AIRC decision removes restraints on Govt's handling of redundancies

20/12/95

A decision by the full bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission has removed restrictions on how the Western Australian Government can deal with redundant employees.

An appeal by the Government resulted in a watering-down of an interim Federal award granted by the commission earlier this year to many employees.

The amendments included:

+          removal of a clause which denied the State the right to make an employee redundant;

+          removal of a clause which obliged the State to redeploy redundant employees to another area of its own activities; and -

+          a power for the State to set the date on which employees will be dismissed.

The full bench said a recent decision by the High Court made it clear the right to dismiss employees on the grounds of redundancy was a critical function of government.

A Federal award which denied that right could not be made.

Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath released the full bench decision.

"We are committed to making every effort to redeploy surplus employees within Government or facilitate their transfer to the private sector where appropriate," Mr Kierath said.

"Industrial problems with transfers have been the exception rather than the rule.

"It is significant that the full bench adopted in its decision the Government's arrangements for a transition payment to employees of four to 12 weeks' pay when they move to private sector jobs."

Media contact: Caroline Lacy 481 2133 or 481 7844