In a day in which productivity dominated debate in Canberra, Prime Minister John Howard also used his last address to Coalition members and senators before parliament rises for the winter recess to describe the coming federal election as "winnable" and argue that voters were worried about "union thuggery".
The OEA has ordered changes to remove prohibited content from a CFMEU collective agreement with Vealstruct, including parts of the national construction award.
ACTU denies double standard on Rudd's wife's work contracts; Sham contracting targeted in OWS prosecution; Melbourne Airport hospitality deal withdrawn: LHMU; Union bargaining fees not a big issue for ACTU; Religious worship leave guarantee sought; and Rein story updated to include award link.
In a bid to prevent Tristar-type arrangments, the Government will support Family First Senator Steve Fielding's amendment to the fairness test bill to double the protected period for redundancy benefits after a transmission of business from 12 months to two years.
Big employers more concerned about IR than small businesses: ACCI survey; Future of awards the "silent sleeper" in fairness test debate, says Parliamentary Library; Telstra calls for changes to fairness test on AWA base pay; Tribunal supports positive discrimination in recruitment; Workplace sex harassment and discrimination case fails; Harper to explain 2007 minimum wage decision; and Australian employees download less p--n: survey.
Employers face being fined if they don't give their employees a Workplace Authority fact sheet under planned government amendments to the fairness test bill.
The dismissal by Boeing Australia of an employee who refused three reassignment requests was not for operational reasons, the AIRC has found. But another operational reasons matter has gone the employer's way, with the Commission holding as not relevant to the case the way an employee was treated during an organisational change.
Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens today said he suspected that labour market change – including restrained wages growth - was partly responsible for Australia's better than expected economic performance.
