Labour productivity growth of more than 3% in the 2003 calendar year drove profits to a 40-year high, while a business investment boom over the past two years will fuel further labour productivity growth, according to leading economist John Edwards from HSBC.
Victorian nurses would leave or reduce hours if ratios axed, says new report; Setback for union in battle over redundancy at The Age; and BCA chief attacks Labor's plan for IR change.
The Howard Government's crucial legislation to move most unfair dismissal claims into the federal IR arena has failed for a second time to pass the Senate.
Unions seek substitute public holiday for Anzac Day in Victoria; Employers fail to delay Secure Employment Test Case; AIRC halts industrial action at its new HQ; Brisbane trucking company fined for driver's unsafe working hours; NUW finalises national and Victorian leadership changes; and New edition of key discrimination text.
The ANF and HACSU are concerned that the Tasmanian Government's offer to the State's nurses and ambulance only deals with wages, whilst the State's police union has labelled it a "good deal".
A provider of services to intellectually disabled clients has been given permission to selectively discriminate against short, young women, while other employers have won exemptions to allow them to discriminate in favour of men and indigenous people.
Australia's "powerful and robust" economy could afford a $26.60 a week increase in award wages without reducing employment, the ACTU told the opening day of hearings into its 2004 Living Wage claim.
HREOC grants exemption to boost male teacher numbers; Federal Court finds former Commonwealth Bank workers were not made redundant; New push for bargaining fees in NSW; and Transmission of business dispute could be outside AIRC's powers.
The AMWU has won an interim order from the AIRC to stop Holden Limited from outsourcing the design and manufacture of disc brakes for the next model of the Monaro coupe.