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T7907

 

TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

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

Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union
(T7907 of 1998)

PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AWARD

 

COMMISSIONER P A IMLACH

HOBART, 19 July 2001

Award variation - restructure of clerical classifications - minimum rates adjustment - structural efficiency - wage fixing principles - award updated - application granted - operative ffpp 5/6/01

REASONS FOR DECISION

[1] This was an application made under section 23(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 1984 (the Act) by the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union (the Union) for a variation to be made to the Public Accountants Award (the award).

[2] The union applied to vary the award to give effect to:

  • Principle 2 of the Commission - Previous State Wage Cases, specifically previous decisions relating to structural efficiency and minimum rates adjustments (MRAs), and
  • Principle 12 of the Commission - award review process.

[3] The Union produced a draft order reflecting the variations sought.

[4] In its submission in support of the application, the Union pointed out that the process of variation in this matter began in 1994 and it was being put to the Commission (in June 2001) as a consent variation in the form of an agreed draft order.

[5] The Union also produced schedules detailing the agreed MRA increases, including the prospective dates of implementation, subject to application in each case.

[6] The Union also supplied the Commission with a schedule summarising the changes from the (present) award included in the draft order.

[7] The main elements in the proposed variation were:

  • A replacement classification and wage rates structure mirroring that of the Clerical and Administrative Employees (Private Sector) Award (the Clerical Award). The Union noted that allowances no longer applying in the Clerical Award were also taken from the award, although other allowances remained unchanged (to be the subject of later application).
  • The reformatting of the award to reflect improvements and efficiencies implemented in other awards in line with the Principles and other decisions of the Commission, including an agreed parental leave clause and a simplified superannuation clause.

[8] The Union submitted that the application was consistent with the Principles of the Commission, in particular those related to structural efficiency, the MRA process, award review and reformatting. The Union also submitted that the application did not offend the public interest.

[9] The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited advised the Commission of its consent to the application and submitted it was within the Principles of the Commission and was not against the public interest.

[10] The parties agreed that the variation operate from the first full pay period commencing on or after 5 June 2001.

[11] I accept and endorse the submissions of parties and the award will be varied as requested, operative from the first full pay period commencing on or after 5 June 2001.

[12] An order is attached.

 

P A Imlach
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
Mr I Paterson, Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union (5/11/98, 23/9/98, 19/4/01, 5/6/01).
Mr D Dilger, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (5/11/98).
Mr T Edwards, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (23/9/98).
Mr J O'Neill, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (19/4/01, 5/6/01).

Date and place of hearing:
1998
November 5
September 23
2001
April 19
June 5
Hobart