TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984
s.23 application for making of an award

Metals and Engineering Workers' Union
(T.2757 of 1990)

METAL AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRY AWARD

New Award - Wage rates and conditions of employment

REASONS FOR FURTHER DECISION

In its decision arising out of this application, the Commission, on 5 December, 1991, made a new award titled the Metal and Engineering Industry Award.

The orders giving effect to that decision were operative from 3 December, 1991.

On 21 February 1992, the following organisations were granted an interest in that award:

Metals and Engineering Workers' Union1
Federation of Industrial, Manufacturing and Engineering Employees, Tasmania Branch2
Federated Clerks Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch3
Electrical Trades Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch4
Tasmanian Confederation of Industries.

The resumption of this application was for the purpose of finalising the rates of pay and conditions of employment to be contained in the Metal and Engineering Industry Award.

As an interim measure the award contained the following provision:

"until the making of this award has been finalised in respect to wage rates and conditions of employment or until this proviso has been deleted, employers falling within the scope of this award, shall where appropriate classifications appear therein, observe the Mechanical Engineers and Founders Award and the Plumbers Award in all respects."

The parties presented an agreed package to the Commission in respect to wage rates and conditions of employment.

Essentially they were identical to those appearing in the Mechanical Engineers and Founders Award (which will be repealed as an award of this Commission) with the following exceptions:

1. the verbage contained in some of the conditions had been simplified and obsolete provisions deleted;

2. the rates of pay for clerks follow very closely those determined under the Clerical and Administrative Employees (Private Sector) Award and contain the first minimum rates adjustment;

3. sheetmetal working in general, which was previously covered by the Plumbers Award will now fall within the scope of this awards5;

4. this award will not cover business equipment services personnel.

5. special rates which have been increased to reflect past increases permitted under State Wage Case decisions up to and including February 1992;

6. the motor allowance has been increased to 35 cents which reflects the movements in the Consumer Price Index up to and including the March quarter 1992.

The finalisation of the making of this award is one step short of completing the restructuring programme for the Mechanical Engineers and Founders Award.

The only thing left to be achieved is the examination of the wage rates and conditions of employment for the Metal and Engineering On-Site Construction Industry Award.

I endorse the agreed package presented by the parties in the form of a draft order as it:

1. conforms with the Wage Fixing Principles;

2. is part of the Structural Efficiency programme for the industry;

3. is consistent with the Public Interest requirements of the Act;

4. reflect that which is already contained in award of-the Commission.

The operative date of this decision shall be the first full pay period to commence on or after the 1 June 1992.

The Order [Correction Order] giving effect to this decision is attached.

R J Watling
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
Mr P Baker for the Metals and Engineering Workers' Union.
Mr J Long for the Federation of Industrial, Manufacturing and Engineering Employees, Tasmania Branch.
Mrs H Dowd for the Federated Clerks Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch.
Mr K Becker for the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch.
Mr S Knott for the Australian Mines and Metals Association (Incorporated).
Messrs S Clues and T Edwards for the Tasmanian Confederation of Industries.

1 T.3654 of 1992
2 T.3653 of 1992
3 T3652 of 1992
4 T3688 of 1992
5 T.3609 of 1991