News Flash

RECREATION LEAVE LOADING ADJUSTMENT

The ceiling that applies to annual leave loading has been increased to $613.60 from 1^st July 2006 (previously $594.50).

This ceiling does not apply to employees whose allowances and penalties payable, had they not been on leave, exceeds $613.60 for the leave period (or pro rata). In those cases the employee receives the amount they would have been paid, if not on leave.

The PSA has found many instances especially in Health Units, where members were not paid correctly. PSA took action to ensure that our members were paid correctly and back paid their arrears.

Recently, PSA became aware that Fisheries Officers OPS-4 and above were not being paid the correct amount of recreation leave loading as their employer had not applied their 13.1% allowance, when this exceeded the ceiling. The Department of Primary Industries & Resources will now be calculating this underpayment and back paying to 1997.

The PSA considers this confusion had been created in pay offices because DAIS (Department of Administration and Information Services) issues pay advices referring to the $613.60 as a “maximum”. PSA has requested that DAIS rectify this.

For members, if the salary including recreational leave loading that you receive when on annual leave is less than your normal pay, this would indicate that you are being paid incorrectly. In the first instance check with your pay office.

The Recreational Leave Loading Award (only 2 pages long) can be viewed here.

For further information contact Industrial Officer Sue Cummins on 8205 3260 email sc@cpsu.asn.au or Senior Industrial Officer Ian Peak on ian@cpsu.asn.au

PSA WORKING FOR A FAIR DEAL