The IRC has brokered a temporary truce to the Central Queensland bargaining battle between BHP and the coal mining union, with Commissioner Tony Wilks set to chair 11 days of talks from May 1.
Unions in Queensland have revealed plans to run a coordinated campaign to ensure labour hire workers are paid "site rates" and have more predictable and secure employment arrangements.
The IRC's President, Justice Geoffrey Giudice, has weighed into the debate on a unitary IR system, calling for a rationalisation of legislation and forums.
A recent unfair dismissal case highlights the importance of following the correct procedures when dealing with disputes between workers, according to leading HR advisors.
Today's CPI figures showing inflation at a higher-than-expected 6% a year is likely to put pressure on the living wage full bench to deliver a substantial increase, although it might not have a big effect on union wage claims.
The new enterprise agreement for BBC Hardware Retail provides 4,800 employees a pay rise of 3.5% a year, introduces unpaid parental leave for casuals after two years service and reduces casual loading from 24% to 20%.
A senior member of the IRC has rejected an application for him to disqualify himself from an unfair dismissal hearing on the basis of apprehended bias.
An employer failed to give equal treatment to its employees when it dismissed two of them for angrily confronting a third worker who damaged their lockers, while letting the third worker off with a caution, the IRC has found.
