New delegates guide. Handy tips for PSA delegates Screen & tablet edition

Transcription

1 Worth 100% New delegates guide Handy tips for PSA delegates Screen & tablet edition

2 Worth Contents 100% Congratulations on becoming a PSA delegate. About the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. Projects to start Delegate education Your role as a delegate Governance structure Complex issues you should seek help on How the PSA works PSA-wide activity Notes

3 Congratulations on becoming a PSA delegate. Delegates are the lifeblood of the PSA. We provide strength, effectiveness and stability without delegates our union could not function. This guide is designed to introduce you to your new role, to give you some of the basic skills and information you ll need, and to be a handy reference when you need some help. As a delegate, you have access to PSA training so you can effectively represent the PSA in your workplace and support your colleagues to create a better working life together. The role of a delegate is a varied one no one delegate will need to do everything, and you ll be able to tailor your activity towards your particular skills and interests. Being a delegate, you ll learn more about how your workplace operates the issues and dynamics, structures and objectives. It s invaluable knowledge. The satisfaction of being a part of positive change in a workplace can be immense. Your fellow delegates and PSA staff will help you in your journey, and you will have the resources you need. I wish you every success for this important role within the PSA. Mike Tana PSA President, Ministry for Primary Industries delegate.

4 About the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. The PSA is a community of members who work in the public service, the state sector, district health boards, community public services and local government. As a union, we are a collective organisation that gives our members greater resources, support and bargaining power through collective agreements. Unions are based on the idea that there is strength in numbers, and that, together, we can make a real difference to our lives and the society we live in. Where we come from In 1890, 400 public servants met in Wellington to form an association to promote the welfare of the service. This first group didn t survive in a political climate marked by deep distrust of any kind of organised labour. By 1913 public servants were willing to try again, and together they created the New Zealand Public Service Association. Today, with 62,000 members, the PSA is New Zealand s largest union, making a significant positive contribution for members. The PSA has represented members through two world wars; a major depression; the development of social services; the establishment of full political rights for public servants; massive restructuring in the 1980s and 90s, and the realities of the global economy in the twenty-first century. In recent years, the PSA has faced new challenges with the global financial crisis and a political focus on the public service as a source of cost-cutting. With its wealth of experience, and a dynamic approach to responding to change on behalf of members, the PSA has managed to grow and to achieve real wins in a difficult climate. The gift of a Māori name Since 2003, the PSA s full name has been the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. We spent a long time looking at the work of the PSA, what we do and how we do it. We also talked to people outside to get their ideas from an external perspective, says kaumātua Kiwhare Mihaka, who led the effort to choose a Māori name for the PSA. Kiwhare explains its meaning: the key word is pūkenga and that refers to the skills of all people in the PSA. Then we have tikanga the good and correct way of doing things. Finally mahi, which, of course, means work. This captures the essence of the PSA the concept of skilled people coming together to create good conditions and ways of working.

5 Projects to start There are two simple tasks to undertake as a new delegate. If your workplace has a computer and internet access, you can do these there. Task 1: Connect with MyPSA Go to If this is your first time, you will need to register an account. To do this, click on the link that says Register here below the log in button. To register, you will need to know your PSA member number this is on your membership card, and in brackets at the end of the subject line of most s you receive from the PSA. Once you are registered and logged in, you will be taken to your profile make sure this is up to date and that we have all your contact details, including address and mobile number. You can view your collective agreement by clicking on the Workplace link below the My Profile heading. Please download and print this document you will need to refer to it in your role as a delegate, so it s handy to have a copy ready to use. As a delegate, you will see a link called My Members on the left side of the page. You can use this to view an up to date list of PSA members at your workplace. This can be useful to identify people you might want to invite to join the PSA. In My Networks, you can see all PSA networks and join any you are interested in. In My Courses you can view and register for upcoming delegate education courses. More details of these courses are available in this booklet. Task 2: Printing commonly used documents Now that you ve got a copy of your collective agreement, you should find copies of other commonly used documents to add to your delegate kit. If your workplace has an intranet (an internal website only viewable by staff) these documents may be there. If not, you can ask your manager or the HR staff. Documents you should find: Code of conduct Disciplinary process(es) Performance planning and/or review

