A gender equity expert is questioning whether Australia's IR laws are capable of supporting equal pay orders that extend beyond minimum rates, after the FWC rejected an equal remuneration claim for early childhood teachers but flagged a possible work value rise.
A discussion paper on the casual terms award review raises 32 questions for parties to answer in their submissions, including whether common clauses prescribing minimum payments and engagement periods are within its ambit, ahead of a conference this week and hearings slated for mid-June.
The IEU says an FWC full bench is supporting pay rises of up to 10% for early childhood teachers in a decision that finds an increase is justified on work value grounds but seeks more submissions on the capacity of state and federal governments to help fund it.
FWC President Iain Ross says the review of casual employment terms in modern awards will have to move "reasonably quickly" to meet its deadline of completing it by September 27.
The FWC has agreed to the ACTU's request to bring forward the three-year review of domestic violence leave terms in awards, scheduling a conference to start the process at the end of the month and a hearing late this year.
The ACTU has asked FWC President Iain Ross to urgently review the tribunal's rejection in 2018 of its bid for 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave, due to a rising incidence during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Federal Court has today accused pizza chain Domino's of "exaggerating" its concerns about a major class action underpayments claim and has allowed it to proceed towards trial.
The Menulog food delivery business will apply to the FWC for a new modern award covering the on-demand industry, as part of a landmark decision to take the first step toward an employment model based on minimum wages and conditions.
The FWC will hold a conference on Thursday to consider the process of reviewing award casual terms to incorporate the changes flowing from the IR Omnibus legislation.
Employer bodies are asking the FWC's minimum way panel to freeze minimum rates, limit any rises to CPI or to follow last year's precedent and postpone any increases.
