Electrical Trades Union WA v Hinco Engineering, Ampac Developments Pty Ltd, J.R.L. Component Sales Pty Ltd, New Era Electro Service (WA), Omnitronics Pty Ltd, Huphim Pty Ltd, IBES Australia, Vix Technology (Aust) Pty Ltd, Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union of Workers, WA Branch
Senior Commissioner Cosentino
Not yet cited by other cases
Applicant: Electrical Trades Union WA
Respondent: Hinco Engineering, Ampac Developments Pty Ltd, J.R.L. Component Sales Pty Ltd, New Era Electro Service (WA), Omnitronics Pty Ltd, Huphim Pty Ltd, IBES Australia, Vix Technology (Aust) Pty Ltd, Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union of Workers, WA Branch
Ratio
The Commission granted the ETU's unopposed application to vary the Electronics Industry Award No. A 22 of 1985 by increasing allowances and other monetary provisions by 4% (or relevant CPI rates June 2023–June 2024), consistent with the 2024 State Wage order, as the proposed amendments effected no substantive change to the award's scope or operation and met all requirements for variation under the IR Act.
Outcome
For applicant
granted
Authority signal
Not yet cited by other cases
Signal-weighted score: 0.0
Derived from how later decisions have treated this case. Dark green = leading authority,
green = positively treated, grey = neutral or sparse data,
amber = caution, red = treated negatively.
Key facts · 5
- ETU applied on 12 September 2024 to vary the Electronics Industry Award No. A 22 of 1985 pursuant to s 40 of the IR Act
- The application sought to increase allowances by the percentage increase ordered in the 2024 State Wage case, being 4%, or by relevant CPI rates from June 2023 to June 2024
- The variations were not opposed by any respondent
- The amendments proposed do not effect any substantive change to the scope of the Award or its area of operation
- The application was not made within a term specified in the Award
Factors
For
- Application unopposed by all respondents
- No substantive change to scope or area of operation of award
- Application not made within a term specified in the award
- Requirements for varying the award met
Against
Legislation referenced
- Industrial Relations Act 1979 (WA) s 40
Concept tags · 5
Cases cited in this decision · 2
Cited
[2024] WAIRC 345
— Commission's Own Motion
"…s Act 1979 (WA) (IR Act); AND WHEREAS Schedule C of the application set out the grounds upon which it is made, indicating the application is made to increase the allowances in the Award by the percentage increase...…"
Cited
(2024) 104 WAIG 752
(not in corpus)
"…Act); AND WHEREAS Schedule C of the application set out the grounds upon which it is made, indicating the application is made to increase the allowances in the Award by the percentage increase ordered in the 2024...…"
Archived text (2383 words)
ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY AWARD NO. A 22 OF 1985
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
PARTIES Electrical Trades Union WA
APPLICANT
-v-
Hinco Engineering, Ampac Developments Pty Ltd, J.R.L. Component Sales Pty Ltd, New Era Electro Service (WA), Omnitronics Pty Ltd, Huphim Pty Ltd, IBES Australia, Vix Technology (Aust) Pty Ltd, Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union of Workers, WA Branch
RESPONDENTS
CORAM Senior Commissioner R Cosentino
DATE MONday, 14 October 2024
FILE NO/S APPL 144 OF 2024
CITATION NO. 2024 WAIRC 00903
Result Award varied
Representation On the papers
Order
WHEREAS the Electrical Trades Union WA (ETU) applied on 12 September 2024 to vary the Electronics Industry Award No. A 22 of 1985 pursuant to s 40 of the Industrial Relations Act 1979 (WA) (IR Act);
AND WHEREAS Schedule C of the application set out the grounds upon which it is made, indicating the application is made to increase the allowances in the Award by the percentage increase ordered in the 2024 State Wage case ([2024] WAIRC 00345; (2024) 104 WAIG 752), that is an increase of 4%, or by relevant CPI rates from June 2023 to June 2024
AND WHEREAS the variations were not opposed by any respondent;
AND BEING satisfied that:
(a) The amendments proposed do not effect any substantive change to the scope of the Award or its area of operation;
(b) The application is not made within a term specified in the Award; and
(c) The requirements for varying the Award are met;
NOW THEREFORE, the Commission, pursuant to the powers conferred under the IR Act, hereby orders –
THAT the Electronics Industry Award No. A 22 of 1985 be varied in accordance with the following schedule and that the variations shall have effect from the beginning of the first pay period commencing on or after the date of this order.
Senior Commissioner R Cosentino
SCHEDULE
1. Clause 9. – Overtime: Delete paragraph (f) of subclause (3) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(f) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this subclause, an employee required to work overtime for more than two hours shall be supplied with a meal by the employer or be paid $15.35 for a meal and, if owing to the amount of overtime worked, a second or subsequent meal is required the employee shall be supplied with each such meal by the employer or be paid $10.30 for each meal so required.
