The nexus between low unemployment and rising wages is broken, with the "hydraulic pressure" of a tight labour market undermined by systemic "leaks" and "loopholes", according to workplace relations minister Tony Burke.
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.
Private sector rates of pay increased by 2.7% annually in the June quarter, lifting off historic lows but failing to make much of a dent on surging inflation.
McDonald's told workers they could exchange rest breaks for a soft drink or going to the toilet, according to allegations set out in a new SDA "mega" case against the fast food giant that seeks $250 million in compensation from it and more than 300 franchisees.
The FWC has refused to terminate the agreement of an employer that led the AWU to believe it would negotiate a replacement deal while moving in the background to bin it, finding it had not been prompted by an organiser calling its bargaining representative a sad "tosser" who lacked any humanity.
A hospitality company's managers are facing possible orders to appear before a FWC bench and explain why they are listed as having voted up a subsidiary's contentious deal, along with a HR chief who sparked concerns that he might have lied on the application form.
Shell Australia has after failing in its bid to suspend protected action on its Prelude floating LNG platform decided to delay major maintenance work on the northern WA facility for almost a year.
A multinational company's lament about competing against "market disrupters" who treat workers as independent contractors has failed to distract the FWC from finding its proposed agreement failed the BOOT.
The Albanese Government has told the FWC it backs a minimum pay rise for the 365,000 aged care workers because their work value "is significantly higher than modern awards currently reflect" and "gender-based assumptions" have undervalued their labour.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke says Labor's jobs summit will tackle the "rort" of tearing-up agreements to decimate wages, while tug boat operator Svitzer says unions have obtained a delay in its deal termination bid as they are banking on legislative change.
