1.1 TITLE

This Agreement is entitled the RACQ Road Service Patrols Certified Agreement 2005.

1.2 ARRANGEMENT

This Agreement is arranged as follows:

Part 1 - Application and Operation of Agreement

1.1 Title                                                                     

1.2 Arrangement                    

1.3 Definitions

1.4 Incidence and Parties bound

1.5 Date and period of operation

1.6 Relationship to parent award 

1.7 Single Bargaining Unit

1.8 Aim of Agreement

1.9 Commitments

1.10 Measures to Achieve Gains in Productivity, Efficiency and Flexibility

1.11 Anti-Discrimination

Part 2 - Dispute Avoidance

2.1 Dispute Avoidance Procedure

Part 3 - Employment Relationship

3.1 Redeployment

3.2 Redundancy

Part 4 - Salaries and Related Matters

4.1 Wage Increase

4.2 Grade 4 Patrol Leading-Hand Allowance

4.3 Battery fitment and Sales

4.4 Battery Commission

4.5 Wages Taken as Non-Cash Benefits

4.6 Broadband Internet Allowance

4.7 Telephone Allowance

4.8 Laundry Allowance

4.9 First Aid Allowance

4.10 Standby Allowance

4.11 Higher Duties Allowance

4.12 Superannuation Contribution

Part 5 - Hours of Work, Overtime and Shift Work

5.1 Flexibility in Rosters

5.2 Fixed Roster Position

5.3 Standby Periods  

5.4 On-Call Availability

5.5 Allocation of overtime

5.6 Acceptance of Jobs

Part 6 - Leave

6.1 Holiday rosters

6.2 Personal Carers Leave

6.3 Bereavement Leave

6.4 Sick Leave

6.5 Taking Long Service Leave

Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions

7.1 Introduction or Modification of Technology and Associated Work Processes

7.2 Training

7.3 Promotion, Sales and Fitment

7.4 Servicing of Vehicles

7.5 Receipting of Club Funds

7.6 Employees Representatives

7.7 Joint Consultative Committee

7.8 Relief Patrols

7.9 City-Start Point Patrols

7.10 Flexible Working Arrangements

7.11 Postal Ballot

Part 8 - Declaration and Signatories

8.1 Declaration

8.2 Renewal of Agreement/Future Negotiations

8.3 Signatories

APPENDIX A JCC Charter

1.3 DEFINITIONS

Patrol Officer Grading

Patrol Officer - Grade 1 -A Patrol Officer Grade 1 is a new employee for whom there will be two (2) methods of entry:-

Patrol Officer - Grade 1 (Cadet) - A Cadet is a new employee who has passed the RACQ selection tests and successfully completed RACQ induction training who possesses industry experience as deemed relevant and may be working toward an appropriate trade qualification.

Patrol Officer - Grade 1 (Qualified) - A ‘qualified’ trainee is a new employee who has passed the RACQ selection tests and successfully completed RACQ induction training who also holds an appropriate trade qualification.

Patrol Officer - Grade 2 - An employee who has satisfactorily worked to the required Grade 1 performance standards for a period of 12 months and successfully completed the appropriate training modules.

Patrol Officer - Grade 3 - An employee who has satisfactorily worked to the required Grade 2 performance standards for a period of 12 months and has successfully completed the appropriate training modules. Grade 3 Patrols require minimal supervision and can be asked to perform the more difficult tasks and to assist Patrols in the lower grades as required.

Patrol Officer - Grade 4 - Appointment by vacancy only. An employee who has successfully proven their competence at the Grade 3 level and their capacity to work above the level of a Grade 3 Patrol. Grade 4 patrols are required to act as Leading Hands and carry out extra duties, special projects etc. Grade 4 Patrols are encouraged to undertake further education in business management.

Patrols who wish to dispute their rate of progression through the grades may utilise the dispute resolution provisions outlined in Clause 2.1 of this Agreement.

Where a Patrol has failed to successfully complete the required training modules within the twelve-month period, a further opportunity will be provided within the subsequent six-month period. No Patrol will progress to the next level unless all requirements for training and performance standards have been achieved.

1.4 INCIDENCE AND PARTIES BOUND

This Agreement shall apply to and be binding upon:

a) RACQ Operations Pty Ltd. (RACQ).

b) All employees whether members of an organisation of employees listed in subclause (c) here of, or not, and engaged in any of the occupations specified in the Road Service Patrols Award - RACQ.

c) The Automotive, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland. 

