The proportion of employers seeking new hires who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 is rising at a rapid rate, according to a survey of job advertising.
The CEPU's communications division is seeking legal advice as to whether Telstra's plan to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for more than 8000 public-facing employees is lawful, while it has warned against sacking any workers who have medical exemptions.
In a first for the local resource sector, BHP Billiton will this week begin trialling on-site vaccinations at its Mt Arthur coal mine in NSW ahead of deciding whether to make the jabs mandatory for its Australian employees.
Virgin's announcement that it is considering following Qantas in mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees has drawn a mixed response from unions, but the TWU says its commitment to consultation signals an improved approach.
Unions and employers are embracing the use of rapid antigen testing as it ramps up in some industries, but questions remain around cost, access, administration and how it should fit with other measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
The CPSU has stepped up its criticism of the Morrison Government's public sector wages policy, saying it demands that workers sign up to "unknown" pay rises beyond the first year of new enterprise deals.
A parliamentary inquiry into the future of the working week will probe questions such as whether the disruption caused by COVID-19 has created an opportunity and impetus for introducing a four-day week.
The Morrison Government has refused to budge on employer calls to indemnify businesses that encourage workplace vaccinations and to provide federal support for those who mandate inoculations, while AMMA has warned of the looming "elephant in the room".
The Qantas Group will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after receiving encouragement from a survey sent to 22,000 employees.
IR Minister and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash says a meeting this morning between government agencies, employers and unions will focus on how businesses can comply with COVID-19 work, health and safety obligations, "including without mandating the vaccine".
