AN150029 – Carpenters & Joiners (General) Award 1993

CLAUSE 28. INTRODUCTION OF CHANGE

#OPDATE 14:01:93 1st pp on or after

(1) Notification of Intended Changes

(i) Where an employer has made a definite decision to implement changes in production, programme, organisation, structure or technology that are likely to have significant effects on employees, the employer shall as soon as practicable notify the employees who may be affected by the proposed changes and their union or unions.

(ii) "Significant Effects" include termination of employment; major changes in the composition, operation or size of the employer's workforce or in the skills required; the elimination or diminution of job opportunities, promotion opportunities or job tenure; the alteration of hours of work; the need for retraining or transfer of employees to other work or location and the restructuring of jobs. Provided that where the Award makes provision for alteration of any of the matters referred to herein an alteration shall be deemed not to have significant effects.

(2) Consultation with Employees and their Union or Unions

(i) The employer shall discuss with the employees affected and their Union or Unions, among other things, the introduction of the changes referred to in subclause (1) (i) hereof, the effects, the changes are likely to have on employees, measures to avert or mitigate the adverse effects of such changes on employees and shall give prompt consideration to matters raised by the employees and/or their unions in relation to the changes.

(ii) The discussion shall commence as early as practicable after a definite decision has been made by the employer to make the changes referred to in subclause (i) hereof.

(iii) For the purpose of such discussion, the employer shall provide in writing to the employees concerned and their Union or Unions, all relevant information about the changes including the nature of the changes proposed, the expected effects of the changes on employees and any other matters likely to affect employees provided that any employer shall not be required to disclose confidential information disclosure of which, when looked at objectively, would be inimical to the employer's interests.