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WRA
is not the best deal
The
ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA) 2002-2004 was approved
by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) on November 1.
The
determination of the DFRT provides ADF personnel, up to the rank
of Colonel equivalent, a 6 per cent pay increase over an 18-month
period, from November 7, 2002, to May 6, 2004.
Star
ranks are to continue to have a separate pay arrangement and their
matter will be presented to the DFRT on November 18 with similar
outcomes expected.
It
was our view, when making independent submissions to the Tribunal
on this matter, that the ADF proposal did not provide sufficient
recognition of the operational tempo that ADF personnel had endured
in recent years and are expected to endure for the immediate years
ahead.
Nor
did it make any attempt to correct inadequacies of the outgoing
EPA or provide any financial compensation for the non-delivery of
personnel initiatives during the life of the arrangement.
In
short, the Federation submitted the following would need to be included
to provide ADF personnel with an appropriate outcome:
- a
“catch up” of 1.5 per cent to compensate for the EPA
shortfall against the CPI and shortfall against the Defence Employees
Certified Agreement (DECA), payable in addition to the first pay
instalment increase of 3 per cent;
-
an extension of the transitional arrangements for Isolated Establishment
Allowance that mirror the arrangements provided for civilian employees
in their DECA;
-
a lump sum cash bonus payment of $750 to ADF members to compensate
for the failure to review service allowance during the life of
the outgoing arrangement;
-
an additional 1.5 per cent to compensate for the absence of personnel
initiatives in the WRA, payable on the first pay day in March
2003;
-
an undertaking by ADF manage- ment to examine the introduction
of bonus payments similar to the Plan On A Page concept provided
in the DECA; and
-
reduce the life of the WRA from 18 months to not more than 15
months with an undertaking by the ADF to align subsequent arrangements
with future DECAs.
As
far as consultation with members went, we expressed our disappointment
that the draft WRA circulated at the end of August and briefings
given at military bases were perceived by members as a “done
deal” and any submissions by them would make no difference
whatsoever.
Such
a perception is easily understood because apart from some minor
changes to the consultation phase for the next arrangement, no other
suggestions by members, or by the Federation for that matter, managed
to find their way into the final product.
In
handing down its decision to approve the ADF proposal, the Tribunal
made reference to our submissions.
It
stated: “The effect of the submissions of Mr Howatt on behalf
of the Armed Forces Federation of Australia is that the arrangement
is deficient in a number of respects and invites us to amend the
arrangement.
“Our
function in this matter is a limited one in that our only options
are to approve or not approve the arrangement. We are not in a position
to arbitrate in the traditional sense.”
The
Tribunal is not at fault here and we have no criticisms of them.
However, any process that equates to an umpire not being able to
blow his whistle when infringements are questioned, needs a serious
rethink.
The
Federation thanks all members who assisted with our submission.
The
Armed Forces Federation can be contacted on (02) 6260 5100, 1800
806 861 or arffa@bigpond.com
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