6 Delegate education All PSA delegates are entitled to attend training courses run by PSA staff, alongside other PSA delegates in their region. 1 Stage One Building Positive Workplace Relationships This course is usually run in a 2 day block plus a 1 day course after 4-8 weeks. All delegates should complete this course within their first year. Days 1 and 2 You will leave this course with confidence, knowledge and skills around union organisation and engagement, collectivism, democracy, and decision-making. Our Transforming the Workplace strategic agenda will be explained, and you will take on a project to complete at work prior to returning for day 3. Day 3 Participants will share their project work and the lessons learned. We will then go through processes and techniques for supporting members who are facing disciplinary meetings at work. You will leave with the knowledge and confidence to effectively represent PSA members in meetings with your employer. 2 Stage Two Enhancing Positive Workplace Relationships This course is usually run in a 2 day block plus a 1 day course after 4-8 weeks. All delegates should complete this course within 18 months of completing Stage One. Days 1 and 2 Attendees will further their understanding of collective organising to build our influence and positive workplace relationships. Practical skills including communication and dealing with conflict are also taught. After this course, delegates will develop an organising plan for their workplace. Day 3 This session looks at the links between human rights and union rights, and at campaigns for both globally and locally. Participants will further progress their workplace organising plan from days 1 and 2. + Bicultural Unionism This is a single day course, and delegates should complete it after attending Stage One and Two. Participants will understand organising in a bicultural context, look at their own cultural background, discuss how to apply the Treaty of Waitangi at work, and learn from case studies. Automatic registration. All new delegates are automatically registered to attend a stage one course in their area. The aim is to get you to this course in your first year since election. Once you have completed stage one we then automatically register you to attend stage 2 the next year. Paid leave to attend courses All delegates should be able to attend PSA training with paid leave from their workplace. When you are invited to attend a course, you will be sent a form to arrange this with your employer. If you have any extra questions speak to one of the PSA delegate development administrators on

7 Your role as a delegate Delegates play lots of different roles depending on their skills, experience, areas of interest and the needs of PSA members in their workplace. If you ever have any questions, the PSA Organising Centre is here to help. You can phone them on or enquiries@psa.org.nz. As a new delegate, you might: Put posters and information on PSA noticeboards, and hand out PSA material to members and potential members; Ask your workmates to join the PSA; Listen to PSA members concerns and seek help on their issues together; Provide information to PSA members on where to find your workplace s policies, your collective agreement and other documents; Act as a link between PSA members, delegates, the PSA Organising Centre and PSA staff; Listen to and reflect the views of PSA members. After attending the Stage One course, you can: Work on internal union newsletters and communications; Take an active role in meetings with PSA members; Speak to groups of staff about joining the PSA; Working through day-to-day workplace problems with PSA members and managers; Discuss policies and collective agreements with PSA members to find answers where expectations are not being met; Advocate and represent members views within the PSA, in the workplace and in the community; Lead conversations on the PSA view on issues; Assisting members with low-level disciplinary issues; Develop leadership relationships with managers. Attending Stage Two training will allow you to: Lead PSA member activities in your workplace or across the PSA; Develop and implement a recruitment project for your workplace; Lead discussions about collective issues and PSA matters involving members; Advocate for PSA members voice on working groups and other forums in the workplace; Advocate and represent members views within the PSA and in the workplace participating in local, regional and national structures on behalf of PSA members; Facilitate specific PSA activities in your workplace or wider; Working with members on more complex disciplinary issues; Support and mentor new delegates. This is just a taster as a delegate, you ll know best what your workplace needs and how we can work together as the PSA to achieve our goals. Building union organisation Workplace delegates are the nerves of the PSA helping all parts of the union to communicate and work together efficiently and effectively. The PSA relies on our delegates to ensure a good level of organisation in the workplace. We want all workplaces where the PSA is present to have high levels of membership, but numbers alone aren t enough. Members need to be engaged and empowered to act themselves, and collectively with support from delegates and PSA staff. The four key elements of the delegate s role are: communication, organisation, recruitment and empowering members. To do these effectively, you will need to: Encourage union membership and ensure all new staff are invited to join the PSA; Help to facilitate a shared view on workplace issues amongst PSA members; Support members ability to democratically make decisions; Take union members views to management and represent them well; Work with members to advance the PSA s overall goals; Be the link between members and PSA staff, including your local organiser; Help to resolve issues where possible; Keep members informed about union activity, including distributing newsletters and the PSA magazine, Working Life. Your responsibility as a delegate Representing PSA members As an elected delegate, you need to be clear about when you are voicing your own opinion, and when you are speaking on behalf of PSA members at your workplace. When PSA members have made a collective decision, it is your responsibility to ensure it is represented, even if you personally disagree. Good faith Employment law requires us to act in good faith. This means that, as a delegate, you are not allowed to directly or indirectly mislead or deceive someone and that we must be open, honest, constructive and communicative. You aren t alone. Asking other members to help out is a great way to get your workmates more involved in the PSA for instance, they could be responsible for handing out copies of Working Life, the PSA magazine, or putting up new PSA posters regularly, or recruiting new staff. Good delegates share their skills and experience, and give others opportunities to step up. You don t need to do everything It s OK if you don t know the answer! If you aren t sure about something, there s no need to pretend otherwise. You can ask a fellow delegate, call the PSA Organising Centre on or contact your organiser. Don t be rushed into action take all the time you need to prepare properly and find out the relevant information. Your role isn t to provide a service for members it is to use your training and skills to assist members to resolve issues together.

