Can someone be a supervisor and a union Representative within the same workplace?

we work in a collage as cleaners. the afternoon supervisor is the union representative, i would like to know if this is a conflict of interests or does the employment law state that the situstion is exeptable no malice intended but i would like to know

if the members are happy with it then OK.

it might depend what the supervisor's role is. if it is just checking quality of work and rostering then that is fine. If the supervisor becomes involved in employment disputes, disciplinaries, etc then I would say that being a union rep is a conflict of interest

Although the unions would not like this arrangement, there would be no legal basis for this not happening. Providing that a conflict of interests does not arise. Also the "voting" for the rep could be problematic. Contact the union directly (use google or yahoo search engines to do so)

There are a couple of good answers here. To sum it up, a supervisor is not management. A supervisor is more of a Top Worker of the other workers. If he has managerial duties and decisions while in the role of supervisor, then regardless of title, there is still a conflict.

If he/she is a waged employee, it is fine. Just because he/she makes more or supervises, does not mean that they don't deserve the same union entitlements.

Only management can't be your rep.

Perfectly acceptable for the supervisor to be the union rep....if he isn't doing his job to the work forces satisfaction then vote him out.

dont know if its right or not , but sure stinks to me !

No, it is a blatent conflict of interest.....

Yes!