McDonald's told workers they could exchange rest breaks for a soft drink or going to the toilet, according to allegations set out in a new SDA "mega" case against the fast food giant that seeks $250 million in compensation from it and more than 300 franchisees.
Ai Group head of national workplace relations policy Stephen Smith is moving on after more than 30 years with the employer group, while NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association general secretary Brett Holmes is retiring after two decades in the branch's top job.
The AWU will trial a centralised "strategic bargaining initiative" with major national employers - like Boral, Hanson and John Holland - because they are "exploiting" the union's state-by-state, site-by-site approach to enterprise negotiations.
The Tasmanian Government's anti-protest legislation, recently introduced to parliament, could be turned against unions, according to the State's peak union body.
The TWU alleges global delivery company FedEx is pushing for its new owner-drivers to be paid on piece rates that undercut existing pay and conditions, despite having recently agreed a new deal pledging to make maximum use of full-time employees.
The turmoil at airports might be about to get worse, with TWU set to apply to the FWC for a protected action ballot at a key aviation service business, dnata, which provides services to Qantas and other airlines.
The UWU has closed Hospo Voice, Australia's first "digital-only" union, while maintaining it has provided valuable lessons and tools as organised labour seeks to counter its weakness in attracting and retaining young workers.
Just a month after declaring its intention to delete "Schedule X" unpaid pandemic leave provisions, the recent COVID-19 resurgence has spurred the FWC to extend their operation in a handful of health and care awards, coinciding with the Federal Government reviving the pandemic leave disaster payments.
