We recently told members in data entry it’d be a good idea to raise some of their workload issues with their Practice Consultative Committee to help find a solution, but members didn’t know it existed so we wrote to HR Manager, Pip Rose, to see who was on the committee and when they next met.

Pip said the committee only has to form as and when required to deal with specific issues and didn’t think it needed to convene for the workload issues, so we sent her a copy of the current clause to show there’s no reference to ‘as and when required’ – it clearly says the committee will be established and will meet at least 5 times a year.
 
1.9 Consultative Framework
A consultative committee known as the Practice Consultative Committee will be established to support and assist in:

• informing and consulting all employees about matters and issues affecting them during the development and implementation of this and future agreements, in particular those issues relating to the introduction of planned organisational improvements arising from this or future agreements, improving company communication, consultative and decision making processes.
• increasing efficiency, productivity, and competitive performance of the company.
• improving job security, career opportunities, terms and conditions and skills enhancement for all employees.

During the life of the Agreement, the Practice Consultative Committee will meet on at least 5 occasions each year.

Pip has now said the State Laboratory Manager will do a full review of data entry at all sites across the state and a Practice Consultative Committee will be formed to facilitate this, so if you’d like to be on it send your expression of interest to her.

It’s your right to have this committee where specific issues can be raised to improve your workplace, so please let me know if DSPL doesn’t establish one as they’ll be breaching the agreement and could face substantial fines.