Employers and workers experienced in bargaining still misunderstand key concepts, and their knowledge gaps contribute to unrealistic expectations on both sides that constrain effective negotiations, new FWC-commissioned research has found.
The SDA and UWU are jointly seeking same-job, same-pay orders at distribution giant Metcash that could lift the pay of on-hire warehouse workers by up to $12,700.
An on-hire underground mineworker placed at South32's Cannington silver, lead and zinc mine in Queensland is seeking same-job, same-pay orders to put him and his colleagues on the same footing as the resource giant's directly-engaged workers.
The CFMEU construction division's Queensland branch has suffered multiple setbacks in its bargaining stoush with the head contractor of the state's $7 billion Cross River Rail project, with workers voting up a new deal put directly by the company and the FWC separately issuing two orders stopping unprotected industrial action.
Protected action has resumed at Wilmar Sugar's mills in Queensland after talks convened by FWC Commissioner Bernie Riordan last week failed to resolve differences between parties.
If the FWC grants the SDA a first-of-its-kind supported bargaining authorisation targeting SA's McDonald's franchisees, the union says it will seek to lift pay, boost job security and get rid of an "outrageous" rostering practice.
The FWC says it suspended certain ETU work bans on NSW's power transmission network because Transgrid "clearly established" the action threatened lives, safety, health or welfare, but the union is celebrating the rejection of the private operator's latest "substandard" offer.
The FWC has reinforced its power to delve into the agreement-making process, regardless of employers' declarations and whether a proposed deal is supported by all those involved.
