Unions have welcomed Virgin Australia chief executive Dave Emerson's commitment to offer employees a "take-off grant" of share rights worth $3000 if the airline succeeds in re-listing on the stock exchange, but they say questions remain.
The FAAA and the TWU have confirmed they will push for a Virgin Australia employee share program if the airline goes ahead with plans to re-list on the ASX in June.
Qantas will grant 1000 share rights to 20,000 employees, who endured 18-month stand-downs and are subject to two-year wage freezes, but the TWU says its forecast rapid post-pandemic recovery shows the airline's' "illegal outsourcing and attacks on workers under the cover of covid" were unwarranted.
The major iron miner Fortescue Metals has called for the income tax exemption ceiling for employee share schemes to be lifted from $1000 to $5000, arguing the cap is too low to provide a "meaningful incentive".
Just days after the defeat of the Morrison Government's legislation to further regulate the conduct of employee organisations and their officials, IR Minister Christian Porter has released a discussion paper on cooperative IR that seeks feedback on the role unions can play in fostering harmonious workplace relationships.
Retiring industry super fund architect Garry Weaven has urged the ACTU to integrate its campaign for wage increases with plans to raise compulsory superannuation contributions to 12%, dismissing a recent think tank report arguing the two are incompatible.
