The ACCI has urged the AFPC to cap any minimum wage increases at lower levels than it granted last year, but does not argue for a specific dollar amount in its submission to the AFPC current pay review.
One year since Work Choices became law, the President of the AIRC, Justice Geoffrey Giudice, has released Commission statistics that back-up ABS figures showing low levels of industrial disputes under the new IR regime, and also show a significant drop in federal unfair termination applications.
The end of the big productivity surge of the 1990s means that the RBA's wages "line in the sand" will have to be reduced from 4.5% to 4%, according to Credit Suisse chief economist Barry Hughes.
The Federal Government has indicated that it will be after the Australian Fair Pay Commission hands down its mid-year minimum wage decision before it asks the AIRC to begin the award rationalisation process.
The ACTU is seeking a $28 a week increase in minimum wages from the Fair Pay Commission – equivalent to about 5.5% per year at the level of the Federal Minimum Wage – in its submission lodged with the award wage-setting body today.
Confectioner Darrell Lea is offering a five-year Work Choices AWA to casuals that freezes wage rates, scraps penalty rates, pares back casual loading, and reduces minimum engagements to one hour, according to the Federal Opposition.
The AFPC - which is due to deliver its 2007 minimum wage decision mid-year - has dropped from its consultation process the extensive series of both public and stake-holder meetings it conducted in 2006 and has instead increased its use of targeted focus groups, according to the director of its secretariat, Jennifer Taylor.
Family First Senator Steve Fielding has today introduced his private member's bill that seeks to restore some of the employee entitlements removed by Work Choices.
Long-running negotiations for a new agreement for 2,000 public sector nurses in the Northern Territory are nearing completion after the Government increased its offer following an overwhelming vote for protected industrial action by ANF members.
SA IRC launches inquiry into Work Choices, IC laws; Most professional women childless: survey; Lack of childcare cited by 82,700 people not in labour force: ABS; Federal ALP would extend owner driver exemptions; CFMEU fined $9,000 for FOA breaches; Submissions deadline on Friday for minimum pay review; Harper to address National Press Club; ABC releases "sneak peek" of waterfront dispute drama; OWS chasing more underpayments; Correction to OWS article; and Founders not in agreement over corporations power, says Chief Justice.
