QUARRY AWARD MODERNISATION

With Federal Government changes occurring in the area of industrial relations, the Quarry Industry (Victoria) Award has been earmarked to be modernised, reports SARAH ANDREW, CMPA Project Manager.

WHAT IS AWARD MODERNISATION?

Award modernisation involves the creation of a system of modern awards to operate in conjunction with the new Australian workplace relations system foreshadowed for January 2010. The process will require the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to review all of the multiple-employer Federal awards as well as many state awards operating in the national industrial system.

The quarry industry is one area which has been identified as requiring modernisation, and is within the stage two reviews.

HOW WAS THE PROCESS INITIATED?

The process commenced when the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations signed a formal request to the President of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 28 March 2008 pursuant to s.576C of the Workplace Relations Act 1996. The request provides additional guidance to the AIRC on the nature and function of modern awards and on the process generally. It was amended on 16 June 2008 and a consolidated version issued.

WHAT ARE THE KEY STEPS?

In conducting the award modernisation process the AIRC must:

• Consult with major employee and employer representative bodies on the best process to follow
• Consult with major workplace relations stakeholders and other interested parties on priority industries and occupations for award modernisation, a model flexibility clause and the timetable for the process
• Determine priority industries and occupations for award modernisation, a model flexibility clause and overall timetable
• Consult with stakeholders and interested parties on exposure drafts of modern awards
• Create modern awards

HOW WILL THE QUARRY AWARD CHANGE?

It is not yet possible to say exactly how the award will change, however it can be expected that wage rates and allowances will be aligned between the different quarry awards (there is one in each state).

That said, the AIRC website does contain a number of comparison documents which can be used to appreciate the differences.

For more infomration please see the Australian Industrial Relations Commission’s website www.airc.gov.au or call 1300 799 675.

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