AN160068 – Clerks (Unions and Labor Movement) Award 2004

AN160068 – Clerks (Unions and Labor Movement) Award 2004

8. - DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE

(1) Any grievance, complaint, claim or dispute, or any matter which is likely to result in a dispute between any party to this award, shall be subject to discussion procedures which ensure that the parties are promptly and fully informed of the issues involved, and any differences arising therefrom shall be discussed with a view to avoiding industrial action.

(2) The employer shall advise the accredited representatives of the union of any proposed changes in the normal pattern of working arrangements affecting members and if the matter is not resolved the general machinery provisions of this clause shall apply.

(3) The employee(s) concerned shall discuss the matter with the immediate supervisor. If the matter can not be resolved at this level the supervisor shall, within three days of receiving the dispute, refer the matter to a more Senior Officer nominated by the employer, and employee(s) shall be advised accordingly.

(4) The Senior Officer shall, if able, answer the matter raised within one week of it being referred and if not able to do so, shall refer the matter to the employer for its attention, and the employee(s) shall be advised accordingly.

(5) The employer shall respond to the employee(s) within one week of it being referred.

(6) If not settled at this stage the matter shall be the subject of formal discussion between the union and the employer.

(7) Should the issue remain in dispute either party may refer the matter to the Commission for determination.

The settlement procedures provided by this clause shall be applied to all manner of disputes referred to in subclause (1) of this clause, and no party, or individual, or group of individuals, shall commence any other action, of whatever kind, which may frustrate a settlement in accordance with its procedures. Observance of these procedures shall in no way prejudice the right of any party or individual in dispute to refer the matter for resolution by the Commission.