T12987
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TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1984 The Minister Administering the State Service Act 2000 Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS WAGES AGREEMENT 2007
Industrial agreement - application approved - operative from date of registration until 31 December 2007 - forwarded to Registrar for registration REASONS FOR DECISION [1] This application, lodged pursuant to s.55 of the Industrial Relations Act 1984, (the Act) seeks the Commission to approve and register the Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2007. [2] The parties to the agreements are The Minister administering the State Service Act 2000, the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers, Australia; the Australian Education Union, Tasmanian Branch; the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, Tasmanian Branch; the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union; the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing & Allied Services Union of Australia; the Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union; the Community and Public Sector Union (State Public Services Federation Tasmania) Inc; the Health Services Union of Australia, Tasmania No 1 Branch and The Australian Workers' Union, Tasmania Branch. [3] Mr Grey, appearing for the Minister administering the State Service Act 2000, noted that the agreement would expire on 31 December 2007, however he submitted that the agreement "was the first step of a significant journey, which is primarily at this stage focused on research and review and is the beginning of an ongoing process."1 [4] It was submitted that the purpose of the agreement "is really to provide a framework to undertake a comprehensive review of award classifications, standards and structures, to develop the contemporary model of classifications, standards and structures and salary progression, which recognizes the value of work and aligns individual capability and organizational productivity."2 [5] The agreement provides for a comprehensive review of the salary structures and classification standards found in named Public Sector awards. Where the agreement is silent the provisions of the previous agreement (Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement No 2 of 2004), T11450 of 2004, will continue to apply. [6] The agreement also provides as a Purpose that the parties will "develop classification standards and structures that provide parity arrangements for Tasmanian State Service employees covered by the awards (as found in Schedule 1 of the agreement) with mainland State sector employees who undertake similar work with similar work value."3 [7] There will be a new agreement effective from 1 January, 2008, the contents of which "will depend on the progress achieved during the life of this agreement..."4 [8] The agreement provides a phased process and Mr Grey said that if the parties "...have got to a certain point where we didn't want to continue with this phase, as specified here; we would need to explore another way of dealing with it in order to satisfy the agreement itself."5 In other words the parties are committed to finalizing the process. [9] The Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement 2007 is operative from the date of registration and will remain in force until 31 December 2007. [10] I am satisfied that the agreement is consistent with both the Wage Fixing Principles and the public interest requirements of the Act. [11] Pursuant to s.55(4) of the Act the agreement is approved. [12] The file will be referred to the Registrar for registration in accordance with the requirements of s.56(1) of the Act.
PL Leary Appearances: Date and Place of Hearing: 1 Transcript PN15
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