TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984
s.23 application for award or variation to an award

Federated Furnishing Trades Society of Australasia
Tasmanian Branch
(T.3433 of 1991)

FURNISHING TRADES AWARD

Wage rates - State Wage Case November 1989 - minimum rates adjustment - Broadbanding classifications - Division A

REASONS FOR DECISION

This application was made by the Federated Furnishing Trades Society of Australasia, Tasmanian Branch (FFTS) for the purpose of incorporating the minimum rates adjustments in the Furnishing Trades Award in accordance with the Wage Fixing Principles.

At the commencement of the hearing Mr T Edwards for the Tasmanian Confederation of Industries outlined the programme for processing the minimum rates adjustments for this award.

This position was endorsed by Mr Orange for the FFTS.

The agreed programme for finalising of the Structural Efficiency Principle and the minimum rates adjustments is as follows:

(1) The broadbanding of approximately 59 classifications into 7 grades.

(2) Commence the first minimum rates adjustment at the beginning of 1992.

(3) Finalise the structure for clerks and carter/drivers.

(4) Establish a new award for glass merchants.

(5) Remove Division B - Glass from the Furnishing Trades Award.

This hearing was for the purpose of dealing with item No. 1 of the programme i.e. the broadbanded structure.

Mr Edwards tendered an exhibit (TCI-1) which clearly demonstrated how each of the 59 classifications would be translated into 7 new grades. It also showed that increases in wage rates emanating from the broadbanding exercise would range from no increase up to, in the case of one classification, $9.10 per week.

Mr Edwards also informed the Commission of the following:

(1) The new broadbanded rate.

(2) The relativity each grade had to the tradespersons rate.

(3) The final outcome and total increase arising out of the minimum rates adjustments. (See attachment A)

From the documentation presented it can be seen that the percentage relativity that Grade 6 bears to the tradespersons rate is 102.5%. However, it was generally agreed that further discussions were required to finalise the percentage for that grade at both a State and National level.

As a first step to finalising the minimum rates adjustments I accept the broadbanding of classifications in Division A of the Furnishing Trades Award, as presented by the parties, as being desirable and appropriate.

The award will be varied in the manner sought operative from the first full pay period on or after 25 November, 1991.

At the request of the parties, this application will be relisted for hearing on 23 January 1992 for the purpose of hearing submissions on the first minimum rates adjustment.

The order giving effect to this decision is attached.

R J Watling
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
Mr R Orange for the Federated Furnishing Trade Society of Australasia, Tasmanian Branch.
Mr T Edwards for the Tasmanian Confederation of Industries.

Date and place of hearing:
1991
November 25
Hobart