ARTICLE · 17 APRIL 2009

The Manufacturing Sector - Award Modernisation And Collective Bargaining

Norton Rose Fulbright Australia

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The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has published the first groups of draft "modernised" awards.

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Evan Mentiplay

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Modern Manufacturing Award

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has published the first groups of draft "modernised" awards. These drafts are part of the process to roll the patchwork of Federal awards, Notional Agreements Preserving State Awards (NAPSAs), and industry sector minimum wage orders into the one Federal award applying nationally to all employers subject to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth). The Fair Work Bill 2008 contemplates that this process will continue under the proposed Fair Work legislation and complete in time for implementation on 1 January 2010.

The Manufacturing Award applies to incorporated employers throughout Australia capable of coverage under the Workplace Relations Act, and unincorporated employers in Victoria and the territories, in respect of employees who fall within the classification in the Manufacturing Award and perform work in a manufacturing or associated industry and occupation.

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