Block Employee Wage Rates

New Commonwealth workplace laws are now in place, including the modern Horticulture Award 2010 and National Employment Standards which came into effect on 1 January, 2010. As a consequence award wage rates also changed on 1 July 2010.

This wage adjustment results from Fair Work Australia completing its first annual wage review and the introduction of the modern Horticulture Award 2010. Importantly, the wage increase due to the new Award, will be phased in over five years (under the Transitional Provisions of Modern Awards).

Modern Horticulture Award - important features for the dried grape industry:

• Piecework - little change to existing arrangements, although the piecework rate will now include a 15% loading (rather than the previous 12.5%) plus an additional 25% for casuals (same as previously).
• Importantly, there is no guarantee that an employee on a piecework rate will earn at least the minimum ordinary time weekly or hourly wage - as the employee's earnings are contingent on their productivity.
• Ordinary hours and overtime (these provisions don't apply to casuals. That is, casuals can work any hours at ordinary time rates plus the casual loading of 25%).
• Ordinary hours for full time and part time employees won't exceed 152 hours over a 4 week period with all time worked in excess of ordinary hours being deemed overtime (the previous Award provided for a 40 hour week - however the new modern award provides for a 38 hour week).
• Time off in lieu of overtime - employees are allowed time off duty, with pay for a period equal to the overtime worked (to be taken within 3 weeks unless mutually agree on another time).Rather than taking time off in lieu, the employee may elect to be paid for overtime worked provided that is made clear to the employer when overtime is offered.

The ADFA Block Wages Sheet has been updated with the new information and mailed to members.