General protections applications lodged with Fair Work Australia remained above 700 in the June quarter, but dipped to 677 in the most recent three-month period, according to the tribunal's latest data.
The cap for redundancy payouts for Optus Administration Pty Limited employees will rise from 40 to 44 weeks, while wage rises beyond CPI will remain at the discretion of management, under a new three-year agreement.
FWA President Justice Iain Ross says a pilot program developed for self-represented employees lodging general protections claims has had positive early results, while a planned "virtual tour" of the tribunal should assist those "anxious" about matters such as whether to sit or stand during proceedings.
The UK's Coalition Government is extending to all employees the right to request flexible work arrangements, but is simplifying the way employers have to handle the flexibility bids.
Gerard Hayes has claimed victory in the election for secretary of the HSU's reconstituted NSW branch election for state secretary, despite his past links to the disgraced former HSU East secretary Michael Williamson.
The ACTU has criticised Australia's bargaining system, saying it is designed around and best suited to a workplace model that is increasingly rare, and that the multi-employer systems of many OECD countries better address industry-wide issues.
The Federal Government's first tranche legislative response to the Fair Work review panel report - to which it added amendments to create two new tribunal vice presidential positions, give more power to the president and set default super fund processes - is through the parliament.
