In its first decision on whether to give "removed" CFMEU construction division officials the chance to pursue jobs at other unions, the FWC has cleared former Queensland branch assistant leader Kane Lowth to take up a part-time role with the ETU but stopped short of allowing him to hold office or represent it in bargaining.
The FWC has thrown out a UFU bid for dispute orders forcing Fire Rescue Victoria to "take sides" and reveal its role in a report to Victoria's Parliament that criticises an agreement clause requiring union consultation and "consensus" before implementing change.
Members of the CFMEU's manufacturing division have overwhelmingly voted in favour of separating their affairs from those of the broader union and creating the standalone Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union.
In a significant judgment on the level of proof required to establish an unlawful boycott, a High Court majority has upheld a finding that the CFMEU's construction and general division did not collude with major building company J Hutchinson to freeze out a non-union waterproofing subcontractor.
CFMEU administrators who are blocking a FWO attempt to investigate whether the union boycotted an AWU-aligned Indigenous building company must hand over documents after a judge accused them of a "hyper-critical dissection" of a contested notice to produce.
A union member acting as a maintenance contractor's health and safety representative has won interim reinstatement while the Federal Court weighs claims that the company sacked him for raising complaints about everything from silica dust exposure to welding fumes and fatigue management.
The UFU's Victorian branch is set to be referred to the AFP after a FWC full bench ran out of patience with the union over its refusal to explain how it came to charge a reputed members' income protection scheme $480,000 in "promotion/management costs".
The FWC has refused to refer legal questions on the construction of a Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act provision to the Federal Court before hearing the Victorian Ambulance Union's registration application.
