The Australian Industrial Relations Commission is currently handling the federal government’s award modernisation process. Part of AIRC’s brief is to reduce the number of awards operating.CICA president John Gillespie said the retention of a separate mobile crane hire award had been “a huge issue” for CICA members.“So we did our homework and stood up to be counted,” he said. The council engaged the Australian Industry Group to put its case to AIRC. Gillespie said CICA board members Albert Smith and Craig Meldrum had also played an important role.CICA chief executive officer Alan Marshall said the council was confident it had a strong case. “We also had the in-principle support of the CFMEU,” he said. “However, we were mindful that it was still a big ask for the AIRC to recognise our concerns, when award rationalisation has been such a strong government objective in the process.”Although CICA and CFMEU presented a united front to the AIRC on the need to retain a separate award, they differed on minimum rates and employee function groupings.AIRC said in its decision: “We have adopted the position of the Ai Group/CICA in both respects. Their proposal in relation to slew crane operators better reflects the current award groupings and minimum wage levels.” AIRC also adopted CICA’s proposal that the new award should recognise licence requirements for riggers.
