Employer peak groups have argued for no safety net increase for NSW award workers until the Fair Pay Commission's first determination, while the Federal Government today formally withdrew from the State Wage Case. South Australia's wage case also started today.
Andrews withdraws from NSW wage case; SA wage case starts Monday; NSW unions to seek state regulation of guest worker sponsors; Howard wrong on Spotlight, says SDA; Unions gearing up for June 25 week of action against Work Choices; Victorian and NSW electrical contracting sectors still not code compliant; SA IRC reserves decision on adult apprenticeship rates; HREOC extends same-sex discrimination inquiry's submission deadline; and NSW Work Choices inquiry hearings start June 19.
The ALP has seized on comments by AFPC Commissioner Professor Ian Harper as supporting its claim that real minimum wages levels are under threat from Work Choices.
A five-member full bench of the WA IRC has reserved its decision on the State Wage Case, in what is believed to be the first proceedings to be webcast live by an IR tribunal in Australia.
The key elements of Work Choices are likely to survive the States'/unions' challenge, though the legislation might have to be "slightly re-cast" after the High Court delivers its judgment, Melbourne barrister Stuart Wood has told a Samuel Griffith Society conference.
ACTU secretary Greg Combet today called on the Federal Government to repeal clauses of the Work Choices Act allowing workers to be sacked and rehired on lower wages, following a leaked OWS report on the Cowra Abattoir case.
Salaries offered to ER and IR managers have increased substantially in Brisbane and Adelaide in the past year, while HR directors and managers in most cities have done well, according to a survey by leading Australian recruitment company Hays.
The Cowra abattoir that tried to sack 29 workers then rehire some of them for less pay last month had acted lawfully, according to leaked preliminary advice from the OWS.
The Award Review Taskforce is on track to meet its tight July 31 deadline for finalising recommendations on new wage and classification structures, DEWR told a Senate Estimates hearing last night.
