The MUA says Hutchison Ports is breaching its enterprise agreement by not consulting with the union about a selection process for making redundant more than of its 40% Port Botany and Brisbane waterfront workforce, which it claims is a tool to bring in automation without consultation.
The ACTU says there is "no evidence" that cutting penalty rates for hospitality, entertainment and retail workers will increase productivity or jobs, but employers are backing the Productivity Commission inquiry recommendation, with the National Retail Association saying there is "no greater obstacle to job creation".
The Productivity Commission has called for the FWC in its four-yearly review of awards to align Sunday penalty rates in hospitality, entertainment, restaurants and cafes with those payable on Saturdays.
Victorian firefighters will begin voting this week on protected industrial action in protest at stalled bargaining negotiations, while the state's police union is fighting to stave off a Government push to require senior staff to "exceed" capabilities to move through future pay scales.
FWC members would be appointed for five-year terms and those determining minimum wage cases and awards would have expertise in economics, social science and commerce, rather than law and IR, under a radical Productivity Commission plan to change the institution's culture and structure.
The Productivity Commission in its draft IR inquiry report, released this morning, has recommended the 100% Sunday penalty rates for cafes, hospitality, entertainment, restaurants and retailing be aligned with Saturday rates.
Ditch super plans, says industry super funds peak body; "Freedoms" inquiry gains part-time member; DSS to consider feedback in draft nanny guidelines; Purvinas lifts off from ACTU; Accountant who shared contacts restrained for 12 months; Committee questions PwC's industrial expertise for Baiada audit; Rising incomes "lifting all boats" says survey; and Australia bucks "middle class squeeze" according to IMF report.
The FWC has compensated a senior HR consultant after her employer conducted a flawed investigation into suspicions she had copied confidential information to help start her own business.
A court has rejected an employer's substantial damages claim, finding it struggled to prove loss despite its consultant's "brazen" breach of post-employment restraints.
Workers on the Gorgon LNG project will begin voting on Wednesday on whether to take industrial action to push head contractor CB&I to offer shorter roster cycles, at the same time as parliamentary inquiries in WA and Queensland have weighed-up whether new regulations are needed for non-residential workforces.
