The AWU has accused the Registered Organisations Commission of "muckraking" as it examines political and campaign donations made under former national secretary Bill Shorten, while the watchdog has also launched its first investigation into an employer group, the Queensland Hotels Association.
The Federal Court has ordered the CFMEU and a delegate to pay almost $100,000 in penalties for the coercion involved when he prevented a subcontractor's employee from working on a job because he wasn't a union member.
Wage rises in private sector agreements have sunk to a new 26-year low, while the number of agreements approved has collapsed to a 22-year low, according to Department of Employment data.
A Federal Circuit Court judge has lamented his inability to impose higher maximum fines on the CFMEU, observing that the union he dubbed Australia's "most recidivist corporate offender" seemed to consider such penalties as "nothing more than an occupational hazard".
The FWC has upheld the sacking of NUW NSW organiser Nick Belan over admissions to the Heydon Royal Commission he misused his union credit card, slamming his "complete disregard" for his duty.
The AMWU is encouraging GM Holden workers affected by today's assembly plant closure to suspend their memberships rather than quit altogether as the union looks to staunch losses that look set to see it scrap the current division structure in favour of a national entity with state branches.
The Federal court system faces an unprecedented half-day strike by support staff this afternoon over stalled pay negotiations which have left them without a rise for four years.
The Turnbull Government's crackdown on union-related entitlement and training funds includes requirements for further disclosures on credit cards, donations, loans and financial benefits.
As Pizza Hut chief operations officer Chris Leslie pursues McDonald's for more than $100,000 allegedly owed to him after his retrenchment, the burger giant has hit back, seeking $240,000 and claiming it sacked him over his work for a rival.
