Inflation has continued its upward trend after bottoming out in early 1999, with data released today by the ABS showing a a 0.8% increase for the June quarter and a 3.2% annual increase (up from 2.8% last quarter).
The WA police service is offering its 1,200 unsworn employees an immediate 2% increase under State workplace agreements, after the Civil Service Association knocked back a collective offer with a similar quantum that would have been paid on certification.
Tasmania's Hydro-Electric Commission has sealed a deal with unions that positions the organisation to make the transition to operating in the national electricity market and provides a 10.5% pay increase over three years.
St George Bank, which is preparing for a major change process, has reached preliminary agreement on a new deal with the Finance Sector Union that delivers 5,000 award employees a 9.1% guaranteed wage increase over two years, plus more if they perform.
A full bench of the IRC has upheld a decision to reinstate a sacked MUA delegate after he gave an undertaking that he would "forever" abandon his union and OHS activism that had brought him into conflict with management at P&O subsidiary Container Terminals Australia Limited.
Esso unions plan to appeal against the IRC's decision today to issue seven-day s127 orders to stop industrial action at Esso's Gippsland onshore oil facilities and in the meantime look likely to maintain their bans.
The decision by the CFMEU (mining & energy division) to reduce power generation at Yallourn Energy from today marks a new phase in the year-long bargaining dispute at the Latrobe Valley power station.
Queensland teachers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the State Government's bargaining offer, which puts an extra 800 teachers in schools but leaves it to the IRC to arbitrate a pay rise.
