The minimum wage has barely retained its value in real terms over the past two years, with only the tax and welfare systems giving the lowest paid a chance to get ahead, a new Australian Fair Pay Commission report shows.
The AMWU and AWU in Victoria have reached an in-principle agreement with a group of contractors in the State's construction and mechanical engineering sector that was renegotiated in light of the global financial crisis but will still deliver some 3,000-to-4,000 employees a 9% wage increase and better Saturday overtime.
In what's believed to be a first, more than 300 workers employed in St Vincent de Paul's NSW community services division will be entitled to two weeks paid foster care leave under a proposed new collective agreement. But the ASU, while welcoming some improvements to benefits, is considering opposing the deal because it is unhappy about other provisions and the process by which the organisation made it.
The CFMEU's NSW branch (construction and general division) is seeking to shield workers from the economic downturn by pushing for increased redundancy payments in enterprise bargaining in the state's commercial construction sector.
The Federal Court has ruled the AWU is not entitled to costs for its win in the Etheridge case, in a decision turning on what it means for a matter to arise under the Workplace Relations Act.
A harness racing steward who endured sexual harassment and bullying before having her status changed from full-time to casual was unfairly dismissed, the NSW IRC has found.
Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens has refused to be drawn on Coalition claims that the Federal Government's IR changes will make Australia's labour market too inflexible given the global financial crisis, saying it was Parliament's role to balance efficiency with fairness and equity. He also today said he regarded the AiG's Heather Ridout as "sensible" and "balanced", and presumed that if she had concerns with the legislation they would be examined.
The proposed Fair Dismissal Code for small business will leave migrant women workers highly vulnerable to being dismissed without any due process, the inquiry into the Fair Work Bill heard this week.
The Federal Government's transitional IR legislation will give FWA the power to make representation orders to address union coverage disputes in a wider range of circumstances than the current laws provide, DEEWR confirmed today.
