A ranger referred to as a "big threatening scary man" who lost his bid for FWC anti-bullying orders against Parks Victoria is now accusing it in an adverse action case of sacking him in retaliation, but his employer claims it was he who behaved inappropriately.
Today's first public hearing into the Morrison Government's IR omnibus Bill has served to confirm scepticism about the existence of a middle ground, with staunchly-opposed unions calling on members to relate personal stories of hardship and exploitation which it was argued would only be exacerbated by the proposed legislation.
In a significant decision on FWC powers, a full bench has found the tribunal could not force a labour hire company to reinstate a worker to his former job at client Carlton United Breweries, given the beer giant was contractually entitled to order his removal.
Aldi has overcome union resistance to lock in another four-year deal at a major distribution centre by again terminating a contentious earlier agreement more than two and a half years before its nominal expiry.
The FWC has warned the Morrison Government that its legislative plan to set a 21-day deadline for approval of enterprise agreements is "unnecessary and will have unintended consequences that are contrary to the interests of the bargaining parties".
The FWC has upbraided construction company Hansen Yuncken for its "callous" and unfair sacking of a "naïve" trainee who nonetheless provided it with a valid reason by insisting on indefinite unpaid leave to avoid lengthy public transport commutes during COVID-19.
Ahead of hearings in Townsville on Monday into the Omnibus Bill, Victoria's Andrews Government has described the legislation as a "lost opportunity", while WA's McGowan Government has urged the Morrison Government to abandon its provision to permit approval of short-term substandard agreements.
A court has ruled that an employee's questions about his pay and conditions amounted to an "inquiry" that provided a foundation for his general protections claim.
