Facilitation of Union Involvement

80 Facilitation of Union Involvement 

80.1 Union Activities 

The University will: 

a. Facilitate reasonable involvement of employees acting as Union representatives in the enterprise bargaining process as part of normal duties and to resource this involvement at a reasonable level. 

b. In relation to discussions on employment conditions to support: 

(i) the attendance of recognised Union Union workplace rRepresentatives  at one (1)1 Union meeting per month by allowing such employees to be absent from duty without loss of salary for one (1)1 hour and fifteen (15) minutes on each occasion. When taken in conjunction with a lunch break, a two (2)2 hour meeting without loss of salary is possible. This commitment is subject to the relevant Union providing the University with a list of the names of employees elected as workplace representatives and such named persons providing their relevant Supervisor with reasonable notice of their attendance at such meetings. The University will notify Supervisors of its commitment to facilitating Union involvement under this clause;  

(ii) employee attendance at four (4)4 Union meetings per calendar year. The University will allow employees to be absent from duty without loss of salary for one (1)1 hour and fifteen (15) minutes on each occasion. When taken in conjunction with a lunch break, a two (2)2 hour meeting without loss of a salary is possible. This commitment is subject to the provision of reasonable notice by the Union parties to this Agreement of an intent to call such a meeting in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Far Work Act; 

(iii) allow recognised Union workplace rRepresentatives to access up to five (5)5 days leave with pay for workplace relations training; 

(iv) allow access of up to five (5)5 days leave with pay for elected officials to attend Union governance events; and 

(v) allow employee access to Union workplace Rrepresentatives during work hours to discuss any employment matter or seek Union advice, provided that such access does not affect service delivery and/or work requirements. 

(v)(vi)For the term of this Agreement, the Branch President of the NTEU will be provided release time equal to 0.1 FTE per annum.  During the term of this Agreement, the University will ensure the Organisational Unit releasing the  Branch President of the NTEU has sufficient resourcing too cover any release time. 

c. Where an eligible employee has exhausted the allocation of paid leave outlined in clauses 80.1b(iii) and (iv) above, they may apply in writing to the Chief Human Resources Officer (or nominee) for additional paid leave, subject to the employee providing: 

(i) Not less than 7 days notice; and  

(ii) documentation from the relevant Union detailing the reasons for the additional paid leave. 

d. A Union nominee to the ASCC or PSCC to be provided with reasonable time off during working hours to undertake their roles on the relevant committee. 

80.2 Payroll Deductions 

Unless otherwise advised by a relevant Union, the University will continue to provide payroll deduction facilities for employees to nominated Union accounts for the payment of Union membership fees by agreement in relation to process with the relevant Union. An administration fee of 5% of the deducted amount for providing the deduction will apply. 

80.3 Facilities 

The University will: 

a. allow Union workplace rRepresentatives and their Branch representatives to book rooms for meetings with University employees through the University’s room booking systems at no cost subject to availability; and 

b. provide employee Union workplace rRepresentatives with occasional use of existing phone, email and filing facilities for the purpose of undertaking Union activities. Use of such facilities should be such that it does not affect service delivery and/or work requirements.  

c. provide the NTEU, with the University of Queensland Branch with an office at the St Lucia campus under a license to occupy and agreed lease arrangements.