After years of battles with the organisations regulator over inaccurate membership records, the AWU has increased its supporter base by 1.5% in the latest reporting period, while the warring CFMMEU has shed 9,000 or 6% of its members in the last two reporting years.
The RBA is anticipating stronger wage growth for the rest of the year than it did a few months ago, thanks to the removal of states' wages caps, the FWC's substantial minimum pay ruling and the aged care work value rise.
DEWR secretary Natalie James has talked up the need for tripartism, but has also sought to temper employers' expectations, saying the department's consultations won't alter the "fundamentals" of proposed IR changes, but might "hone" the "scope and approach".
The FWC has extended time for a worker to lodge an adverse action case after he mistakenly filed an unfair dismissal claim, finding his refusal to sign his employer's letter terminating his employment did not excuse its subsequent failure to provide written confirmation.
The High Court has held that an employer is not vicariously liable for an injury to a resort worker from his colleague urinating on him after returning drunk to a studio they had to share.
Unions NSW and human rights' groups are pushing for the Albanese Government to legislate an "ironclad guarantee" that migrant workers who report employer exploitation will not have their visas cancelled.
Protected action ballots will be open for 10 to 30 days to provide enough time for the FWC to conduct the compulsory post-order conciliation conferences required under Secure Jobs laws and ensure a "meaningful process", according to tribunal president Adam Hatcher.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria has filed more than 1,000 criminal charges against Woolworths Group Limited and a subsidiary, alleging they failed to pay more than $1 million in long service leave to 1,235 former employees.
Shadow IR Minister Michaelia Cash is warning employers the Albanese Government's next tranche of IR changes will cause "significant liability" for those engaging casuals, introduce "unworkable" same job same pay concepts and deny labour hire workers "any role in negotiating their wages", while AiG's chief says the "missing link" in the latest stage is getting employers and unions into the same room for discussions.
The AWU's pursuit of fines against builders John Holland for allegedly denying an official lawful access to test silica dust levels on Australia's biggest road project has been put on hold, after a judge accepted that the FWC is the best forum to quickly determine entry rights when workers' health is potentially in jeopardy.
