Expanding on its theme that the wages system is "broken", the ACTU will seek to change workplace laws so workers and unions can bargain "where the power is" across industries and franchised employers, rather than being limited to the enterprise level.
Average pay rises in private sector agreements struck in last year's December quarter returned to the recent trend of about 3% a year, according to new Department of Employment data.
The FWC has confirmed it has the power to determine a dispute between labour supplier WorkPac and the CFMEU over pay cuts at a Rio Tinto coal mine, but its intervention is conditional on the union naming the employees involved.
RBA Governor Philip Lowe today used a House committee public hearing to restate his view that Australia's recent record of negligable wage growth may be nearing an end, suggesting that an improving local outlook amid a rebounding global economy would see increased pressure on employers to share the proceeds.
The number of enterprise agreements terminated by the FWC has accelerated dramatically in recent years, particularly for relatively small union-negotiated deals in the construction and manufacturing sectors, according to the Department of Employment.
Victoria's public sector nurses and midwives have overwhelmingly accepted a four-year deal that aims to achieve pay parity with their better-remunerated NSW counterparts and secures a further three wage increases in the next-generation agreement.
Incentive payment provisions in a remuneration document referenced in abattoir operator Teys Australia's enterprise agreement did not vary or become incorporated terms of the agreement, a full Federal Court has ruled.
A Coles Supermarkets night-fill worker who is seeking to terminate the retailer's 2011 enterprise agreement has failed to stymie bids by the retailer and the SDA to be represented by lawyers.
A proposed agreement for fast-growing Swedish fashion chain H&M will leave some employees worse off if they work nights and weekends, according to analyst Josh Cullinan.
United Voice members at Crown Melbourne have formally rejected a 2.75% annual pay rise offer as they prepare to "go public" with their campaign for a 5% annual raise and a new allowance for working evening and graveyard shifts on Fridays and Saturdays.
