Corrective Services

Unions urged to tackle discrimination

The Anti-Discrimination Board has launched a new guide to help union representatives deal with workplace discrimination.

Anti-Discrimination Board president Chris Puplick said unions needed to take an active role in preventing discrimination because they are often an employee's first point of call.

He said the new guidelines identify different kinds of discrimination in the workplace and suggested ways for unions to begin to rectify breaches where they occur.

"Union representatives need to be able to recognise discrimination when they see it and understand and identify indirect discrimination."

"They also need to look at agreements and ensure they do not have a disparate effect on minority groups," Puplick said.

Puplick criticised the union movement for taking a back seat in discrimination prevention in the past, warning representatives that if they failed to act on allegations as they were made, they risked becoming embroiled in discriminatory conduct themselves.

"The guidelines are a practical tool in preventing discrimination and dealing with it when and if it occurs," he said.

The guide raises concerns for union representatives to be particularly aware of in preventing discrimination, including sex or racial segregation, male dominated workplaces, disability facilities and differing pay rates.

A sample EEO plan is provided in the guide and the board suggests union representatives should submit the plan to management to prevent discrimination and harassment.

The Anti-Discrimination board will also hold special training sessions for employers and service providers to inform them of their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

The sessions can be held at the workplace or at an external venue and cover managerial roles as well as non-supervisory staff.

The sessions cost from $410 for an hour and half presentation to $1,655 for day courses and more information can be found on the ADB training website.

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/corr_services/20020322_discrimination.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005