The re-elected Turnbull government will pursue changes to workplace laws covering union right of entry, according to Employment Minister Michaelia Cash.
United Voice members at Crown Melbourne have formally rejected a 2.75% annual pay rise offer as they prepare to "go public" with their campaign for a 5% annual raise and a new allowance for working evening and graveyard shifts on Fridays and Saturdays.
The CPSU is looking to break the impasse over public sector bargaining with a new round of industrial action, led by a 24-hour strike next Thursday (August 12) at international airports.
A big marine service provider has had a win against the MUA in the deadlocked bargaining round covering offshore oil and gas service vessels, which began in December 2012.
The NUW has won average pay increases of about 4.75% a year for 650 workers after a three-day strike at a major Victorian distribution centre for Coles supermarkets.
The Fair Work Commission has resumed hearing another round of deadlocked pay talks involving Victorian firefighters, threatening more political problems for the Andrews Labor government.
The FWC has found there were always going to be "winners and losers" when Coles abolished night shifts at a distribution centre in NSW, rejecting claims the company failed to comply with consultation provisions set out in the enterprise agreement.
Victoria's United Firefighters Union is calling on members to endorse a contentious in-principle CFA enterprise agreement at a special meeting next week, while employment minister Senator Cash has expressed "concern" that the union is seeking a similar deal in Queensland.
AGL has sought to increase pressure on unions over stalled bargaining at Victoria's Loy Yang power station and coal mine by applying for the Fair Work Commission to terminate the existing agreement.
