The NSW Supreme Court verdict in favour of a club worker who developed throat cancer from passive smoking in her workplace sends a clear message to employers that inaction on tobacco smoke could lead to substantial payouts and penalties, warns a leading employment lawyer.
Employers are seeking a stay next Monday on a NSW IRC ruling that would bar employers from asking employees the nature of their illness when they take sick leave.
The FSU is insisting Westpac maintain pay and conditions for more than 1200 clerical workers if it decides to outsource the operation of its mortgage processing centre in Adelaide.
With the ALP set to introduce good faith bargaining provisions if it is returned to office later this year, the good faith bargaining code finalised this week across the Tasman will be closely watched by Australian observers.
The enterprise bargaining dispute over maintenance staffing levels at Mobil's Pt Stanvac refinery has been resolved, after workers voted up a heads of agreement yesterday.
A severe skill shortage means Qantas may face difficulties forcing through cost-cutting measures in looming negotiations with maintenance unions for a new certified agreement.
An IRC full bench has found the Commission has the power to decide on a s127 anti-industrial action application, after an earlier refusal to deal with the bid on the basis that it involved exercising judicial power.
The three-tier safety net increase awarded by the IRC today slows the compression of relativities in awards by providing larger flat-dollar increases to workers on higher award rates.
The ABC is to broadcast live this morning's statement by IRC President, Justice Geoffrey Giudice, when the living wage full bench hands down its decision.
