T6847
TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSIONIndustrial Relations Act 1984
REASONS FOR DECISION This application was lodged by the Minister for Public Sector Administration and the Community and Public Sector Union (State Public Services Federation Tasmania) for approval of the Tourism Tasmania Industrial Agreement 1997. Mr Sproule, appearing for the Minister, submitted that the agreement was to cover the employment of employees in Tourism Tasmania. He said that it was to be read in conjunction with the Tourism Tasmania Award and the General Conditions of Employment Award. It was proposed that the agreement would take effect from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1 May 1997 and have a life of 12 months. The agreement provides for up to 52 weeks unpaid maternity, paternity or adoption leave after twelve months continuous service with the Tasmanian State Service. In respect of maternity leave, up to 61 working days may be taken as paid sick leave if the employee has sufficient sick leave entitlements. Five days paid carers leave per annum is available to attend to pressing family responsibilities. Employees will not be entitled to leave on account of special circumstances under Regulation 51(a) and (b) of the Tasmania State Service Regulations where the purpose of the leave is to provide for care and support as provided for in the agreement. Part-time employees are entitled to pro rata entitlements under both these provisions. A dispute avoidance and settlement procedure form part of the agreement. Provision is also made for employees and management to enter into an hours agreement aimed at meeting local area business needs. Standard hours of work are established at 73 hours 30 minutes per fortnight. Mr Sproule said his organisation recognised two years ago that it needed to re-negotiate work practices with its employees and the union. A structured workplace agreement process involving representation from the various workplaces had been established. Meetings were occurring on a monthly basis. Over the next 12 months it was intended to negotiate further workplace change which would address the structure of the organisation and the way it does business. He said the agreement does not breach the wage fixing principles and the changes developed are in the public interest. Mr Clegg, for the Community and Public Sector Union (State Public Services Federation Tasmania) endorsed Mr Sproules submissions and read into transcript correspondence from the agency clarifying the flexible work practices. I commend the parties for their persistence in working towards a genuine consultative arrangement and I am satisfied that this first agreement is in the public interest and does not contravene the Commissions wage fixing principles. Accordingly it is approved and is referred to the Registrar for attention in accordance with section 56 of the Act.
F D Westwood Appearances: Date and place of hearing: |