The amendments to the Fair Work Act passed by Parliament last night have now received Royal Assent, but most of the key changes, including the new bullying jurisdiction, expanded entry rights and new obligations to consult on roster changes, won’t take effect for six months.
The Fair Work Commission has ruled that Facebook "likes" are not sufficient to prove majority support for an application by a new union seeking to represent Virgin Australia domestic cabin crew.
The Victorian Supreme Court has taken into account an employer's inaction in awarding damages of almost $600,000 to an employee who developed a severe psychological condition from "sustained workplace bullying" by her at times violently moody manager.
Lawyers expecting to be granted leave to appear in Fair Work Commission appeals might need to think again, after a full bench headed by President Iain Ross refused to allow a Victorian barrister to represent an employer in its challenge to a decision to extend time for filing an unfair dismissal claim.
The Senate has passed without any changes the Government's Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013, which introduces a bullying jurisdiction within the FWC, expands the right to request flexible working arrangements, and allows unions to use workplace lunchrooms for discussions with employees.
Justice Alan Boulton is the Fair Work Commission's new major projects panel head, Deputy President Anne Gooley is the head of the employment termination panel, while Vice President Joe Catanzariti has replaced Vice President Michael Lawler as an industry panel leader, under changes announced yesterday.
New DEEWR data shows that wage rises have increased by 3.7% a year in March quarter private sector enterprise agreements, up from 3.4% in the previous quarter, defying the recent softening in pay rises observed by the Reserve Bank and recorded in the Wage Price Index.
The House of Representatives has this afternoon passed the government's Migration Act changes to tighten up 457 visa approvals and compliance, despite earlier reports they had been dumped by new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Ministers stay put for now, says Rudd; Public sector unions welcome steps towards ratifying ILO conventions; Queensland unions given green light to push ahead with PS interim increase claim; Federal parliament passes public-sector whistleblower laws
The Fair Work Commission has found a Hunter Valley coal mine's proposal to direct shotfirers and maintenance employees to work on public holidays is consistent with their enterprise agreement, the Fair Work Act's public holiday rules and the NES.
