Paid Union meetings on 27 June

A poorly worded notice went out to managers this week which could be interpreted as requiring members to ask permission of managers to attend a paid union meeting. Human resources are correcting this notice.

The legal situation is that unions can have 2 two hour long meetings a year as paid union meetings. In practice the union runs many meetings during the year and the University generously allows some of these during work hours to be paid union meetings.

It is our practice at paid union meetings to gather the names of attendees should the University need attendance to be verified for any particular individual.

Members as a matter of courtesy advise their manager of their intent to attend. Permission from the manager is not a prerequisite to attendance. Members are aware of what needs to happen in the workplace and try to arrange matters so that there is cover.

Should any manager be concerned on "operational grounds" the matter may be raised by HR with the Branch Executive. The "operational grounds" would need to be exceptional to preclude a union member from attending one of these paid meetings.

AUS Branch Committee