The Federal Court has ordered cleaning contractor Prestige Property Services Pty Ltd to pay almost $190,000 in back-pay and interest to cleaners at the Victorian Arts Centre.
In a blow to the Howard Government's crucial award rationalisation process, AWU national and Victorian branch secretary Bill Shorten has demanded Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews withdraw the appointment of one of his state branch officials to an expert reference group, saying the union never agreed to taking part.
The first two of the Labor states' constitutional challenges to the Work Choices Act have been filed with the High Court, with another four expected in coming weeks.
Victoria advertises for Workplace Rights Advocate; Victorian unions raise concerns about pre-employment screening for accident-proneness; Bullying rife in Victorian public sector: Survey; Consumer watchdog issues warning on OHS tour scam; HREOC reviews significant discrimination rulings from 2005; and Tribunal allows employer to reject male employees for sanitary disposal business.
The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal has ordered a shop proprietor who sexually harassed three shop assistants - two of them 14 and 15 at the time - to pay a total of $70,000 in damages, plus costs.
A Greyhound coach driver sacked for participating in talkback radio while behind the wheel has failed to win back his job, despite the AIRC ruling his sacking was a "harsh overreaction".
The AIRC has found that a Safeway employee with 15 years' service should be allowed to continue to wear her diamante nose stud at work, except when handling or preparing fresh food or taking part in substantial customer contact.