Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has joined the HSU national executive in calling for the secretary of the union's Victoria No 1 branch, Diana Asmar, to stand aside pending the outcome of a FWC investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
The FWC has reinforced its power to delve into the agreement-making process, regardless of employers' declarations and whether a proposed deal is supported by all those involved.
After Woolworths again delayed backpaying short-changed distribution centre workers, the FWC has recommended the supermarket giant "do all that is necessary to ensure" it pays affected SDA members at the Brisbane distribution centre, by the end of this month.
FWC Deputy President Val Gostencnik is among nine new judges appointed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court from today to increase its capacity to hear protection visa and migration cases.
A FWC member has rejected claims that she "badgered" a worker seeking anti-bullying orders after establishing that, contrary to his version of events, he would not be required to provide supporting documents until he "pressed the button" on arbitration.
New Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has called on the CFMEU's construction division to cooperate with the imposition of a government-nominated administrator, arguing that despite its appointment yesterday of an independent investigator the union cannot undertake its own "clean-out".
A FWC full bench has won support from unions and employers for suggested variations to casual employment clauses in awards to avoid friction with Closing Loopholes changes that take effect next month, although the Ai Group has raised a "related issue" it contends needs to be resolved as part of the case.
The FWC will apply greater scrutiny to agreements made with the CFMEU's construction and general division, in the wake of allegations about the union's conduct.
A FWC full bench has clarified what constitutes "significant" damage to the national economy and when an employer can be considered an "important part" of it, in reasons for overturning the suspension of protected action by sugar industry workers.
