TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984
s.29 application for a hearing to settle an industrial dispute

Minister Administering the Tasmanian State Service Act 1984
(T.2869 of 1990)

and

Tasmanian Prison Officers' Association

Industrial action - stop work meetings

REASONS FOR DECISION

This was a dispute hearing application made under Section 29 of the Act by the Minister Administering the Tasmanian State Service Act 1984 (the Minister). The dispute was with members of the Tasmanian Prison Officers' Association (the Association) over the holding of stop work meetings (and eventually a 24 hour strike).

At the first hearing (19 December 1990) Mr P Nielsen, who appeared on behalf of the Association, by means of one of his exhibits, specified the reasons for the dispute as follows:

"1. The intention of Management to force members to transfer from the Minimum Security Prison at Hayes to the Maximum Security Prison at Risdon and also force members to transfer from Risdon to Hayes.

2. The intention of Management to re-open Medium Security disregarding the stated concerns of this Association.

3. The refusal of Management to allow follow up tests, by the Prison Medical Staff, for members who were given Hepatitis B inoculations by the Medical Staff at the Prison Hospital.

4. The failure of the Division to supply Uniforms as agreed in the 4% Second Tier Agreement."

Mr A Pearce, who appeared for the Minister, initially advised the reasons for the dispute and gave details of the history of events in the matter and the attitude of the Association. Mr Nielsen, in response, outlined the Association's position on all the matters in question and the attitude of the authorities.

Eventually, the parties having indicated a readiness to take part in further discussions, the hearing was adjourned to enable them to do just that and report back to the Commission as to the results at a later date (14 January 1991).

When the hearing was re-convened the parties reported that significant advances had been made towards a full settlement with only the item concerning the re-opening of the medium security prison being outstanding; further talks on that subject had been set down.

On the basis that the parties appeared confident of complete settlement in due course I closed the matter, however, in case final settlement is not reached, the file will be kept open for the time being to facilitate the return of the parties to the Commission, if necessary.

P A Imlach
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
P Nielsen with C Hughes and B Masters for the Tasmanian Prison Officers' Association.
K Crowley for the Tasmanian Public Service Association.
A Pearce with B Marris for the Minister Administering the Tasmanian State Service Act 1984.

Dates and place of hearing:
1990.
Hobart:
December 19.
1991.
January 14.