8.2.2 Employment practice unions
Recognition of Staff Representation and Association (Recognition of Unions for All)
Srinakharinwirot University values the right of all staff groups to associate and to be represented in communicating their views and recommendations to the administration. The University formally recognises the role of staff representative bodies and related committees, and provides women and international staff with equal, non-discriminatory opportunities to take part in the University's representation and consultation mechanisms.
Role of the Faculty and Staff Council
The Faculty and Staff Council of Srinakharinwirot University is the formal staff representative body established under the Srinakharinwirot University Act B.E. 2559 (2016). It conveys the views, needs and recommendations of faculty and staff to the administration and the University Council, and plays a key role in promoting staff participation in university governance and the development of human resource policies. Its powers and duties are as follows:
To advise and provide recommendations to the University Council and the President on all university affairs
To promote the professional ethics of faculty and staff
To build and promote unity among faculty and staff
To perform other duties as assigned by the University Council or the President
Section 28 of the Srinakharinwirot University Act B.E. 2559 (2016), which sets out 4 powers and duties of the Faculty and Staff Council: (1) to advise and provide recommendations to the University Council and the President on all university affairs; (2) to promote the professional ethics of faculty and staff; (3) to build and promote unity; and (4) to perform other duties as assigned by the University Council or the President. Extracted from the Royal Gazette, Vol. 133, Section 33 Kor, 21 April 2016, pages 18–19. The accompanying image below is an English translation prepared for this submission (unofficial translation); the Thai original is the complete and legally authoritative version.
Key Missions of the Faculty and Staff Council
Providing advice and recommendations to the University on regulations, policies and university development
Promoting unity, mutual understanding and collaboration between faculty and staff, and supporting administration based on good governance, transparency and accountability
Promoting ethics, organisational culture and a positive image of the University to support stable and sustainable organisational development
Supporting a learning community and knowledge sharing within the University to enhance work performance and the achievement of the University's mission
Promoting and developing staff capabilities through career advancement, skills development and capacity-building programmes for faculty and staff
Representing staff in safeguarding their rights, benefits and welfare by listening to their concerns, views and recommendations and presenting them to the University Council and the administration for consideration and appropriate action
Staff Participation through Elections and the Nomination of Executives
Srinakharinwirot University recognises the right of staff to choose their representatives through the election of the Faculty and Staff Council, conducted in accordance with university regulations. All eligible staff may take part in electing representatives who serve as intermediaries between staff, the administration and the University Council.
“Srinakharinwirot University has the faculty and staff council of Srinakharinwirot University to recognise unions & labour rights (freedom of association & collective bargaining) for all.”
In addition, university staff have the right to nominate candidates for executive positions in accordance with the procedures and criteria set by the University, such as nominating candidates for President, Dean or other key executive positions. Giving staff the opportunity to nominate and comment on executive appointments reflects their participation in shaping the direction and management of the organisation in a democratic, transparent and accountable manner.
Srinakharinwirot University Regulation on the Administration of Institutes, Offices and Equivalent Units B.E. 2559 (2016), announced on 3 August 2016. Clause 13(4) requires the search committee for a director to include 3 representatives of personnel in the unit undergoing the search, elected under the criteria set out in the regulation. Clause 14(4) requires the search committee to conduct the search broadly, based on the principle that university personnel participate in nominating suitable candidates for director or head of unit to the chair of the search committee. Clause 17 specifies who may nominate: personnel of the unit undergoing the search, and, in the case of a search for the Director of the Central Library, the Director of the Computer Center, or a unit providing services to other units, personnel of other units as determined by the University Executive Committee. Clause 19 entitles each staff member to nominate 1 candidate, only once per search, ensuring that all staff have an equal right to nominate. This evidence supports the statement that university staff have the right to nominate candidates for executive positions and are represented by elected members on search committees. The image on the left is the Thai original, and the accompanying image on the right is an English translation prepared for this submission (unofficial translation); the Thai original is the complete and legally authoritative version.