AP822300 - Milk Treatment and Distribution Employees (A.C.T.) Award 2003

9. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE

9.1 Any dispute shall be dealt with in accordance with the following procedure:

9.1.1 an individual employee or group of employees, with any problems, complaints, queries, misunderstandings or grievances, shall in the first instance raise the matter with the supervisor of the work area. The supervisor will make every effort to respond within a reasonable time;

9.1.2 in the event that the matter remains unresolved, the employee or employees shall then refer the matter to the union delegate or other appointed employee representative who will attempt to resolve the matter with the supervisor of the work area. The supervisor will make every effort to respond within a reasonable time;

9.1.3 in the event of failure to resolve the matter at job level, discussions will take place between a union organiser or employee representative and the manager of the site;

9.1.4 if the matter is still unresolved an appropriate union official, his/her representative or the employee representative will confer with senior management of the employer; and

9.1.5 in the event of no agreement still being reached, the dispute will be referred to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission for resolution.

9.2 All work shall continue in accordance with the award and no bans or restrictive practices shall take place whilst the above procedure is being followed.

9.3 Provided that when the matter relates to a bona fide safety issue then priority shall be given to the resolution of the complaint, during which time no employee shall be exposed to any unsafe work situation or work practice.