C2006-14 Trade Union Delegate Meetings in the week commencing 15 May 2006

Unions NSW has written to the PEO advising of metropolitan and regional meetings of union delegates scheduled during the week commencing 15 May 2006.

The letter from Unions NSW advises that the delegate meetings relate to the ACTU coordinated “Your Rights at Work” campaign which is directed at the Commonwealth Government’s Work Choices legislation which commenced operation in March 2006.

Agencies are advised that union delegates are able to take special leave to attend trade union meetings which fall within the definitions provided in the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2006. Relevantly, this award provides delegates with special leave for, “attendance at meetings called by the Unions NSW involving the Association which requires attendance of a delegate” (Sub-clause 56(d)). The Award also provides that all travel and other costs incurred by accredited delegates in this instance will be paid for by the Public Service Association (Sub-clause 65(a)).

It is noted that these provisions are mirrored in the Personnel Handbook at 6-21.4.

Further advice will be issued shortly as to the arrangements for the Day of Action proposed for 28 June 2006. Please contact your Client Contact officer in the PEO if you have any questions in relation to the above.

C Gellatly
Director-General

Issued : Employee Relations and Workforce Planning Services ( Public Employment Office)
Contact: Simon Spence, Senior Industrial Officer
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 3612 Facsimile: 9228 4056
File no: PSM/05714 PT 4
Date: 11 May 2006