Structure
Job Representatives take Centre-stage
Under the traditional servicing model, unions negotiated wage gains and provided services (such as the settlement of disputes) to workers in return for the payment of fees. The role of paid officials was central, in particular, that of Industrial Officers who argued cases and negotiated disputes. In 1985, prior to the development of the organising model, non-executive ANF(Vic) roles comprised Industrial Officers and Organisers (paid union officials), and unpaid elected job representatives (see Figure). In the organising model, however, elected job representatives (or delegates) – not paid officials – take centre stage. Shaping, developing and supporting the changing role of job representatives, therefore, has become a key part of the ANF(Vic)’s organising strategy. In consequence, the recruitment, training, support and mentoring of job representatives to undertake their workplace recruitment and activist roles are seen to be fundamental issues.
Recruitment and training programs
From the early 90s, the ANF(Vic) devoted considerable resources to job representative training based on organising principles. The role of Training Officer was created in 1992. Training officers conduct seminars for job representatives throughout the year. Training programs are also held in regional Victoria. Two specialist training programs aimed at identifying and training ‘passionate’ job representatives were adopted. The Anna Stewart Program gives female delegates the opportunity to experience the union working environment. The Belinda Morieson Program, open to men and women, allows committed job representatives to work “in house” within the ANF Branch.
Changing roles of Industrial Officers and Organisers
The roles of existing paid officials were adjusted to focus on the recruitment and support of the job representatives. Although advocacy still forms a major part of the job, Industrial Officers also developed strategic forms of industrial negotiation, supervising and co-ordinating a team of Organisers. As well as carrying out their industrial work, Oganisers were also to seek out new job representatives.
The Delegates' Conference
Support and encouragement for job representatives, allowing their voice to be heard, was achieved through the creation of the Delegates’ Conference. The first conference took place in a small meeting room at Dallas Brooks Hall in Melbourne in 1993 and was attended by 40 job representatives. The 2009 conference was attended by 459 delegates. Job representatives can pass resolutions at the conference by pure majority and although these decisions are not binding, as of early 2010, the Council had endorsed every resolution that had been passed. Council is the policy and governing body of the ANF.
In summary
Formal training programs for job representatives have been established, the roles of Industrial Officers and Organisers have been adapted to further job representative mobilisation of the rank-and-file, and the Delegates’ Conference has helped ensure that the ‘voice’ of job representatives is heard.
The University of Melbourne