T3768
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TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984 Federated Clerks Union of Australia, BOOTMAKERS AWARD
Classification structure and first minimum rates adjustment REASONS FOR DECISION In this matter the Federated Clerks Union of Australia, Tasmanian Branch (FCU) sought the variation of Division D - Clerks of the Bootmakers Award to include a new classification structure for clerks and to provide for the first minimum rates adjustment together with a number of award flexibility changes. Mr Clues appearing for the Tasmanian Confederation of Industries (TCI) and Mrs Dowd for the FCU informed the Commission that following considerable negotiations, the variations requested to be made were by consent of the parties. I was informed by Mr Clues that the proposed classification structure for inclusion in the award was derived from the Clerical and Administrative Employees (Private Sector) Award. In that regard Mrs Dowd advised the Commission that it was the intention of the FCU to seek leave reserved in respect of Grade 7 which was not included as part of the clerical structure for the Bootmakers Award. In endorsing the structure presented by the parties, leave is reserved to the FCU to pursue the inclusion in the award of Grade 7 as contained in the Clerical award referred to above. The parties are to be commended on their thorough approach in this matter. Each of the classifications have skill related definitions and a translation schedule will be forwarded to the Commission for inclusion in the award. Existing employees will be translated in accordance with the skills they have but in each case will be paid the "after 12 months service" rate of pay for the classification assigned to them. New employees will also be classified according to the skills they have but will commence at the "1st 6 months service" rate of pay for the appropriate classification level. The Minimum Rates Adjustments provide for a range of relativities between classifications from 80 per cent to 115 per cent of the tradesperson rate. Mrs Dowd indicated that the FCU wished to reserve its position with regard to relativities between Grades 4 - 6. Leave reserve is granted in respect of those issues. I was also informed that subsequent minimum rates adjustments would be requested to be made at nine monthly intervals. The first minimum rates adjustment is endorsed in accordance with the Wage Fixing Principles. The parties are aware that this adjustment is to be identified as a separate amount in Clause 8 - Wage Rates of the award; this will mean that a "Total Wage" column will also have to be included in the draft order which the parties said they will forward to the Commission. The final aspect of this structural efficiency exercise for Division D relates to a number of award changes. These include the deletion of the "Additional Allowances" provision in the award, as these have been absorbed in the new classification structure. The ordinary hours provision has also been altered to allow the working of up to 10 hours a day, provided there is agreement between employer and employee, without the payment of overtime. Overtime will apply when 38 hours are exceeded. An "annualised salaries" arrangement will also be included in the award. These variations are also endorsed by the Commission. At the request of the parties the Commission has accepted as the operative date for all of the foregoing variations to be the date upon which the draft order is filed with the Commission. The order will issue in due course.
R.K. Gozzi Appearances: Date and Place of Hearing: |