The CFMMEU's mining and energy division has accelerated its shift to communicating with members via electronic channels, after ceasing publication of its almost century-old journal, Common Cause.
Global resources giant Rio Tinto, after its recent rapprochement with unions, is "the largest and most comprehensive example" of why it makes sense to bargain with employees' representatives, according to mining union leader Tony Maher.
Two years after a forecasts of a membership wipeout fuelled soon-abandoned merger discussions with United Voice, the AMWU has approved a major overhaul of its structure and governance to take effect from July 1 next year.
The AWMU is holding a three-day special national conference to consider a plan to overhaul its governance, structure and operations, as it seeks to revive a membership base that has dropped by more than half over the past 15 years.
CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood has been re-elected for another term after decisively knocking out challenger Amelio Sarchese for the third consecutive time, while the rest of the executive has been returned unopposed.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says one of her staffers has resigned after admitting he leaked information to the media about the AFP raids on the AWU yesterday.
The ACTU has sought to broker discussions with two smaller maritime unions that are objecting to the planned merger of the CFMEU with the MUA and TCFU.
Unions should emulate the innovation shown by technology giants like Apple to arrest declining membership and build power, according to ACTU secretary Sally McManus.
Expanding on its theme that the wages system is "broken", the ACTU will seek to change workplace laws so workers and unions can bargain "where the power is" across industries and franchised employers, rather than being limited to the enterprise level.
The Fair Work Commission will get just over $74 million in funding under the 2017-18 federal budget — a 5% cut — as it loses some functions to the new Registered Organisations Commission.
