What does a Delegate do?
The role of Delegates varies from Branch to Branch dependent on a range of factors. However, there are some core tasks that Delegates are well positioned to carry out and these would include, but not necessarily be limited to, the tasks listed below.
At a minimum a Delegate would:
- Act as first point of contact for members including being clearly identifiable to members (door signs, e.mail to co-workers)
- Distribute union materials
- Ensure there is a union noticeboard in the designated work area and union notices are kept up to date
- Identify new staff in the work area for follow up by a more experienced Delegate or a Branch Organiser
- Keep the Branch Committee/Delegates Coordinator informed about issues and problems that may arise in the work area
- Keep the Branch Office informed of any members in your designated area that have left to ensure Branch records are as up-to-date as possible.
More experienced Delegates would also:
- Recruit new staff to the union
- Advise members of their rights and entitlements
- Handle individual issues on behalf of members
- Brief members on industrial issues and/or enterprise bargaining progress
- Directly participate in local industrial/recruitment campaigns including organising members in their work area
- Keep NTEU members in the designated area up to date on union activities, meetings & issues
- Hold small work area meetings to get and give feedback on specific issues of interest to the union
- Monitor implementation of EB provisions and University policies