Unions should emulate the innovation shown by technology giants like Apple to arrest declining membership and build power, according to ACTU secretary Sally McManus.
The Federal Labor Opposition has condemned the threat by Victorian CFMEU leader John Setka to campaign against ABCC inspectors in their neighbourhoods, comments which have since been referred to the police.
The CFMEU will stage a national day of protest next week as tensions rise in the construction industry over the coming deadline for having code-compliant agreements to avoid being barred from winning Commonwealth-funded contracts.
The Australian Federal Police has hit back at claims its officers stand to lose up to 23% of their salary under a proposed agreement which the police union claims will leave all members worse off.
Expanding on its theme that the wages system is "broken", the ACTU will seek to change workplace laws so workers and unions can bargain "where the power is" across industries and franchised employers, rather than being limited to the enterprise level.
Childcare workers reignite pay campaign; Ex-union leader Maitland sentenced this week; ABCC Security of Payments working group announced; Essays explore evolution and future of labour law.
An Emirates airlines group subsidiary has made a last-minute decision to withdraw a new enterprise agreement for ground-handling work that faced strong opposition from the ASU and TWU.
The ACTU is asking the FWC for a $45 a week or 6.7% increase in the national minimum wage, as it begins a push under its fresh leadership to lift minimum rates towards a new benchmark against average weekly earnings.
Newly-elected ACTU secretary, Sally McManus, has blasted "corporate greed" and pledged to win major changes to workplace laws, which will include pushing for stronger action from future Labor governments.
