DETERMINATION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.156—4 yearly review of modern awards

4 yearly review of modern awards—plain language re-drafting—standard clauses
(AM2016/15)

TIMBER INDUSTRY AWARD 2020
[MA000071]

4 yearly review of modern awards – plain language re-drafting – standard clauses – Timber Industry Award 2020.

A. Further to the decision issued by the Fair Work Commission on 22 April 2022 [[2022] FWC 788], 1 the above award is varied as follows:

1. By deleting clause “6—Award flexibility” and inserting the following:

6. Individual flexibility arrangements

6.1 Despite anything else in this award, an employer and an individual employee may agree to vary the application of the terms of this award relating to any of the following in order to meet the genuine needs of both the employee and the employer:

(a) arrangements for when work is performed; or

(b) overtime rates; or

(c) penalty rates; or

(d) allowances; or

(e) annual leave loading.

6.2 An agreement must be one that is genuinely made by the employer and the individual employee without coercion or duress.

6.3 An agreement may only be made after the individual employee has commenced employment with the employer.

6.4 An employer who wishes to initiate the making of an agreement must:

(a) give the employee a written proposal; and

(b) if the employer is aware that the employee has, or reasonably should be aware that the employee may have, limited understanding of written English, take reasonable steps (including providing a translation in an appropriate language) to ensure that the employee understands the proposal.

6.5 An agreement must result in the employee being better off overall at the time the agreement is made than if the agreement had not been made.

6.6 An agreement must do all of the following:

(a) state the names of the employer and the employee; and

(b) identify the award term, or award terms, the application of which is to be varied; and

(c) set out how the application of the award term, or each award term, is varied; and

(d) set out how the agreement results in the employee being better off overall at the time the agreement is made than if the agreement had not been made; and

(e) state the date the agreement is to start.

6.7 An agreement must be:

(a) in writing; and

(b) signed by the employer and the employee and, if the employee is under 18 years of age, by the employee’s parent or guardian.

6.8 Except as provided in clause 6.7(b), an agreement must not require the approval or consent of a person other than the employer and the employee.

6.9 The employer must keep the agreement as a time and wages record and give a copy to the employee.

6.10 The employer and the employee must genuinely agree, without duress or coercion to any variation of an award provided for by an agreement.

6.11 An agreement may be terminated:

(a) at any time, by written agreement between the employer and the employee; or

(b) by the employer or employee giving 13 weeks’ written notice to the other party (reduced to 4 weeks if the agreement was entered into before the first full pay period starting on or after 4 December 2013).

NOTE: If an employer and employee agree to an arrangement that purports to be an individual flexibility arrangement under this award term and the arrangement does not meet a requirement set out in section 144 then the employee or the employer may terminate the arrangement by giving written notice of not more than 28 days (see section 145 of the Act).

6.12 An agreement terminated as mentioned in clause 6.11(b) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of notice required under that clause.

6.13 The right to make an agreement under clause 6 is additional to, and does not affect, any other term of this award that provides for an agreement between an employer and an individual employee.

2. By deleting the words “Piecework and payment by results” appearing in clause 9.1(c) and inserting “Piecework—General Timber Stream”.

3. By deleting clause “13—Piecework and payment by results” and inserting the following:

13 Piecework—General Timber Stream

13.1 Definition

A pieceworker is an employee who is not a weekly employee but who is engaged to work away from the employer’s mill, yard or other place of business in or in connection with felling, snigging, hauling or other obtaining of logs, billets, chips or other timber at rates of remuneration depending only on the amount of work performed, irrespective of the hours or times concerned.

13.2 Remuneration

Subject to Schedule H—Piece Rates for Workers in Specified Districts, the remuneration payable to a pieceworker will be fixed by agreement between the employee and the employer at rates which would enable an employee of average capacity to earn, for an ordinary week’s work, not less than 25% above the appropriate weekly base rate for the class of work performed.

13.3 Chainsaw and other additional costs

(a) Pieceworkers who, with the agreement of the employer, supply, operate and maintain their own chainsaws will be reimbursed for the supply of that equipment as per clause 13.3(b).

