Request from the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations - 28 March 2008

[1] The Secretary of the ACTU has written to the President seeking a change to the timetable in relation to the making of priority modern awards set in our decision of 20 June 2008.[1] That letter is dated 17 July 2008 but was in fact received yesterday. We have marked that letter as .

[2] In summary, the ACTU has submitted that, despite intensive work, ACTU affiliates are finding it extremely difficult to meet the requirements of the 25 July 2008 closing date for lodging written submissions, drafts of modern awards and other proposals concerning the scope, content and transitional arrangements for each of the priority modern awards. We understand that employer organisations and other parties are experiencing similar difficulties.

[3] We appreciate that the timetable that we have set is a challenging one but found it necessary given the constraints of the overall task of award modernisation and timeframes specified in the amended Request with which we must comply. Nevertheless, in recognition of the difficulties being experienced by the parties we have decided to vary the timetable. The closing date for lodging written submissions, drafts of modern awards and other proposals concerning the scope, content and transitional arrangements for each of the priority modern awards will be moved back by a week to 1 August 2008. The listings for pre-drafting consultations in the week commencing 28 July 2008 are vacated and new dates set as follows:

Higher Education (part of Educational Services Industry)

Clothing Industry (including Footwear Manufacturing), Textile Industry

Racing Industry (part of Entertainment and Broadcasting Industry)

[4] An Amended Award Modernisation Timetable reflecting these changes, and amending Attachment D to our decision of 20 June, 2008[2] is attached.

[1] [2008] AIRCFB 550, Attachment D.

[2] [2008] AIRCFB 550.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

Closing date for lodging written submissions, drafts of modern awards and other proposals concerning the scope, content and transitional arrangements for each of the priority modern awards.

Private Sector Clerical Occupation (part of Clerical Industry)

Metal and Associated Industries, Rubber Plastic and Cablemaking Industry, Glue and Gelatine Industry and Vehicle Manufacturing Industry.

Racing Industry (part of Entertainment and Broadcasting Industry)

Retail Industry (part of Wholesale and Retail Trade), Fast Food Industry, Hairdressing Services.

Catering Industry, Liquor and Accommodation Industry, Restaurants.

Higher Education (part of Educational Services Industry)

Clothing Industry (including Footwear Manufacturing), Textile Industry

Closing date for publication of exposure drafts of each of the priority modern awards.

Closing date for lodging written comments on the exposure drafts of the priority modern awards.

Announcement of second stage industries/occupations and commencement of second stage.

Full Bench sits in Sydney for final consultations in relation to the exposure drafts of the priority modern awards.

Announcement of third stage industries/occupations and commencement of third stage.

Announcement of fourth stage industries/occupations and commencement of fourth stage.