IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984

This is a continuation of application T.851 of 1987 made by the Minister for Public Administration to vary the Hobart Regional Water Board Staff Award.

Most of the issues being the subject matter of this application were dealt with in my Interim Decision handed down on 13 August 1987. However, there was one area of the application deferred for further consideration, that being whether or not four new classes should be added to the classification of Drafting Officer.

The claim was as follows:

In declining to make any ruling on this matter in my Interim Decision, I stated:

"Before I make any decision on this part of the application, I would ask the parties to address me in greater detail on this matter.

The Wage Fixing Principles require me, when extending an award to new work or to award-free work, to assess the rates by reference to the value of work already covered by the award.

The parties will need to establish what work is undertaken by a Drafting Officer Class I/II in the Hobart Regional Water Board at the moment, and then demonstrate why the award should be varied to include four new classes."

I also stated that the hearing would be reconvened at the request of either party to further consider the application. A request was made by the applicant, and the hearing reconvened on 19 August 1987.

I am satisfied on the further evidence presented that the award should be varied to include a Class III, 1st year of service, 2nd year of service, 3rd year of service and thereafter and a Class IV, Grade I, 1st year of service and 2nd year of service and thereafter.

I have not been satisfied on the evidence that the award should include a Class IV, Grade 2 and Grade 3 or a Class V and Class VI and therefore I reject that part of the claim.

The parties have demonstrated the need for additional classes (i.e. Class III and VI(1)) having regard for the work required to be undertaken which is certainly over and above the existing level of a Class I/II.

The Order giving effect to this decision and the matters previously determined in my Interim Decision dated 13 August 1987 is attached, and I determine that the operative date shall be from the first full pay period to commence on or after 21 August 1987.

R.J. Watling
COMMISSIONER