Workers on the Gorgon LNG project will begin voting on Wednesday on whether to take industrial action to push head contractor CB&I to offer shorter roster cycles, at the same time as parliamentary inquiries in WA and Queensland have weighed-up whether new regulations are needed for non-residential workforces.
Esso Australia has locked out 200 maintenance workers at its Bass Strait oil and gas operations, in response to rolling stoppages by AMWU and ETU members.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has revealed it is investigating "serious allegations" of cartel conduct in the ACT that have been aired in the Heydon Royal Commission, while police have charged a royal commission witness with perjury.
An FWC full bench has highlighted the importance of scrutinising the "totality of material" lodged to support the approval of agreements, after it quashed a deal that was passed despite "inconsistent" declarations from a HR manager about compliance with mandatory pre-approval steps.
Former CFMEU official Ben Loakes' claims the union conspired to have him sacked have been rejected by the FWC after it found the official's evidence did not stand up to "any scrutiny".
The AFP have charged a CFMEU official with blackmail, as the police task forces attached to the Heydon Royal Commission broaden their role beyond investigating evidence tendered to the inquiry.
The AWU faces a substantial damages bill after the Federal Court ruled today that the union took adverse action against Esso Australia when its members undertook unprotected industrial action in March, including using the action to coerce Esso into changing its bargaining position.
Victoria's Supreme Court has compelled the CFMEU to give Boral access to documents, including transcripts of interviews by competition watchdog the ACCC, to assist with its multimillion dollar damages claim for the union's bans on its concrete supplies, which will be heard next month.
The FWBC has challenged on "general integrity" grounds the granting of an unconditional entry permit to the CFMEU construction and general division Queensland branch secretary Michael Ravbar, telling an FWC full bench he is vicariously liable for conduct by his officials that has attracted close to $1m in penalties.
