Half a million retail and fast food workers employed under agreements negotiated by the SDA are more than $300 million a year worse off than they would be under awards, a Senate inquiry has been told.
Average pay rises in private sector agreements struck in last year's December quarter returned to the recent trend of about 3% a year, according to new Department of Employment data.
An FWC full bench has ordered Esso to hand over annual financial statements and forecasts to unions as the Commission moves towards making a workplace determination.
In a rare decision on stand-down provisions under the Fair Work Act, the Federal Court has ruled that a contractor failed to comply with its obligation to pay its permanent part-time school cleaners normally during the 16 weeks of school holidays.
An employer's refusal to give in to the demands of a bargaining representative does not amount to a failure to negotiate in good faith, the FWC has confirmed in rejecting a bid for bargaining orders.
Hardline employer-clientele law firm Seyfarth Shaw developed an aggressive bargaining strategy for Victoria's Country Fire Authority that aimed to replace a culture of UFU "veto and control" with "consultation and influence", documents published by the Senate reveal.
Early adopters Sydney Water and the ASU are again making use of the FWC's New Approaches program in negotiations for a new three-year agreement, providing workers with detailed proposals for conditions and pay rises after four days early this month of "interest-based" assisted talks.
The FWC has approved an agreement for 2,000 staffers for members of Federal Parliament, despite union claims it was not genuinely agreed because "voting irregularities" caused by the electronic voting system disenfranchised substantial numbers of workers.
The FWC has approved an agreement struck with three underground mineworkers that exposes them to fines for failing to comply with directions and safety procedures but provides hourly rates up to 35% higher than the award and up to $28,000 a year in bonus payments.
