The ABCC is investigating stoppages at five Sydney building projects overseen by two builders ahead of possible protected industrial action ballots by members of the CFMMEU, which is pursuing a new pattern agreement.
The CFMMEU's manufacturing division has defended a claim for annual pay rises of 4% at a major Melbourne packaging plant, arguing the business has boomed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The CFMMEU construction and general division's NSW branch has warned sub-contractors that have signed its new pattern agreement they face being reported to the ABCC unless they switch to a nine-day fortnight from December 1.
An HSU branch in Victoria is pursuing an Australian-first claim for five days' annual paid reproductive health and wellbeing leave - to cover IVF treatment, endometriosis, vasectomies and serious menstrual pain - that the ACTU says would foster "more equal and accommodating workplaces".
The MUA has vowed to press ahead with bargaining at four stevedores despite employer resistance to its policy stance against automation and outsourcing of work.
The CFMMEU construction and general division's Victorian branch has struck an in-principle agreement with several major builders that provides average annual pay rises of 3% over four years and incorporates new measures to attract more women into the industry.
The MUA has vowed to resist what it claims are "common" efforts by stevedoring companies to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to slash wages and conditions on the waterfront.
Qantas has warned of a "significant labour surplus across its operations" after announcing plans to cut international flight capacity by 90% and domestic by 60%.
