Issue 25 – 2006
1. AWAs and Common Law Contracts
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has hit back at claims by the federal Labor Party that AWAs are not needed because of the existence of common law contracts. This claim, now repeated in the context of AWAs in the resources industry, risks seriously misleading the public.
AWAs are different from common law contracts. Common law contracts are overridden by union agreements and awards. In contrast, AWAs are not overridden by union agreements and awards. Only AWAs (not common law contracts) can change wages and working conditions set out in union agreements and awards. As a result, abolishing AWAs has four consequences, depending on the type of business:
• Choice is denied (employers and employees who want to directly negotiate between themselves and change work practices set in union agreements or awards won’t be able to do so);
• Productivity is lost (whenever more flexible work practices in AWAs are prohibited by those union agreements or awards, productivity falls);
• Wages of AWA employees fall (AWA wages are, on average, much higher than award wages and the productivity trade-offs that pay for those higher AWA wages will not exist when they are prohibited by union agreements and awards); and
• Unions regain bargaining power in non union workplaces (because union agreements override common law contracts).
Labor’s claim that transitional provisions allowing existing AWAs to continue will fix these problems is not correct. It only adds to confusion where an existing AWA comes to an end, then the transitional provisions come to an end, and the benefits of the AWA are lost to the employee and the business.
A bargaining system relevant to modern Australia requires a combination of collective and individual bargaining in union and non union workplaces. AWAs are an essential part of that balance and, in industries like mining and resources, play a very significant role.
Union policy opposes AWAs for ideological reasons – they prevent union officials interfering in decisions of employees and employers that unions don’t like, or have had no say in making. Abolishing AWAs because unions oppose them is not in the national interest.
If you need assistance with AWAs, please contact Jim Hargrave.
2. AWA Templates
With the introduction of Workchoices legislation on 27 March a number of matters effecting Australian workplace agreements have altered. Printing Industries has produced new templates for AWAs which are available to members for download from Printnet.
3 Australian Workplace Agreements
Briefing sessions regarding Australian Workplace Agreements will be held:
Wednesday, 12 July 8.30 am -10.30 am Melbourne - Printing Industries, Hawthorn
Tuesday, 25 July 8.30 am -12.30 pm Launceston - The Grand Chancellor, 29 Cameron Street
The sessions will be conducted by the Office of the Employment Advocate and the cost is $100 including GST per attendee. Please contact Elaine Brodie if you wish to attend.
4. Print Sales Training Course
Professional selling skills are essential in today's competitive environment. Do you win orders on price or value? The difference will have a significant impact on your bottom line. We have created a powerful, four day sales training programme that offers participants sound advice, proven techniques, practical solutions and tangible results.
Our presenter has been creating and presenting sales training programmes since 1990 with many industry professionals having graduated from our programmes. The next course is on 20, 21 July, and 3, 4 August. To read more about this course and to register, go to Printnet.
5. COOSH Essentials
The working group for cosh essentials met on 26 June to review progress of the project. The package is now to be reviewed by various State occupational health and safety organisations to ensure that requirements of the various jurisdictions are met. It is planned for the package to be tested by industry representatives during August. Following the testing the project will be submitted to the Australian Safety and Compensation (ASCC) for final approval in late August. It is expected the project will be ready for release in electronic format to the industry in September/ October 2006.
6. Taxation Schedules
New taxation deduction schedules for wages and salaries come into operation from 1 July as a result of the Federal May Budget. The new schedules can be downloaded from the Australian Taxation Office Web site.
For further information to go AME
8. People Seeking Careers in the Printing Industry
If you would like to make contact with these people, please contact Michelle Eeles.
9. Training Courses
Costing and Estimating for Printers July 10, 11
Print Sales July 20, 21, August 3, 4
OH&S 1 Day Refresher September 12
Customer Service that Excels September 13
New Manager/Supervisor October 4, 5, 6
Print Production Management October 11, 12, 13
Go to Printnet or contact Michelle for a complete list of our upcoming training courses.
6. What’s On
To find out What’s on in the world of print go to What’s On
And Finally
An accountant is having a hard time sleeping and goes to see his doctor.
"Doctor, I just can't get to sleep at night."
"Have you tried counting sheep?"
"That's the problem - I make a mistake and then spend three hours trying to find it"
The Team at Printing Industries Association of Australia
18-20 Queens Avenue
Hawthorn Vic 3122
Ph 03 9291 5333
Fx 03 9819 6292
michelle@printnet.com.au
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