Agreements page 2 of 17

165 articles are classified in All Articles > 2020 coronavirus pandemic > Agreements


Employer told to cough up for testing time

In a significant decision on the nature of work, the FWC has found that the nursing home at the centre of one of Queensland's deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks should have paid employees for the time spent taking rapid antigen tests before the start of their shifts.

Vax policy put pressure on workers: FWC

A senior FWC member has described a public transport agency's vaccination policy as "pressur[ing]" workers to "give up [the] fundamental right" to bodily integrity, before ordering it to pay five train drivers sidelined because of their non-compliance.

Pandemic no "stalking horse" to undermine rights: Court

In a detailed examination of a major government department's early response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Court has rejected union claims that a hastily-conceived working from home policy breached existing arrangements and consultation requirements.

Isolating workers' differing deductions "unfair": FWC

The FWC has held that resource giant South32 unfairly treated some workers it directed to isolate and get tested after identifying them as COVID-19 contacts, ordering it to recredit annual leave, deduct sick leave and pay them for other times as though they were at work.

Sacking backed for FIFO worker given marriage ultimatum

The FWC has acknowledged both the work/family difficulties faced by remote workers and employers' challenges in managing employees scattered across the country in upholding the dismissal of a FIFO mine worker sacked for abandoning his employment after he left work without approved leave and failed to provide a return date.

COVID-19 fear around IVF treatment not exceptional: FWC

An Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission employee seeking to combine working from home and carer's leave to avoid COVID-19 while he and his endometriosis-suffering wife undergo IVF treatment has failed to establish his circumstances are exceptional under the agency's agreement provisions.


Westpac offers cash bonus to get 4% deal over line

Westpac is holding out a $1000 incentive to encourage employees to vote up its proposed agreement that promises a 4% rise in January for employees earning less than $95,000, when inflation is forecast to reach almost 8%, but the FSU says it should be increasing its base pay offer as the union pursues a 6% boost.

Qantas lands deals, but turbulence on horizon

Qantas has secured new deals with freight pilots and unlicenced aircraft engineers but the threat of turmoil looms, with licensed engineers voting to stop work, ground crew considering it and the FAAA claiming domestic fight attendants are facing ultimatums.

Pay members for taking RATs: Union

The ANMF will continue to pursue a nursing home it says should be paying members for the time it takes to perform a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test before entering the facility, despite the FWC find it unclear "what possible basis" existed to make such a claim.