Tour company owners Christine Anne Miles and Richard Glinton Miles were fined $6,270 and ordered to repay almost $28,000 in entitlements to a former employee in the Perth Industrial Magistrates Court yesterday.
The full text of an announcement from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection is pasted below
The former owners of a tour company in Busselton were today fined $6,270 in the Perth Industrial Magistrates Court for failing to pay a tour driver the correct entitlements including weekend rates, public holidays, overtime and evening rates over a three and a half year period.
The court also ordered the former owners to pay almost $28,000 to the tour driver to cover these unpaid entitlements.
Christine Anne Miles and Richard Glinton Miles received a fine of $2,310 for 77 breaches of the Transport Workers (Passenger Vehicles) Award relating to offences between January 2001 and July 2002. They were ordered to pay the employee $12,344.79 in unpaid entitlements.
Their company, Melrose Farm Pty Ltd, was fined $3,960 for 88 breaches of the award relating to the offences between August 2002 and June 2004. The employee was awarded $15,478.01 in unpaid entitlements.
Director of Compliance and Education Services, Labour Relations Division, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, Bob Horstman said this case highlighted the need for tourism companies to be aware that employees engaged to drive and be a tour guide are bound by the Transport Workers (Passenger Vehicles) Award.
Mr Horstman said the Award dictated the minimum rates of pay for all bus drivers.
"This decision is a clear indication that employers in the state system are obliged to comply with state industrial awards and agreements.
"Employers who do not comply with the law may be prosecuted and may receive fines in addition to the requirement to pay unpaid entitlements."
If an employer or employee has any questions relating to entitlements or awards contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.
