TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

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

The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, Tasmanian Branch
(T7368 of 1997)

MEAT PROCESSING INDUSTRY AWARD

Award variation - wage rates - 4^th and final Minimum Rate Adjustment - operative ffpp 1 January 1998 - supported wage system - operative ffpp 18 February 1997 - consent matters - application granted - award varied

REASONS FOR DECISION

This application was lodged by The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, Tasmanian Branch (the applicant) for the purpose of varying the Meat Processing Industry Award to:

1. Reflect the fourth and final Minimum Rate Adjustment; and

2. Promote the employment of people who cannot work at full award wages because of a disability, by inserting a provision known the Supported Wage System.

Both matters came before the Commission with the consent of the parties.

MINIMUM RATE ADJUSTMENT

The final Minimum Rate Adjustment for this award formed part of an agreed program established during the finalisation of the making of this award, arising out of application T5316 of 19941. This aspect of the application is consistent with the Wage Fixing Principles. The award will be varied to reflect the agreement of the parties and will be operative from the first full pay period to commence on or after 1 January 1998.

SUPPORTED WAGE SYSTEM

Before the introduction of the Meat Processing Industry Award, employers and employees in the meat processing industry were bound by the Abattoirs Award.

The Full Bench of the Commission, arising out of matter T5985 of 1995, included in the Abattoirs Award provisions for the Supported Wage System. However, due to an oversight by all parties, that provision was not transferred to the new Meat Processing Industry Award.

As a result, the parties, via this application, sought to rectify that oversight. They also suggested that the operative date should be the first full pay period to commence on or after 18 February 1997, being the operative date of the new award.

This, it was said, would not place in jeopardy any person who commenced employment under the Abattoirs Award and transferred to the Meat Processing Award.

This aspect of the application meets with the Commission's approval, including the operative date, as it is consistent with the previously mentioned Full Bench decision when dealing with the subject matter.

The Order giving effect to this decision is attached.

R J Watling
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
Mr J Swallow for The Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, Tasmanian Branch
Mr A Cameron for the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited and the National Meat Association of Australia (Tasmanian Division)

Date and place of hearing:
1997
December 18
Launceston

1 Decision dated 23 April 1997