The AiG is warning that the transitional fair work legislation enables the appointment of dedicated industrial judges to the Fair Work Division of the Federal Court, condemning it as a "retrograde" step that revives the regime under the former federal IR Court, which was much maligned by employers.
DEEWR says the five-year phase-in period for modern awards will address employer concerns about increased costs and has rejected claims the process unfairly favours employees.
In an unusual ruling, the NSW Supreme Court has restrained a synagogue from sacking its rabbi until it conducts an arbitration under Orthodox Jewish law.
The Federal Government's transitional IR legislation should include a 2013 drop-dead date for old instruments, according to the University of Adelaide's Professor Andrew Stewart.
The Federal Government has invited 25 organisations - including the ACTU and major employer groups - to apply for funding under its $12.9m program to provide education and information on its new IR regime.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said today that all options should be on the table to reduce the company's costs - including a wage freeze - as he announced the airline would cut up to 1,750 jobs because of a sharp drop in demand for international seats and freight.
Jobless rate hits 5.7%; Centrelink agreement voted up; Thomson denies claims as HSU meeting goes into meltdown; and IR changes could reverse award coverage trend, says ACCI
Some 25,000 Target employees have received the first formal pay increment due under a deal with the SDA that will deliver a 14.6% wage rise over four years, while Target Country employees - whose rates are currently lower - will receive 17.8% to bring them up to the same level.
The AiG has welcomed key aspects of the AIRC full bench decision last week on stage two of the award modernisation process, including its retention of existing flexibilities for the information and communication technology industry and the exclusion of manufacturers of building products from the construction industry award.
