The low success rate for unfair dismissal cases in Fair Work Australia plus the limited remedies available means barristers representing sacked workers will generally prefer to run adverse action claims in the courts, according to a leading IR barrister.
The House of Representatives today voted down Shadow Small Business Minister Bruce Billson's bill seeking to prevent employers having to act as "paymasters" for the Government's paid parental leave scheme.
Howard-era IR Minister Peter Reith has called for the reintroduction of statutory individual contracts and urged the Coalition to regain its mojo on IR, while Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Fair Work Act is working as expected.
FWA President Justice Geoffrey Giudice relied on the Fair Work Act's privilege and immunity provision to refuse to answer an Opposition question on a missing award schedule during another tense appearance before Senate Estimates yesterday.
Growth in private sector pay rates excluding bonuses has accelerated to 3.8% a year in trend terms, according to the ABS, as wage rates recover from post-GFC lows.
The Federal Government will hold a teleconference with employers and unions next Tuesday in an attempt to resolve questions about obligations to pay annual leave loading in termination payments, after Workplace Relations Minister Senator Chris Evans acknowledged an "undesirable" conflict between the NES and leave loading provisions in some awards.
The ABCC will apply new safeguards to the exercise of its coercive powers, including inviting the Commonwealth Ombudsman to investigate each time the watchdog subjects an employee to a compulsory grilling.
FWO stresses employers must pay leave loading on accrued leave for departing employees; Dick retains IR after reshuffle; FWA President pays tribute to Mansfield; and Disability/carers bias claim proceeds, despite employee's failings.
NSW's 43,000 public sector nurses and midwives have won pay rises averaging more than 3% a year and increases in staffing ratios under a new deal with the State Government expected to be formalised tomorrow.
