Charter of Workplace Union Delegates Rights

The RTBU Workplace Delegates hold a vital position in the RTBU. The union delegate has the key role of representing the collective and individual hopes, aspirations and needs of their work colleagues. They are critical to the improvement of pay, employment conditions and health and safety.

The union delegate can bring together the individual creativity, skills, and knowledge of a group of people at a workplace to improve how a job is done. Australian working people have always been prepared to make a positive contribution to make sure the enterprises in which they work prosper. This has been central to building a strong and confident nation.

At a time of rapid workplace change and increased competitive pressure from the global market place, the role of the workplace union delegate is even more critical, and necessary.

It is time that workplace union delegates receive recognition, through a Charter of Workplace Union Delegate Rights, for the key role they play. These rights should not have to be bargained. They should be accepted rights in a decent society.

In many workplaces around the country, employers with vision and commitment already recognise and accept the rights of workplace union delegates. For those employers the Charter will formalise, in part or full, what already exists.

With rights comes responsibility. Workplace union delegates need to act in good faith, and to do the best they can for their work colleagues together or on their individual needs.

The Charter of Workplace Union Delegate Rights is a guide for fair standards for all union delegates and will be pursued by the RTBU for inclusion in collective bargaining agreements, award entitlements, and in Australian law as rights for endorsed workplace union delegates.

RTBU delegates shall have:

1. The right to be treated fairly and to perform their role as union delegates without any discrimination in their employment;
2. the right to formal recognition by the employer that endorsed union delegates speak on behalf of union members in the workforce;
3. the right to bargain collectively on behalf of those they represent where appropriate;
4. the right to consultation, and access to all information about the workplace and the business;
5. the right to paid time to represent the interest of members to the employer and industrial tribunals;
6. the right to reasonable paid time during normal working hours to consult with union members;
7. the right to reasonable paid time off to participate in the operation of the union;
8. the right to paid time off to attend accredited union education;
9. the right to address new employees about the benefits of union membership at the time that they enter employment;
10. the right to reasonable access to telephone, facsimile, post, photocopying, internet and e-mail facilities for the purpose of carrying out work as a delegate and consulting with workplace colleagues and the union;
11. the right to place union information on a notice board in a prominent location in the workplace;
12. the right to take reasonable leave to work with the union.

These rights are basic and fair. Union delegates are entitled to know that their role is recognised and respected.

The RTBU will campaign to build these rights over time into our workplace across the country.

Decision of RTBU 4th National Council, October 2001.