Industrial relations update

From 1 January 2010, several changes to Australia's workplace laws come into effect. These changes will affect many Licensees who employ staff in their business. The changes include the introduction of new National Employment Standards and many State employers moving into the national system.National Employment StandardsThe Fair Work Act introduced a set of ten minimum workplace standards known as the National Employment Standards. These standards apply to all employers and employees in the national workplace relations system.Fair Work Information StatementEmployers must now provide any new employees with a copy of the Fair Work Information Statement as soon as possible after they commence employment. (This is one of the ten National Employment Standards.)The Fair Work Information Statement summarises the National Employment Standards and contains other information regarding termination of employment, freedom of association, transfer of business and other matters.The Fair Work Information Statement can be posted, emailed, faxed or given personally to the new employee.What award should I use to pay my staff?Many LPOs will now be covered by the federal Postal Services Industry Award. To determine which Award applies to your business, visit Fair Work Online or phone the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.Wording of the Postal Services Industry Award (AW830245) can be downloaded from the Fair Work Australia website.Licensees are strongly urged to contact Fair Work Australia to determine which Award applies to their business.Award ModernisationIn 2008, the Minister for Employment, the Hon Julia Gillard, directed the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) to review and rationalise awards. The Postal Services Industry Award was one of the awards to be modernised.As part of this rationalisation, it was deemed that casual loading for many awards (including the Postal Services Industry Award) be standardised at 25%, an increase from the current 20% under the Award. At the AIRC hearing in March 2009, POAAL argued against an increase in casual loading, noting that small businesses in the postal industry are unable to increase the cost of postage products to compensate for an increase in staffing costs. Licensees sell postal products and services which have fixed prices, controlled by Australia Post.In order for base domestic postage to increase Australia Post must apply to the ACCC and any such application undergoes a rigorous and public examination in order for the increase to be granted. Australia Post does not take into account the wages of licensed post offices when deciding whether or not to apply for an increase in the base postage rate.The Award has since been deemed to be an Enterprise Award and has not yet been subject to modernisation. Licensees will be kept informed of any further developments.