2. Clause 13. - Car Allowance: Delete subclause (3) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof:
(3) A year for the purpose of this Clause shall commence on 1 July and end on 30 June next following.
RATES OF HIRE FOR USE OF EMPLOYEE’S OWN VEHICLE
ON EMPLOYER’S BUSINESS
MOTOR CAR
Area And Details ENGINE DISPLACEMENT
(IN CUBIC CENTIMETRES)
Rate per Kilometre (cents) : 1600cc
& Under
Metropolitan Area : 82.7
South West Land Division : 85.1
North of 23.5o South Latitude : 93.7
Rest of the State : 87.5
MOTOR CYCLE (In All Areas) 36.3 cents per Kilometre
3. Clause 15. - Distant Work: Delete subclauses (4) and (5) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof:
(4) An employee, to whom the provisions of subclause (1) of this Clause apply, shall be paid an allowance of $45.05 for any weekend that the employee returns home from the job, but only if -
(a) The employee advises the employer or the employer’s agent of the employee’s intention no later than Tuesday immediately preceding the weekend in which the employee so returns;
(b) The employee is not required for work during that weekend;
(c) The employee returns to the job on the first working day following the weekend; and
(d) The employer does not provide, or offer to provide, suitable transport.
(5) Where an employee, supplied with board and lodging by the employer, is required to live more than 800 metres from the job the employee shall be provided with suitable transport to and from that job or be paid an allowance of $19.65 per day, provided that where the time actually spent in travelling either to or from the job exceeds 20 minutes, that excess time shall be paid for at ordinary rates whether or not suitable transport is supplied by the employer.
4. Clause 20. - Special Provisions:
A. Delete subclauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(1) Dirt Money: An employee shall be paid an allowance of 78 cents per hour when engaged on work of an unusually dirty nature where clothes are necessarily unduly soiled or damaged or boots are unduly damaged by the nature of the work done.
(2) Confined Space: An employee shall be paid an allowance of 98 cents per hour when, because of the dimensions of the compartment or space in which they are working, the employee is required to work in a stooped or otherwise cramped position or without proper ventilation.
(3) Hot Work: An employee shall be paid an allowance of 78 cents per hour when working in the shade in any place where the temperature is raised by artificial means to be between 46.1 and 54.4 degrees Celsius.
(4) Height Money: An employee shall be paid an allowance of $3.70 for each day on which the employee works at a height of 15.5 metres or more above the nearest horizontal plane.
B. Delete subclauses (6), (7) and (8) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(6) Diesel Engine Ships: The provisions of subclauses (1) and (2) hereof do not apply to an employee when the employee is engaged on work below the floor plates in diesel engine ships, but the employee shall be paid an allowance of $1.31 per hour whilst so engaged.
(7) Percussion Tools: An employee shall be paid an allowance of 50 cents per hour when working pneumatic rivetter of the percussion type and other pneumatic tools of the percussion type.
(8) Chemical, Artificial Manure and Cement Works: An employee, other than a general labourer, in chemical, artificial manure and cement works, in respect of all work done in and around the plant outside the machine shop, shall be paid an allowance calculated at the rate of $20.00 per week. The allowance shall be paid during overtime but shall not be subject to penalty additions. An employee receiving this allowance is not entitled to any other allowance under this clause.
C. Delete subclause (14) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(14) An employee holding either a Third Year First Aid Medallion of the St. John Ambulance Association or a “C” standard Senior First Aid Certificate of the Australian Red Cross Society, appointed by the employer to perform first aid duties shall be paid $15.30 per week in addition to their ordinary rate.
5. Clause 33. - Wages:
A. Delete subclause (2) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(2) Leading Hands:
In addition to the appropriate rate of wage prescribed in subclause (1) of this clause a leading hand shall be paid:
(a) : $40.60
(b) : $61.50
(c) : $79.90
B. Delete subclause (5) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(5) Tool Allowance
(a) Where an employer does not provide a technician, serviceperson, installer or an apprentice with the tools ordinarily required by that person in the performance of work as a technician, serviceperson, installer or an apprentice the employer shall pay a tool allowance of -
(i) $22.40 per week to such technician, serviceperson, installer; or
(ii) In the case of an apprentice a percentage of $22.40 being the percentage which appears against their year of apprenticeship in subclause (3) of this clause for the purpose of such technician, serviceperson, installer or apprentice applying and maintaining tools ordinarily required in the performance of work as a technician, serviceperson, installer or apprentice.
(b) Any tool allowance paid pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subclause shall be included in, and form part of, the ordinary weekly wage prescribed in this clause.
(c) An employer shall provide for the use of technicians, service people, installers or apprentices all necessary power tools, special purpose tools and precision measuring instruments.
