 |
|
RAInf
clerks and storemen have been on the incorrect pay group
since 1996. This will be changed now the outcome of a case
before the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal on December
11 has been determined. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army
newspaper
|
Fair
hearing
Pay
groups for infantry clerks and storemen fixed
By
Cpl Damian Shovell
MORE than 400 infantry combat clerks and storemen have gained greater
financial stability after a Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal
(DFRT) handed down its decision on December 11, ending several years
of uncertainty.
The
determination recognises pay group three at the base level (Pte)
and pay group four at the assistant supervisor (senior Cpl) and
supervisor (Sgt) levels for both trades.
The
DFRT determination and RAInf employment restructure removes the
ambiguity and misinterpretations that have plagued the employment
of RAInf combat clerks and storemen in recent years.
The
hearing is the result from 1999 when it was discovered that through
a misinterpretation of the 1996 DFRT review of the RAInf Corps,
combat clerks and storeman were not being paid at their intended
pay group three.
An
attempt was made to resolve this by managing the trades on a dual-trade
status, and therefore entitling them to the higher pay group, however,
as stated in the ADF submission to the DFR, "... The ADF indicated
that it had ceased the practice of dual trade training and employment,
having found that the practice was not sustainable following experience
in East Timor".
Lt-Col
Bruce Jennings, Industrial Relations and Remuneration, said the
recent submission established a two-tiered remuneration structure
at pay group three and four for both employment categories, after
firstly qualifying as a Rifleman Grade 2.
"Neither
employment category had been independently reviewed since 1979,
and pay group placement didn't reflect the significantly increased
work value as a result of changes to doctrine, technology, specialist
skills, training and levels of responsibility," he said.
"This
determination recognises the increased work value of the individuals
to the Infantry corps and organisational capability."
The
restructure renamed the categories for infantry combat clerks and
storeman to Infantry Operations Clerks, and Infantry Resource Storemen.
In
conjunction with the increased pay group, the DFRT granted an 18-month
Non-Reduction Provision (NRP) for affected members.
"This
is a big win," he said.
The
non-reduction provision means that members will retain their current
pay groups for an 18-month period."
NRP
commenced from October 2, when an earlier NRP was granted until
the December 10 hearing.
The
18-month NRP will take members past the next two pay rise increments
granted under the Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA).
Depending
on individual circumstances, this will minimise the effect on each
individual in relation to the pay changes in salary.
On
an issue separate to the DFRT, a request to have the recovery of
overpaid monies being waivered is currently being considered.
"Obviously,
we cannot guarantee what the outcome of the request will be, but
certainly the ADF is supporting the waiver," Lt-Col Jennings
said.
CA
Lt-Gen Peter Leahy has addressed affected soldiers in several letters
in recent months, and has identified that some senior soldiers may
consider transferring or discharging to safeguard their DFRDB pensions.
"I
understand this view but strongly recommend financial advice is
sought before any hasty decision," he said.
Taking
these events into account and given the failure of the dual trade
approach, Lt-Gen Leahy has ordered a review into the feasibility
of maintaining these employment categories within the RAInf Corps.
"I
have asked the Director General Personnel-Army to review the matter,"
he said.
"Nevertheless,
regardless of the outcome of that review, I want it on the record
that I will not require any serving RAInf combat clerk or storeman
to change their Corps."
Lt-Gen
Leahy said he was conscious of the long hours worked by clerks and
Q-store personnel in all units and asked that all members understand
pay levels were not based on work performance, but based on the
OR definitional framework.
This
contains seven pay groups that the DFRT places trades into, and
remunerates on the highest function performed regularly, not the
highest skill possessed.
|
