AN160141 – Gold Mining Consolidated Award 1980

45. - CONSULTATION IN THE WORKPLACE

(1) The development of an effective consultative practice is important in the process of award restructuring and developing training programmes, and can lead to advantages for both employers and employees. It is appropriate that consultative mechanisms at the enterprise level be implemented.

(2) Consultative practices shall be implemented within each enterprise where agreement exists between employers and employees.

(3) The form, structure and method of implementing consultative practices shall be determined at the enterprise level by agreement between the employer and the employees and may involve the Union. The Union may not prevent such an arrangement where a majority of employees agree to the implementation of a consultative mechanism and associated practices and processes. Consultative processes shall be appropriate to the size, structure and needs for consultation of the enterprise.

(4) The process of consultative practices is a mechanism through which employees can be involved in and positively contribute towards management's decision making process. Decisions are encouraged to be reached through consultative practices, however, managerial prerogative is acknowledged.

(5) Where enterprise consultative committees have been agreed to be established the employees shall be represented at least equally on the committee by duly elected employee representatives.

(6) The objective of the parties involved in workplace consultation is to achieve consensus agreement on items discussed in that forum.