(b) Pieceworkers will be reimbursed for all costs incidental to and directly connected with piecework in one of the following methods as agreed between the employer and the employee concerned:

(i) incorporating the costs into the piecework rate;

(ii) by calculating the costs and applying an additional flat rate or percentage rate to the piecework rate; or

(iii) by reimbursement of the actual amount involved.

13.4 Only the following clauses of this award apply to pieceworkers:

13.5 Shifting haulers

Pieceworkers will be paid at the award rate plus 25% for time occupied shifting haulers from one landing to another except in cases where the piecework rates are arranged to include time occupied in shifting haulers.

13.6 Sleepers—loading and turning

When sleepers are being inspected whilst they are being loaded into trucks by pieceworkers and, at the request of the employer or of a government inspector or of the buyer, the sleepers are turned for inspection or reinspection, the loaders will receive turning rates whilst turning sleepers and loading rates whilst loading those sleepers.

13.7 Measurement of logs

All logs felled or hauled at piecework rates will be measured or weighed at the mill landing or elsewhere by agreement. Particulars of the logs so measured or weighed will be given to the pieceworker at least once a fortnight unless otherwise agreed upon by the employer and employee. These particulars will set out the name of the mill supplied, the name of the employee, the date, the brand, the length, the girth or the weight or the cubic meterage of those logs scaled according to the prevailing practice.

13.8 Subsistence allowance

(a) The employer will make every reasonable effort to ensure that the logs are not unduly delayed by stockpiling in the bush. Where logs are stockpiled in excess of 14 days in the bush the pieceworkers affected may be paid, by agreement, a subsistence allowance based on the estimated tonnage of the logs in the pieceworkers’ pile agreed to between the pieceworkers and the employer.

(b) If the actual tonnage turns out to be greater than or less than the estimated tonnage after weighing, an adjustment will be made for the differences in the employee’s next pay or otherwise as agreed to between the employer and the employee concerned.

13.9 Royalty payment

Where the employee obtaining the timber pays royalty on behalf of the employer, the employer will reimburse the royalty to the employee in addition to piecework rates.

13.10 Payslips

The employer will supply in writing to each piecework employee the following information:

(a) tonnes cut—saw log—pulp log;

(b) classification;

(c) gross pay;

(d) the nature and amount of all allowances paid;

(e) the nature and amount of all deductions;

(f) taxation;

(g) net pay;

(h) adjustments;

(i) conversion factor tonnes/metre;

(j) date of payment; and

(k) any leave entitlements.

13.11 Base rate of pay

(a) The base rate of pay in relation to entitlements under the NES for an employee on a piecework rate is the minimum rate in clause 20—Minimum rates for the employee’s classification level.

(b) The full rate of pay in relation to entitlements under the NES for an employee on a piecework rate is the minimum rate in clause 20—Minimum rates for the employee’s classification level plus a loading of 25%.

13.12 Pieceworker reimbursement

All pieceworkers will be reimbursed for all costs incidental to and directly connected with piecework in one of the following methods as agreed between the employee and employer concerned:

(a) incorporating the costs into the piecework rate;

(b) by calculating the costs and applying an additional flat rate or percentage rate to the piecework rate; or

(c) by reimbursement of the actual amount involved. Such amount will be a minimum of 9.6% of the standard rate.

4. By renumbering clauses 20.2 to 20.10 as clauses 20.3 to 20.11

5. By inserting clause 20.2 as follows:

20.2 Payment by results—Wood and Timber Furniture Stream

(a) An employer may remunerate any of their employees, engaged under the classifications in the Wood and Timber Furniture Stream, under any system of payment by results based on rates which would enable a worker of average capacity working under conditions to earn at least 12.5% in excess of the appropriate minimum weekly rate prescribed by this award for an adult employee.

(b) An employee remunerated pursuant to clause 20.2 will, if ready, willing and available to work during the ordinary hours of the week, receive at least the weekly rate prescribed by this award for the class of work being performed.

