CFMEU national secretary Michael O'Connor has been described in Federal Parliament as the "Sepp Blatter of the union movement" by a Nationals senator in tabling affidavits by three former CFMEU officials who continue to claim they were driven out of the NSW construction branch for whistleblowing.
The CFMEU's mining and energy division says that workers at some Queensland coal mines have engaged in "safety walk-offs" after this week's reports about the re-emergence of black lung disease.
A Queensland parliamentary inquiry will consider licensing and registration of labour hire companies as the state becomes the third jurisdiction to launch investigations into allegations of sham contracting and abuses of visa workers by labour suppliers.
As Parliament prepares to rise for the year, the Turnbull Government has introduced legislation containing the provisions removed from the Fair Work Act amending legislation that came into effect last week.
Dismissal claim received eight minutes before deadline, FWC rules; Tribunal to hold private hearing of "whistleblower" dismissal claim; Melbourne Cup public holiday saves unfair dismissal claim; Extension of time granted after multiple errors by representative delay; Bench says PTSD excuse for 205-day extension of time needed evidence; and Tribunal upholds sacking of obese worker.
Four crossbench senators have indicated today that they don't intend to support the Turnbull Government's plan to require industry superannuation funds to have a minimum of one-third independent directors and an independent chair.
The Federal Police will be able to retain documents seized from a raid on the CFMEU's ACT offices in August, despite a court ruling today that the AFP failed to follow correct procedures when executing search warrants.
The AWU and Cleanevent are awaiting a Federal Court ruling on their legal tussle over the modern award to cover cleaners at the Spotless group subsidiary.
A partner at Keddies Lawyers, a former leading workers' compensation firm accused of gross overcharging of clients, has been granted a barrister's practising certificate, despite staunch opposition from the NSW Bar Association.
