The FWC has found it reasonably arguable that the NUW is involved in a coordinated approach to involve itself in bargaining at Linfox despite being ineligible to represent its tanker drivers, issuing production orders regarding a non-Linfox NUW delegate who seeks to be a bargaining representative.
An entry dispute at a Queensland textile plant has exposed subterranean tensions during the merger of the CFMEU, TCFU and MUA, raising concerns about possible internal coverage disputes in future.
The MUA has failed in an attempt to extend its coverage to certain truck drivers working at the Patrick Stevedores terminal at Port Botany, after opposition from both the TWU and the employer, the Qube logistics group.
Employer groups have failed in their bid to delay the March 27 CFMEU-MUA-TCFU amalgamation, but have taken solace from a senior FWC member's observation that their April 9 appeal to an FWC full bench "surmounts the fairly low bar of being arguable".
The Fair Work Commission has approved the merger of the CFMEU with the MUA and TCFU after rejecting employer arguments it should take account of the "significant" number of civil pecuniary proceedings penalty cases against them.
In a notable retreat from traditional demarcation battles, the ACTU is overseeing the national roll-out of an online membership system that simplifies transfers between different unions.
The Fair Work Commission has today reserved its decision on whether to approve the merger of the CFMEU, MUA and TCFU, with employer groups arguing that proceedings seeking to recover fines and penalties should be taken into account.
As the Australian Federation of Air Pilots seeks talks with objectors to its membership rule change bid before heading to the FWC in a fortnight, Qantas has labelled it "so broad" that it could extend to "any person anywhere", including pilots based outside Australia or employed by foreign entities.
The NUW plans to mount a concerted push to unionise Amazon's new warehouse operations in Australia, but may face competition from the SDA for members at the online retail giant.
