The Workplace Relations Department of the Association consists of:

Dru Gillan        Workplace Relations Manager

AWARD MODERNISATION UPDATE

Early this year the Rudd Government called for the AIRC to modernise and reduce the number of state awards and NAPSAs in Australia. The new Modern federal awards are intended to take effect on 1 January 2010.

It is possible that the AIRC may decide to include the restaurant and catering industry in a general hospitality award based on the Federal Hotels award. This is a major concern to our industry sector as the Federal Hotels award is more expensive than the Restaurants &c, Employees (State) Award.

R&C NSW’s industrial relations team spearheaded the case for a modern federal restaurant and catering award based on the Restaurant &c, Employees (State) Award. R&C NSW engaged Mr Tim McDonald, one of the most prominent industrial relations solicitors in Australia to represent our members before the AIRC in Melbourne on 11 and 12 August 2008.

OUR WORKPLACE RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, OFFERS THE FOLLOWING MEMBER SERVICES:

AWARD AND WAGE RATE UPDATES

The Association provides members with updated awards and wage rate schedules for businesses in both the NSW industrial relations system and employers in the federal workplace relations system.

TELEPHONE WORKPLACE RELATIONS ADVICE

The Association provides general workplace relations advice on:

•           Interpretation of state and federal awards;
•           Federal and state workplace relations legislation;
•           Annual leave;
•           Sick leave;
•           Parental leave;
•           Long service leave;
•           Public holidays;
•           Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S);
•           Termination of employment;
•           Performance counselling; and
•           Redundancy.

DRAFTING WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS

The Association can draft and lodge a Collective Agreement (CA) for members at a discounted rate. CAs allow enterprises to set terms and conditions of employment applicable to their business. We also provide advice to members that have Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) in force.

CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT

•           Advice on contracts of employment; and
•           Drafting contracts of employment for award based employees.

WORKPLACE POLICIES

Advice on workplace policies and check compliance with workplace relations laws.

ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION

Advice and representation before federal and state industrial courts and tribunals in respect of:

•           Unfair dismissal;
•           Underpayment of wages;
•           Discrimination; and
•           Unfair Contracts.

WORKCOVER ASSIST

As part of the WorkCover Assist 2008 project funded by the NSW Government, starting late 2008 R&C NSW will offer:

300 fee onsite workplace risk assessments to members; and 15 free OH&S seminars across NSW 

For more information, call our Workplace Relations Department on 02 9211 3500.