The ACTU has criticised the Australian Retailers Association for urging employers in the sector to use a template workplace agreement to lock-in low wages ahead of Labor's new IR laws.
Flexibility clauses could erode standards: Buchanan; Good faith should go beyond bargaining, AIER says; Union density up in US; Unions more important during financial crisis: poll; AIRC releases timetable for second round exposure draft consultation; and WA IRC sets timetable for CFMEU WA elections
Full bench rejects Cochlear bid to terminate agreement; Worker wins second bite of the cherry in dismissal case; Intimidation by union delegate no excuse for lying to the boss: AIRC; and Employer hit with record $260,000 penalty for underpaying cleaners
The ACTU spent more than $15 million on political campaigning associated with the 2007 Federal election, annual returns released by the Australian Electoral Commission yesterday reveal.
The ACTU and business groups have largely welcomed today's $42 billion economic stimulus package, though the peak union body still expects more from the Federal Government to address job insecurity and has reiterated its call for a jobs summit.
The AIRC has refused to register a proposed union to cover Virgin Blue pilots, after finding it wasn't set up properly, but the union looks likely to appeal.
AWU national secretary Paul Howes has rejected calls for wage restraint - revealing his members had decided not to support the temporary pay freeze at Alcoa's WA operations - and called for a short-term return to protectionism to defend Australian jobs.
Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard has today committed to changing the Fair Work Bill, saying drafters had inadvertently removed the obligation to pay a week's notice on termination of employment to permanent employees with less than 12 months service.
AMMA and the MBA have jointly urged the Government to give Fair Work Australia sweeping powers over union entry rights, including the ability to penalise unions for breaches by cutting back their representation rights.
