1.11 Principles of Consultation at ACU

The University will consult with parties covered by this Agreement on employment related matters. This will be achieved through direct consultation with employees (by various means including staff forums) and through the ACU Staff Consultative Committee (ACUSCC). The University will consult in a proactive, transparent and constructive manner in relation to change that affects employee’s employment or working conditions. The ACUSCC provides a forum for consultation between the University and representatives and the Unions on matters pertaining to the employment conditions of employees, including the ongoing implementation of the Enterprise Agreement.

The ACUSCC will comprise:

1. a Chair appointed by the Vice-Chancellor and President;

2. the Chief People Officer, or nominee;

3. four (4) representatives nominated by the union/s; and,

4. three (3) employees nominated by the Vice-Chancellor and President.

The Chair may invite guest speakers or observers to meetings as appropriate. Meetings will be held four (4) times per year or, when necessary, an additional meeting may be held to address matters of urgency as requested by one of the members of the ACUSCC. To facilitate discussion of certain matters, the Committee may establish working groups of its members and/or other employees to address those matters and report back to the ACUSCC.

The University will provide reports to the ACUSCC concerning:

1. Annual Budget Briefing;

2. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples Employment Plan;

3. Workplace Health and Safety;

4. Gender Equity / Diversity;

5. Staff Engagement;

6. Workforce Profile regarding continuing, fixed-term and casual data;

7. Professional Development;

8. Matters specified in sub-clause 4.2(a) (Academic Workload Allocation);

9. Conversion from casual to continuing academic employment (in line with clause 2.5).

10. Research awards for academic employees following parental leave (in line with sub-clause 6.5(f));

11. Childcare support for academic employees (in line with sub-clause 6.5(h)); and

12. An annual update on adoption of AI System tools across the University.

The ACUSCC will also:

1. Receive, consider and inform change management proposals as circulated by the University. While it is not a deliberative committee, the ACUSCC may put forward comments, strategies, suggestions and proposals for improving the change proposal and/or for averting or mitigating any potential adverse effects for the consideration of the University; and

2. Receive and consider reports on action items as they pertain to the implementation of this Agreement; and

3. Receive, consider and put forward suggestions for the improvement and successful implementation of employment related policies as circulated by the University with an opportunity to provide any written feedback within fifteen (15) working days of circulation prior to them being approved.