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Personnel
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DFRT
gives green light
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You
may soon feel positive effects from the Remuneration Reform
Program. Photo by Pte Shannon Joyce, Army newspaper
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By
Graham Howatt, ArFFA
After hearing submissions from the ADF, the Commonwealth, the Federation
and a joint submission from the Regular Defence Force Welfare Association
and RSL on August 25, the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT)
gave the green light for development of the eagerly awaited Remuneration
Reform Program (RRP) to press forward.
The Tribunal was presented with the first three of eight “blocks”
of work, together with a proposed timetable for the completion and
presentation of each block. Owing to the complexity and significance
of the RRP, the Federation supported the approach taken by the ADF.
Block 1
Block 1 proposed a benchmark valued remuneration framework of 12 grades.
Grades 1 and 2 would be established below the current Officers Common
Scale (OCS) set at Grade 3.
Incremental advances beyond the OCS are to be based on the Qualification
and Skill components of Specialist Operations Allowance and Submarine
Service Allowance and establish pay Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Grades
9, 10 and 11 have set increments to provide potential flexibility
for placement of employments categories valued higher than Grade 8.
Grade 12 is the highest grade and incorporates the Q&S component
of Special Action Forces Allowance.
Flying Allowance is to be dealt with as “block X” of work
to be presented to the DFRT.
Block 2
This block gives underpinning principles and business processes to
provide broad guidance on the new structure. It also provides for
ADF internal systematic control and governance processes.
Block 3
Block 3 is the placement methodology to be adopted for the movement
of employment categories within the new structure.
The day after the initial hearing, the Tribunal released the following
statement– “On the basis of material put before us, the
Tribunal encourages continuation of the ADF’s work program and
timetable for further development of the RRP.
“While we recognise there are still issues to be addressed, we
see no barrier to continuing the planned work program. We are supportive
of the approach proposed, including the role of s58H allowances in
the operation of the system in the future. We agree with the parties
on the need for consultation.”
While this means there is now a light at the end of the RRP tunnel,
it will be quite some time before the train finally pulls into the
station.
That said, the Federation believes member consultation is paramount
to the successful rollout of the RRP, members must understand and
accept the proposed pay reform with confidence.
Members seeking further information or views on the RRP, or the proposed
timetable of events to follow, should contact our Federal Office on
1800 806 861 or visit our website at www.arffa.org.au |
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