• Collective Employment Agreements – With the assistance and approval of the Members concerned the Union negotiates Collective Agreements with employers. The Union provides experienced Advocates with knowledge about negotiations over the wider range of our membership and beyond. The Union provides Members with a copy of their Collective Agreement. (Not applicable to SLGOU Associates)
  
  
• Individual Employment Agreements – Where required the Union assists Members with negotiating Individual Employment Agreements.
  
  
• Enforcement of Members Rights – If your pay is wrong, or you don’t get the holidays or conditions you are entitled to, the Union will take it up with your employer. If not resolved directly we can involve the Mediation Service and if necessary take it on to the Employment Relations Authority/ Employment Court.
  
  
• Workplace Problems – If you have difficulties at work with problems such as stress, concerns, workload and ergonomic issues, talk to the Union about them and get advice or action. You don’t have to suffer in silence.
  
  
• Workplace Issues – The Union is actively involved in Members’ workplaces, giving assistance to Members in redundancy, reorganisation and relocation situations, in dealing with complaints or appeals, and with other matters that may arise from time to time.
  
  
• Workplace Health and Safety – The Union can assist and advise on workplace health and safety issues.
  
  
• Personal Grievances – If a Member is unjustifiably dismissed or disadvantaged, or subject to discrimination, harassment or duress, the Union can take it up with your employer. If not resolved directly the Union can involve the Mediation Service. If necessary we will take it on to the Employment Relations Authority/Employment Court.
  
  
• Disputes - Where there is disagreement between Member/s and the employer about the interpretation, application or operation of their Employment Agreement the Union can take it up with the employer. If not resolved directly we can involve the Mediation Service. If necessary we will take it on to the Employment Relations Authority/Employment Court.
  
  
• Employment Law and Other Employment Related Legislation – The Union keeps abreast of developments in employment law, including Parental Leave, Human Rights, Equal Employment Opportunities, ACC laws, maintaining a subscription to a comprehensive electronic law library. Our staff can provide advice and assistance with related legislation.
  
  
• Representation – The Union will prepare and advocate cases on behalf of Members before the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court. The Union can represent Members to Government Agencies such as WINZ, ACC and OSH, and ensure you are fairly treated. Our staff have wide advocacy experience.
  
  
• Collective Voice – The Union is a vehicle for members to be heard collectively in regards to workplace issues such as workplace changes, work practices, policies and procedures, job evaluation performance appraisal. Members are not alone when dealing with these issues, but are part of a team with co-workers.
  
  
• Information and Advice – The Union regularly publishes a Union Journal (the “Local Body Language”), negotiation updates, and other media to provide information relevant to Members. Advice and assistance is available by telephone, fax, e-mail, or by personal appointment. Union staff visit workplaces regularly to deal with Members problems.
  
  
• Access to Other Services – Union members can get information about joining the P.S.I.S (banking, payment and loan facilities),and Unimed health insurance.
  
  
• Confidentiality – Members are assured of confidentiality regarding any personal matters for which Union assistance is sought. Members’ names are not supplied to any other agency other than to the employer as required to gain coverage of Collective Agreements or to establish authority to represent the Member. If desired Associate membership of the Union may be kept confidential from the employer.

Types of Membership

Membership of the Southern Local Government Officers Union:
Members will be covered by any Collective Agreement negotiated by the Union covering their type of employment with their employer. The member is entitled to participate in all aspects of the administration and operation of the Union under the registered Rules of the Union.

Visit the Apply for Membership of the Southern Local Government Officers Union section of this Website to become a member of the Southern Local Government Officers Union.

Membership of SLGOU Associates:
SLGOU Associate membership excludes the Member from being covered by any Collective Agreement negotiated by the Southern Local Government Officers Union. Otherwise the Member has all other rights of Union membership.

Visit the Apply for Membership of SLGOU Associates section of this Website to become a member of the SLGOU Associates.

Subscriptions:
The subscription rates per week for the 2009/10 year (inclusive of GST) are:

• $5.90   - employed 20+ hours per week
• $3.90 – employed over 10½ and up to and including 20 hours per week.
• $1.95 – employed over 7 hours and up to 10½ hours per week.   
• $1.30 - employed over 3½ and up to 7 hours per . 
• $0.70 - employed up to 3½ hours per week. 
  

Subscriptions are normally paid by authorising the employer to deduct them from the member’s pay and then remitting them to the Union. However a member may opt to pay their subscription annually by a lump sum paid at the beginning of each financial year

Subscription levels are reviewed annually.