AN120179 – Dental Assistants and Secretaries (State) Award

25. DISPUTES AND INDUSTRIAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

The procedures for the resolution of grievances and industrial disputation concerning matters arising under this award shall be in accordance with the following procedural steps.

(i) Procedure relating to a grievance of an individual employee:

(a) The employee shall notify (in writing or otherwise) the employer as to the substance of the grievance, request a meeting with the employer for bilateral discussions and state the remedy sought.

(b) The grievance must initially be dealt with as close to its source as possible, with graduated steps for further discussion and resolution at higher levels of authority.

(c) Reasonable time limits must be allowed for discussion at each level of authority.

(d) At the conclusion of the discussion, the employer must provide a response to the employee's grievance, if the matter has not been resolved, including reasons for not implementing any proposed remedy.

(e) While a procedure is being followed, normal work must continue.

(f) The employee may be represented by an industrial organisation of employees for the purposes of each procedure.

(ii) Disputes between an employer and the employees - In the event of a question, dispute or difficulty arising:

(a) The matter shall first be raised with the supervisor and agreement sought.

(b) If the dispute is not resolved at this level, the matter may be discussed between the union delegate and representatives of management.

(c) Should the dispute remain unresolved, the matter may be referred to an official of the union, who shall discuss it with senior management. If necessary, the State Secretary of the union and the relevant employer association may also be involved in discussions at this stage.

(d) In the event of no agreement being reached at this stage, the dispute may be referred to the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales.

(e) Reasonable time limits will be allowed for discussion at each level of authority, but undue delay should be avoided.

(f) While the procedure is being followed, normal work will continue.