OH&S Joint Committees PDF  | Print |  E-mail

 

Points to remember:


1.  Trade unions must organize, educate, and take action to solve their health and safety problems. One of the most effective means is to establish health and safety committees.

2.  The structures, powers, operating procedures, and number of committees will vary from workplace to workplace.

3.  In some countries, national legislation exists requiring joint labour-management health and safety committees. The joint committee must raise various issues with management.

4.  The local union committee plays a vital role in resolving health and safety concerns in the workplace. It is the job of the local union committee to represent rank and file workers in health and safety issues. A local committee is especially necessary if a joint committee does not exist.

   Source: International Labour Organization

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Joint labour-management committee do's and don'ts

Source: Health and safety manual, Service Employees' International Union, AFL/CIO, Washington, DC, 1987.


 

Do

 

  • Keep the discussion centered on the issue involved.

  • Keep personalities from becoming involved.

  • Hold all meetings as scheduled. Cancel meetings only in an emergency.

  • Be prompt in attending meetings.

  • Submit the agenda in advance to allow all parties sufficient time to investigate problems.

  • In submitting the agenda, identify all items to be discussed.

  • Maintain an agreed-to procedure on recording and drafting the minutes, as well as methods of distribution.

  • Maintain accurate minutes on subjects discussed at the previous meetings that have been “completed” or “resolved” as well as those items still “open”.

  • Be sure the committee concept is explained to and understood by employees and supervisors.



    Don't

  • Don't start the first meeting with extremely difficult issues.

  • Get accustomed to this problem-solving technique by dealing with relatively minor problems first.

  • Don't allow the meetings to become “gripe” sessions.

  • Don't deal in generalities. Be specific about the problem and its suggested correction.

  • Don't anticipate that you know the answer to a question before it has been discussed. Ask questions to get the facts.

  • Don't treat any issue on the agenda as unimportant. Each item deserves thorough investigation and discussion.

  • Don't delay in communicating solutions developed for serious problems or the outcome of issues discussed.

  • Don't start scheduled meetings late or allow them to drag on beyond the allotted time. This has often brought failure.

  • Don't look for immediate results.
     

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