More than 2000 nurses have voted unanimously to continue taking unprotected industrial action in defiance of Fair Work Australia orders, while their union has commenced a Federal Court challenge.
The NUW, its national secretary Charlie Donnelly and organiser Godfrey Moase are facing a $1.7 damages claim from poultry producer Baiada, after the company lodged new documents in the Victorian Supreme Court today.
FWA is set to arbitrate bargaining settlements for Qantas ground staff/baggage handlers and long-haul pilots, after the collapse of negotiations with unions today, while talks are continuing between the airline and its licensed aircraft mechanical engineers.
The Victorian Government and CPSU Victoria will begin Fair Work Australia-convened conciliation talks this afternoon, as part of a settlement reached over the weekend.
At least one union is still hoping to reach agreement with Qantas before the 21-day negotiation period ends at midnight tonight, while the CFMEU – which is not involved in the industrial dispute – is seeking to call an extraordinary general meeting of Qantas shareholders to examine its grounding of the airline.
FWA's president, Justice Geoffrey Giudice, has provided until March 8 next year for applications to be lodged to vary modern awards during the tribunal's two-year review of the instruments.
Fair Work Australia has this afternoon ordered Victorian public hospital nurses to end their industrial action by 7.30pm, after they defied a suspension order made on Wednesday evening.