1.5 DATE AND PERIOD OF OPERATION

This Agreement shall come into effect as of 16 January 2005 and remain in force until 15 January 2008. This agreement replaces the RACQ Road Service Patrols Certified Agreement 2002 (CA486/02).

1.6 RELATIONSHIP TO PARENT AWARD

The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be read and interpreted wholly in conjunction with the " Road Service Patrols Award - RACQ". Where the terms of the Award are in conflict with the terms of this Agreement, this Agreement will take precedence.

1.7 SINGLE BARGAINING UNIT

For the purpose of negotiating an enterprise agreement, in accordance with the decision in the January 1992 State Wage Case, a single bargaining unit has been established, with a negotiating committee consisting of three (3) management representatives, three (3) employee representatives and a representative of the AMWU should they be required. A broad agenda of ideas and suggestions from staff have been considered.

1.8 AIM OF AGREEMENT

It is the objective of the parties to this Agreement to implement workplace practices so as to provide for more flexible working arrangements, which improve the efficiency and productivity of the employees, enhance skills and job satisfaction and assist positively in ensuring that RACQ becomes a more efficient, productive and customer focused enterprise.

1.9 COMMITMENTS

a) The Union undertakes that they will not pursue any extra claims, either Award, or over-Award for the duration of this Agreement, other than as provided for in Clause 16 of the Award.

b) Any Safety Net Adjustments granted are to maintain a relevant "safety net" to underpin enterprise bargaining, and are fully absorbable into increases arising from this Agreement.

c) The Agreement shall not operate so as to cause an employee to suffer a reduction in ordinary time earnings or departures from the standards of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in regard to hours of work, annual leave with pay, long service leave with pay.

1.10 MEASURES TO ACHIEVE GAINS IN PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY AND FLEXIBILITY

a) General Statement - Consistent with the terms of the decision in the January 1992 State Wage Case, measures designed to achieve real and demonstrable gains in productivity, efficiency and flexibility will, or have been implemented and are set out in this Agreement.  

b) Productivity Improvement General - The parties to this Agreement have developed a broad framework to facilitate ongoing improvement based on productivity, efficiency and flexibility benchmarks agreed upon by the consultative committee.

c) Continuous Improvement Activities for Duration of Certified Agreement -The benchmarks serve as indicators for employees to continually meet, and cover employee skills and training, efficiency, technology and flexibility in rosters.

d) Expected Benefits - The Benefits associated with the implementation of the Enterprise Agreement are:

(i) The implementation of new technology to allow RACQ to meet its objective of efficient and effective delivery of Road Service to its members. Refer to clause 7.1

(ii) The introduction of additional revenue generating duties into the scope of functions performed by Patrols. Refer Clause 7.3

(iii) An increase in the flexibility in the start points for certain Patrols (refer clause 7.10), the servicing of patrol vehicles (refer clause 7.4), the receipting and payment of monies by Patrols (refer clause 7.5)

1.11 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION

The parties to this Agreement agree that: -

a) It is their intention to achieve the principle object in paragraph 3(c) of The Industrial Relations Act 1999, which is to respect and value the diversity of the work force by helping to prevent and eliminate discrimination at their enterprise on the basis of race, colour, sex, sexual preference, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin; and

b) Any dispute concerning these provisions and their operation will be progressed initially under the dispute resolution procedure in this Agreement; and

c) Nothing in these provisions allows any treatment that would otherwise be prohibited by anti-discrimination provisions in applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation; and

d) Nothing in these provisions prohibits:

i) where the Agreement is approved before 23 June 2000, the payment of junior rates of pay; or

ii) any discriminatory conduct (or conduct having a discriminatory effect) if;

A. the employee is a member of staff of an institution that is conducted in accordance with doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of a particular religion or creed; and

B. the conduct was in good faith to avoid injury to the religious susceptibilities of that religion or creed.

PART 2 DISPUTE AVOIDANCE

2.1 DISPUTE AVOIDANCE PROCEDURE

The parties to this Agreement shall observe the procedures under Clause 3.2 of the Road Service Patrol Award - RACQ

PART 3 EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP

3.1 REDEPLOYMENT

Wherever possible, redeployment of the incumbent Patrol Officer will be the preferred option addressing circumstances where a position has been made redundant.

