Unions say the axing of more than 800 workers on the $36 billion Ichthys gas project in Darwin has turned the spotlight onto the ABCC's expanded role in monitoring security of payments in the construction industry.
Australian Mines and Metals Association chief executive Steve Knott has lampooned a full Federal Court's ruling on union discussions with members in workplace lunchrooms, telling a forum they will next be hearing of unions "accessing aeroplane cockpits because the pilots are occasionally munching on muesli bars".
New ACTU secretary Sally McManus has made it clear today that she is not backing down from her support for "so-called illegal industrial action", while she said the Greens had raised some "important questions" in their push for a "conversation" around a four-day working week or six-hour working days.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has upbraided new ACTU leader Sally McManus for expressing her support for key affiliate the CFMEU's flouting of "unjust" IR laws.
Unions are fuming after the sacking of about 800 workers as a result of a contractual dispute over payments between two companies working on the massive Ichthys LNG project in Darwin.
A Queensland parliamentary inquiry has endorsed legislation banning large new resource projects from engaging a 100% fly-in, fly-out workforce, but is calling for it apply retrospectively and go further in opening up employment to those in outlying areas.
A senior union-clientele lawyer has warned unions that the FWC might replace the term "penalty rates" with "additional remuneration" and cut compensation for working unsociable hours in industries beyond retail and hospitality.
Newly-elected ACTU secretary, Sally McManus, has blasted "corporate greed" and pledged to win major changes to workplace laws, which will include pushing for stronger action from future Labor governments.
The Fair Work Commission has given the green-light for a protected action ballot at Australia's largest grain exporter, after rejecting its claims that the MUA was not genuinely trying to reach agreement and that its WA branch leader engaged in unlawful coercion during bargaining.
