RMS Inspector Vehicle Regulations bulletin – 15 July 2015

RMS Inspector Vehicle Regulations bulletin 15 July 2015 (PDF version)

PSA Industrial Staff and officials from the Inspector Vehicle Regulations (IVRs) Advisory Group (IVRsAG) met with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) at the regular Steering Committee on 1 July 2015.

This communication deals with two letters the PSA sent to RMS management on 18 June 2015 in advance of the Steering Committee Meeting. The letters raised industrial concerns of IVRs members in two areas, a local agreement for Mt Boyce/Bell on rostering, and outstanding award matters.

Letter on Mt Boyce/Bell rostering local agreement

RMS advised that there was in principle agreement to commence a six month trial. The local agreement will be similar to, but not exactly replicate, the Mt White rostering local arrangement. RMS are in the process of drafting a reply to the PSA’s letter. A draft sample roster will be developed by the RMS for PSA members to consider.

The RMS advised that Marulan also sought a local arrangement. The PSA is not opposed to agreeing to a roster local agreement at Marulan if that is the will of PSA members. Unlike Mt Boyce/Bell where ongoing consultation with PSA members has been extensive, the PSA refused to discuss a local arrangement and commit to any rostering local agreement at Marulan until undertaking due and proper consultation with PSA members.

For Mt Boyce/Bell, the RMS has agreed to a rostering local agreement and will prepare a draft roster for PSA members to consider. The RMS offered, and the PSA agreed to, a six month trial at Mt Boyce/Bell. The trial will be reviewed at three month and six month intervals. The PSA will continue to consult with members to ensure their views on the roster are appropriately considered by the RMS. This is a good outcome for PSA IVRs members at Mt Boyce/Bell.

The PSA undertook to prioritise consultation with PSA members at Marulan to progress a rostering local arrangement at the location. Meetings will be arranged in the near future at Marulan.

Letter on IVRs outstanding award matters

This letter detailed IVRs industrial concerns on the following items:

1. Crib breaks
2. Weekend shift penalties payments
3. Meal allowance
4. Paid meal breaks – afternoon and night shift

With respect to weekend shift penalties, the PSA put to the RMS that the consolidated award had omitted the longstanding provisions for weekend work. The RMS has provided in principle agreement to vary the award by consent to restore these weekend shift penalty payments.

The PSA has made claims in respect of payment to its members on the other three items and contends that these are entitlements in the award which appear to have been underpaid. The union has asked for an audit to be undertaken to identify underpayments to PSA members.

RMS has asked for some additional time to appropriately consider the other items raised in the letter. The PSA consented to additional time but strongly put that as these matters have been outstanding for a prolonged period and, if a timely response wasn’t forthcoming, it would consider its alternatives to resolve these issues.

Other business of interest to IVRs was discussed at the IVRs Steering Committee meeting, and in due course, following standard procedure, the Secretary of the IVRsAG will distribute draft minutes to members.