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Exchange of Letters  

Together with the 2006 core agreement the Queensland Government has made a number of commitments as part of the package to settle the core agreement negotiations. These commitments were provided through an exchange of letters. The exchange of letters contained the following commitments:

Wage Increases

Consistent with the outcomes of the Memorandum of Agreement, wage increases will be the equivalent of 4% per annum or $30 per week (whichever is the greater).

The Government acknowledges the potential problem associated with the ongoing payment of wage increases on 1 August. In recognition of this, the Government proposes to offer the following schedule of wage increases -

Provided that the first increase in the replacement agreement to follow will not occur before 1 August 2009.

Recruitment and Selection (including JEMS)

In respect to the claims about the job evaluation methodology (JEMS) the Government undertakes to:

  1. Complete modifications of the JEMS methodology as proposed in the Mercer Report;
  2. Agree to implement measures to enhance the application and acceptance of JEMS as proposed in the Mercer report.
    1. This will include, but not be limited to the development of:
      1. new approaches to the diversity sub-factor and guidelines;
      2. service-wide standards, policies and quality control, to enhance the consistency of job evaluation processes;
      3. a process for periodic monitoring or auditing of job evaluation outcomes.
  3. Review the application of JEMS to certain occupational groups to ascertain whether JEMS needs to be modified for these groups or complemented by other forms of job assessment. This review would be undertaken in consultation with affected unions. Subject to the review findings, the parties acknowledge that a trial of an alternative job assessment methodology may be beneficial.

Professional Development

In respect to the claims about professional development the Government commits to the continuation of ongoing training and development through a variety of modes including on-the-job training, accredited courses and professional development programs.

The proposed certified agreement will include a section detailing this commitment.

PO and TO Progression

In respect to the claims about Professional Officer (PO) and Technical Officer (TO) progression, I am advised that significant progress has been made in respect of the claim for clearer, more user friendly criteria to facilitate progression from PO2-PO3, particularly in the Human Service Agencies. The Government commits to ensure that all agencies are provided with guidelines to facilitate the application of the award criteria to agency specific roles.

The Government notes the claim for stand alone PO3 positions. I am advised that agencies have the capacity to advertise PO3 positions should the agency determine it is an appropriate recruitment and selection strategy.

Through discussions around your claims regarding PO and TO progression, it is my understanding that the claims arise from a concern around the attraction and retention of professional and technical employees. There has been a significant body of work undertaken across Government and within Government agencies in relation to addressing attraction and retention issues. The Government values the contribution of the unions in addressing skills shortages and is committed to consulting with unions regarding this ongoing work.

On Call arrangements

In respect to the claims for enhanced on call payments the Government agrees to:

  1. Increase the rate of the on call allowance to be based on the hourly rate of the classification of professional officer level 3 paypoint 4;
  2. Provide a minimum 1 hour payment to an employee required to perform duties from home for each time the employee performs such duties, provided that if the employee is required to again perform duties separately within the minimum 1 hour period no further payment shall apply.

These two enhancements are offered on the basis that on call arrangements can be introduced by agreement with the relevant Chief Executive and the majority of affected employees and in consultation with the relevant union/s.

The proposed certified agreement will include a section detailing this commitment.

Employment Security and Maximising Permanency

In respect to the claims regarding job security the Government re-emphasizes its commitment to maximising permanent employment in the public sector. In accordance with the MOA the proposed certified agreement will include a section covering employment security and permanent employment.

In addition the Government also commits that, by 1 March 2007, will:

  1. establish jointly developed criteria under which temporary employees are to be engaged (consistent with established industrial relations principles);
  2. provide a basis for current longer term temporary employees to be appointed to tenured status (subject to merit selection requirements being satisfied); and
  3. provide a mechanism for temporary employees to advance their claims for tenured employment via a centralised dispute resolution process with determinative powers if required.

Consultative Forums

The Queensland Government listed a review of the consultative structures as a claim in the MOA. My department has sought feedback from agencies regarding the current consultative structures with a view to addressing this claim. Overall the response from departments has been positive with agencies viewing the Agency Consultative Committee meetings as a valuable forum to discuss industrial issues. On that basis the Government is proposing only minor amendments to consultative forums.

Specifically,

Whilst the purpose of the CCs is to allow consultation on a broad range of issues (not just matters covered by the certified agreement), the Government specifically commits to this consultation including -

Attraction and Retention Schemes

There will be consultation (prior to final approval processes being undertaken) with affected unions in relation to any proposed Attraction and Retention Scheme that is to affect the terms and conditions of significant numbers of employees of the agency who are subject to the certified agreement (i.e. AO8 equivalent and below).