Qantas group executives denied labour costs were a major factor in their decision announced today to axe Australian Airlines and launch new international routes for their low-cost Jetstar subsidiary.
Law firm Whyburns Legal merged with Maurice Blackburn Cashman in November 2004, not with Slater & Gordon last year, as reported by Workplace Express on Friday (in News in brief).
Victorian unions say State's lowest paid fall through gap in Work Choices coverage; Centrelink to provide salary-packaged child care via dedicated provider; NSW IRC allows Canberra to intervene in State Wage Case, seeks more details before setting limits; AIRC releases further guidance on dispute resolution clauses; and Work Choices gives green light for cuts in take home pay, says ACTU.
TNT Express workers ended a wildcat stoppage on Friday evening, after the AIRC issued its first orders under s496 to stop industrial action under the Work Choices regime.
In a ruling likely to prompt many employers to review their sex discrimination policies, a tribunal has found that a club manager sexually harassed a female employee when he called her "babe" and "honey".
AIRC President Justice Geoffrey Giudice has defended his comments that the Fair Pay Commission could slow the growth of minimum wage increases, creating pressure to reduce social welfare benefits.
Almost three out of five opposed to Work Choices, Morgan poll finds; Still no s496 order after unions give undertaking against industrial action; Unions rally in Queensland; Employees with caring responsibilities want more access to paid leave and flexible work, finds ABS; PM says AIRC engaging in knee-jerk criticism of Work Choices, confident on High Court challenge; HREOC begins inquiry into same-sex bias at work; Beazley to speak on IR on Tuesday; and Maurice May merges with Slater & Gordon.
At the end of a week dominated by the Cowra Abattoir dispute, there is little support for the assertion by Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews that under Work Choices it remains unlawful for companies to sack employees if their main reason for doing so is to re-employ them on inferior conditions.
Virgin Blue faces a damages payout of up to $80,000 to eight over-36 women who applied for flight attendants' jobs but were rejected because of their age, following an anti-discrimination tribunal ruling.