The employer group whose criticism of the State IR referrals legislation was seized on by the Coalition as supporting its decision to oppose the bill has now called for it to be passed.
Amid uncertainty in Canberra about whether the federal referral legislation will pass this year, the NSW Government has today introduced legislation to refer its private sector IR powers.
The Opposition has this evening hit back at Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard over her strongly-worded criticism of its decision to vote against the State referrals legislation, saying it was unclear "why it is up to us to make up for the Government's complete inability to manage its legislative program".
ACTU president Sharan Burrow will launch a bid to become general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation and, if successful, resign from the ACTU's top job in mid-2010.
Key employer groups have joined the Federal Government in calling for the Opposition to pass the State IR referrals bill, which looks increasingly likely to join the list of legislation - including the construction bill - that won't make it through parliament this year.
FWA clarifies operation of ballot extensions; Employer caught by online lodgement delay; Ballot starts at Australia Post; Fair Work amendment regulations commence; and Lewocki to retire
The Federal Government should amend the Fair Work Act to institutionalise a stronger commitment to pay equity, grant the Sex Discrimination Commissioner greater powers to act on wage discrimination, and establish a pay equity unit within Fair Work Australia with a broad mandate for change, the parliamentary pay equity inquiry has recommended.
Australia Post underpaid a mail contractor by almost 50% and unilaterally varied the contract when it substantially increased his workload, the NSW Industrial Court has found in an unfair contract ruling.
Fair Work Australia full benches will cast further light on what it means to genuinely try to reach agreement in bargaining when they rule on appeals by Ford and Australia Post against protected action ballot orders.
The Federal Government's timetable for implementing two key pieces of IR legislation could be derailed in the Senate next week, the last sitting period for the year.
