The AWU is considering the creation of a "social membership" category for supporters of the organisation and its campaigns on industrial, social and economic matters.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash is trying to drum up public support from business and employer groups for the Fair Work Commission's landmark decision to cut Sunday penalty rates for some retail and hospitality workers.
The CFMEU will stage a national protest over the re-establishment of the ABCC next week as part of its broader campaign against the Turnbull Government's workplace reform agenda.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has reiterated that Labor will reverse the FWC's "bad" decision to reduce weekend penalty rates if Labor takes power at the next federal election, while the ACTU's next secretary is calling for unions to join her in stopping the penalties changes "dead in their tracks".
It's the labour movement equivalent of the corporate skunkworks: a new union within the Australian Workers Union that doesn't look anything like its distinctly un-hip parent.
AMMA has asked an FWC presidential member to correct the public record, claiming he was wrong in upbraiding the employer body for its "apparent failure" to inform the Commission about changes to its client's ownership during a good faith bargaining case.
CFMEU construction and general division Victorian branch secretary John Setka has threatened to withdraw support for the Andrews Labor State Government in protest at ministers "promoting and supporting" major construction company Grocon.
An FWC panel has asked whether medium term minimum wage "guidance targets" could provide the predictability of firmer targets but has acknowledged that unions might be concerned the latter will "bump up" against the legislation.
Business groups have to cooperate and overhaul their campaign tactics to match groups like GetUp and trade unions, according to Australian Mines and Metals Association chief executive Steve Knott.