The ABS has delivered a small boost to hopes that wages growth might exceed restrained government projections after today's quarterly figures showed an annual lift of 1.5% across the economy.
The Morrison Government has cut back funding for the Fair Entitlements Guarantee in the 2021-22 Federal Budget, but still expects an increase in claims as COVID-19 support for business is wound back and more employers go into liquidation.
The RBA has slightly raised its wage growth forecast, noting that it will almost entirely be driven by the private sector as public sector wage caps remain in effect.
The merger between the Transport Workers Union and the Virgin Independent Pilots Association in July will lead to the creation of a pilots' division within the TWU, subject to VIPA members approving the nuptials in a ballot.
Virgin cabin crew have decisively voted up a new deal after trouncing a previous offer, with the FAAA laying out expectations the reborn airline must reward workers for their "sacrifice" when it recovers from the pandemic's hit to its operations.
The FWC has upheld the sacking of an aged care receptionist who refused a flu vaccination on the basis of a previous allergic reaction, finding her employer "objectively prudent" in refusing to let her work despite her doctor's contraindication form.
ACCI has called for employers to be indemnified if they promote and support vaccination of employees against COVID-19, in case of rare "adverse events".
In a decision highlighting both the perils of "naïve" social media use and the incongruities of the JobKeeper program, the FWC has declined to award compensation to a teenage casual swim instructor unfairly sacked for recommending a rival business on a community Facebook page.
In a setback for unions fighting a mooted 1.5% pay cap for NSW public servants, the state's Court of Appeal has upheld a decision affirming a 0.3% increase in the 2020-21 financial year, in part because investing in infrastructure would be better than wages in stimulating the economy during the pandemic.
The High Court will next month consider whether to extend special leave in two high-profile cases, the first in which the ABCC is seeking to have the CFMMEU's recidivism factored into penalty rulings and the other in which aviation unions are pursuing access to paid sick, carer's and compassionate leave for Qantas workers stood down due to the pandemic.
