Virgin's announcement that it is considering following Qantas in mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees has drawn a mixed response from unions, but the TWU says its commitment to consultation signals an improved approach.
The ACCI is urging employers to ratchet up workplace COVID-19 vaccinations after the Morrison Government agreed to cover compensation claims for the most serious adverse reactions.
Unions and employers are embracing the use of rapid antigen testing as it ramps up in some industries, but questions remain around cost, access, administration and how it should fit with other measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work.
Qantas has today reported a massive coronavirus-driven net loss of about $1.7 billion for the 2020-21 financial year and has revealed it has now cut 9400 jobs - some 900 more than expected.
The CPSU has stepped up its criticism of the Morrison Government's public sector wages policy, saying it demands that workers sign up to "unknown" pay rises beyond the first year of new enterprise deals.
Stevedore Qube has accused the MUA of "undertaking surveillance" of non-union employees it photographed working without masks onboard a ship in Fremantle last weekend.
The Federal Court has today declared that its ruling last month in favour of a TWU adverse action claim against Qantas over the outsourcing of ground handling at 10 ports applies to all employees, not just union members.
The CFMMEU construction and general division's NSW branch has defended its decision to lift a green ban on historic buildings in Parramatta that had been slated for demolition under controversial plans to shift the Powerhouse Museum from inner-city Ultimo.
A parliamentary inquiry into the future of the working week will probe questions such as whether the disruption caused by COVID-19 has created an opportunity and impetus for introducing a four-day week.
The Morrison Government has refused to budge on employer calls to indemnify businesses that encourage workplace vaccinations and to provide federal support for those who mandate inoculations, while AMMA has warned of the looming "elephant in the room".