8 Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi Governance structure All levels Congress Attended by delegates from each sector. Occuring every second year, this is the highest decision making body of the PSA. Congress elects the president. Te Rūnanga Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina is the body for all Māori members of the PSA. Te Rūnanga ensures that Māori have a voice at all levels of the PSA, and provide leadership on all issues relating to Māori in the PSA. Te Rūnanga has its own internal structure with a Kōmiti made up of representatives from each sector. Executive Board - reports to congress Made up of the president, the two national secretaries, the convenors of each sector committee and Te Rūnanga, and a representative of PSA staff. The governance body of the PSA between congresses. Sector committees - represented on the executive board Delegates in each of our five sectors elect a committee to lead the work of the PSA in their area. Committees are made up of delegates who represent members in a particular region, industry or enterprise, plus representatives from Te Rūnanga. Some committees also have additional women s representation. Networks & Committees DHB sector committee Community Public Services sector committee State Sector sector committee Local Government sector committee Public Service sector committee The PSA has a range of member networks and committees based on demographics and areas of interest: Women s Network, PSA Youth, Pasefika, Out@PSA, Deaf and Disabled Members, Eco Reps, Ethics Network, Health & Safety, Learning Reps, Science Committee, Mental Health Committee, Social Workers Action Network. Gender equity From October 2016, all PSA governance structures and delegations will have gender representation the same as the members they represent. Staff working for district health boards and multi-dhb shared service bodies. Staff working for NGOs and for private companies delivering community-based services partially or fully funded by national or local government. Staff working for crown research institutes, other crown entities, in the tertiary sector, state owned enterprises and some private companies formerly owned by the state. Staff working for councils and councilcontrolled organisations. Delegates - elect sector committees Elected by PSA members at a particular workplace to represent them and to lead union activity in a workplace. Different workplaces will have different numbers of delegates and structures that they work in. Workplaces - elect delegates Where you work, alongside other fabulous PSA members. Staff working for public service departments and the officers of parliament.

