This unit applies to individuals who have knowledge of unionism and industrial relations, and a commitment to advancing social justice principles. They provide leadership and guidance to workers and union members.

Individuals who perform this task of bargaining will be generally working with union staff in advocating members' interests in the development of collective agreements.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Develop and promote a bargaining agenda and environment

1.1. Implement organising strategies to build membership, involvement and power in the workplace

1.2. Explain steps in bargaining an agreement to members

1.3. Discuss merits and benefits of bargaining

1.4. Consult members in defining a bargaining agenda

1.5. Ensure initial claims or content for a new agreement are discussed and agreed with members

2. Involve membership in bargaining processes

2.1. Plan activities that involve membership in support of union claims

2.2. Support members in workplace activities

2.3. Advise members of employer's response and provide members with opportunities to comment and provide input

2.4. Obtain final approval from union and membership or recommence negotiations or withdraw from bargaining process

3. Implement agreement

3.1. Provide members with feedback on final outcomes and/or access to final copies of the agreement

3.2. Evaluate bargaining campaign and set processes in place to monitor implementation of the agreement

3.3. Check the workplace for compliance with the agreement

Required skills

communication skills to consult with union members and to ensure agreement and support for planned actions and strategies

democratic decision making skills

organising skills to prepare for and implement an effective bargaining process

innovation skills to find meaningful ways to deal with a wide range of member issues.

Required knowledge

bargaining theory and practices

legislative framework for the bargaining process

relevant policies and procedures

relevant precedents and previous decisions.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

proposed agreement with accompanying documentation and/or explanation of how union members were involved in the process, how the agreement was presented to the employer and what their response was, and how bargaining was practiced to achieve endorsement and support for the outcome

critical evaluation of the bargaining process and how it could be enhanced

knowledge of bargaining theory and practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

actual or proposed agreement and accompanying documents used to plan for the agreement and present it to the employer

documents developed in the course of the bargaining process.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

demonstration of techniques

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

review of activities planned to involve membership in support of union claims

review of feedback provided to members on final outcomes and/or access provided for members to final copies of the agreement.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

other workplace relations units.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

An agreement may include:

agreements around specific issues such as hours of work, breaks, rosters, treatment of workers and access to training

workplace agreements

Workplace activities may include:

protected industrial action

surveys and petitions

union newsletters and memos

workplace or other meetings

Unit sector

Workforce Development - Workplace Relations

This unit contains employability skills.