The AMWU's Queensland branch is seeking interlocutory injunctions against Brisbane City Council, its mayor, Jim Soorley, and two senior executives for alleged freedom of association breaches.
The Coalition looks unlikely to be able to proceed with any thoroughgoing IR policy reforms in its third-term, with any change relying on deals in the Senate with an increasingly left-leaning Democrats or The Greens.
The status of Brisbane Council's proposed enterprise agreements is unclear, after blue-collar workers voted down the proposed State agreement but white-collar workers voted up the identical federal agreement.
Queensland's peak union body says more than 300 Queensland awards will by the middle of next year include the existing legal obligations to provide right of entry to employee representatives.
CCI WA chief executive Lyndon Rowe has delivered a strong rebuke to the IRC, telling a ceremonial sitting that its role should be more akin to that of tennis ball boys or girls, rather than an umpire.
Electricity generator and coal producer Loy Yang Power has negotiated a new 17%, three-year deal with unions months ahead of the existing agreement's expiry, in an effort to provide stability before the major shareholder sells its stake.
The Queensland IRC has compensated a maintenance worker after finding that MIM was heavy-handed in the way it handled and dismissed him for refusing to work in its lead smelter.
Now that a buyer has been found for Ansett and redundant employees guaranteed their full entitlements, attention will shift to the wages and conditions deal to be struck with unions.
