The ETU, AMWU and AWU will apply to the FWC for an intractable bargaining declaration for BHP's Pilbara iron ore export port operations this week, seeking to resolve a stalemate after 12 months of what they say have been fruitless negotiations.
An unregistered Sydney Airport union has failed to win a protected action ballot order after making a "confusing" attempt to completely redraft its application through amendments, while the TWU has secured one during bargaining for the same deal.
In an indication that the Qantas group didn't abandon its hardline IR approach with the departure of Alan Joyce, its low-cost subsidiary is threatening to put a unilateral deal to its ASU-covered customer service workforce as it votes on industrial action to coincide with school holidays and the AFL and NRL finals series.
The FWC has taken on board a FIFO Shell worker's failure to attend physiotherapy appointments after breaking his back, in dismissing a dispute over the flexible work job-share bids he and a colleague lodged to ease their way into retirement.
The FWC has declined to get involved in the potential sacking of a law professor accused of kissing a student on an "immersion" trip to Paris, despite finding flaws in the disciplinary process.
The FWC will today hear an ETU challenge to BHP's docking of the pay of sparkies on the power network serving its Pilbara iron ore mines and company town, after they participated in protected bans on mentoring, training and upskilling.
Qantas appears to have averted the threat of an international pilots' strike, with AIPA's committee of management today expected to endorse an in-principle deal, while the airline insists there is no "immediate risk" ground staff will take industrial action following a vote later this month.
The AEU is conducting a meeting this afternoon to consider a revised offer for Victorian public school teachers that includes a $2000 payment, plus an extra 1% annual lump sum for many, and an agreement-enshrined cap on face-to-face teaching hours.