9 Complex issues you should seek help on Representing non-psa members Ask them to contact the PSA Organising Centre on Advising or representing a member who may be facing criminal matters Let the person know you do not wish to discuss the matter with them at all and that they should call the PSA Organising Centre immediately to discuss any employment matters. Representing a member in a disciplinary matter as a new delegate Until you have completed PSA delegate training and have developed confidence in your skills, you should not represent members in disciplinary situations. You can refer them to an experienced delegate or the PSA Organising Centre. If possible, ask the member if you can observe the process as a support and learning opportunity. Representing a family member This is not appropriate, and they should be referred to another delegate or the PSA Organising Centre. Lodging a Personal Grievance on behalf of the PSA or on behalf of a PSA member You should always refer a request to represent a member in a formal personal grievance to your organiser or the PSA Organising Centre. Don t forget confidentiality! Unless you have explicit permission, you cannot share with anyone the information a member has given you. If you need help you must ask for permission from the member before seeking assistance. If the member refuses permission, you should tell them that you may not have the skills to provide the representation. You also have an obligation to keep information you have collected (such as written notes, s etc.) confidential.

10 How the PSA works Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina The PSA is committed to honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi. Our structures ensure a Māori perspective is heard at all levels of our organisation. Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina represents and promotes the interests of Māori members. It provides a network to ensure Māori have a voice in the PSA, from the workplace to the union s top decision making bodies. All members who identify as Māori are automatically part of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina. Māori identity can be registered on the membership form or by notifying the PSA. The national committee of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina is represented on the PSA executive board. The manaia for the PSA Rūnanga, who provide a voice for Māori members. Networks The PSA has four formal networks: Women s Network; PSA Youth; PSA Pasefika; Out@PSA. There are also a range of informal networks: Deaf & Disabled Members; Eco Reps; Health and Safety; Ethics network; Learning Reps; Science Committee; Mental Health Committee; Social Workers Action Network. Any member can join any network that interests them by choosing it on their membership form, logging in to the PSA website or by phoning or ing the PSA. Members aged under 35 are automatically added to PSA Youth. Networks offer a range of activities to get involved in, including targeted training and conferences, work on professional issues, and connecting to external activity and campaigns.

11 PSA-wide activity Transforming the workplace Transforming the workplace is the PSA s strategic agenda. It divides our work into five key areas: Career Development: We want workplaces where members have a range of opportunities for on-going learning and career development. We want members to have the opportunity to extend their skills, qualifications and experience. Fair & Secure: We want workplaces where members have fair and decent working conditions and a secure future. We want to see natural justice as an integral part of performance management and disciplinary processes. Healthy: We want workplaces where members safety, health and well-being are looked after. We want organisations to have a positive health and safety culture, sound processes and systems and a proactive approach to wellbeing. We want workplaces to have active worker participation through the union and elected health and safety representatives. Personalised: We want workplaces where members are supported and values as individuals. We want organisations to have formal policies enabling equal employment opportunities and providing sanctions for discrimination. We want workplaces where everyone is valued and can contribute. Trust & Effectiveness: We want workplaces where there is a high level of trust in the relationship between employees and managers through high performance and high engagement work practices. We want workplaces that deliver better jobs for PSA members, productivity gains to employers and great service to the public. You can view a short video about Transforming the Workplace at Worth 100% The PSA has been arguing for equal pay for work of equal value since We know that across New Zealand, women are paid less than men for doing work that requires the same level of skill, training and experience. In the public service, the gap is even wider. For Māori and Pasifika, the gaps are wider still. Our Worth 100% campaign is our key tool in the fight for equal pay. PSA members can sign up to be equal pay advocates, meaning they will become the key voice for equal pay in their workplace. Find out more about the campaign at The PSA Organising Centre Available from 8.30am 5pm, Monday Friday. Phone: enquiries@psa.org.nz Web: Call the organising centre for: general enquiries employment relationship problems and personal cases information about the PSA information about your membership clarification on your employment agreement clarification of New Zealand employment law resources e.g. posters and leaflets. PSA Website A wide range of information and resources are available on the PSA website. PSA members can login to MyPSA to update their contact details, view their collective agreement, see who their delegate is and join PSA networks. Delegates can also view a membership list for their workplace on MyPSA. Web: MyPSA: MBIE Labour Information The website of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has a lot of information regarding employment law. Web:

12 Notes

13 Worth 100% Freephone: Postal Address: PSA, PO Box 3817, Wellington 6140 Website: