IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984

This application by the Minister for Public Administration seeks to insert into the Clerical Employees Award (S081) a salary scale for Library Assistants aged 16 and under to 20 years.

Mr. Jarman explained that the insertion of this salary scale was overlooked in application T.271 of 1985. He submitted that this scale, which is identical to Scale 3 of the Junior Officers (Public and Mental Health Services) Award (S096), is currently being paid to Library Assistants; and therefore this application was not seeking any improvement for these employees.

It was further submitted by Mr. Jarman that the salary rates sought reflect the value of the work being performed, and this assessment results from a review undertaken in 1985. He said that Library Assistants have the same level of responsibilities as typists and office assistants, to whom Scale 3 applies.

Mr. Geursen agreed with the submissions of Mr. Jarman, and I am satisfied that what is being sought is consistent with Principle 10(b). Accordingly this part of the application is granted.

Mr. Jarman also indicated that the application seeks the removal of the specification of temporary part-time and casual savings provision hourly rates. He said that the inclusion of such rates in the award had caused confusion in the minds of some agencies, as these rates are normally circulated by means of a schedule after each National Wage Case decision.

Mr. Geursen was also in agreement with the deletion of award prescription of these rates.

Given the submissions of the parties on this matter I am persuaded that these rates should be deleted, and I decide accordingly.

I also note that it was foreshadowed by Mr. Jarman that an application would be lodged to delete similar rates currently prescribed in the Keyboard Employees and Office Assistants Award (S080).

As nothing turns on the operative date of the amendments sought, I have decided to make the amendments operative from 30 June 1986, in order to avoid any confusion with this Commission's decision in matters T.432, 435 and 440 of 1986.

The order, issued as a consolidated award, is attached hereto.

R.K. Gozzi
COMMISSIONER