The AEU’s industrial team has had a number of positive outcomes for members in Term 3. We supported a new teacher seeking registration that was initially refused by VIT on the grounds of a historic criminal conviction. The union’s industrial officers represented the member though a complex review process, which ultimately granted their registration. Had the member not been in the AEU, this process would have cost the teacher more than $15,000 in solicitors’ fees.
The union’s industrial officers successfully recovered money owed to an early childhood member who was underpaid her entitlements. We also successfully obtained a ‘majority support determination’ for staff at a disability services provider. Where a majority of employees want to bargain for an enterprise agreement, but the employer will not, a representative may apply to the Fair Work Commission for a majority support determination. The union’s application was hotly contested by the employer, but we succeeded. Now it’s over to the employees to endorse the process to commence bargaining.
We are also engaged in an important case before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal about the rights of health and safety representatives to access workplace information about OHS risks. The case is being prepared and will be heard by the tribunal shortly. Watch this space!
