The CFMEU has won a $7,000 fine against a NSW painting business for sacking an employee because he took time off for an injury, despite the company's argument that it dismissed him because it had ceased operating.
The Rudd Government, in its formal request for the AIRC to begin the award modernisation process, hasn't responded to calls to amend the requirement to not disadvantage employees while not increasing employers' costs, nor has it responded to pleas for state-based award differentials to be maintained beyond the five-year deadline.
Serco Sodexho Defence Services has been fined $7,500 for applying duress to a 19-year-old employee by threatening to dismiss her unless she signed an AWA, in a case that demonstrates employers' confusion over Work Choices.
Amid uncertainty about the future role of the NSW Commission under a national IR system, Justice Roger Boland has been promoted to president, following the resignation in February of the former incumbent, Justice Lance Wright.
The Rudd Government's proposed National Employment Standards could stymie hours flexibility in the resources sector, according to its peak employer body.
Government says 26-week paid maternity leave unlikely to be affordable as Oroton starts 12 week scheme; New agency to redeploy federal public servants from May 1; Nelson confirms support for Government's no-disadvantage test; Former Hockey staffer joins Sparke Helmore; and Burrow, White on 2020 list.
Leading figures in the IR community have featured prominently in the list of 1,000 people who will participate in the Rudd Government's 2020 Summit in Canberra next month.
The Federal Government has closed the gap in the Work Choices regulations that allowed state unions and employer groups to extend their coverage nationwide when seeking registration as a federal organisation.
In a first for grocery retailers, fast-growing Aldi Stores will from next week provide 14 weeks maternity leave on half pay to its 3,300 permanent employees, 60% of them women. Meanwhile, the shop union's leader, Joe de Bruyn, says Myer's new paid maternity leave entitlement will put pressure on David Jones to go down the same track during its current bargaining negotiations.
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson says the Coalition's support for future individual statutory employment agreements would be tied to them passing an ITEA-style no-disadvantage test.
