IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984

This application by the Hospital Employees' Federation of Australia, Tasmania No 2 Branch (the HEF) seeks the variation of Division B of the Welfare and Voluntary Agencies Award in respect of the 4% second tier increase and consequential amendments.

In this case Mr Holden, as he did on previous occasions for Divisions C. D. and E of the award, thoroughly apprised the Commission of the offsets negotiated as a trade off for increases in wage rates in Division B.

I commend the approach of Mr Sertori and Mr Holden to this and other second tier matters in this award.

Not only did Mr Holden provide draft award variations but also submitted a separate exhibit, H2, which detailed in very precise terms award and non award offsets.

The exercise undertaken by the parties meets the requirements of the Restructuring and Efficiency Principle, albeit that immediate savings equivalent to 4 per cent have not been able to be achieved.

This highlights the difficulty in an award such as this where suitable offsets, apart from award conditions, are not available.

Given that the award provides conditions very much within the norm of those contained in other awards of this Commission where 4 per cent increases have been approved, it would not be realistic to ask employees to give up what amount to minimum standards.

I am satisfied that a genuine attempt has been made to introduce measures into Division B. and I therefore grant the increase sought.

The operative date will be the first pay period to commence on or after 15 November 1988.

The order and [correction order] is attached hereto.

R K Gozzi
COMMISSIONER