The AWU is seeking to terminate a substandard cleaning agreement exposed in the Heydon Royal Commission, while former Victorian branch secretary Cesar Melhem has stepped down as Labor whip in Victoria's upper house, after the inquiry criticised workplace deals struck during his leadership.
A former AWU Victorian branch organiser has denied responsibility for a side deal with a cleaning company to pay an annual $25,000 "service fee" to the union while casual employees missed out on penalty rates.
The construction firm Downer EDI paid $25,000 to help end a "community picket" of a heliport being used to fly workers to a Bass Strait gas project, the Heydon Royal Commission heard today.
The NSW ETU loaned $500,000 to the state ALP in late 2010 without getting approval from the union's state council, the Heydon Royal Commission heard today.
FWC Commissioner Bernie Riordan and lawyer Bob Whyburn are among the witnesses the Heydon Royal Commission has called for its inquiry into the ETU's NSW branch, with hearings beginning Monday.
The Heydon Royal Commission will consider the allegations made against former HSU leader Kathy Jackson later this year, once the Federal Court rules in civil proceedings brought by her former union.
The Heydon Royal Commission will investigate the interaction between union leaders and the ALP, as its inquiries take a more political turn in its second year.
The Heydon Royal Commission has begun referring its interim findings against unions and individuals to police and other investigatory authorities, including ASIC and the ACCC.
The ACCC is continuing investigations into allegations aired in the Heydon Royal Commission of anti-competitive conduct by the Transport Workers Union and Toll Holdings.
