The ACTU executive meeting in Melbourne today will consider recommendations from a union study tour to support laws giving workers the right to a collective agreement if it is supported by a majority of employees in a workplace, coupled with "last resort" arbitration where bargaining breaks down.
AWU Queensland branch secretary Bill Ludwig has today written to the Office of Workplace Services, warning that the luxury Hayman Island Resort's proposed non-union Work Choices deal might not have met the statutory requirement that it be readily accessible to employees.
A former senior advisor with a broking firm has lost more than $90,000 in long service leave and notice pay after an appeal by the employer overturned his claim of constructive dismissal.
In what is believed to be the first unfair dismissal costs ruling under Work Choices, the AIRC's Vice President Michael Lawler has exercised his discretion to refuse costs, partly because he gave the wrong advice to the sacked employee.
In an embarrassing bungle for the ABCC, the Federal Court has thrown out a further attempt to prosecute a construction manager for alleged coercion, while giving the watchdog a final chance to amend its case against the manager's employer.
The Fair Pay Commission will provide a further opportunity for parties that have made submissions by the July 28 deadline to provide further written submissions, according to its director, Jennifer Taylor.
The WA Court of Appeal has partially upheld an appeal by BHP Billiton against a State IRC full bench decision that extended award coverage to staff train controllers on its iron ore operations in the Pilbara.
ACTU buys new Melbourne HQ; We won't help tear up Work Choices, says Andrews; Inquiry into the tourism workforce; Federal Court gives extension of time on sexual harassment appeal; and Beazley criticises prosecution of workers.
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has accused the Federal Government of attempting to deceive the public about the Cowra Abattoir sackings by claiming the actions would have been legal under the previous Workplace Relations Act.
The 41,000 AWAs filed with the OEA in the first three months of Work Choices underlines the importance for the Opposition of outlining clear transitional arrangements if it comes to power next year and scraps the individual contracts.
