Delegates

Developing a powerful delegates network is a key priority for your Union.

Strong, effective Union workplace representatives are essential to securing the rights of NTEU members and workers more generally. Read more about being a delegate below.

NTEU Delegate and Activist Professional Development

The NTEU provides a range of skills training and professional development opportunities for delegates. Some of this is available in your Branch, and some gathers delegates from across branches to programs run in the Victorian state office in South Melbourne. For more information about what is available, ask your Branch organiser

Role of NTEU Reps/Nomineeson Committees and Tribunals

Friday 1 June 2012, 9.30am-5.00pm
120 Clarendon St, Sth Melbourne

For members currently performing this role or considering doing so in future. Hear from experienced NTEU activists about:

the different roles of a representative and a nominee
accountability, transparency and confidentiality
the principles of natural justice
where to get advice and support in your role.

To register, email vic@nteu.org.au

Casual and Sessional Academic Conference

Friday 8 June, 1.00-4.30pm

This year sees the beginning of another round of collective bargaining for the NTEU at all our universities. High on the union’s agenda is the improvement of career opportunities and terms and conditions for sessional academic staff. This conference provides the opportunity for all sessional academics to contribute to the development of the NTEU’s bargaining claims and its campaigning strategy. It’s an opportunity for sessionals to make sure your union represents your needs and interests, and to shape your working future.

We commence with lunch at 1pm and formally start the conference at 1:30pm.

Sessional Staff – Actions and Outcomes
NTEU Collective Bargaining – Strategy To Win
What Matters and Who Does it Matter To – Fighting to Win
Next Steps

We finish with a social gathering at 4:30pm and local Friday drinks (not supplied.)

Conference location: Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus, Room EN210. For a location map click here.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE.

Induction for new NTEU committee members

Wednesday 27 June (tbc), 5.30pm

An evening forum for all new members elected to branch committees and national/division council positions, explaining the mysteries of NTEU processes and rules, the practicalities of NTEU systems, and your rights and obligations as an elected officer of the NTEU.

Delegate and Activist Conference

Friday 6 July

A full day forum for NTEU Delegates and Activists as enterprise bargaining commences in the Universities and the funding and bargaining campaign continues in TAFE.

For University members:

building the Union’s bargaining campaign
how industrial action ballots and industrial action work
understanding the Unions claims

For TAFE members:

update on the Save our TAFEs campaign
planning the next phase
where next on the industrial front?

What is a delegate?

Delegates are officially endorsed and recognised Union workplace representatives. Delegates are recognised by the NTEU as workplace leaders, who have a local representative role in advocating for the interests and views of their peers and colleagues to their employer and within the Union; while also representing the policies, positions and campaigns of the NTEU to their employer, and their peers and colleagues in the workplace.

NTEU delegates are at the core of the Union's democreatic, responsive structure, and are instrumental in ensuring the voices of all NTEU members are heard.

Being a delegate – the basics

As an NTEU delegate, your job involves much, much more than handling grievances.

Grievances are important. They are often the most visible and dramatic aspect of the union’s presence. Sometimes they’ll take up most of your time.

But grievances should never be confused with your chief responsibility as a delegate: to build a united, organised, and involved membership in your workplace.

Without this involvement and solidarity, no union in the world can protect and serve its members.

As a leader in the workplace, you’ll have your hands full. That’s because NTEU delegates are ...

Organisers. This is the big one. It doesn’t just mean signing up new members, although it means that too. It means NTEU delegates are responsible for organising all the union members in your area into a united group to deal with any problems. Which is, when you think about it, what unions are all about.

Problem solvers. You’re the person workers turn to with their problems. It might be a work-site hazard. Maybe someone’s been fired, or perhaps layoffs or a restructure are threatened. It might be just a new staff-member with a question. Perhaps you can solve the problem with a friendly word, or maybe you’ll organise a staff meeting or get the branch organiser to file a grievance. Problems don’t go with your territory. They are your territory.

Educators and communicators. The collective agreement. Classifications. WorkCover. How can I do this? Why did they do that? It’s a complicated world, and your members are counting on you to help them make sense of it. Equally important, your branch organisers are counting on you to help them keep in touch with your co-workers.

Workplace leaders. You’re the one who keeps it moving. You’re the one who’s not afraid to speak up. You never let anyone forget there’s a union at your worksite.

NTEU Delegates Kit

The NTEU has prepared a a Delegates Kit. If you are an NTEU delegate, you should contact your Branch Office to get a hardcopy of the kit.

You can also download the NTEU Delegates Kit from our Library.

Booklet
(729 KB) - PDF

NTEU Vic Delegate Kit

Published: 09 Dec, 2010
Edition: Version 1.1
ISBN:
Tags: delegates, delegates kit, fact sheet, vic div p

The NTEU Victorian Division's Delegate Kit. For more information, please visit: http://www.nteu.org.au/vic/delegates or email campaigns@vic.nteu.org.au Last updated: 15 December 2010