(c) All employees working under a system of payment by results and doing the same operation in a factory or workshop will be paid the same by results rate whether they are adults, apprentices or juniors.

(d) The base rate of pay in relation to entitlements under the NES for an employee paid by results under clause 20.2 is the minimum rate in clause 20.1(b) for the employee’s classification level.

(e) The full rate of pay in relation to entitlements under the NES for an employee paid by results under clause 20.2 is the minimum rate in clause 20.1(b). for the employee’s classification level plus a loading of 12.5%.

6. By deleting clause “34—Consultation” and inserting the following:

34. Consultation about major workplace change

34.1 If an employer makes a definite decision to make major changes in production, program, organisation, structure or technology that are likely to have significant effects on employees, the employer must:

(a) give notice of the changes to all employees who may be affected by them and their representatives (if any); and

(b) discuss with affected employees and their representatives (if any):

(i) the introduction of the changes; and

(ii) their likely effect on employees; and

(iii) measures to avoid or reduce the adverse effects of the changes on employees; and

(c) commence discussions as soon as practicable after a definite decision has been made.

34.2 For the purposes of the discussion under clause 34.1(b), the employer must give in writing to the affected employees and their representatives (if any) all relevant information about the changes including:

(a) their nature; and

(b) their expected effect on employees; and

(c) any other matters likely to affect employees.

34.3 Clause 34.2 does not require an employer to disclose any confidential information if its disclosure would be contrary to the employer’s interests.

34.4 The employer must promptly consider any matters raised by the employees or their representatives about the changes in the course of the discussion under clause 34.1(b).

34.5 In clause 34 significant effects, on employees, includes any of the following:

(a) termination of employment; or

(b) major changes in the composition, operation or size of the employer’s workforce or in the skills required; or

(c) loss of, or reduction in, job or promotion opportunities; or

(d) loss of, or reduction in, job tenure; or

(e) alteration of hours of work; or

(f) the need for employees to be retrained or transferred to other work or locations; or

(g) job restructuring.

34.6 Where this award makes provision for alteration of any of the matters defined at 34.5, such alteration is taken not to have significant effect.

7. By renumbering clauses 35 to 38 as clauses 36 to 39.

8. By inserting a new clause 35 as follows:

35. Consultation about changes to rosters or hours of work

35.1 Clause 35 applies if an employer proposes to change the regular roster or ordinary hours of work of an employee, other than an employee whose working hours are irregular, sporadic or unpredictable.

35.2 The employer must consult with any employees affected by the proposed change and their representatives (if any).

35.3 For the purpose of the consultation, the employer must:

(a) provide to the employees and representatives mentioned in clause 35.2 information about the proposed change (for example, information about the nature of the change and when it is to begin); and

(b) invite the employees to give their views about the impact of the proposed change on them (including any impact on their family or caring responsibilities) and also invite their representative (if any) to give their views about that impact.

35.4 The employer must consider any views given under clause 35.3(b).

35.5 Clause 35 is to be read in conjunction with any other provisions of this award concerning the scheduling of work or the giving of notice.

9. By deleting “clause 36—Dispute resolution” and inserting the following:

36. Dispute resolution

36.1 Clause 36 sets out the procedures to be followed if a dispute arises about a matter under this award or in relation to the NES.

36.2 The parties to the dispute must first try to resolve the dispute at the workplace through discussion between the employee or employees concerned and the relevant supervisor.

36.3 If the dispute is not resolved through discussion as mentioned in clause 36.2, the parties to the dispute must then try to resolve it in a timely manner at the workplace through discussion between the employee or employees concerned and more senior levels of management, as appropriate.

36.4 If the dispute is unable to be resolved at the workplace and all appropriate steps have been taken under clauses 36.2 and 36.3, a party to the dispute may refer it to the Fair Work Commission.

36.5 The parties may agree on the process to be followed by the Fair Work Commission in dealing with the dispute, including mediation, conciliation and consent arbitration.

36.6 If the dispute remains unresolved, the Fair Work Commission may use any method of dispute resolution that it is permitted by the Act to use and that it considers appropriate for resolving the dispute.

