The ASU is urging the FWC to scrap proposed changes to the SCHADS Award that it says could result in 73% of covered workers losing pay, and begin a new review with a broader remit.
After the FWC sought feedback about how it should proceed with retail award variation applications following the passage of Albanese Government legislation that circumvented a key element of one of the cases, the tribunal has acceded to a bid by retailers to also consider submissions on the effect of the recent Federal Court ruling on underpayments by Coles and Woolworths.
A FWC full bench is seeking submissions on any additional issues its review of award part-time provisions should consider, and will then consult on proposed research, while the tribunal has also begun a review of redundancy provisions in selected awards.
Woolworths claims Friday's Federal Court underpayments ruling will cost it an extra $470 million before tax and "will require significant and widespread changes to accepted retail practice".
A model working from home clause in a key award should avoid contributing to remote workers working "long and unsociable hours", address employer provision of equipment and apply to all employees, according to a Centre for Future Work report.
The Albanese Government's legislation to protect award penalty and overtime rates, passed by Parliament on Thursday, has now become law after Governor-General Sam Mostyn granted Royal Assent, while the workplace protection orders legislation is set to be considered by the Senate.
The Albanese Government's legislation to protect award penalty and overtime rates has passed both houses of parliament, after the Senate this morning endorsed it without further amendments.
The Greens in a Senate inquiry report released today have backed the Albanese Government's legislation to protect award penalty and overtime rates, but have called for a minor amendment.
Almost a year since the FWC inserted right to disconnect terms in awards and on the eve of the entitlement extending to small businesses, the FWC is indicating that the lack of any significant case law since its inception suggests it should delay a promised 12-month review and development of guidelines.
FWC President Adam Hatcher has conceded the tribunal can juggle only so many balls, placing on ice its scrutiny of potential gender bias in awards' overtime provisions after the publication of an internal research paper.
