New 2020 Awards – Trigger to Look at Employment Contracts and Drivers’ grades

Employee Agreement

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On 4 May 2020 the two major transport awards were re-published and became the Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020 (Long Distance Award) and the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (Distribution Award). There has not been a wage increase.  But all members should examine their employment contracts with drivers because of a small change in the classification structure of the Awards.  The new classification reinforces that the two Awards complement each other in that many drivers work under both Awards when they switch from long distance to local work and vice versa. The classifications in the Long Distance Award and the Distribution Award now have the same description.  To align the two awards the classification in the Long Distance Award now starts at grade 3.

The Long Distance Award now says:

Grade Description
1 and 2 Grades 1 and 2 are not applicable to this award.
3 Driver of 2 axle rigid vehicle up to 13.9 tonnes GVM. Capacity up to 8 tonnes.
4 Driver of 3 axle rigid vehicle over 13.9 tonnes GVM. Capacity over 8 and up to 12 tonnes.
5 Driver of 4 axle rigid vehicle over 13.9 tonnes GVM.

Driver of rigid vehicle and heavy trailer combination with GCM of 22.4 tonnes or less.

Driver of articulated vehicle with GCM of 22.4 tonnes or less.

Capacity over 12 tonnes.

6 Driver of rigid vehicle and heavy trailer combination with GCM over 22.4 tonnes but not more than 42.5 tonnes.

Driver of articulated vehicle with GCM over 22.4 tonnes.

Driver of low loader (as defined) with GCM of 43 tonnes or less.

Capacity up to 24 tonnes.

7 Driver of rigid vehicle and heavy trailer combination with GCM over 42.5 tonnes but not more than 53.4 tonnes.

Driver of double articulated vehicle with GCM 53.4 tonnes or less (includes B‑doubles).

Driver of low loader (as defined) with GCM over 43 tonnes.

8 Driver of rigid vehicle and trailer(s) or double articulated vehicle with GCM over 53.4 tonnes (includes B-doubles).

Multi-axle trailing equipment up to 70 tonnes capacity.

9 Driver of road train or triple articulated vehicle exceeding 94 tonnes GCM.
10 Multi-axle trailing equipment.

Two immediate issues arise.  First, check that you have employees’ grade descriptions correct in accordance with the new classification system.  Secondly, have copies (even via electronic copy) of the new restructured Awards available to employees.

NatRoad is able to assist to review your employment contracts, including on a fee-for-service basis, writing or re-writing the contracts to reflect the new Award provisions and incorporating the most effective way to engage employees.