry and Furnishing Products Division has designed a joint National ECC training program. The course runs for 3 days. The first half of the course provides Union members with the skills required to consult effectively with members. The second half provides training skills required by all ECC representatives. Day 1 and the morning of day 2 is Union training only. The remainder of the course is joint training for all ECC representatives. Conditions for Training Participation in training must be paid at the normal rate; Training must be during normal working hours; Training must be accessible to all Union ECC representatives; The right to training must be included in ECC agreements as well as in the Award; Employers should be encouraged to provide Union training leave in excess of Award minimum and in accordance with National Union Policy on 'Union Training'. 3.7 FACILITIES FOR CONSULTATION In order for consultation to be effective, suitable facilities must be provided to all involved. These facilities will be set out in the written agreement covering consultation and include but not be restricted to: Adequate time for consultative mechanism meetings; Adequate time for Union representatives to consult with and report back to members; Access to office facilities such as meeting rooms, photocopying, fax, phone. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY 4.1 National Divisional Office National Divisional Office is responsible for: Ensuring provisions for consultation are included in the Federal Timber Industry Award and other Awards the National Divisional Office is responsible for; Development and distribution of resources to be used by Branches in negotiations on implementation of consultation in the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry; Ensuring that suitable national training programs are available for representatives. 4.2 BRANCHES Branches will be responsible for: Ensuring consultative mechanisms are set up in enterprises and companies with a signed agreement covering their operations; Ensuring representatives participate in training courses on consultation and related matters as required; Monitoring the operations of consultative mechanisms and providing information, advice and support to representatives and members involved; Recording information on consultative mechanisms within their Branch including: * The number and location of all consultative mechanisms * A copy of the signed agreement for each consultative mechanism * The number of representatives, including number of women and number of men * Contact names and addresses for representative * The minutes of all consultative mechanism meetings and any other documentation relating to their operations. 4.3 Members and Representatives Members and Representatives are responsible for: Being actively involved in consultation; Advising the Branch Office of any problems which arise in consultation; Making suggestions to the Branch Office about improving the consultation