IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984

This application by the Minister for Public Administration (the Minister) was lodged with the Registrar on 31 March 1987. The parties were heard and a decision reserved in proceedings before the Commission on 6 April 1987.

The primary purpose of the application is to implement the necessary variations to the Police Departmental Employees and Road Safety Officers Award (the Award) allowing for the introduction of a 38 hour week. Secondary variations seek to reflect the provisions of the Tasmanian State Service Act 1984.

Mr. Jarman also sought to delete the Road Safety Officer classification from the Award. It was his submission that the classification was now part of a federal award and any reference to it in this award was superfluous.

Exhibit J.1 headed Shorter Hours - Dayworkers Police Department, detailed the employees affected, costing and cost offset arrangements agreed between the parties.

No additional staff are required as a result of the proposed reduction in working hours.

The notional cost of the introduction of a 19 day month, 38 hour week was estimated as $51,400 per annum. Detailed cost offsets involving changes in work practices were estimated at $46,680 per annum with one additional cost offset producing a real saving of $1003 per annum.

The estimated paper cost of introducing a 38 hour week for the employees concerned is therefore $3717 per annum.

In rewording Clause 12 - Hours of Duty - Dayworkers of the Award, the Minister had omitted the third of three provisos to the current clause. Following objection from the TPSA it was agreed that it would be restated in the new Clause 12 and would be the subject of further discussion.

Having considered the agreement of the parties, in the context of the requirements of the Wage Fixing Principles and the public interest provisions of the Industrial Relations Act 1984, I am prepared to vary the Award providing for the reduction in working hours.

The Award will also be varied to accommodate the necessary changes following the proclaiming of the Tasmanian State Service Act 1984.

In relation to the request, to delete the Road Safety Officer classification, my inclination is to accept the submission of the Minister. However, I did allow the TPSA some time from the date of the hearing to consider their position. In the absence of any response I will not delay this decision any longer, but rather indicate that this application will be relisted at the request of any of the parties. Any further proceedings will be to deal with either or both of the unresolved matters.

In the absence of a request to relist T.730 of 1987 within a month from the date of this decision the file will be closed.

An order reflecting this decision is attached, its date of operation is the first pay period commencing on or after 29 April 1987.

J.G. King
COMMISSIONER