The first lawful industrial action in more than 30 years in the Pilbara will begin next week, with ETU members on a crucial BHP power network launching work bans.
The FWC has granted a rare order to suspend protected industrial action already under way due to its effect on a third party, finding ETU work bans would result in a 12-month delay to a key element of Queensland's $7 billion Cross River Rail project.
Resources employer peak body AREEA has sought to "clarify" comments made about two companies involved in the FWC's review of protected action ballot agents, after one threatened to sue and the other took "umbrage".
A senior FWC member has unflatteringly compared a past NSW government's successful application to avert rail strikes with the sparse evidence provided by the Crisafulli Government in last week's failed bid to suspend similar industrial action in Queensland.
A senior RBA employee appealing a failed backpay claim has also now had his bid for suppression of significant details of the FWC's decision rejected by a presidential member who observed that such applications should not be used to "qualify or recast" the tribunal's reasoning.
The prospect of the first lawful strikes in more than 25 years at BHP's Iron Ore mines has moved closer, after ETU members on a crucial Pilbara power network voted up a protected action ballot.
The ETU has failed to halt a lockout it claimed a company unlawfully initiated in response to safety inspections at a major NSW workshop, with the FWC finding the employer gave ample warning it would close the gates if workers went on strike.
BHP says it has contingency plans in place to ensure continuity of power supply to its Pilbara mines and ports, as 60 workers who operate its remote electricity grid threaten what it says is its WA iron ore operation's first protected action this century.
The RBA had no obligation to pay a senior employee during a seven-month period when he claimed to be "ready and willing" to work as long as it did not involve consecutive days, "high stress" assignments or meeting with HR, the FWC has found.
The FWC has rejected the unfair dismissal claim of a Workpac on-hire trades assistant shunted from a BHP Coal mine while on approved leave, finding it a redundancy regardless of whether the host engaged someone else in the role.
