DIMA Annual Report 1998-99

Appendix 3: Industrial Democracy

An important part of the Department's transition to the new employment framework established by the Certified Agreement involved establishing the National Staff Consultative Forum (NSCF).

The first step toward establishing the NSCF required the Department and Immigration Review Tribunal employees to elect three staff representatives. Staff elected one representative from each electorate, representing staff located in Central Office, the states, and overseas posts.

Main role of the NSCF is to ensure the new employment framework established by the Agreement is implemented and operates as smoothly as possible. It also serves as the peak consultative body for all activities involving department employees and their conditions of employment, providing additional opportunities for employees to make their views known and have them taken into account.

Meetings are held at least three times a year. The NSCF consists of four management representatives nominated by the Secretary, the National Industrial Officer of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), three CPSU representatives and three elected staff representatives.

The principal task of staff representatives is to represent the interests and concerns of all staff in their electorate — a job that requires regular and ongoing two-way communication with staff at all levels through a variety of channels.

To the extent that it is practical, consultative forums at regional level continue to replicate the National Staff Consultative Forum. Issues discussed at local level include staff access to the Employee Assistance Program, training and staff equity issues.