36.7 A party to the dispute may appoint a person, organisation or association to support and/or represent them in any discussion or process under clause 36.

36.8 While procedures are being followed under clause 36 in relation to a dispute:

(a) work must continue in accordance with this award and the Act; and

(b) an employee must not unreasonably fail to comply with any direction given by the employer about performing work, whether at the same or another workplace, that is safe and appropriate for the employee to perform.

36.9 Clause 36.8 is subject to any applicable work health and safety legislation.

10. By deleting clause “38—Termination of employment” and inserting the following:

38. Termination of employment

NOTE: The NES sets out requirements for notice of termination by an employer. See sections 117 and 123 of the Act. Clause 38.1 sets out industry-specific requirements for notice of termination by an employee.

38.1 Notice of termination by an employee

(a) Clause 38.1 applies to all employees except those identified in sections 123(1) and 123(3) of the Act.

(b) An employee must give the employer notice of termination in accordance with Table 1—Period of notice of at least the period specified in column 2 according to the period of continuous service of the employee specified in column 1.

Table 1—Period of notice

Column 1 Employee’s period of continuous service with the employer at the end of the day the notice is given	Column 2 Period of notice
Not more than 1 year	1 week
More than 1 year but not more than 3 years	2 weeks
More than 3 years but not more than 5 years	3 weeks
More than 5 years	4 weeks

NOTE: The notice of termination required to be given by an employee is the same as that required of an employer except that the employee does not have to give additional notice based on the age of the employee.

(c) In clause 38.1(b) continuous service has the same meaning as in section 117 of the Act.

(d) If an employee who is at least 18 years old does not give the period of notice required under clause 38.1(b), then the employer may deduct from wages due to the employee under this award an amount that is no more than one week’s wages for the employee.

(e) If the employer has agreed to a shorter period of notice than that required under clause 38.1(b), then no deduction can be made under clause 38.1(d).

(f) Any deduction made under clause 38.1(d) must not be unreasonable in the circumstances.

38.2 Job search entitlement

Where an employer has given notice of termination to an employee, the employee must be allowed time off without loss of pay of up to one day for the purpose of seeking other employment.

38.3 The time off under clause 38.2 is to be taken at times that are convenient to the employee after consultation with the employer.

38.4 Transport of employees on termination of employment

Where means of transport to the bush or bush sawmills is provided by the employer, on the termination of service of an employee, the employee, the employee’s family and goods and chattels will be transported within 48 hours of receipt by the employer of notice that such transport is required, and the employee will be reimbursed the cost of such transport if not provided by the employer. An employee will not be entitled to free transport on a route along which the public is regularly transported for payment, on the other hand the employee will not be charged a rate on such route in excess of that regularly charged to the public.

11. By deleting clause “39—Redundancy” and inserting the following:

39. Redundancy

NOTE: Redundancy pay is provided for in the NES. See sections 119–123 of the Act. Clause 39.4 supplements the NES by providing redundancy pay for some employees of a small business employer.

39.1 Transfer to lower paid duties on redundancy

(a) Clause 39.1 applies if, because of redundancy, the employee is transferred to new duties to which a lower ordinary rate of pay applies.

(b) The employer may:

(i) give the employee notice of the transfer of at least the same length as the employee would be entitled to under section 117 of the Act as if it were a notice of termination given by the employer; or

(ii) transfer the employee to the new duties without giving notice of transfer or before the expiry of a notice of transfer, provided that the employer pays the employee as set out in clause 39.1(c).

(c) If the employer acts as mentioned in clause 39.1(b)(ii), the employee is entitled to a payment of an amount equal to the difference between the ordinary rate of pay of the employee (inclusive of all-purpose allowances, shift rates and penalty rates applicable to ordinary hours) for the hours of work the employee would have worked in the first role, and the ordinary rate of pay (also inclusive of all-purpose allowances, shift rates and penalty rates applicable to ordinary hours) of the employee in the second role for the period for which notice was not given.

39.2 Employee leaving during redundancy notice period

(a) An employee given notice of termination in circumstances of redundancy may terminate their employment during the period of the notice prescribed by section 117(3) of the Act.

