Participating in union training is an essential right for employees who are union members. It equips them with knowledge of their rights, responsibilities, and benefits, and empowers them to participate more fully in their union’s activities and decision-making processes. In the following article, we outline the provisions for leave to attend trade union training courses based on the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022.
Leave Provisions for Union Training
An employee who is nominated by their union to attend a trade union training course can request leave for this purpose. The employer will grant up to five days of leave in a calendar year for attendance.
However, there are provisions to extend this leave. An employee can be granted paid leave exceeding five days, up to ten days in a calendar year. The condition is that the total leave taken in that calendar year and the subsequent year should not exceed ten days.
Conditions for Paid Leave
Paid leave for trade union training will be granted under specific conditions:
- The leave should not cause undue disruption to the school’s program.
- It should be impossible to arrange the training outside of work hours.
- The proposed training must benefit the Teaching Service or the school.
- Suitable relief arrangements can be arranged at the union’s expense.
If these conditions aren’t met, trade union training leave will still be granted, but without pay. This is also subject to suitable relief arrangements being available.
FAQs
1. Can an employee take more than five days leave for union training?
Yes, an employee might be granted paid leave exceeding five days, up to ten days in a calendar year. However, the total leave taken in that calendar year and the subsequent year should not exceed ten days.
2. When will trade union training leave be paid?
Paid leave for trade union training is granted if the leave does not disrupt the school’s program, the training couldn’t be arranged outside work hours, the training benefits the Teaching Service or the school, and suitable relief arrangements can be arranged at the union’s expense.
3. Can trade union training leave be granted without pay?
Yes, if the conditions for paid leave aren’t met, trade union training leave will still be granted, but without pay. This is also subject to suitable relief arrangements being available.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your rights to attend trade union training courses is crucial for active participation in your union. Schools that support these rights foster a work environment that values continuous learning, professional development, and active union participation.
