T74
IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984
The application before the Commission was to vary that section of the Shipping Award which relates to employees of Transport Tasmania engaged as crew of the Bruny Island Ferry. The Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union specifically sought to increase existing margins contained in sub-section (b)(iv) of Section 1 Clause 2, Part 1 of the Award. The claim which was received by the Registrar on 6 March can best be demonstrated as follows:-
The increases sought were based upon work value considerations in accordance with Principle 4 of the Principles. Significant changes have occurred since the last award review which occurred in December 1981, and those changes may be summarised as follows:-
Inspections were carried out on 7 May and evidence was given by the master, the engineer and the deck hand/collector. All of the evidence placed before the Commission supports the fact that changes have occurred since December 1981 going to the nature of the work and the skill and responsibility required, as well as the conditions under which the work is performed. I am satisfied that the changes which are evident constitute a significant net addition to work requirements and as such meet the requirements of Principle 4. The changes effect all of the crew members and I find there is merit in the claim for increases in the margins component of the wage. I have had regard for the requirements of public interest expressed in Section 36 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1984, and am satisfied that public interest will not be offended by properly compensating employees under present circumstances. I point out that employees, working in rotation, provide a magnificent service 365 days of the year, regardless of weather or any other conditions and they have an industrial relations record of which they are entitled to be proud. In assessing the extent of the wage increases, I have had regard for the nature and extent of present work requirements compared to those of the past when I also carried out inspections. Accordingly, I have decided not to grant the full extent of the claim, but to substitute the following margins for those currently applying:-
The aforementioned variations shall have effect from the beginning of the first pay to commence on or after 20 May 1985. An order reflecting the variations will issue in due course.
A Robinson |