The ABCC's prosecution of 107 workers for alleged unlawful strike action will return to the Federal Court for further directions on October 18, after Justice Robert Nicholson held a preliminary hearing in Perth today.
The Coalition's new IR regime goes against the Australian ethos of a fair society, has the potential to be socially divisive, and will result in uncertainty and litigation, according to former AIRC Deputy President, Joe Isaac.
Employees who claim constructive dismissal under Work Choices bear the onus of establishing that their employer forced them to resign, a senior AIRC member has found.
Independent schools in NSW and the IEU have agreed in principle to pay rises averaging 19% over the next four years, with the introduction of a new quality appraisal system for teachers with less than seven years' experience.
ACTU's Combet to feature in tonight's Australian Story; Former AIRC Deputy President Joe Isaacs to speak out on Work Choices this evening; and NSW and Victoria to harmonise their workers' compensation schemes.
The ACCC has served notice on the CFMEU of a Federal Court action against the union and a senior official alleging they colluded with a building company to terminate a subcontractor in breach of secondary boycott laws.
The Senate committee inquiring into the independent contractors legislation has recommended changes to maintain state protections for clothing workers, saying DEWR has indicated the government is likely to dump Part 4 of the main bill covering contract outworkers in the industry.
A survey of the first 30 secret ballots for industrial action declared since Work Choices became law shows nearly all were voted up with unanimous or overwhelming support from employees, usually by an attendance ballot within two days at the workplace. All but two of the ballots were conducted by the AEC.
