The Productivity Commission says the workplace tribunal should have a "fast-track process" for early involvement in industrial disputes on the docks, while waterfront employers should have more options for taking their own protected action beyond lockouts.
The ABCC has warned contractors that they could contravene the BCIIP Act and the national construction code if they pay heed to Queensland Government procurement principles that apply to tenders for a $200m freeway bridge project.
The FWC has made a bargaining order compelling the AWU to go against the wishes of its members and meet with an oil and gas refiner to negotiate a new agreement.
APS Commissioner John Lloyd denies that a new public sector bargaining policy contains an added push towards individual flexibility arrangements, but the CPSU says its "explicit encouragement" along with the extension of a 2% pay rise cap undermines bargaining, wages and conditions.
Victoria's public sector nurses and midwives have overwhelmingly accepted a four-year deal that aims to achieve pay parity with their better-remunerated NSW counterparts and secures a further three wage increases in the next-generation agreement.
Unions representing police, nurses and ambulance officers have expressed strong reservations over the Turnbull Government's legislation to defend the role of volunteers in Victoria's Country Fire Authority, while Professor Andrew Stewart says parties might be able to readily sidestep the legislative restrictions via side deeds.
Jetstar ground handling employees will earn bonuses of up to $600 a year for reducing baggage "misdirects" under a side deal to a proposed new enterprise agreement that delivers new allowances for towing and training.
The Turnbull Government granted FWBC director Nigel Hadgkiss new powers soon before calling the federal election, in a bid to stop builders and contractors agreeing to "union-friendly" clauses in enterprise agreements.
The AWU and Cleanevent are awaiting a Federal Court ruling on their legal tussle over the modern award to cover cleaners at the Spotless group subsidiary.
The AWU did not want a trade-off for lower wages for cleaners being mentioned in the same document that dealt with employer payment of union memberships, the Heydon Royal Commission has heard.