1. What is a delegate?

A delegate is an APEX member who has volunteered (or been nominated) and is supported by other APEX members to lead and represent them in the workplace.

 

2. Who are APEX delegates?

You can see your delegates (organised by APEX division) by referring this map. If you require assistance getting in touch with any of our delegates, please contact the APEX office.

 

3. What makes a good delegate?

In terms of technical ability, a good delegate will have the following skills:

• A good understanding of their employment contract;
• A good understanding of employee and union rights in the workplace;
• The ability to effectively solve issues with payroll and HR;
• The ability to facilitate productive discussion between colleagues;
• Strong problem-solving and negotiation skills; and
• Strong communication skills, including knowing where/who to speak to when they are asked questions by members that they do not know the answer to.

 

APEX provides new delegates with the resources and training necessary to develop these skills. At their essence, however, a good delegate will be someone who understands the importance of collective action and has the determination to lead others in their field. A good delegate will be passionate about promoting the employment rights of APEX members, approaching their concerns with empathy and understanding, and taking a stand against workplace injustices.

 

4. What sorts of resources and training does APEX provide to delegates?

APEX works hard to ensure that our delegates are provided with all the resources and training necessary to engage with members in a meaningful and productive manner. New delegates are sent a welcome pack which provides them with all the basic information they need to carry out their role. APEX also regularly hosts ‘new delegate training’ events. These provide new delegates with further guidance and gives them a forum where they can share and learn from other new delegates from the various Allied Scientific workforces APEX represents throughout New Zealand.

 

APEX also regularly hosts ‘delegate training’ and ‘advanced delegate training’ events to:

• inform delegates of new reforms in the workplace and how they will affect employees;
• provide guidance on how delegates should navigate common issues and conduct themselves in the workplace (e.g. how to engage with employers, how to speak to the media);
• advise on how to effectively recruit new members; and
• direct delegates to other helpful resources.

 

Delegate training, which is open for all delegates to attend, takes place in Auckland annually and is held for a period of two days. Advanced delegate training events, which aim at our more experienced delegates, take place on an as required basis. You can also access additional training resources here by clicking on the following link: https://apex.org.nz/apex-union-about-us/apex-delegates/delegate-training/

 

Our team at the APEX office are always happy to provide further guidance and resources to delegates who contact us. You may also access our delegate training resources from February 2021 by clicking on the following link: https://apex.org.nz/delegatestraining2021/

 

5. What are your rights and responsibilities as a delegate?

The Employment Relations Act 2000 provides various legal protections over APEX delegates. Delegates have an overarching right—and responsibility—to represent our members in relation to the following issues:

• Any matter which involves members’ collective employment interests;
• Any matter which involves members’ individual employment issues; and
• The negotiation of collective employment agreements.

 

Delegates also have various other rights, including:

• The right to access members’ workplaces where reasonable;
• The right to attend union meetings (of up to two hours each) every year;
• The right to engage in workplace discussions with APEX; and
• The right to be granted Employment Relations Education Leave by their employer so that they may attend delegate training events.

 

Delegates are entitled to carry out all union work during their normal work hours (or otherwise be compensated for work outside of these hours), and employers must continue to pay delegates their ordinary salary. In the course of their work, APEX delegates also have an ongoing responsibility to make themselves available to members. They must be open to providing members with assistance and clarification as needed, as they will generally be the first point-of-call for members in their workplace.

 

6. What are some common duties or tasks of a delegate?

Delegates have an overarching duty to engage with members on behalf of APEX and provide APEX with an understanding of members’ collective view. More specifically, delegates engage in the following duties and tasks:

• Facilitating union meetings with members;
• Representing members in collective bargaining;
• Keeping members informed on new developments;
• Providing guidance and support to members;
• Resolving immediate issues in the workplace; and
• Attending delegate training events and meetings with APEX.

 

7. Why are delegates important?

Delegates are the communication link between APEX and their members as they provide APEX with valuable insight into each profession they represent and what is happening “on the ground” in the workplace. This informs the decisions APEX makes as delegates provide information on issues that have arisen and require attention.

 

Delegates are highly valued members of APEX; we cannot function without the help of our delegates.

 

8. How do delegates represent union members in collective bargaining?

APEX does not engage in collective bargaining negotiations without a delegate in the room. Delegates have the primary role of acting as a voice for members during bargaining. They offer insight into the collective perspective and ultimately act as a representation of members’ common feelings and concerns in relation to their employment agreements.

 

Delegates must also be involved as they provide transparency to their members of interactions; they also ensure that employers cannot misrepresent the workplace during bargaining as they are able to refute false information with their own experiences in the workplace. Delegates are also there to provide information and clarification on complex points to APEX advocates and their employer.

 

If you wish to learn more about collective bargaining, please refer to our FAQ on collective bargaining by clicking on the following link: https://apex.org.nz/news/faqs-collective-bargaining/

 

9. How much time does being a delegate take up?

The time it takes to be a delegate will largely vary depending on how involved you wish to be. At the lower end, a delegate’s role will mainly revolve around facilitating members meetings, sharing updates with members, and offering assistance to members who have queries or concerns in relation to their employment agreement. As previously mentioned, delegates have the right to carry out—and be compensated for—their union work during their hours of employment, so the delegate role does not impact on personal time.

 

If delegates wish to get more involved, however, APEX offers the opportunity for delegates to expand their role and represent members at a national or regional level. Delegates may also elect to be part of APEX’s governing body, the National Executive. While these positions require delegates to devote more time to their role, they are extremely fulfilling and offer delegates the opportunity to be the leaders of positive change in their profession.

 

10. How do delegates work with APEX advocates and office?

As the link between members and APEX, delegates regularly meet with APEX to provide any information we need in relation to our members. APEX may also instruct delegates to hold meetings with members for the purpose of gathering a consensus on information to be sent back to the APEX office.

 

The relationship between APEX and delegates is very much reciprocal as APEX also provides delegates with ongoing support and guidance as needed.

 

11. When do delegates run members’ meetings or communicate with members?

Delegates are encouraged to run meetings on an “issues” basis, rather than a “regular” basis. This means that meetings should be held as issues occur, rather than set at a specified frequency every month. During the collective bargaining process, members’ meeting often occur at a more frequent rate as they are necessary for getting members’ views and communicating bargaining updates back to them.

 

Outside of these meetings, delegates ensure that members in their workplace are always updated on new developments which will directly affect them. These communications occur as they come.

 

12. How long do delegates stay in the role?

Delegates may stay in the role for as long as they wish—there is no time limit.