3.2 REDUNDANCY

Where termination of employment occurs due to redundancy, Patrol Officers will be entitled to a severance payment of two (2) week’s wages for each year of service, pro-rata for completed months, with a minimum payment of two (2) weeks and a maximum payment of 50 weeks.  

PART 4 SALARIES AND RELATED MATTERS

4.1 WAGE INCREASE

a) General Pay Increase

4.2 GRADE 4 PATROL LEADING-HAND ALLOWANCE

The leading hand allowance will be payable at a rate of 6.72% of the base pay of a Grade 3 Patrol (excluding all penalties and allowances).

4.3 BATTERY SALES & FITMENT

a) Intent - In instances where patrol diagnoses a faulty battery as the cause of a customer road service call, the patrol will offer for sale, fit and receipt a battery, and any associated accessories, from stock held in the patrol vehicle.

b) Payment - Patrols will be receive a commission from the sale of each battery. This commission is paid as a team based 'battery bonus'.

c) Vehicle Fit-out - each patrol vehicle will be equipped to carry a range of batteries and accessories as part of the normal vehicle fit-out.

d) Re-stocktaking - The patrol must maintain the standard range of batteries as determined from time to time by re-stocking at designated re-stocking points. At each stocking point the patrol will transfer all scrap batteries out of the vehicle and re-load the vehicle with new stock. The patrol will also complete all necessary stock control paperwork as may be determined from time to time.

e) Receipting - The patrol will receipt payment for a battery sale through acceptance of either cash, credit card, cheque or fleet account. The patrol will complete all necessary receipting paperwork as determined form time to time. The patrol will also comply with any company - wide cash handling policies with regard to frequency of paying in at designated pay-in locations, security and documentation.

f) Operational Procedures - The patrol will complete all necessary mobile data unit/data transmission operations as determined from time to time to enable all battery sales to be recorded and operational statistics to be maintained.

4.4 BATTERY COMMISSION

A commission of $9.81 will be paid to Patrols for the sale or warranty replacement of each battery subject to the following:

a) The battery commission is the gross amount to be expended by RACQ and is inclusive of its superannuation obligations. The amounts will be paid through the payroll system, and subject to the relevant taxation legislation.

b) Battery Commission will be paid on a team basis. The total amount of all individual commissions will be paid in equal amounts paid to each team member on a two monthly basis.

Following the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax on the 1st July 2000 an index will be developed (based on the top 10 batteries by volume) which will directly link the average battery sale price to the value of the commission payable. Currently, the index will equate to $9.81. There after any movement in the average sale price of batteries will, via the index, be reflected in the commission payment.

4.6 BROADBAND INTERNET ALLOWANCE

RACQ and patrols agree to a phased introduction of remote connectivity of Patrols to the RACQ intranet via the world wide web (WWW). In the first year of operation this will be on a voluntary basis with a payment of 50% of the Telstra Standard ADSL monthly fee. Initial installation fees of the nominated carrier will be paid for new connections where a patrol does not have an existing connection. RACQ will provide patrols with adequate training to facilitate all Patrols being connected by the beginning of the second year of this agreement.

At that time an allowance equivalent to the nominated carriers monthly fee shall be paid to each patrol officer for the cost of ADSL access fees. To participate in this scheme each patrol agrees to communicate with and receive electronic mail from RACQ.

RACQ will provide the necessary software to support this system and will assist with the acquisition of hardware.

4.7 TELEPHONE ALLOWANCE

A telephone allowance will be paid to each patrol equivalent to 1/26 the annual charge levied by Telstra for a single standard telephone line and handset.The allowance will be paid fortnightly through the payroll system and processed in accordance with tax legislation.

4.8 LAUNDRY ALLOWANCE

Patrol officers shall be paid an allowance of $8.00 per week for the cost of laundry. The allowance is indexed to scheduled wage increases in the second and third year of the agreement.

4.9 FIRST AID ALLOWANCE

Patrol officers holding a current first aid certificate and designated as first aid officers shall be paid a first aid allowance of $11.00 per week. Designation of first aid officers shall be by RACQ. Patrol officers currently receiving the allowance will retain the first aid allowance whilst certification is current.

4.10 STANDBY ALLOWANCE

Patrol Officers rostered on Standby will receive an allowance per standby period according to the following schedule:

The standby allowance is payable irrespective if a Patrol Officer is called out to work during the standby period or not. The standby allowance will be paid after completion of each standby period.

