Delegates: Our heroes
Thursday June 28, 2007
The role of Delegates
Delegates are the heart of the NUW. Your role is to assist fellow work colleagues.
A Delegate is a Market Research worker elected by their fellow employees to be the main point of contact between the NUW and the workplace.
Delegates are an important communication bridge. They are vital to ensure the NUW knows about the issues facing its members. A Delegate is also a worker’s first point of call if they have trouble at work. They provide an opportunity for fellow workers to discuss work issues in confidence and access support if needed.
Delegates are chosen by their fellow workers, not by employers. If any employer chooses not to deal with a Delegate, they are effectively saying they do not want to deal with their employees as a group. This is why it is critical you maintain the support of your fellow workers.
Generally, the first time a worker meets a Delegate will be during an NUW induction. This is where a Delegate will tell new employees that the workplace is an NUW site covered by a union Collective Agreement, and will encourage new starters to join the union to ensure employees' strength at the site is maintained (see the Delegates’ Speaking Notes at www.nuw.org.au/mr for advice on how to run an induction).
What rights do Delegates have?
Delegates have many rights. These include:
- The right to attend NUW Delegate training
- The right to represent (and defend) the NUW and fellow members
- The right to keep members informed on issues affecting them
- The right to defend the terms of the Collective Agreement
- The right to speak to your co-workers about work-related issues
- The right to recruit new members
- The right to be consulted by your employer about major changes at work
- The right to conduct an investigation on behalf of your workmates
- The right to be at disciplinary meetings involving members
- The right to put information on the union noticeboard
- The right not to be discriminated against at work because you are a Delegate
List of Material essential for Delegates
Delegates should have access to the following material:
- NUW Market Research membership forms
- Your Organiser’s contact details
- A copy of the Industry Collective Agreement
- A list of current members on site
- A brochure on YourRights@Work
- Union brochures – check with Organiser whether there is other relevant additional material.
- An exercise notebook
- Pens
Useful links for Delegates:
This site contains a lot of useful information for members, activists and delegates. You can keep up with the latest market research union news in Click, download your own copy of the Industry Agreement, read the Induction Speaking Notes, grab membership forms, and check out other employers who apply the Industry Agreement.
This website provides useful information, advice and support on Occupational Health and Safety for employees. If you want to research a solution on OHS issues your fellow workers share then this is the place to start.
For a summary of WorkChoices and the Your Rights at Work campaign click here. Talking about the IR laws can be a very productive way of signing up new members or getting existing members active and passionate. Remember that awareness about WorkChoices is not as high as you would think.
Last modified 2007-07-03 04:42 PM
