Your GUIDE FOR GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION

What to do if you have a dispute or grievance:

If members have a concern about an issue at work, we recommend they take the following steps:

• Keep notes, diary records and copies of any paperwork that are relevant to the issue.
• Talk to your local delegate or Union official about the issue if there is any more information that you need, or if you generally need some support.
• If you want the matter resolved, use the USU Grievance Notification Form – Stage 1 attached to this flyer. This should be lodged with your employer.
• If you are not satisfied with the response that is given, use the Stage 2 form to receive more assistance from your Union. Once we have received this form, an official will contact you to discuss the grievance further and your options.
• If a matter cannot be resolved and the case needs to be dealt with in a tribunal, you will receive assistance in taking the matter further subject to the Union’s policies and the merits of the case.

Your Rights and Obligations:

Every USU award and agreement contains a procedure for settling disputes. These procedures apply the following principles:

• Wherever possible, grievances should be resolved at the local level
• An employer is required to respond to the grievance in a reasonable time period. In some awards, such as the Local Government (State) award, time periods are set – in that case two working days. The USU recommends that wherever possible, initial attempts to resolve a dispute should occur within two days.
• Members are entitled to be represented by a USU delegate or official at any stage of the process.
• If an immediate supervisor cannot resolve a grievance, you are entitled to escalate the issue to higher levels of management.
• If the matters are still not able to be resolved, you are generally entitled to seek the assistance of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (or in some cases the Australian Industrial Relations Commission) in resolving the matters.
• During the disputes procedure and while the matter is in the course of negotiation, conciliation and / or arbitration, the work practices existing prior to the dispute shall as far as practicable proceed as normal.
• You should be clear about the outcome you are seeking
• Both sides should be honest, fair and reasonable about the matters at issue

Should you have any questions please contact the USU Information Centre on 1300 136 604.