4.11 HIGHER DUTIES ALLOWANCE

Patrol officers who are required to perform work at a level above their current classified level for a period of more than two days (or shifts), shall be paid at the minimum rate prescribed for that higher level for the whole period involved on such higher duties.

4.12 SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION

From the effective date of this agreement to the 30th June 2005 the agreed funds, which RACQ will pay contributions to are Finsuper and RACQ Superannuation Fund (Defined Benefit and Accumulation). From the 1^st July 2005 the agreed superannuation funds will be expanded to include the Superannuation Trust Fund.

PART 5 HOURS OF WORK, OVERTIME AND SHIFTWORK

5.1 FLEXIBILITY IN ROSTERS

Definition -The ability to 'fit' the roster for Patrol staff to the work demand e.g. patrols on shift at peak demand times.

As work demand alters, roster reviews need to be done on a regular basis to ensure maximum efficiency and service provision.

Roster reviews will be conducted in accordance with the consultative mechanisms outlined in this Agreement and the Award.

5.2 FIXED ROSTER POSITION

a) Intent - Each patrol will be allocated a fixed position in their respective roster, which will not vary during periods of annual leave, long service or other extended periods of absence.

b) Review of Rosters - Periodic roster reviews may take place from time to time to ensure that the allocation of fixed locations within the roster provide an even geographic coverage of patrols with respect to start times.

5.3 STANDBY PERIODS

Patrol Officers agree to participate in a planned standby programme.

a) Intent - To provide a mechanism that contributes to the allocation of overtime requirements in a planned and reasonable manner, while recognising the lifestyle considerations of Patrol Officers.

b) Participation levels will be either 6, 11 or 22 periods on average per year. Each period will be of four (4) hours duration. Patrols will not be required to participate in standby periods falling on a Saturday or a Sunday in excess of the following minimum requirements unless by mutual agreement.

No. Standby Periods	Six (6)	Eleven (11)	Twenty-two (22)
Saturdays / Sundays	2	4	6

c) While standby periods will be set on the basis of a roster or rosters in accordance with clause 5.1, individual patrols will be given the flexibility to select their own level of participation and signify their preference for standby periods either before a shift, after a shift, on rostered days off (or in combination). When rostering standby periods every endeavour will be made to accommodate each Patrol Officers nominated preferences for standby period deployment (ie before or after a normal shift) an 80% minimum fit with nominated preferences shall be adhered to.

d) In the case of the standby period commencing prior to the start of the Patrol Officers ordinary shift there will be a break of 30 minutes (between the end of the standby period and the start of the ordinary shift).

e) In the case of the standby period commencing after the completion of the Patrol Officers ordinary shift there will be a break of 30 minutes between the end of the ordinary shift and the commencement of the standby period.

f) Patrol Officers will not be required to commence deployment for overtime after two (2) hours prior to the end of a standby period.

g) Overtime conditions for work performed in standby periods shall be paid in accordance with the Award.

h) No Patrol Officer will be required to work beyond the end of the standby period.

i) Standby periods will be contained within the spread of rostered hours (6am – 11pm).

j) Only one callout will occur during each standby period and each Patrol Officer will maintain their availability to commence work immediately on callout.

k) In exceptional circumstances where a Patrol Officer is unable to fulfil the rostered standby period commitment, alternative standby arrangements are to be made with the Operations Manager Patrols.

l) If no new agreement has been reached by 16th of January 2008, the operation and payment of the standby clause will be suspended.

m) On the production of suitable medical evidence, consideration will be given to an individual patrol with regard to participation in the standby programme.       

vii) Forfeiture of the value of any stand-by payment (applicable for that particular day) will result if a patrol is unable to be contacted by the Contact Centre when required or fails to comply with vi).

5.5 ALLOCATION OF OVERTIME

A documented policy will be available that details the process of overtime allocation. The document will be available in the Patrols Operations Manual.

5.6 ACCEPTANCE OF JOBS

Patrol Officers agree to accept jobs up to 15 minutes prior to the end of their ordinary rostered shift, providing the job is in the general direction towards the nominated finishing location. The Club will endeavour to ensure that patrol officers will reach the nominated finishing location by the normal finishing time of each shift.

PART 6 LEAVE

6.1 HOLIDAY ROSTERS

a) Intent - Flexibility will be introduced into patrol holidays to the extent that annual/long service leave will be taken at mutually agreed times within a given team.

b) Operation - A patrol will have the facility to split leave entitlements within a mutually agreed holiday roster for a given team. The minimum period by which leave will be taken is two weeks.

