18th May 2004              COMPASS/TASMAN GROUP          Following the rejection of the Agreement put forward to cover employment at Kyle Road and Industry Park Drive in March this year, the Tasman Group, Larberg and Compass have put forward another offer which they say reflects the wishes of the workforce. The Companies have told the Union they have discussed the changes with representatives of the workforce who are content with the new proposal and believe it overcomes the objections to the previous one. The new document has alterations to the Overtime Clause, Sick Leave Clause, Long Service Leave Clause and Settlement of Disputes Clause. After the Union was given a copy of the new Agreement, we were able to have the Company recognize the "efficiency bonus" as "ordinary pay" for the purpose of Long Service Leave, Annual Leave and Public Holidays. The Company has agreed now to allowing members to take sick leave when they are sick or injured provided a Doctor's certificate or other proof of illness or injury is given to the Employer. The Company will payout unused sick leave at Christmas each year.  In most cases sick leave paid out will be at a higher rate than if it is taken.  The Company believes this will encourage workers to minimize absenteeism. The rates are contained in the table outlines below. The change to the settlement of Disputes Clause is that it now contains a provision that says where workers have taken unauthorized industrial action (i.e strikes) they will forfeit their efficiency bonus from last working day on which it was paid. Overtime Much has been said about "compulsory" overtime.  Nearly all Awards, both in the Meat Industry and outside of it contain clauses that state employees are expected to perform on request, reasonable overtime.  What is reasonable, is of course subject to debate. The Company has altered the Overtime Clause to say that the length and frequency of Overtime will be considered in determining whether Overtime is excessive and that any dispute about the issue should be resolved pursuant to the Settlement of Disputes procedure. The efficiency bonus will be included in the calculation of Overtime Rates.    PAY RATES Regular Daily Hire Timeworkers Classification Base Hourly Rate Hourly rate with 90% Efficiency Bonus Hourly rate with 95% Efficiency Bonus Guaranteed Minimum Week Sick Leave Rate A per day Sick Leave Rate B per day Slaughter $15.00 $21.25 $22.50 $500 $135.00 $140.00 Knife Hand  $14.38 $15.50  $16.00 $400  $100.00 $110.00 Labourer  $13.78 $14.08 $14.38 $400 $100.00 $100.00 Learner Probation Employee $12.50 No bonus paid No bonus paid N/A N/A N/A Bonus payments are calculated in accordance with the Rewards for Success policy which is Appendix A to this Agreement Regular Daily Hire Pieceworkers Classification Base Payment per unit Additional Efficiency Bonus Total Units paid in 8hrs Guaranteed Minimum Week Sick Pay Rate per Day Sick Leave Rate B Per Day Beef Boner/Slicer Per Unit   0-75 $2.52  Per Unit 76+ E B $0.78 N/A $500 $140.00 $150.00 Lamb Cutting Room Boner  Per Unit  0-84 $2.04 Per Unit 85+ E B $0.57 100* $500 $140.00 $140.00 Saw Man Per Unit  0-84 $2.04 Per Unit 85+ E B $0.57 110* $500 $140.00 $150.00 Lamb Knife Hand/Slicer Per Unit  0-80 $1.84 Per Unit E B $0.20 80* $500 $100.00 $110.00 Calve, Mutton Boner & Slicer Per Unit  0-84 $2.04 Per Unit 85+ E B $0.57 N/A $500 $140.00 $150.00 *   Note the Total Units paid column is subject to operators producing products to the Employer's required specifications and production levels on a daily basis. *  (E B)  Efficiency Bonus paid per unit are calculated in accordance with the Rewards for Success policy which is Appendix A to this Agreement.