C2001/5586, Transcript of Proceedings [2002] AIRCTrans 428 (18 February 2002)

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Level 10, MLC Court 15 Adelaide St BRISBANE Qld 4000
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TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL

RELATIONS COMMISSION

COMMISSIONER HODDER

C2001/5586

QANTAS FLIGHT CATERING LIMITED

and

TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION OF AUSTRALIA

Notification pursuant to Section 99 of the Act
of a dispute re employment of casual labour

BRISBANE

10.02 AM, WEDNESDAY, 30 JANUARY 2002

Continued from 10.12.01

PN113

THE COMMISSIONER: Could I have appearances, please?

PN114

MR D. PRIOR: Industrial officer for the Transport Workers Union of Australia, Queensland Branch. With me I have delegates, PAULA STEVENSON, TONY SORANSON and BRETT MUIRHEAD.

PN115

THE COMMISSIONER: Thank you. I understand, Mr McKenzie, you're on the phone.

PN116

MR J. McKENZIE: That's correct.

PN117

THE COMMISSIONER: And you can hear everything clearly?

PN118

MR McKENZIE: Yes, thank you.

PN119

THE COMMISSIONER: Thank you.

PN120

MR P. BREEN: Qantas Catering Centre Manager. With me I have DANIELLE MAZURKIEWICZ and on the phone of course Mr McKenzie.

PN121

THE COMMISSIONER: Yes, thank you, Mr Breen. The purpose of today's proceeding is for report-back from the parties as to the progress that has been made following the discussions that have emanated out of a number of hearings before this Commission. So on that basis who would like to start, Mr Prior?

PN122

MR PRIOR: In the circumstances, Commissioner, I think it would probably most be appropriate for Toni Soranson to address the union position.

PN123

THE COMMISSIONER: Very well, Ms Soranson.

PN124

MS. T. SORANSON: Commissioner, at this stage we have had no further developments, we still have our 24 temporary full-time jobs only with an extension to 6 February at this stage, and we have asked the company if their intention is to extend that and we don't have a reply as such.

PN125

THE COMMISSIONER: Mr McKenzie?

PN126

MR McKENZIE: Commissioner, the situation which was explained to both the Commission and the union prior to Christmas was that we would have to review the numbers of casuals in the business subsequent to a couple of decisions, a couple of matters I should say, which were being introduced. One was the introduction, I should say, of a new domestic product, and at the time we were in the Commission we were fairly uncertain as to what that impact would be, and in early December I might say that there was a change to the specification of the new domestic product which meant that the impact of that had to be reviewed.

PN127

In addition to that we did indicate that there was going to be the introduction of Snap Fresh which would have an impact on production levels in the Brisbane catering centre, and that was being assessed at the time as well. I can say, Commissioner, that the numbers which were looked at at the time nationally when we were in the Commission were in the order of 250 to 280 reduction in full-time equivalent numbers, or in other words, looking at the total number of labour hours in all the centres across Australia. Since then there has been a substantial - as a result of the review of this, there has been a substantial reduction in the impact, and we are looking at probably around 130 full-time equivalent production across all the centres.

PN128

And in Brisbane I can say that the number is fairly marginal in terms of the number of the full-time equivalent reduction. We are looking at the order of, for both the new domestic product and Snap Fresh, around 8 FTEs. That would be taken out from casual hours, so there will be an impact in the hot kitchen with chefs and catering services attendants. And our proposal would be that those employees will go back to the casual pool. Now, in relation to the full-time temporaries, they were put on essentially to - we explained at the time - to bring down the accrued Caterair annual leave which is happening now, and as I understand they are due to complete their time sometime in February.

PN129

Now, Commissioner, we have said that we need to review the number of casuals in the business and we are prepared to undertake a process to do that, and are happy to talk about going forward with a process in conference with the union officials and the delegates. That is where we at at this stage.

PN130

THE COMMISSIONER: All right. Mr Prior?

PN131

MR PRIOR: Thank you, Commissioner. I might just ask Toni to address you if there are any other outstanding points in relation to what we discussed back on the 10th. In that circumstance, Commissioner, perhaps if we break into conference that would be most appropriate.

PN132

THE COMMISSIONER: All right, well, I will adjourn into private conference to allow this matter to develop further.

OFF THE RECORD [10.07am]

RESUMED [11.39am]

PN133

THE COMMISSIONER: The parties have met in private conference under the chairmanship of the Commission and have reached the position whereby it is agreed that a meeting of Qantas and the TWU and the TWUs delegates will take place from 9 am on Tuesday, 5 February, at which time an agenda which was developed today and is to be formalised by Qantas will be discussed. The Commission indicates to the parties that if they do not make progress of an order whereby they are both satisfied as to the outcomes the Commission will relist these proceedings for 9 am on Thursday, 7 February, such proceeding will take place at an appropriately designated area at the airport. Now, is there anything else anyone wants to place on the record?

PN134

MR PRIOR: Not from the union, Commissioner.

PN135

THE COMMISSIONER: Mr McKenzie?

PN136

MR McKENZIE: No, Commissioner.

PN137

THE COMMISSIONER: Other than to say that obviously the delegates are in a position to inform those persons who are currently employed as temporary permanent today that their employment in that category will be extended for a further four weeks from 6 February and that position will be further reviewed on 20 February. And on that basis, if there is nothing further, I shall now adjourn these proceedings.

ADJOURNED INDEFINITELY [11.40am]