Where mutual agreement cannot be reached within a given team, the Operations Manager - Patrols will arbitrate on the basis of operations efficiency.

c) Patrol Coverage for the Christmas / New Year Period - In addition to a yearly leave roster within a team, a mutually agreed Christmas / New Year roster will also be developed within the team to facilitate equal opportunity for each member to access days off over the Christmas / New Year period.

For the purpose of this agreement the Christmas / New Year period is considered to be a nine day period commencing Christmas Eve.

d) Due Date - A patrol's annual leave will fall due on the anniversary date commencing employment with RACQ. The leave will then be taken during the following calendar year in accordance with Clause 7 of the Award.

6.2 PERSONAL CARERS LEAVE

The purpose of carer’s leave is to care and support members of the employee’s immediate family or household when they are ill. An employee cannot take carer’s leave if another person has taken leave to care for the same person.

Applications for carer’s leave must be made in advance wherever possible, and provide the name and relationship of the person requiring care as well as the reason for taking the leave and the expected length of absence.

The medical certification requirements for carer’s leave must be made in advance wherever possible, and provide the name and relationship of the person requiring care as well as the reason for taking the leave and the expected length of absence

For absence that exceeds 2 days the employee must produce a certificate from a duly qualified medical practitioner specifying the nature of the illness, the period or approximate period during which the employee will be unable to work.

a) Sick Leave used for Carers Leave – A trial of the following enhancement will take place. Should a significant increase in sick leave or leave without pay occur RACQ reserve the right to review this enhancement in subsequent wage negotiations.

Employees will be able to use all of their accrued sick leave entitlement for the purpose of caring for an immediate family or household member who is ill and requiring care and support of the employee.

b) Annual Leave – By mutual agreement, an employee may use their annual leave entitlement when taking carer’s leave.

a) Unpaid Leave – By mutual agreement, an employee may take unpaid carer’s leave.

6.3 BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Patrols are entitled to bereavement leave on full pay of up to:

i. 2 days for the death of a parent, parent-in-law, sibling, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law or grandchild.

ii. 5 days for the death of a partner (spouse or de facto spouse of either gender) or child (or stepchild).

Where an employee can demonstrate a need to travel for bereavement purposes the following additional paid leave will also be provided:

1. 1 day for return travel of eight hours

2. 2 days for return travel in excess of eight hours

6.4 SICK LEAVE

Commencing 16 January 2005, a full-time Patrol who is unable to perform the duties of their position on account of illness not covered by workers’ compensation, shall be entitled to 10 days (76 hours) sick leave per annum without loss of pay.

6.5 TAKING LONG SERVICE LEAVE

Each permanent employee having completed 10 years or more continuous service, is entitled and may choose to take all or part of their accrued long service leave as paid leave provided that such leave is of at least 2 weeks duration.

PART 7 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

7.1 INTRODUCTION OR MODIFICATION OF TECHNOLOGY AND ASSOCIATED WORK PROCESSES

Intent - It is the corporate aim of RACQ to utilise technological advances to assist with the efficient and effective delivery of road service meeting the changing needs and requirements for customers. RACQ seeks the assistance of all of its Road Service staff to maximise the value of technological change through the acceptance and operation of such technologies and associated work processes by Road Service staff.

Consultation - With the introduction of all new technology RACQ is committed to a process of prior consultation with all affected staff.

Road Service Patrol staff commit to accepting and operating additional functionality associated with the introduction or modification of technology. Road Service staff will further commit to adopt work processes associated with:

a) technologies necessary to satisfy the road service needs and requirements of RACQ.

b) contractual obligations to third parties such as fleet and vehicle manufacturers.

7.2 TRAINING

a) Company Initiated Training - Employees shall undertake training and retraining as required by the RACQ. The RACQ will pay all costs associated with training whether it is formal, internal, external or on the job

b) Employee Initiated - Employees planning to undertake further training should discuss this matter with the Operations Manager - Patrols. The Company policy regarding External Study Assistance will apply.

