T2806
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IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984 The Vehicle Builders Employees Federation of Australia AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES AWARD
Apprenticeship - reimbursement of fees and levies REASONS FOR DECISION This was an application made under Section 23 of the Act by The Vehicle Builders Employees Federation of Australia, Victorian Branch (the VBEF) for a variation to the Automotive Industries Award (the Award). The variation sought was the same provision to be inserted in two separate Divisions (B - Mechanics and/or Bodyworks and/or Assembers and G - Automotive Service Centres Attached to a Retail Store) of the Award. Mr D Holden who appeared for the VBEF at the hearing explained that the variation sought, if accepted, would provide for apprentices attending a technical college or school on presenting a satisfactory report of conduct each year to be reimbursed all relevant fees paid by them (within one month of the provision of the report. He also advised that a similar provision had been endorsed by the Commission for the Abattoirs Award.1 Mr Holden, eventually, on behalf of all unions present, sought and was permitted to withdraw that part of the application relating to female rates of pay in Division D of the Award. The other unions represented at the hearing confirmed their support for the application. The Australasian Society of Engineers, Tasmanian Branch was represented by Mr J Long, the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, Tasmanian Branch and the United Sales Representatives and Commercial Travellers' Guild of Australia, Tasmanian Branch by Mr P Griffin, the Federated Clerks Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch by Mrs H Dowd, The Amalgamated Metal Workers' Union by Mr D Harding and the Transport Workers' Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch by Mr B Hansch. The Tasmanian Confederation of Industries (the TCI) was represented by Mr T Edwards who also confirmed agreement to the proposed variation even though, he said, it involved added cost burdens on employers thus making training of apprentices more unattractive. He explained the reasons behind the conditions required in the proposed clause. Mr Edwards also notified that the parties had agreed that the new provision, if endorsed, should operate so as to apply to the 1991 scholastic year. He submitted that the agreed variation to the Award was within the Wage Fixation Principles and not against the public interest. Mr Edwards also confirmed agreement to the withdrawal of that part of the application relating to female rates of pay in Division D of the award. I endorse the agreement between the parties on this matter. I am satisfied that the proposed variation is in accordance with the Wage Fixing Guidelines (specifically New Allowances subparagraph (i))2 and not against the public interest. The variation will operate from 1 January 1991. An order is attached.
P A Imlach Appearances: Date and place of hearing: 1 T.2522 of 1990 |