The ETU's Queensland branch will ramp up industrial action in coming weeks following moves by electrical contractors in the state to pursue non-union agreements with their employees.
Brisbane railway workers set to strike next week; Obama pledges to roll back Bush's anti-union policies; SA teachers win 3.75% interim pay rise; CFMEU demand to employ shop stewards breaches BCII Act; NZ minimum wage increase not enough: CTU; and Yum! Restaurants bid to extend Pizza Hut award fails
Unions and employer groups have responded to the devastating Victorian bushfires with donations of money and other pledges of assistance, while corporate Australia has already committed millions of dollars.
Employers should be encouraged but not required to advise sacked employees in writing of the new federal unfair dismissal regime, while federal Labor's Fair Work Bill should also stipulate that unions signing greenfields deals represent the majority of employees who will be covered by them, according to University of Adelaide's Professor Andrew Stewart.
Workers engaged on Melbourne's Westgate Bridge have returned to work after a demarcation dispute between key construction unions erupted into industrial action last week.
Maternity pay is provided in just 16% of private sector agreements and paternity pay in only 13%, University of Sydney researchers have found in the first analysis of the incidence of paid parental leave entitlements in agreements.
The AIRC has slapped an industrial advocate with a costs order after finding he pushed for go-away money in an unfair dismissal case he knew was hopeless.
An investigation by an employer leading it to dismiss an employee did not breach the duty of mutual trust and confidence, the Federal Magistrates Court has found.
Inflation will fall and wages will slow, says RBA; NSW teachers vote up pay deal; Cafe owners face fines for AWA duress; AIRC has sympathy for police over family disruption, but sticks to rosters; Police union president cleared over leaks; and Digest now available for Fair Work Bill.