7.3 PROMOTION, SALES AND FITMENT

a) Intent - RACQ has a commitment to continual improvement in service delivering and development of commercial services within its road service operations. This commitment will from, time to time, involve the patrols in either promoting or directly selling and fitting new products or services.

b) No Additional Payment - Patrols commit to introducing such new products or services without seeking additional payment (base increase, allowance or commission) where the introduction of the new product or service falls within the general scope of patrol duties. This does not include one-off sales promotions or incentives.

c) Prior Consultation - RACQ management and patrol representatives will work together in a consultative process to introduce such new products and services.

7.4 SERVICING OF VEHICLES

a) Intent - To remove unproductive time involved in dropping off and picking up patrol vehicles when routine servicing is required and to ensure that the vehicles’ routine service schedules are maintained.

b) Operation - Each patrol will be responsible for arranging their own vehicle servicing direct with the Fleet Vehicle Maintenance Centre (FVMC).

A vehicle booked in for service will be delivered to FVMC on completion of a shift prior to commencing a period of rostered days off.

The vehicle will be picked up prior to the commencement of the next rostered shift.

The time taken to deliver a vehicle to the FVMC and pick-up a vehicle form the FVMC will not form part of a patrols normal hours of work or attract an overtime penalty. However where possible a replacement vehicle will be provided to the patrol for the purpose of driving home and returning to pick up the vehicle being serviced.

7.5 RECEIPTING OF CLUB FUNDS

a) Intent - Each patrol will be required to perform their "paying-in" duties either prior to or following the completion of a rostered shift.

b) Operation - Each patrol will be issued with the necessary paperwork to allow for direct payment into a bank account nominated by the RACQ and return all necessary summary data back to the Club for administrative and audit purposes.

The time taken to "pay-in" will not form part of a patrols normal hours of work or attract an overtime penalty.

7.6 EMPLOYEES REPRESENTATIVES

An employee elected from staff employed as road service patrols, shall upon notification to the employer be recognised as a representative for the patrols.

A representative for patrols will be allowed reasonable time during normal working hours to meet with the employer on matters affecting those whom they represent in accordance with the Dispute Avoidance procedure refer clause 2.1 of this agreement.

RACQ will not unreasonably restrict Patrols delegate representatives from attending mutually approved training and access to employees for consultation and discussion regarding relevant issues.

Subject to prior approval of the employer a representative shall be allowed at a place designated by the employer reasonable time during working hours to meet with a duly accredited official of the union to which the patrols pay dues. Additionally RACQ will provide a meeting venue, up to twice in any calendar year, for the purpose of patrol representative (s) meeting with fellow patrols.

RACQ Road Service Patrols Certified Agreement 2005 Page 19

For patrols working their rostered shift arrangements will be made to provide them with up to two (2) hours of paid time to attend the meetings, during their shift.

The holding and timing of these meetings will be by mutual agreement.

7.7 JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

The parties have jointly developed an appropriate consultative committee charter, (refer Appendix A) which promotes a consultative approach to work organisation and change.

a) Employee representatives shall be allowed reasonable time during working hours without loss of pay to meet and prepare for meetings. The timing and duration of these meetings will by mutual agreement with the Operations Manager – Patrols or Manager Road Service

b) Employee representatives are to be paid a minimum of two hours overtime for each meeting attended where the start of meeting is held outside their normal rostered hours

7.8 RELIEF PATROLS

a) Intent - To obtain greater economic use of the patrol vehicle fleet relief patrols will be recruited for the purpose of operating in patrol vehicles, vacated by patrols on annual leave and/or long service leave.

b) Operation - Patrols, recruited as part of the normal expansion/replacement of the Club's own patrol work force, will be employed on the basis of Relief Patrol.

Relief patrols will not be assigned a patrol vehicle but will occupy vehicles vacated by patrols on leave.

The number of relief patrols will be limited to four to ensure that a vacant vehicle is always available.

Relief patrols will be given preference to move to an allocated vehicle position as and when a vacancy arises.

7.9 CITY - START - PATROLS

a) Intent - Due to the concentration of road service calls originating in the central business district (CBD) during normal working days, a number of patrols will operate with start point locations in or adjacent to the CBD.

b) Number of City - Start - Patrols - The maximum number of city - start - point - patrols will be set at six (6).

c) Selection - All newly recruited Brisbane patrols will commence their employment as city-start-patrols. As vacancies arise from home-start-point patrols these vacancies will only be filled from those patrols employed as city-start-patrols. The maximum term of engagement as a City Start Patrol is 18 months from commencement of deployment on City Start.

d) Operation - City-starts will only operate from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

City-start-patrols will commence their shift at an agreed city-start location and will finish their shift off at their home location (for patrols living in the Brisbane metropolitan area) or at an agreed finishing location (for patrols living outside the Brisbane metropolitan area).

