Trade Union Official
(Union Organiser)
Fact Sheet
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Discussing workplace conditions with union representatives |
Trade union officials work to maintain and improve the wages, conditions and employment opportunities of workers in particular occupations or industries. In some unions, trade union officials are elected from the membership, but in others they are appointed to paid positions.
Duties and Tasks
Trade union officials may perform the following tasks:
- represent members in negotiations with management over workplace issues
- visit places of work where members of the union are employed, to check on working conditions and to identify other industrial relations issues
- handle complaints and disputes on the job
- check employees' time and wage records (kept by employers) to make sure that employees are being paid the correct wages
- make sure that safety rules and regulations are observed in the workplace and advise employers of possible breaches
- recruit new members and make sure that current members are up to date with payment of their union fees and are informed about union activities (e.g. through a newsletter)
- draft applications for award variations and, through research and inspections, collect evidence and prepare submissions in support of claims
- represent the union at conferences and in negotiations (may include acting as the union's representative or advocate before industrial courts or tribunals)
- assist in managing the finances of the union
Quick Facts
School subjects that include some aspect of ECONOMICS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an economics-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of MATHEMATICS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a mathematics-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs in accounting, administration, advertising, banking, distribution, economics, finance, marketing, personnel management, policy advice, public relations, real estate, sales and valuation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to help, inform, teach or treat them. Activities include discussing personal issues, listening to people's problems, and providing advice, instruction, information or treatment to meet their needs.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH DATA to order, process or retrieve facts and figures, or to develop or administer policies and procedures. Activities include organising, using or updating information, such as files or accounts, developing or following procedures or systems, and the planning, budgeting, and staffing of an organisation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to sell to, influence, motivate, negotiate with, or serve them. Activities include selling, promoting or providing goods or services, bargaining, or presenting a point of view.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Work Conditions
Officials with training in fields such as law, journalism, economics, accountancy and welfare may be appointed to specialist positions, such as legal officer or media officer. Research officers generally have tertiary qualifications which may be in a broad range of disciplines from arts to science.
Personal Requirements
- interested in trade union activities
- good negotiation and communication skills
- able to deal with employers and workers at all levels
- able to stay calm in difficult situations and handle controversial and emotional issues objectively and analytically