Which agreement is most generous, relative to the average wage in the relevant industry?
Wage increases
Hours of work
Labour process (see Boxall and Purcell 2011 Ch 1, p.13 - 16). For the dominant occupational group cover by the EA, is the labour process..
Does the EA have more, the same, or less job titles than its relevant Modern Award?
Note two distinctive substantive rules for each agreement
Note one distinctive procedural rule for each agreement
Note one clause that relates to work health and safety.
Rate the agreements in terms of:
Enterprise Industrial Relations
Enterprise Industrial Relations
In the mining industry, employment is full-time, casual, or part-time. From the beginning of employment, the employee is given a six month qualifying period within which their employment can be terminated in a week’s notice. In the security industry, an employee is notified of their employment category at the beginning of their job (Fair Work Commission, 2015b). They can work full-time, part-time, or casual. Even in this industry, employees are given a six months’ probation period. In the music industry, it is important to inform employees of any changes in their performances. Also, it is important in this industry for employees to maintain confidentiality. In order to terminate an employee’s contract in the mining industry, one must be given notice depending on the time they have served in the industry (Fair Work Commission, 2015c). One week for people who have worked for a year, while more than a year and less than three years have a notice period of 2 weeks. Three years and less than five years have a notice period of 3 weeks and more than five years have a notice period of 4 weeks. In the security industry as well, the employers are expected to give notice on terminating their employment. In the music industry, musicians are consulted on different matters like appointment and termination of musicians.
Rates of remuneration and the various allowances that an employee is entitled to are also some of the crucial factors considered in an enterprise industrial agreement (Whalen, 2008). In the mining industry, employees’ earnings are their hourly rates and allowances. The earnings are paid via electronic transfer to the employees’ bank account. The security industry has a base rate for the amount paid to employees depending on their level of employment. The employee wages will be payable weekly, fortnightly, and monthly (Fair Work Commission, 2015b). The music industry has a rate of salaries payable to their employees depending on their classification. Employees are given annual leave. Employees in the mining industry are given 160 hours of annual leave and can be taken at a convenient time for both the employee and the company. Employees may choose not to take their annual leave and get paid in cash instead of taking the actual leave. Such applications are approved by the management. In the security industry, employees who have worked 38 hours per week for more than a year are entitled to 4 or 5 weeks of annual leave (Fair Work Commission, 2015c). Full-time employees accumulate annual leave and when they take this leave they can be paid based on the base rates set in the agreement clause. The leave can be taken at a time agreed between the employer and employee. Every musician is entitled to a paid mid-year break, which is necessary to ensure the musician’s health and safety.
The modern award in the music industry addresses the issue of consultation for changes in the workplace. The award requires that the employer discusses changes with their employees. Employers are expected to provide in writing to employees any relevant information about the changes proposed, the expected effects, and other issues that could affect the employees (Fair Work Commission, 2015a). The employer is required to provide information on issues like roster changes, including the regular roster, ordinary hours when the proposed change is to begin. The award also states that an employee is required to conduct their work during the resolution of a dispute. In the agreement, employees are allowed to skip work under certain conditions (Fair Work Commission, 2015d). These conditions include a lack of safety in the workplace or inappropriateness if the employee continues with the job. It is important that all companies align their agreements with the medal award for the respective industry. However, in some cases, organisations may choose to alter some requirements based on the company’s policies and procedures.
Bibliography
Fair Work Commission, 2015a. Queensland Symphony Orchestra Musicians’ Agreement 2016. [pdf] Brisbane.
Fair Work Commission, 2015b. Allied Facilities Management Enterprise Agreement 2015. [pdf]. Melbourne
Fair Work Commission, 2015c. Ausdrill Northwest Enterprise Agreement 2015. [pdf]. Melbourne.
Fair Work Commission, 2015d. Live Performance Award 2010. [pdf].
Whalen, C.J., 2008. New Directions in the Study of Work and Employment: Revitalizing Industrial Relations as an Academic Enterprise. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
