T1763
IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984
The statement of particulars attached to this application reads:
The current provision in Clause 17.2.3(b) reads:
From the above it follows that the intention of the application is to not only update the rate from 1 January 1989, but also tie the new rate to an existing award salary level. If accepted by the Commission this would remove the need to vary the ceiling amount each year. The updating of the maximum allowance is accepted by the Commissioner of Police, however, the claim that it should equate with the salary for a Senior Sergeant is opposed. The current amount has its genesis in the Clerical Officers Award and in particular is derived from the Clerical Officer Class IX salary level. The recreation leave allowance for that classification is $432 per week. The current weekly rate for the Senior Sergeant is $435, a differential of $3 per week. Mr Philp submitted that the variation was minimal and therefore could be sustained within the Wage Fixation Principles. A differential ,he submitted would not be a problem as there were already many in existence between the various groups of public sector employees. He also indicated a clear preference by his Association for a reference to a classification within the Police Award rather than any other. Inspector Ames submitted that the creation of a new differential in conditions between various groups of public sector employees was not desirable. He instanced the possibility of proposed award restructuring increasing the difference thus accentuating a potential problem. While I appreciate and have some sympathy with the arguments advanced by Mr Philp, I believe I have no option but to accept the reality of the position advanced by the Commissioner of Police. The Award will therefore be varied by increasing the current maximum amount from $399 to $432. The agreed date of operation of 1 January 1989 is endorsed. The Commission's order is attached.
J.G. King
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