Conditions applying to building and metal trades staff

This part applies to the following categories of trades and services staff: Carpenters, Electricians, Fitters, Oiler/Greasers, Painters, Plant Attendants, Plumbers, Store Attendants (as defined under clause 3); and Trade Assistants

Section 3 - Hours of Work, Breaks, Overtime, Shift Work, Weekend Work

84. High Voltage Availability Operator Duty

84.1 The position of Availability Operator will be rostered between the High Voltage Operators nominated by management. The High Voltage Operators so rostered will be paid an allowance of $36.70 per week for as long as they remain a part of the roster but will have no entitlement to an additional payment for standing by in accordance with clause 35.5. other High Voltage Operators may be required to act as Availability Operators from time to time but will not be a part of the normal roster.

84.2 The rostered Availability Operator will be required to be available at all times and to be ready and able to return to work within a reasonable time of being called upon. In holding themselves ready and able to return to work the Availability Operators must not be under the influence of any drug or substance which may impair their judgement or performance of high voltage operations, including alcohol, recreational drugs and any medication, prescribed or otherwise.

84.3 The rostered Availability Operator will be provided with a portable telephone and a pager which will be used as the first points of contact. Where appropriate a University vehicle may be made available to the Availability Operator for use in travelling to and from the University. At no time is the University vehicle to be used for private purposes. Where the Availability Operator is required to use his/her own vehicle to attend a call-out, an allowance for each kilometre travelled will be paid in accordance with the following:

• 45.9 cents per kilometre where the vehicle engine capacity is 1.6 litres or less;
• 54.9 cents per kilometre where the vehicle engine capacity is over 1.6 litres but 2.6 litres or less; or
• 55.8 cents per kilometre where the vehicle engine capacity is over 2.6 litres.

84.4 The Availability Operator will not be restricted to emergency high voltage operations or to the particular event which may have occasioned the call-out and he/she may be called upon to perform any functions within his/her trade knowledge and expertise. However, the Availability Operator will not be required to perform routine or non-urgent working during his/her presence at the University on a call-out.

84.5 The Availability Operator will be paid at the applicable overtime rates for all time worked on call-out with a minimum payment of four hours for each call-out.

For the purposes of this clause:

• a “call-out” means any occasion on which the rostered Availability Operator is contacted outside normal working hours and is required to attend at the University's premises by his/her supervisor or other authorised nominee of the University;
• a call-out shall be deemed to have commenced at the time that the Availability Operator receives the call requiring his/her attendance at the University and to have been completed when the Availability Operator completes the return journey, and time worked will include all time from the commencement to the completion of the call-out; and
• the receipt of a telephone call by the rostered Availability Operator to utilise the Availability Operator's trade knowledge and expertise although not requiring attendance at the University's premises will not constitute a call-out but shall entitle the Availability Operator to payment of one hour at the appropriate overtime rate.

84.6 Normal 10-hour rest period provisions will apply with respect to all call-outs. This means that call-outs occurring on Sunday to Thursday nights, inclusive:

• finishing before 10 pm will not attract a rest period;
• finishing after 10 pm or commencing between 10 pm and 2.30 am will entitle the Availability Operator to a rest period of 10 hours from the time the call-out is completed;
• commencing between 2.30 am and 5 am will entitle the Availability Operator to a rest period equivalent to the time worked during that period; or
• commencing after 5 am will attract the four-hour minimum payment, but no rest period will apply.