Joint Consultation Committee 8.01 On the request of either party, the parties must meet at least once every four (4) months, for the purpose of discussing issues relating to the workplace that affect the parties or any employee bound by the Agreement.
8.02 The purpose of the consultation committee is to promote the cooperative resolution of workplace issues, to xxxxxx the development of work related skills and to promote workplace productivity, and to identify opportunities for improved patient care.
8.03 Up to two (2) employees who are members of the joint consultation committee shall be granted leave without loss of pay or receive straight-time regular wages while attending meetings of the committee, up to a maximum of two (2) hours’ pay.
8.04 Pay for such meetings will be limited to two (2) hours and employees attending such meetings will not receive overtime wages.
Union Consultation The Union is entitled to consult the Employer or its representative, whenever it is alleged that Employees are required to work unreasonable amounts of overtime.
Joint Consultative Committee 46.1 The parties recognise the need for effective communication to improve the business/operational performance and working environment in agencies.
46.2 The parties acknowledge that decisions will continue to be made by the employer who is responsible and accountable to Government for the effective and efficient operation of the agency.
46.3 The parties agree that:
(a) where the employer proposes to make changes likely to affect existing practices, working conditions or employment prospects of employees, the union and employees affected shall be notified by the employer as early as possible;
(b) for the purposes of discussion the employer shall provide to the employees concerned relevant information about the changes, including the effect of the changes on employees, provided the employer shall not be required to disclose any information that is confidential;
(c) in the context of discussions the union and employees are able to contribute to the decision making process; and
(d) the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) parties are to provide all reasonable and relevant information except confidential commercial, business or personal information, the release of which may seriously harm a party or individual.
46.4 Each agency will have a JCC comprising of the employer or their nominee, employer nominated representatives and union nominated representatives.
46.5 The JCC will convene within 28 days of a written request being received from either party.
46.6 The JCC will determine its own operating procedures.
46.7 JCCs will be a forum for consultation on issues such as:
(a) development of workload management tools within the agency;
(b) industrial issues;
(c) fixed term and casual employment usage;
(d) changes to work organisation and/or work practices occurring in the workplace;
(e) agency implementation of recommendations from the ‘Functional Review of Government’; and
(f) agency implementation of other aspects of this General Agreement.
46.8 Matters not resolved through the JCC can be referred to the provisions of clause 49 - Dispute Settlement Procedure.
JOINT CONSULTATION 25.01 The parties acknowledge the mutual benefits to be derived from joint consultation and will consult on matters of common interest.
25.02 The subjects that may be determined as appropriate for joint consultation will be by mutual agreement of the parties.
25.03 Wherever possible, the Council shall consult with representatives of the Professional Institute at the appropriate level about contemplated changes in conditions of employment or working conditions not governed by this Agreement.
Consultative Committee (a) To assist in creating a stable and co-operative environment for the project, a consultative committee has been established which shall operate in accordance with its charter. It is not the objective of parties to this clause that the committee would over-ride the function and responsibilities of management or unions.
Hospital-Association Committee (a) There shall be a Hospital-Union Committee comprised of representatives of the Hospital, one of whom shall be the Chief Nursing Officer or designate and of the Union, one of whom shall be the Bargaining Unit President or designate. The number of representatives is set out in the Appendix of Local Provisions and the membership of the Committee may be expanded by mutual agreement.
(b) The Committee shall meet every two (2) months unless otherwise agreed and as required under Article 8.01 (a) (iv). The duties of chair and secretary shall alternate between the parties. Where possible, agenda items will be exchanged in writing at least five (5) calendar days prior to the meeting. A record shall be maintained of matters referred to the Committee and the recommended disposition, if any, unless agreed to the contrary. Copies of the record shall be provided to Committee members.
(c) The purpose of the Committee includes:
i) promoting and providing effective and meaningful communication of information and ideas, including but not limited to workload measurement tools and the promotion of best practices. Such communication may include discussion of nursing workload measurement and patient acuity systems. The Hospital will provide, upon request, information on workload measurement systems applicable to nursing currently used by the Hospital, and evaluations completed by the Hospital of such systems.
ii) reviewing professional responsibility complaints with a view to identifying trends and sharing organizational successes and solutions, making joint recommendations on matters of concern including the quality and quantity of nursing care and discussing the development and implementation of quality initiatives;
iii) making joint recommendations to the Chief Nursing Officer on matters of concern regarding recurring workload issues including the development of staffing guidelines, the use of agency nurses and use of overtime;
iv) dealing with complaints referred to it in accordance with the provisions of Article 8, Professional Responsibility;
v) discussing and reviewing matters relating to orientation and in- service programs;
vi) promote the creation of full-time positions for nurses, and discuss the effect of such changes on the employment status of the nurses. This may include the impact, if any, on part-time and full-time, job sharing and retention and recruitment.
(d) The Hospital agrees to pay for time spent during regular working hours for representatives of the Union attending at such meetings.
(e) Where a Committee representative designated by the Union attends Committee meetings outside of her or his regularly scheduled hours, she or he will be paid for all time spent in attendance at such meetings at her or his regular straight time hourly rate of pay. Such payment shall be limited to two (2) Committee representatives per meeting.
Negotiation Committee (A) The Union may designate certain employees to serve on its Negotiation Committee, and such employees will be granted administrative leave to attend negotiating sessions with the state. No employee shall be credited with more than the number of hours in the employee's regular workday for any day the employee is in negotiations. The agency shall not reimburse employees for travel, meals, lodging, or any expense incurred in connection with attendance at negotiating sessions.
(B) No more than one employee shall be selected from the same work unit at any one time, nor shall the selection of an employee unduly hamper the operations of the work unit.
Special Committee The term “Special Committee” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 13(a).
Consultation 10.1 The Employer agrees to consult the Employee timeously where the exercising of its powers will have amongst others-
10.1.1 A direct effect on the performance of any of the Employee’s functions;
10.1.2 Commit the Employee to implement or to give effect to a decision made by the Employer; and
10.1.3 A substantial financial effect on the Employer.
10.2 The Employer agrees to inform the Employee of the outcome of any decisions taken pursuant to the exercise of powers contemplated in clause 12.1 as soon as is practicable to enable the Employee to take any necessary action with delay.
TRANSITION COMMITTEE A transition committee comprised of the employee representatives and the employer representatives, including the Crown, will be established by January 31, 2016 to address all matters that may arise in the creation of the Trust.
