Tensions are building in the labour movement over Labor’s allocation of preferences at the next election, after the head of a national union wrote to the ALP warning that its commitment to axe Work Choices could be undermined if it helps to elect Democrats or Family First senators rather than Greens.
The Queensland Council of Unions has applied for a $28 a week increase in minimum state award wage rates and a 4.7% rise in allowances from September 1, arguing the buoyant economy can afford real rises in line with this year's increases in WA and NSW.
A gay male student who claims he was sexually harassed by a female tutor who persistently sought his company has won an appeal against the summary dismissal of his case.
The AIRC has dismissed an employer's application to suspend a CFMEU bargaining period covering 17 employees on expired AWAs at Victoria's Yallourn power station, and granted the union's application for a ballot for industrial action.
The Federal Magistrates Court has made the first authoritative ruling on what constitutes ordinary hours of work for payment of notice under the Workplace Relations Act.
The median (rather than average) pay of non-managerial employees on AWAs is 16.3% lower than for those on registered collective agreements, but higher for some employees of big businesses and government departments that use AWAs to avoid unions, according to research for the Victorian Government released today.
Tristar Steering & Suspension Australia Ltd effectively made the positions of 35 workers redundant but unlawfully chose to deny them $3.6m in uncapped severance benefits under their award, instead opting to spend up to $1.9m to keep them in employment for 12 months, the Workplace Ombudsman told the Federal Court today.
Employers and employees covered by more than 50,000 agreements lodged since the starting date of the fairness test on May 7 will begin receiving letters from the Workplace Authority this week telling them if the test applies.
Victorian Police to seek secret ballot for work bans; NSW employers targeted over new child worker laws; Uniting Church calls for probe into union's Woodside Energy sacking claims; and WO prosecutes Video Ezy store over $9,900 underpayment.
Consultant psychiatrists in South Australian public hospitals have voted unanimously today to withdraw their resignations after the State Government agreed to arbitration in the SA IRC based on a recommendation by the commission for a 15% pay loading to attract and retain specialist staff.
