The purpose of this Circular is to advise you of the facilitative arrangements, which were included in the Crown Employees (Wages Staff) Rates of Pay Award on 17 November 1998 in proceedings before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

The facilitative arrangement supports the development and implementation of classification structures for wages staff at the agency level. In making the Award it is acknowledged that a number of agencies already have negotiated industrial instruments with suitable structures. They include:

* Department of Agriculture * Department of Community Services

* Department of Public Works and Services * NSW Fisheries

* Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust * State Forests

* Zoological Parks Board of NSW

It is envisaged that other agencies will develop and implement appropriate classification structures through negotiations with the relevant unions at the agency level. Descriptors of the work at each level should support such structures as well as identifying training opportunities for staff employed in these categories. The facilitative arrangement clause is at attachment A.

Those agencies which have not yet implemented their own classification structures, are required to establish a negotiation committee at agency level by 17 December 1998 and provide regular progress reports on a quarterly basis. These reports will be monitored by a central steering committee consisting of Labor Council, the wages unions and the Public Employment Office, and will enable that committee to establish the minimum standards to be included in any changes to the Crown Award. They will also enable the sharing of information between agencies and assist with central guidance during the course of negotiations. The report format is at Attachment B.

Any enquiries should be directed to Merillyn Grey on telephone number (02) 9228 3593.

C Gellatly
Director-General

Attachment B

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT ON WAGES STAFF AGENCY LEVEL COMMITTEE NEGOTIATIONS

Name of agency:

Contact Person's name:

Contact details by phone and fax:

WAGES STAFF INFORMATION

Number of wages staff by classification (specify FTE) e.g. x plumbers, y carpenters)

Composition of the negotiation committee (who, when first met, how often meets and any difficulties)

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT ON WAGES STAFF AGENCY LEVEL COMMITTEE NEGOTIATIONS

Key Issues

Status Report

Classification structure development at the agency level

Development of descriptors for each level of work in the agency level structure

Training issues and opportunities identified and implemented for each level of work in the agency level structure