Catholic WHS Committee being disbanded
The IEU(SA) has had representatives on the Catholic Education Sector WHS Committee for many years and we have consistently made valuable contributions.
IEU(SA) Assistant Secretary, Wendy Evans, is the chair of the committee… well—until now that is.
The presence of the Union is no longer welcome. We are to be banished.
We have been unceremoniously dumped from the committee because CCES is disbanding it and instituting an equivalent committee with no Union presence. Spot the difference!
Business professionalism suggests that if systemic change is being considered, those involved should be consulted before a decision is made.
Not so. A conversation was not had. An email was not sent. This did not even appear as a committee meeting agenda item!
The first indication there was a major change was at the first meeting following COVID shutdowns. Catholic Health Safety & Welfare expressed issues with the Union being involved in the WHS Committee, especially with the Chair being a Union Official. CHS&W advised that the IEU should not be involved and asked: “Why was the Union present?”
There will be a loser in this change—consultation. The consultation which existed will be non- existent.
It appears that Sector Forums will be disbanded and a representative from the Education Sector will be nominated to attend a Committee with representatives from across the Exempt Licence. That is, the grass roots involvement from employee representatives that were at the Education Sector Forum will be become a very lone voice across the competing needs of the other sectors – eg. parishes and social services.
The IEU, and the employee representatives from the Education Sector Forum, wrote to the Chair of the Self-Insured Governing Council, Dale West—who is ultimately responsible for the management of the Exempt Licence—expressing concerns about the interaction and the manner in which the sentiments were expressed from the Manager of CHS&W at the meeting. It’s worth noting, the employee reps have not had a response to date and the response to the Union from Dale was, and I quote: “however I can be clear in saying that there is no change in supporting health and safety in schools. Similarly, I can confirm that there is no “anti-union” agenda.”
Changes are being made. The Union is no longer permitted to be present. Make up your own minds if this is “anti-union” or not. Frankly speaking, Dale’s response does not make sense.
The IEU will continue to represent and advocate on behalf members and monitor health and safety, and where necessary, and appropriate, we will utilise right of entry provisions under the Workplace Health and Safety Act.
That said, the most important action that you as an IEU member can take (if you don’t already have an elected Health and Safety Representative in your school) is ask your employer to determine the work group (nominate for the role) and elect one or multiple Health and Safety Representative/s.
We published an article on HSRs in our June Class Action and you can read that article here:
https://ieusa.org.au/health-safety-reps-are-vital-what-do-they-do/
Your union can also offer guidance directly – contact us on 08 8410 0122 or enquiries@ieusa.org.au if you would like further information.