(d) A technician, serviceperson, installer or apprentice shall replace or pay for any tools supplied by the employer if lost through his negligence.
PART II – CONSTRUCTION WORK
6. Clause 5. - Special Rates and Provisions: Delete subclause (2) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(2) (a) The employer shall, where practicable, provide a waterproof and secure place on each job for the safekeeping of an employee’s tools when not in use and an employee’s working clothes and where an employee is absent from work because of illness or accident and has advised the employer to that effect in accordance with the provisions of Clause 11. - Sick Leave of PART I – GENERAL of this award the employer shall ensure that the employee's tools and working clothes are securely stored during their absence.
(b) Subject to paragraph (c) hereof where the employee's tools or working clothes are lost by fire or breaking and entering whilst securely stored in the place provided by the employer under paragraph (a) hereof the employer shall reimburse the employee for that loss but only up to a maximum of $451.30.
(c) The provisions of paragraph (b) hereof shall only apply with respect to tools and working clothes used by an employee in the course of their employment as set out in a list furnished to the employer at least twenty four hours before being lost by fire or theft and if the employee has reported any theft to the police.
7. Clause 6. - Allowance for Travelling and Employment in Construction Work: Delete paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subclause (1) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof:
(a) On places within a radius of 50 kilometres from the General Post Office, Perth - $21.50 per day.
(b) For each additional kilometre to a radius of 60 kilometres from the General Post Office, Perth - $1.09 per kilometre.
(c) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (d), work performed at places beyond a 60 kilometre radius from the General Post Office, Perth shall be deemed to be distant work unless the employer and the employees, with the consent of the union, agree in any particular case that the travelling allowance for such work shall be paid under this clause, in which case an additional allowance of $1.09 per kilometre shall be paid for each kilometre in excess of the 60 kilometre radius.
8. Clause 7. - Distant Work: Delete subclauses (6) and (7) respectively and insert in lieu thereof:
(6) An employee, to whom the provisions of subclause (1) of this clause apply, shall be paid an allowance of $44.00 for any weekend that the employee returns home from the job, but only if -
(a) The employee advises the employer or the employee's agent of the employee's intention not later than the Tuesday immediately preceding the weekend in which the employee so returns;
(b) The employee is not required for work during that weekend;
(c) The employee returns to the job on the first working day following the weekend; and
(d) The employer does not provide, or offer to provide, suitable transport.
(7) Where an employee, supplied with board and lodging by the employer, is required to live more than 800 metres from the job the employee shall be provided with suitable transport to and from the job or be paid an allowance of $19.30 per day, provided that where the time actually spent in travelling either to or from the job exceeds 20 minutes, that excess time shall be paid for at ordinary rates whether or not suitable transport is supplied by the employer.
9. Clause 10. - Wages: Delete subclauses (5), (6) and (7) of this Clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:
(5) Construction Allowances:
(a) In addition to the appropriate rates of pay prescribed in this clause an employee shall be paid -
(i) $71.40 per week if engaged on the construction of a large industrial undertaking or any large civil engineering projects.
(ii) $64.50 per week if engaged on a multi-storeyed building, but only until the exterior walls have been erected and the windows completed and a lift made available to carry the employee between the ground floor and the floor upon which the employee is required to work. A multi-storeyed building is a building which, when completed, will consist of at least five storeys.
(iii) $37.80 per week if engaged otherwise on construction work falling within the definition of construction work in Clause 5. - Definitions of PART I - GENERAL of this award.
(b) Any dispute as to which of the aforesaid allowances apply to particular work shall be determined by the Board of Reference.
(6) Leading Hand:
In addition to the appropriate rate of wage prescribed in subclause (1) of this clause a leading hand shall be paid:
(a) : $40.60
(b) : $61.50
(c) : $79.90
(7) (a) Where an employer does not provide a Technician, Serviceperson, Installer or Apprentice with the tools ordinarily required by that Serviceperson, Technician or Installer in the performance of work as a Technician, Installer or Apprentice the employer shall pay a tool allowance of –.
(i) $22.40 per week to such Technician, Serviceperson or Installer, or
(ii) In the case of an apprentice a percentage of $22.40 being the percentage referred to in subclause (3) of Clause 33. - Wages of PART I - GENERAL of this award,
for the purpose of such Technician, Serviceperson, Installer or Apprentice supplying and maintaining tools ordinarily required in the performance of work as a Technician, Serviceperson, Installer or Apprentice.
(b) Any tool allowance paid pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subclause shall be included in, and form part of, the ordinary weekly wage prescribed in this clause.
(c) An employer shall provide for the use of Technicians, Servicepersons, Installers and Apprentices all necessary power tools, special purpose tools and precision measuring instruments.
(d) A Technician, Serviceperson, Installer or Apprentice shall replace or pay for any tools supplied by the employer if lost through that person's negligence.