The LCC and how it works
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 2, 31 March 2023, page no. 17
One of the most popular training sessions run by QTU Organisers is our one day local consultative committee (LCC) and working conditions session.
The session provides a great opportunity for school leaders, Reps, and members at any level of experience to learn, refresh and discuss the functions of LCCs and workplaces conditions with updated information from EB10.
This can also be an excellent opportunity for Workplace Reps and school leaders to spend some time learning and working together in the interests of their workplace.
The QTU provides this training both online and in person for members to better their understanding of how to participate effectively in the LCC process.
The training covers topics such as understanding the roles and responsibilities of LCC members, how to prepare for LCC meetings, and how to negotiate effectively with school management.
Participants often find combining this training with a session on working conditions helpful in connecting the two topics in a meaningful way.
The working conditions training covers topics such as employment rights and entitlements, occupational health and safety, and workplace bullying and harassment. The training is designed to help teachers and school leaders understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace and to provide them with the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their colleagues.
Often there is still some mystery or limited understanding around the function of the LCC within schools. The function of the LCC is set out in the certified agreement in Clause 2.1.
See below for clarification of some common issues.
What does the LCC do?
The LCC is the primary forum for consultation between school administration and QTU members about working conditions, facilities, and other matters that affect the workplace.
Who is on an LCC?
The LCC is made up of equal representation of management and registered trade unions, and will generally include four management representatives, including the principal, two QTU Workplace Reps (representing the teaching profession), one rep from the United Workers Union (representing our teacher-aide and cleaner colleagues), and one Together Union rep (on behalf of admin, groundkeepers, and janitorial staff).
The QTU reps on the LCC do not have to be the same for every meeting. LCC meetings can provide a great opportunity to upskill Reps, and you can share the workload across the Rep team.
What topics does the LCC cover?
While there are a number of mandatory items for LCCs (flexible SFDs, staffing proposals, bus and playground duty, meal break variations, extensions to spread of school hours, and joint statements), it also has the broad role of ensuring the certified agreement is being enacted at a local level and any school based decisions that impact upon workload are appropriately considered and applied consistently across the teaching staff.
What is the purpose of an LCC?
LCCs are fundamentally about finding agreement on how best to do the valuable work that members do every day at schools in a cooperative and productive way between school leaders and classroom teachers.
Overall, the QTU’s training on LCC and working conditions is an important resource for teachers and a well subscribed offering. School’s that can release both Reps and school leaders to attend together generally come away with an improved framework and a better understanding of how they can work to build consensus in their school.
If you would like one or both of these sessions run for your workplace, please contact your local Organiser.