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The Fair Work Commission has ruled to remove Schedule C from the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award, a move opposed by the PIAA and AMWU, but supported by the Australian Industry Group.

The decision will have little impact for small to medium business owners, the majority of the industry, but may benefit the larger print businesses.

Schedule C set out a list of competencies which employers could use to classify workers based on formal qualifications; however, some of these competencies were outdated, due to the adoption of a newer Printing and Graphic Arts Training Package.

The PIAA and AMWU sought to amend them, while Ai Group, sought to remove Schedule C entirely. The AMWU withdrew its amendments in November, and the FWC this week ruled in favour of Ai Group. At the time Lorraine Cassin, national print division secretary at AMWU said, “Unfortunately, it became clear in the course of our application that the Australian Industry Group had no intention of working constructively with the AMWU and the PIAA to update the competencies in the Award.”

Val Gostencnik, deputy president of the FWC, said in the decision that because the competencies in Schedule C were outdated, and because Schedule B provided an alternative classification method, workers would not be significantly disadvantaged by its removal.

“In our view, retaining an outmoded method of classification and dispute resolution in an award would be inconsistent with the modern awards objective and we consider in the circumstances the removal of Schedule C from the Award is necessary to give effect to the modern awards objective,” he wrote.

Andrew Macaulay, CEO PIAA, told Print21 that the association did not feel the removal of Schedule C was necessary. “We took the position that the status quo was acceptable. The Fair Work Commission decided to make changes, and we will continue to support our members as and when they need it,” said Macaulay.

The AMWU said it is considering its response, and will be able to comment further next week. Ai Group was unavailable for comment.

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