The agreed finishing location will also be the starting location for shifts worked on Saturday, Sunday and all public holidays.

e) Meal Breaks - City-start Patrol will take their meal breaks at an RACQ facility or another mutually agreed location whilst working in the CBD or adjacent areas.

7.10 FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

The parties agree to trial flexible working arrangements that are not already provided for in existing industrial instruments. These trials, which may include (but not be limited to) work arrangements such as split shifts and part-time work, will be undertaken to evaluate:

• Productivity;

• Lifestyle;

• Workability;

• Member Service.

All trials will:

• be undertaken by Patrols on a voluntary basis;

• be undertaken on the basis of an average of 38 ordinary hours per week;

• involve a maximum of 12 ordinary hours per day;

• be worked on an average of not more than 5 days per week;

• be undertaken for a period of 30 days or if the trial is inconclusive for a further 30-day period.

Any trial that the parties believe is viable may be implemented on a permanent basis subject to the agreement of the affected Patrols. Where such an arrangement is entered into the terms will be documented and forwarded by the parties to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to form an appendix to this Agreement. The terms of the arrangement may cover the applicable remuneration, expiry of the arrangement and early cancellation of the arrangement.

7.11 POSTAL BALLOT

Any issue requiring a formal vote of patrols will be conducted on a postal ballot basis by the Australian Electoral Commission or other mutually agreeable party. This includes ballots associated with enterprise bargaining agreements.

A ballot will only proceed after patrol representatives have had an opportunity to brief their fellow patrols, as a group, on the issue to be voted upon.

PART 8 DECLARATION AND SIGNATORIES

8.1 DECLARATION

This Enterprise Agreement has been negotiated through extensive consultation between management and employees. The content of the Agreement has been canvassed with all parties. All parties enter into this Agreement with full knowledge as to the content and effect of this document.

8.2 RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT

The parties shall continuously monitor the application of this Agreement to ensure its implementation and agree to commence negotiations no later than six months prior to the expiry of this Agreement.

8.3 SIGNATORIES

Joint Consultative Committee

Road Service Patrols

Operating Guidelines

As an additional method of facilitating communication and understanding with Road Service Patrols and management, a Joint Consultative Committee will operate.

The purpose of the committee is:

1. To provide a vehicle for joint problem solving and consultation regarding operational issues affecting Road Service aimed at creating a more productive and satisfying work environment.

2. To facilitate open communication within Road Service.

3. To promote contribution to the development of policies and procedures affecting the Department’s operations. (Such issues may include for example, rosters, WH&S, overtime allocation, training, application of Industrial instruments).

4. To table issues and concerns from each section within the area with a view to achieving amicable resolutions of such issues.

5. To enhance the quality of decision making in those areas that affect the operations of the Department.

The committee chairperson is generally the Operations Manager, Patrols. Chairperson shall be rotated if so agreed by the committee.

The meetings shall be made of –

1 - Operations Manager Patrols

2 - Primary Patrol Delegates

2 - Workplace Health and Safety Patrol Representatives

2 - Road Service Area Coordinators

Other parties may be invited to join meetings at the request of the committee. This is not limited to Road Service personnel.

RACQ Road Service Patrols Certified Agreement 2005 Page 24

The committee shall determine and nominate a member to complete minutes on each meeting. The minutes are to be agreed to by all parties at the end of the meeting, prior to circulation.

The minutes will be made available to all parties of interest and will be made available on the Intranet once this is operational.

Meetings will be scheduled on a bi-monthly basis, or more frequently as agreed by the committee on a needs basis. An agenda will be made available at least two days prior to a meeting following input from attendees.

As part of the meeting minutes, the date, time and venue of the next scheduled meeting will be determined and agreed.

Attendees are encouraged to participate in as many committee meetings as possible. Attendance at such meetings is treated as a work activity and accordingly, unless by consent, attendance during leave and non-rostered times will not be expected.

The spirit and intent of the committee is to work together in a constructive and non-adversarial manner in an attempt to reach mutually agreeable outcomes.

The committee will agree guidelines for conduct during the meetings. These can be established at the inaugural meeting and a copy provided to all parties.

The committee shall respect the rights of each party in their endeavours to best represent the views and obligations of the organisation and parties whom they represent.