The purpose of this Circular is to advise that on 24 May 2001 the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission (Grayson DP) made a new award, the Crown Employees Wages Staff (Rates of Pay) Award 2001. [see attachment for details]

The Award increases rates of pay and allowances to public sector wages staff covered by the awards and agreements listed in Schedule "B" of the Award (attached). It provides for retrospective increases of 2% to the rates of pay and wage related allowances from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2000, and 2% from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2001. Expense related allowances have been increased in accordance with CPI movements to the National Building & Construction Award and the increases will apply from 20 September 2000. The term of the award is two years, retrospective from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2001.

The increases in rates of pay and allowances in the nature of wages:

a) are in line with increases awarded to public sector salaried staff under the Crown
Employees (Public Sector January 2000) Salaries Award,

b) provide consistency for wage increases for all public sector staff.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was entered into by the parties on 14 February 2001 to support the Award. The MOU is couched in almost identical terms to the MOU entered into on 2 March 2000 by the NSW Government, the PSA and other public sector unions. In line with the MOU for salaried staff, the parties have made a commitment through the wages MOU to progress priority issues for continued reform in the NSW public sector at the sector-wide and agency level. A copy of the MOU is also attached.

The increases in rates of pay and allowances are shown in the attached schedules. Rates of pay and allowances for organisation specific industrial instruments not covered by this award are not affected.

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

C. Gellatly
Director-General

Superseded by C2002-09