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Wantirna OHS Dispute - Resolved in Days

Posted 2 May 2012 by Josh Cullinan (Swinburne University of Technology)

On 18th April, NTEU notified a dispute over the failure to provide a workplace free from smoke in a particular area of the Wantirna campus.

Despite an incident report, senior management had refused to take any action - closing the file.

NTEU intervened and demanded the offices at WE be protected from smoke entering doorways and windows. NTEU provided a map of where the 'smokers line' could be moved to make the area safe.

Miraculously the dispute triggered the reopening of the file and within days not only had the issue been reviewed, but the entire courtyard area has been designated as smoke free.

This is a great outcome and a symbol of what can be achieved when members come together and take action. See the PDF below for the area to be designated smokefree.