T1244, T1518, T1534, T1568, T1711, T1712, T1737 and T1758 - 20 September
IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984
These matters are, I believe, the last of a series concerning proposed variations to different sections of the Produce Award which have been handled by various members of the Commission. The instant matters concern both Division B - Auctioneers, Travellers and Sellers of Agricultural Machinery and/or Equipment, and Division C - Carters, Drivers and Engine Drivers. And the applications relate to the proposed granting of a 4% "Second Tier" wage increase and the introduction of a 38-hour week in accordance with the requirements of the Wage Fixation Principles currently applying. The relevant parties have been engaged in protracted negotiations and have finally been able to present to the Commission a comprehensive package of proposals which have been agreed to by all concerned. Those proposals cover both detailed cost offsets and draft award variations. The combined offsets which are relevant to Division B fall under the following headings: 1. Variable method of implementation (38-Hour Week) 2. Storage of RDO's a maximum of 10 3. Inhouse discussion and review 4. Increase - spread of hours 5. 40 Divisor for 12 months for overtime, Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and casual and part-time casuals 6. Payment of wages by EFT, cash or cheque (employer to meet expenses) 7. Sick leave notification reduced 8. Sick leave to accrue at 6.33 for 3 months 9. IntrodUction of part-timers 10. Annual leave broken provision 11. Overtime off at penalty equivalent 12. Disputes and grievance procedure 13. No rest period Saturday mornings 14. Employees to remain at work station for 10 minutes 15. Meal period expanded And those outlined cost offset items which are relevant to Division C fall under the following headings: 1. Variable methods of implementation of 38-hour week 2. Storage of RDO's to a maximum of 10 per annum 3. In-plant discussions and review 4. RDO's to be taken on any day of the week 5. Increase in spread of hours 6. Meal period provision rationalised 7. Reduction in time for smoke-oh's on overtime 8. Sick leave notification reduced to 1 hour 9. Sick leave for new employee to be at the rate of 6.33 hours per month of service for the first three months of service 10. Annual leave can be taken in multiple periods 11. Insertion of calculation of continuous service provision 12. Introduction of a disputes and grievance procedure 13. Provision to permit shift work to be worked 14. Flexible payment of wages provision 15. On site discussions to identify further efficiency measures of a non-award nature The items have been negotiated and finally agreed upon after a considerable time lapse, and as I understand it, after the Commission as differently constituted refused earlier to accept that which was proposed. Those facts, plus evidence that the items now added as cost offset items have been accepted as bona fide in relation to similar claims affecting different divisions of the award, persuade me that to accede to the proposals in each case would be consistent with both the requirements of the Wage Fixation Principles and public interest. For all of these reasons I grant a 4% wage claim and the introduction of a 38-hour week in Divisions B and C of the Produce Award in the terms of the applications. OPERATIVE DATE Consistent with the agreement of the parties the variations to Division B shall have effect from the first full pay period to commence on or after 1 July 1989; and variations to Division C shall apply from the first full pay period to commence on or after 13 July 1989. The order detailing award variations is attached.
A. Robinson
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