Unions should emulate the innovation shown by technology giants like Apple to arrest declining membership and build power, according to ACTU secretary Sally McManus.
Victorian CFMEU secretary John Setka has issued a guarded apology for comments at Tuesday's union rally in Melbourne, saying that the thought of going to ABCC inspectors' homes to "expose" the work they did was "reprehensible".
Deputy President Val Gostencnik has published the reasons behind his recent decision to overlook a "general rule" applied to the granting of entry permits, maintaining that it "bears all the hallmarks of arbitrariness" and has no regard to the individual circumstances and experience of applicants.
United Voice has launched its Federal Court challenge to the FWC's decision to cut Sunday penalty rates, arguing that the Commission "misconceived" its obligation to uphold workers' living standards.
The FWC has cleared the road for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade to continue disciplinary action against a suspended firefighter who repeatedly made threatening and profane comments on public social media channels, including the MFB's own.
Two unions are poised to lodge legal challenges to penalty rate cuts as early as tomorrow after the Fair Work Commission issued determinations on transitional arrangements in the retail and hospitality sectors.
The HSU says it is unlikely to pursue former national secretary and ex-Labor MP Craig Thomson for the repayment of about $378,000 because it would incur further legal costs with little chance of recovering the money.
The Federal Labor Opposition has condemned the threat by Victorian CFMEU leader John Setka to campaign against ABCC inspectors in their neighbourhoods, comments which have since been referred to the police.
Loy Yang power station and mine workers have conceded the possibility of forced redundancies and increased use of contractors in exchange for annual 5% pay rises in voting up a new enterprise agreement with operators AGL Energy.
The ABCC has amended its right of entry advice to employers after being accused by the CFMEU this week of publishing inaccurate material that could foment disputes.
