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T2559

 

TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984
s.23 application to vary an award

Federated Clerks Union of Australia
Tasmanian Branch

(T.2559 of 1990)

PRINTERS AWARD

 

COMMISSIONER P A IMLACH

10 July 1991

Wage Rates - State Wage Case November 1989 - Structural Efficiency Principle - Second Stage

REASONS FOR DECISION

This was an application made under Section 23 of the Act by the Federated Clerks Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch (the Union) for the second Structural Efficiency Principle (SEP) increase to be applied to the Printers Award (the Award).

The Union produced an exhibit which was a draft order1 incorporating the amendments to the Award arising out of the items agreed between the parties for the implementation of SEP improvements.

The items included:

  • Increases in the wages prescribed in Clause 8 , Division B of $12.50 per week together with increases of 3% in the additional payments mentioned in subclause 4 of Clause 8 and in the Minimum Wage.

  • Gender differences evident in the Award were eliminated.

  • The introduction of an "enterprise agreements" clause.

  • A provision whereby, by agreement, time off in lieu of overtime at the penalty rate equivalent may be taken.

  • Adjustments to divisors to reflect the introduction of the 38 hour working week.

  • The "Terms of Employment" clause was made more detailed.

  • The introduction of a provision permitting an employer to suspend an employee (for a maximum of one week) in the case of misconduct.

The Union also advised that the parties were committed to on-going consultation and submitted that the package put before the Commission in this matter was in accordance with the requirements of the current Wage Guidelines.

There were also a number of items referred to by the Union on a reserved agenda, but as they would need in each case to be considered as a result of a particular future application, it is not necessary to record them here.

The Tasmanian Confederation of Industries confirmed the SEP settlement and also submitted that it fell within the current Wage Guidelines. It was noted that, even though the application was directed only to Division B of the Award, the whole of the Award was in reality being addressed because the only other Division was merely a cross-reference to two federal awards.

The parties agreed that the amendments to the Award arising out of the settlement should operate from the date of the hearing.

I endorse the agreement between the parties in this matter: I am well satisfied that, in conformity with the current Wage Guidelines, the parties to the Award have cooperated positively in a fundamental review of the Award and are implementing measures to improve the efficiency of industry and provide workers with access to more varied, fulfilling and better paid jobs.

The Award will be amended as sought operative from the first full pay period commencing on or after 5 June 1991.

An order is attached.

 

P A Imlach
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
D Fry for the Federated Clerks Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch
S Clues for the Tasmanian Confederation of Industries.

Date and place of hearing:
1991.
Hobart:
June 5.

1 Exhibit F1