Principle

The role of the Queensland Nurses’ Union is to service the needs of our full financial members. Our reason for existence is to protect the job security, wages and working conditions of all members of the Union.

Our challenge as an organisation is to ensure the efficient and equitable use of the Union’s limited resources, and to ensure our paying members receive quality service.
It is important to clarify that the principal issue behind this policy is to identify rights and processes for dealing with members with pre-existing problems.

Policy

As a general principle, the Union cannot take up pre-existing problems on behalf of new members. In this context, a new member is defined by a period of membership of less than three (3) months. However, no member will ever be turned away without some assistance from the Union.

From time to time, exceptions may be determined by the Secretary, particularly in the following circumstances:

• where the problem also affects other existing members of the Union;
• where the problem affects a number of other employees who are prepared to join the Union;
• where an important precedent may be set;
• in cases of civil action for damages and appearances at coronial inquiries where the new member had no knowledge of any pending civil or coronial inquiry/inquiries prior to the date of joining. In these circumstances the new member is required to satisfy the Secretary that they had no knowledge of such pending action.

Where the new member experiences a problem within the first three months of membership, the Union must determine the level of support we can offer to the new member. An assessment will be carried out by the relevant organiser and the Secretary to determine:

• when the problem started (i.e. whether pre-existing);
• the extent of assistance required;
• the potential cost to the Union;
• length of employment in workplace.

If problems can be settled quickly and efficiently, full Union assistance will be provided. However, further negotiations with the new member will be required if signficant Union resources are needed to resolve an issue. Such negotiations will occur between the new member and the Secretary.

In such an instance, the Union may determine to provide only limited direct assistance and refer new members to other sources for help. Alternatively, the Union may agree to fully service major problems for new members. In this case, new members may be required to pay to the Union the equivalent of two (2) years’ fees. These members will then be entitled to all the benefits of Union membership for the two-year period, including full industrial coverage and access to all the Union’s services.

If new members are unhappy with the decision of the Union Secretary, they may appeal to the Council of the Union to have the Secretary’s decision reviewed.