DIMA Annual Report 1997-98

Appendix 4: Industrial Democracy

The Department has continued to support participative decision making. This was reflected in the successful outcome of the comprehensive Certified Agreement which received an 88 percent approval rating from staff on 26 June 1998.

To facilitate the harmonious operation of the Certified Agreement, a consultative mechanism - a National Staff Consultative Forum comprising management, elected staff representatives and representatives of organisations of employees - has been proposed.

This forum will replace the Department's Agency Bargaining Implementation Committee and, as part of its charter, will review the impact of changes that the certified agreement will introduce.

The Department recognises that achieving change requires the continuing commitment and effort of everyone to continuous improvement, and its Guidelines for Managing Change will be updated to reflect necessary processes for managing change.

Staff will be directly involved in workplace change and continuous improvement through team discussions with local management and consultation through their relevant regional and local consultative forums.

Consultative forums at the regional level will continue and, to the extent that is practical, will reflect the National Staff Consultative Forum.

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