T2638 and T2651
IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984
These applications, one by the Tasmanian Public Service Association (the Association) and the other by the Minister Administering the State Service Act 1984 (the Minister) sought increases in certain allowances and charges provided for in the following Public Sector Awards:
T.2638 of 1990 Mr K Grey, who appeared for the Association in his submissions relied upon the grounds that the Association's claim: 1. was consistent with the precedent established by the Commission in matter T.833 of 1987 for calculating cost of living increases; 2. consistent with the current Wage Guidelines; 3. was not against the public interest Mr Grey produced an exhibit which (among other things) detailed the operation of the formula set in matter T.833 of 1987 as follows: CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS (weighted average of eight capital cities)
Hence the increase sought by the Association was 8.56%. The operative date sought by Mr Grey was the date of application, 3 August 1990. Mr R Warwick, who appeared for the Hospital Employees Federation of Australia, Tasmania Branch (the Federation), supported the Association's submissions. Mr J McCabe, who appeared for the Minster confirmed agreement to the Association's claim and the basis for the claim. As to the operative date, however, Mr McCabe sought the date of decision; he said that there were no unusual circumstances in this matter which might indicate anything other than the date of decision being applied. T.2651 of 1990 Mr C Shirley, who appeared for the Minister in this matter, confirmed that the Minister sought increases in the board and lodging charges provided for in the GCOS Award and the Hospital Employees (Public Hospitals) Award, on the same basis or formula as relied upon by the Association in matter T.2638. He produced an exhibit which mirrored the formula calculations set out in the exhibit in that matter. Mr Shirley also submitted that the operative date should be the date of decision. Mr Grey, appearing again for the Association, did not oppose the Minister's application and confirmed that it was consistent with the Wage Principles in the same way as the Association's previous application had been. Mr Warwick, appearing again for the Federation, did not object to the Minister's application either. DECISION The Commission accepts and endorses the submissions of the parties in both these matters in so far as the 8.56% increase is concerned. Therefore we are prepared to vary the Awards in the manner sought and as outlined in Exhibits G1 and S1. Orders operative from the first full pay period commencing on or after the date of this decision will be issued in due course. Awards Varied:
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