T4829
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TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984 The State Public Services Federation Tasmania
Award variation - ghost tour guides REASONS FOR DECISION In this matter The State Public Services Federation of Tasmania (SPSFT) sought the variation of the Port Arthur Authority Award to provide conditions of employment for employees undertaking Ghost Tours. Mr Smyth for the SPSFT and Mr Reed for the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (the Authority) informed the Commission that in order to provide specifically for employees conducting Ghost Tours, a separate Division should be included in the award. Ghost Tours were not an innovation at the time the award was made. Since their inception they have proven to be very successful with some 31,000 people taking these tours in the financial year 1992/93. It was the submission of the parties that it would be appropriate for Ghost Tour Guides to be separately identified in the award to reflect arrangements relevant only to them. These arrangements include fair and equitable allocation of hours to all guides who are drawn from employees classified as Interpretation Officers. Also the use of rosters will enable employees to know with certainty when they will be required to work. One of the main aspects in this matter related to the calculations of the applicable hourly rate of pay. In that regard Mr Reed outlined the basis of the calculation supported by Exhibit RI. The basic rate of pay for Ghost Tour Guides is derived from the rate of pay for the classification of Information Officer Class 1. Progression is available with the hourly rates used for that purpose being derived from the Information Officer classifications Class 1 2nd to 4th year of service and thereafter and the 1st year of service rate for Senior Information Officer. Progression is subject to completion of 400 hours work as a Ghost Tour Guide. The variation is in accordance with the wage fixing principles. Clearly it is in the public interest for these tours to be undertaken and for the Commission to endorse the request of the parties that specific conditions and hourly rates of pay be separately identified to facilitate the efficient operation of this venture. The award will be varied in the manner requested operative form the first full pay period to commence on or after the date of this decision. The order is attached.
R K Gozzi Appearances: Date and Place of Hearing: |