"I'm not a racist" claim dismissed; Undertakings seal approval for contentious "future coverage" deal; ACCI seeks more detail behind agreement approval "headlines".
A former top bank executive who purportedly resisted efforts to involve him in a management buy-out of a prominent property business is now chasing substantial compensation through the courts, claiming he was summarily dismissed for alleged misconduct just days after making his case for exit payments.
In a significant decision on agreement variations during transfers of business, an FWC full bench has split on whether Viva Energy had standing to press for a variation given the planned transfer depended on reducing workers' frequency of pay.
A bottle shop attendant told by her manager that she would not be able to work in a bar while pregnant because it was "a bad look" has been awarded almost $40,000 in compensation and penalties, a court finding there was "no doubt" the employer breached adverse action provisions.
Almost two years after initially considering a civil construction deal containing a contentious "future coverage" clause ultimately found to be lawful, the FWC has signalled it expects to approve it pending undertakings to deal with CFMMEU concerns.
An academic found to have been unlawfully dismissed by James Cook University over criticisms of prominent climate research has been awarded more than $1.2 million, the presiding judge excoriating the institution over its "egregious abuse of power" and public statements intended to "sow doubt" about his findings.
In a decision that could potentially broaden the FWC's anti-bullying jurisdiction, the tribunal has found that a Barnardos Australia foster carer is a worker capable of applying for a stop order.
In a significant decision on the nature of work, the FWC has ruled that employees required to attend a worksite assembly point by a prescribed time before being transported to a pre-start meeting should be paid for the intervening period.
The Master Builders Association has labelled as "the most restrictive in decades" a CFMMEU draft agreement seeking annual 5% pay rises and increased allowances, questioning the union's capacity to negotiate without offering productivity gains.
In a decision traversing some of the challenges of protecting hard-won conditions in a difficult commercial environment, the CFMMEU has failed to block the termination of a construction deal no longer covering any workers after the company argued its uncompetitive terms and conditions hampered its ability to win new contracts.
