A
total of 178 logistical and supply staff members hired as temporary
workers, have won permanent jobs in the Department of Defence
thanks to a decision by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
The decision was handed down earlier this year and effects civilian
workers at Stirling, Moorebank, Nowra, Townsville, Amberley, Brisbane,
Wallangarra, Puckapunyal, Hobart, and Guilford.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which took the action
in the Commission, told of the decision.
Spokesman Evan Hall said the Defence Integrated Distribution Systems
(DIDS) staff were initially engaged as short-term temporary employees
to bolster Defence’s logistical support capacity.
Many, however, have been working in “temporary” positions
for well over 12 months.
The DIDS workers played a “crucial” role in helping
Australia meets its commitments in East Timor and in the “War
on Terror,” Mr Hall said.
“Supplies and logistics may not be glamorous, but they are
vital to our Defence forces.
“It is about time these workers were rewarded with permanent
positions.
“We are delighted that our campaign has delivered improved
job security and we thoroughly applaud the AIRC ruling,”
he said.
As a result of the decision workers from DIDS sites around Australia
will gain access to full Public Service entitlements, including
redeployments rights and redundancy pay.
In making its decision, the AIRC used Section 121 of the Workplace
Relations Act.
This provision allows the AIRC to over ride the Public Service
Act, in this case enabling permanent employment to be offered
to temporary staff without a “spill and fill” re-advertising
process.
