April 2003
Welcome to Two Rivers!
Two Rivers is a quarterly newsletter produced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit of the Department of Industrial Relations to provide Aboriginal communities with information, stories and updates on happenings within the world of industrial relations.
Regional visits
Cowra
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit visited Cowra on 15 and 16 January 2003 to present a series of workplace information sessions.
The information sessions covered a range of workplace issues, including the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers, job descriptions, contracts of employment and developing effective grievance and disciplinary procedures.
These information sessions were specifically developed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit to meet the needs of the organisations present.
Issues raised at the information sessions included:
- provision of rostered days off
- award classifications for certain job positions
- sick leave entitlements
- accumulation of leave
- privacy issues relating to employee records
- employee entitlement to leave without pay.
Dubbo
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, along with WorkCover, the Anti-Discrimination Board, the Department of Fair Trading and the Working Women's Centre will be holding a second information forum in Dubbo on 3 and 4 April 2003.
This second information forum builds on the success last November of Marrambul mali (Wiradjuri for 'Do it Right') which covered a range of issues including:
- workplace harassment and discrimination
- workplace safety and workers compensation
- awards and employment laws in NSW
- consumer rights and responsibilities.
The Aboriginal community in Dubbo and surrounding areas will have the opportunity for a yarn with Aboriginal advisers from all four Government agencies.
Please contact either Rae Hamilton or Chris Capper on 1300 361 968 for further information about this upcoming April forum.
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By now everyone with a copy of the Unit's loose leaf Employment Kit should have received updated information about changes to leave entitlements. You should replace the information in the kit with the pages sent to you.
A reminder to all our new subscribers to register for updates by completing and returning the registration form in your Employment Kits. Let us know if your contact details have changed.
From left to right: Chris Capper (ATSI Unit), Sonia Crescitelli (Information & Research Team) and Rae Hamilton (ATSI Unit) updating the Employment Kit
About the Employment Kit
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Kit is a loose-leaf reference which provides employers with information about their obligations and rights in the workplace under NSW industrial relations laws.
Subscribers to the Kit receive up-to-date information as laws change.
For more information call Rae Hamilton on 1300 361 968
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This section of Two Rivers profiles services provided by other sections of the Department of Industrial Relations.
Award Enquiry Service Centre (AES)
The Award Enquiry Service (AES) is the section of the Department of Industrial Relations which provides information, advice and interpretation on NSW industrial relations legislation and NSW private sector awards.
The AES's 35 staff handle over 300,000 calls every year from employers and employees across NSW on the statewide telephone number 131 628. They provide information on issues such as:
- pay rates under various NSW awards
- interpretation of award provisions
- holidays and leave loadings
- long service leave entitlements
- redundancies.
Award Enquiry Service Centre (Sydney) in the background Chris Daly, foreground Robin Saunders.
In addition to phone enquiries, the AES responds to written letters, faxes and emails.
What are Awards?
Awards are legal documents setting out minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment, which apply to employees in particular workplaces, organisations, industries or occupations. Most NSW awards are 'common rule' awards, covering all employers in an industry or with employees in particular occupations. However, awards can also apply to a specific occupation in a specific workplace.
To contact the Award Enquiry Service call 131 628
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Centrelink Area West will be holding several information days in Sydney's west between 31 March and 8 April to celebrate youth week. Information forums will be held at Penrith on 1 April, Parramatta on 3 April and Mt Druitt on 8 April.
Contacts for Youth Week are set out below:
Penrith - Eva or Graham on Tel: (02) 4723 7398.
Parramatta - Donna or Anita on Tel: (02) 9865 9098
Mt Druitt - Rhonda, Carmen or Kelly Tel: (02) 9208 6602
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The NSW Working Women's Centre is a community legal centre which provides women with free, confidential advice, information and assistance on work-related matters.
The Working Women's Centre also provides advice and casework for Indigenous women who believe that they have not been treated fairly at work, or who have difficulty accessing employment.
The Working Women's Centre can also provide training in industrial and workplace relations for community organisations and business.
The Working Women's Centre can be contacted on Tel: (02) 9559 5355 or 1800 062 166.
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WorkCover NSW manages the State's workplace safety, injury management, and workers compensation systems.
Call Work Cover for issues or concerns about safety provisions in the workplace, or for help on implementing proper procedures on 131 050 or visit WorkCover NSW.
Phone: 131 628
| Award Enquiries
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