AN160214 – Mineral Sands Mining and Processing Industry Award 1981

27A. - STRUCTURAL EFFICIENCY - AWARD MODERNISATION

(1) Arising out of the decision on 7 August 1989 in the National Wage Case (Print H9100) and the State Wage Case on 8 September 1989 and in consideration of the wage increases resulting from the first structural efficiency adjustment operative from the commencement of the first pay period beginning on or after 20 December 1989, employees are to perform a wider range of duties including work which is incidental or peripheral to their main tasks or functions.

(2) The parties to the Award are committed to implementing a new wage and classification structure. In making this commitment, the parties:

(a) accept in principle that the descriptions of job functions within a new structure will be more broadly based and genuine in nature.

(b) undertake that upon variation of the award to implement a new wage and classification structure, employees may undertake training for a wider range of duties and/or access to higher levels in accordance with the definitions and training standards laid down in the award variation relating to a new classification structure;

(c) will co-operate in the transition from the existing classification structure to the proposed new structure to ensure that the transition takes place in an orderly manner without creating false expectations or disputations.

(3) The parties are committed to modernising the terms of the Award so that it provides far more flexible working arrangements, improves the quality of working life, enhances skills and job satisfaction and assists positively in the restructuring process.

(4) In conjunction with testing the new Award structure, the Union is prepared to discuss all matters raised by the employers for increased flexibility. As such, any discussion with the Union must be premised on the understanding that:

(a) The majority of employees at each enterprise must genuinely agree.

(b) No employee will lose income as a result of the change.

(c) The Union must be a party to the agreement, in particular, where enterprise level discussions are considering matters requiring any award variation, the Union must be invited to participate.

(d) The Union will not unreasonably oppose any agreement.

(e) Agreements will be ratified by the Commission.

(f) The disputes procedure will apply if agreement cannot be reached in the implementation process on a particular issue.

(5) Should an agreement be reached pursuant to this clause at a particular enterprise and that agreement requires award variation, the parties will not oppose that award variation for that particular provision for that particular enterprise.

(6) The parties agree that under this heading any award matter can be raised for discussion.

(7) The parties agree that working parties will continue to meet with the aim of modernising the award.