Workers at a calibration laboratory in Melbourne’s west are celebrating the benefits of a classification review undertaken by the AMWU.
The exercise which will see some workers thousands of dollars better off each year has been embraced by three employees in particular says Thales technician Anthony Cimarelli.
“This will set an important precedent. It will ensure future employees are given a career path with a chance to advance their salaries.”
Last year AMWU organiser Dave Vroland called for a classification review at Thales’ Maribyrnong site believing several workers were not being paid according to their day-to-day duties, qualifications and experience.
AMWU Assistant National Secretary Mike Nicolaides conducted the review with the agreement of the company, he established that a number of employees including Mr Cimarelli should have a higher classification status.
According to Mike Nicolaides the undervaluation of Thales workers is a product in part of the company’s use of Common Law Contracts (CLC), a system that has a resulted in a complex web of classifications and pay levels.
“During the Howard years Thales tried to roll as many new employees onto individual contracts as possible.
As a result many sites have their own peculiar sets of pay structures and some workers are liable to be undervalued.
“CLCs are inherently more difficult to enforce than collective agreements. Their focus is on the individual rather than the workforce as a group. They do not necessarily leave workers better off.
“For instance, they may offer workers a higher nominal wage but this is often accompanied by the loss of various conditions, including access to overtime penalties.
“CLCs are also very difficult for companies to administer and Thales’ management are now wanting to return to collective agreements. Which is pleasing to see.”
For workers like Anthony Cimarelli, one of many on CLCs, moving to a higher classification has a range of benefits.
“For starters we expect to be back paid, which means I can pay off some debts, pay off bills and have some money to go towards a new car.
“In the long term with the pay increase we’ll be getting a little bit more each week which will help. I’ve got a young family so every cent counts for me.
“Most importantly it sets in stone a career path and now I’ll have an opportunity to move to a higher structure within the next twelve months.
“None of this would have come about without the reclassification.”