Unions tackle Award rorts

Date: 30 August 2001

The Industrial Relations Commission has begun hearing submissions today covering the first major review of Awards in Queensland, according to the Australian Services Union.

ASU Branch Secretary Julie Bignell said the Commission would hear test cases to determine principles to review and modernise all Queensland Awards, and was an opportunity to target outdated Award "rorts" used by employers to disadvantage workers.

"The Award review process is an opportune time to tackle outdated Award provisions, particularly those rorted by employers to disadvantage workers," Ms Bignell said.

"Of major concern is the use of 'exemption rates' to exclude workers from the protection of Awards - we are sick of seeing employers use this provision to get around paying people proper rates of pay," she said.

"Exemption rates mean that workers who are paid just $1 above the highest rate in the Award are excluded from virtually all Award provisions, which in practice has left scores of people worse off," she said.

Ms Bignell said the Australian Services Union, in conjunction with the Queensland Council of Unions, would present the Commission with evidence of 'exemption rates' used to disadvantage workers time and time again.

The Award review process will see the Commission hear test cases in relation to five Queensland Awards to determine principles for the modernisation of all other Awards, including the ASU's Clerical Employees Award, which covers all private sector clerical, administrative and call centre workers.

"Any workers who believe they may be exempt from their Award should contact the Union office immediately to ensure they are not being left worse off," Ms Bignell said.

For further information

Contact:	Matthew Collins
Union:	ASU Services
Contact Mobile:	0404 058 108
Email:	info@qld.asu.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.qld.asu.asn.au

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