C2002/3349, Transcript of Proceedings [2002] AIRCTrans 2747 (18 July 2002)

AUSCRIPT PTY LTD
ABN 76 082 664 220

Level 4, 179 Queen St MELBOURNE Vic 3000
(GPO Box 1114J MELBOURNE Vic 3001)
DX 305 Melbourne Tel:[phone] Fax:[phone]

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS


O/N VT04769

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL

RELATIONS COMMISSION

COMMISSIONER EAMES

C2002/3349

QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED

and

AUSTRALIAN MUNICIPAL, ADMINISTRATIVE,
CLERICAL AND SERVICES UNION

Notification pursuant to section 99 of the Act
of a dispute concerning industrial action by
members of the ASU employed by Qantas in
Customer Services at Melbourne Airport

EXTRACT OF TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS

MELBOURNE

WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2002

EXTRACT OF TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS [3.35pm]

PN1

THE COMMISSIONER: I have chaired a conference of the parties in relation to this matter, and an agreement has been reached as to how the issues that have been raised will be dealt with. I indicated to the parties I would give them an opportunity to put before the Commission formally their understanding of their respective organisations' commitments and understandings of the agreement reached. Ms Stitt, perhaps if I call on you in the first instance.

PN2

MS STITT: Thank you, Commissioner. As indicated by the Commission there has been an agreement reached in relation to the matters before the Commission this afternoon, and if I can detail those for you, that the provision of 60 ramp jackets will be issued to customer service staff in a manner which prioritises the needs of the particular areas at the terminal, that in the event that there are any staff in any other area of the terminal in customer service who have not been provided with a ramp jacket and are feeling the effects of the cold weather, that the company and its supervisory staff will show flexibility in terms of providing breaks for those staff to seek relief from the cold.

PN3

In addition, the company will issue a formal memo on company letterhead to all customer service staff at the airport indicating that staff will have some flexibility in their corporate uniforms between now and when the modifications are finalised in the terminal, and that may include wearing dark, non-company issue overcoats or scarves in the terminal customer service areas.

PN4

Those commitments having been agreed to by Qantas Airways Limited, the ASU in response is prepared to agree that any report back meetings of our members will not occur until after an opportunity has been - sorry, until a meeting has occurred between the parties at 10 am this Friday at Melbourne Airport in order for the company to have time to consider the claims outlined in ASU1 exhibit. The ASU will seek to report back in a non-disruptive manner any agreed outcomes from those discussions on Friday, 5 July, if the Commission pleases.

PN5

THE COMMISSIONER: Mr Eizenberg.

PN6

MR EIZENBERG: Just one quick point of clarification before I make any statement.

PN7

THE COMMISSIONER: Yes.

PN8

MR EIZENBERG: It was my understanding, and I think it was the Commissioner's via a nod from the bench that we weren't in fact required to issue a notice, but in fact we would issue this statement in lieu of that notice which would reflect the understanding of the parties following today's discussions.

PN9

THE COMMISSIONER: I must say that was my understanding too, at the time.

PN10

MS STITT: My apologies, Commissioner. Yes, you are right, the agreement was that the Commissioner would issue a statement arising from today's proceedings which would clarify those issues around uniforms. If the Commission pleases.

PN11

MR EIZENBERG: Thank you, Commissioner, for clarifying that. Qantas is able to state that in line with what Ms Stitt has already put on the record, that as it is the position that only 60 jackets are available they will be provided to those employees in the customer service department on a needs basis to those who don't already have an overcoat or jacket already provided to them and that they will be provided on an each shift basis and returned at the end of the shift in order to rotate them through those actually at work.

PN12

Alternatively it is an interim measure that employees may choose to wear their own coats of a dark navy blue or black nature including scarves until the modifications are finalised and that additionally flexibility of taking meal or tea breaks will be given by the company with that discretion as always remaining with the co-ordinator or appropriate duty manager and that the company will meet with the ASU on Friday, 5 July at 10 am at Melbourne Airport to work through those issues formally tabled by the ASU for the first time today.

PN13

We would reserve as indicated by the Commission the right to immediately notify yourself in the event that there are any further issues that we need listed before the Commission on an urgent basis, but otherwise this matter has been satisfactorily dealt with today. We thank the Commission for its assistance.

PN14

THE COMMISSIONER: Thank you. The Commission also is satisfied with the terms of the agreement. I believe it is eminently appropriate for the matter to proceed in the way outlined by the parties. The union has produced a list of issues which the company has indicated it will consider over the next 24 hours and the first meeting to deal with those issues will take place at 10 o'clock on Friday morning.

PN15

I would expect because of the specific knowledge of both the company and the union together with its members of the nature of the operations involving the customer services area that they are in a perfect position to resolve this issue between themselves. However, if it was thought that further involvement of the Commission would be of assistance I would make myself available should we be so advised and I would list the matter as a matter of urgency.

PN16

In the meantime I commend to the parties the talks that will take place and trust they will result in agreement on these issues. The Commission will adjourn on that basis and I will make available a transcript of these final proceedings as soon as it can be made available.

END OF EXTRACT