TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984
s.29 application for hearing in respect of an industrial dispute

Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company Pty Ltd
(T.3088 of 1991)

and

Metals and Engineering Workers' Union

Shutdown of No. 5 Furnace

REASONS FOR DECISION

This is a dispute hearing pursuant to Section 29 of the Act concerning working arrangements in relation to the shutdown of No. 5 furnace at the Bell Bay plant.

Following formal proceedings on record and off record discussion I have concluded that the parties to this particular dispute cannot resolve the issues by agreement.

The questions to be resolved are far too important to be left unresolved at this time given the impending shutdown of No. 5 furnace next week.

I have therefore decided to arbitrate upon the more fundamental issues requiring immediate resolution and issue the following Order pursuant to Section 31 of the Industrial Relations Act 1984.

I Order that:

1. Employees of TEMCO shall work the No. 5 furnace shutdown next week as proposed by the Company on this occasion.

2. Both parties shall enter into discussions concerning flexible working arrangements with the understanding that any shutdown during the course of discussions will not require employees being placed on continuous work for longer than a 50 hour period.

These discussions to be concluded by 19 July 1991.

The result will then be reported back to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.

3. I require that there be set in place a training program and matrices designed to allow for progression through career paths by not later than 31 July 1991.

A. Robinson
DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Appearances:
Mr G. Jones with Mr T.J. Howard and Mr D.R. Lambert for Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company Pty Ltd.
Mr G. Adams with Mr D. Harding, Mr D. Sulzberger and Mr J. Ludbey for Metals and Engineering Workers' Union.

Date and Place of Hearing:
1991
Hobart
May 28