(b) The employee is entitled to receive the benefits and payments they would have received under clause 39 or sections 119–123 of the Act had they remained in employment until the expiry of the notice.

(c) However, the employee is not entitled to be paid for any part of the period of notice remaining after the employee ceased to be employed.

39.3 Job search entitlement

(a) Where an employer has given notice of termination to an employee in circumstances of redundancy, the employee must be allowed time off without loss of pay of up to one day for each week of the minimum period of the notice prescribed by section 117(3) of the Act for the purpose of seeking other employment.

(b) If an employee is allowed time off without loss of pay of more than one day under clause 39.3(a), the employee must, at the request of the employer, produce proof of attendance at an interview.

(c) A statutory declaration is sufficient for the purpose of clause 39.3(b).

(d) An employee who fails to produce proof when required under 39.3(b) is not entitled to be paid for the time off.

(e) This entitlement applies instead of clauses 38.2 and 38.3.

39.4 Redundancy pay for employee of small business employer

(a) Clause 39.4 applies to an employee of a small business employer except for an employee who:

(i) only performs work within clause 4.2(f)—Pulp and paper sector of this award; or

(ii) is excluded from redundancy pay under the NES by sections 121(1)(a), 123(1) or 123(4)(a) of the Act.

(b) In clause 39.4(a) an employee is an employee of a small business employer if, immediately before the time the employee’s employment is terminated, or at the time when the employee is given notice of termination as described in section 117(1) of the Act (whichever happens first), the employer is a small business employer as defined by section 23 of the Act.

(c) Subject to clauses 39.4(f) and 39.4(g), an employee is entitled to be paid redundancy pay by the employer if the employee’s employment is terminated:

(i) at the employer’s initiative because the employer no longer requires the job done by the employee to be done by anyone, except where this is due to the ordinary and customary turnover of labour; or

(ii) because of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the employer.

(d) The amount of the redundancy pay in clause 39.4(c) equals the total amount payable to the employee for the redundancy pay period specified in column 2 of Table 2—Redundancy pay period according to the period of continuous service of the employee specified in column 1, worked out at the employee’s base rate of pay for his or her ordinary hours of work.

Table 2—Redundancy pay period

Column 1 Employee’s period of continuous service with the employer on termination	Column 2 Redundancy pay period
Less than 1 year	Nil
At least 1 year but less than 2 years	4 weeks
At least 2 years but less than 3 years	6 weeks
At least 3 years but less than 4 years	7 weeks
At least 4 years and over	8 weeks

(e) In clause 39.4(d) continuous service has the same meaning as in section 119 of the Act.

(f) The terms of section 120 of the Act apply as if section 120 referred to ‘clause 39.4(c)’ rather than ‘section 119’.

NOTE: Under section 120 of the Act the Fair Work Commission can determine that the amount of redundancy pay under the NES is to be reduced if the employer obtains other acceptable employment for the employee or cannot pay that amount. Clause 39.4(f) applies these arrangements also to redundancy pay under clause 39.4.

(g) The terms of section 122 of the Act apply as if section 122 referred to ‘clause 39.4’ rather than ‘this Subdivision’ and to ‘clause 39.4(c)’ rather than ‘section 119’.

NOTE: Under section 122 of the Act transfer of employment situations can affect the obligation to pay redundancy pay under the NES and the Fair Work Commission can make orders affecting redundancy pay. Clause 39.4(g) applies these arrangements also to redundancy pay under clause 39.4.

12. By updating the table of contents and cross-references accordingly.

B. This determination comes into operation on 2 May 2022. In accordance with s.165(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 this determination does not take effect in relation to a particular employee until the start of the employee’s first full pay period that starts on or after 2 May 2022.

VICE PRESIDENT

 1   See also [2022] FWCFB 33, [2019] FWCFB 6858, [2018] FWCFB 4704, [2018] FWCFB 4177, [2018] FWCFB 3009, [2017] FWCFB 5258 and [2017] FWCFB 4419.

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