T10703
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TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984 Minister Administering the State Service Act 2000 and The Community and Public Sector Union RADIO DISPATCH OPERATORS
Industrial agreement - application approved - operative date ffpp 21 February 2003 until 30 January 2005 - forwarded to A/Registrar for registration REASONS FOR DECISION (1) On 12 February 2003 the Minister Administering the State Service Act 2000 (MASSA) and The Community and Public Sector Union (State Public Services Federation Tasmania) (CPSU) lodged with the Acting Registrar, pursuant to Section 55(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 1984, the Radio Dispatch Operators (Department of Police and Public Safety) Agreement 2002. (2) When this matter came on for hearing on 21 February 2003, Ms J Henley appeared for MASSA. Ms R McQueeney, together with Mr R Miller, appeared for the CPSU. (3) Ms Henley advised that the purpose of this Agreement was to provide formal coverage to State Service employees employed as Radio Dispatch Operators within the Department of Police and Public Safety. (4) The employment of State Service employees in radio dispatch services occurred as a result of a civilianisation program. Of the 55 operators employed in total, 18 were State Service employees. (5) Hitherto these employees have been covered by informal arrangements negotiated with the CPSU. This included an agreement to pilot a package of conditions involving improved salary levels, broad banded classifications, accelerated advancement and rostering provision protections. (6) Ms Henley said that these informal arrangements had continued until the CPSU recently sought the Department's attitude as to State Service employees receiving additional benefits in line with recent changes in the Police Award, particularly in relation to shift and penalty loading. (7) Ms Henley indicated that the Department agrees that there should not be a significant difference between the two groups, although there would not be formal linkage with Police Award movements. (8) T he new Agreement provides for improved shift and penalty allowances, the establishment of competencies, the introduction of an assessment period, and the removal of accelerated advancement. The shift and penalty allowance is to be phased in with retrospective application. (9) Ms Henley said the increased costs resulting from this Agreement would be absorbed by the Department within global allocation. (10) Ms McQueeney indicated that the CPSU took great pleasure in supporting the Agreement, which she said had come about as a consequence of a long hard struggle by CPSU members in the radio room. (11) Apart from the significantly improved benefits, Ms McQueeney said the Agreement allows greater synchronicity of employment conditions between sworn and unsworn staff employed in the radio room. (12) I am satisfied that the Agreement is consistent with both the Wage Fixing Principles and the public interest requirements of the Act. (13) Pursuant to Section 55[4] of the Act, the Agreement is approved effective from the beginning of the first full pay period to commence on or after 21 February 2003 and shall remain in force until 30 January 2005. (14) The file will now be referred to the Acting Registrar for registration in accordance with the requirements of Section 56(1) of the Act.
Tim Abey Appearances: Date and Place of Hearing: |