DEEWR's latest bargaining data shows that private sector agreements are continuing to provide increases above 4%, but rises in public sector deals have plummeted to 3.1% a year.
Fair Work Australia has refused to accept a general protections claim a former Commonwealth public servant filed 64 days late, finding that his hospitalisation and later discovery of evidence through FOI documents did not constitute sufficiently exceptional circumstances to warrant an extension.
The High Court is now weighing up arguments from the NSW PSA and five state governments on the constitutional validity of the O'Farrell Government's legislative cap on public sector wages, after oral submissions concluded on September 5.
The Maritime Union went to the Federal Court this afternoon seeking an interim injunction to stop further moves by stevedore Patrick to introduce automation at its Port Botany container terminal while consultation takes place.
CFMEU construction and general division Victorian branch staff were evacuated from their Swanston Street offices in Carlton South this morning after the union received a bomb threat in the mail.
The 16-day blockade of Grocon's Emporium project in Melbourne is over, after FWA President, Justice Iain Ross, yesterday chaired eight hours of talks between the company and the CFMEU.
Employer groups that argued last year's full Federal Court Barclay v Bendigo TAFE ruling gave union members "protected species status" have welcomed this morning's High Court decision overturning it, while Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten is taking advice on the judgment before responding to it in detail.
Setka could be CFMEU construction and general division Victorian branch secretary by end of September; Bastian takes over as AMWU national secretary; Batt seeking federal role; and Nominations closing soon in other union elections.
The High Court has unanimously upheld Bendigo TAFE's appeal against last year's full Federal Court ruling that it took unlawful adverse action when it disciplined a teacher who was also a union delegate.
Elections look likely in November to determine the new leadership teams for each of the renewed HSU NSW and Victorian No 1 and No 3 branches, with up to three rival tickets expected in each branch by the close of nominations on September 28.
