New restaurants award now a matter for AIRC, says Gillard
July 1st, 2009
Workplace Relations Minister Julie Gillard has rebuffed the AIRC’s request for guidance on how to make the new restaurant and catering modern award, while the Opposition says her direction to create the award threatens to unravel the award modernisation process.
The Commission’s award modernisation full bench yesterday asked Gillard for “indications” of the scope and terms of proposed award, including terms relating to hours of work, penalty rates and overtime.
Bit it appears Gillard won’t be providing the full bench with any further advice on the matter, with a spokesperson saying the direction to create the award had already “made quite specific requests of the Commission”.
“It is now a matter for the Commission to progress, in consultation with the relevant parties.”
“The award modernisation taks is extremely complex and the Commission has managed this task with its usual professionalism and expertise,” the spokesperson said.
Opposition Senator Mary Jo Fisher said Gillard had “opened Pandora’s box” in directing the AIRC to create the award, while the full bench’s request for more information showed “it was begging to be bossed about” by the Minister.
The restaurant and catering sector, and every other sector that believed it had a claim to its own award, were now waiting for Gillard’s next words on the matter, she said.
Meanwhile, the full bench yesterday issued a statement setting the groundwork for the final stage of award modernisation.
It says a number of new industries and occupations have been added to stage 4 and also calls for submissions from any interested parties on whether modern awards should be made to replace to a list of “miscellaneous” awards and NAPSAs that have not been dealt with to date.
The full bench has also extended the deadline for filing pre-drafting material ahead of the stage 4 consultations to July 24, the same day on which written submissions, drafts of modern awards and other proposals are due.
www.workplaceexpress.com.au Tuesday 30th June 2009