The AIRC would seek to be more user-friendly and responsive to its users' needs in the wake of the Work Choices changes, AIRC President Justice Geoffrey Giudice said yesterday.
A dispute between Qantas and its international pilots' union has been the first case listed to be heard by the AIRC under the new Work Choices legislative regime.
Union membership numbers have increased to more than 1.9m - the highest level since 1998 - but union density has continued to decline, reaching a new low of 22.4%. Trend data produced by academic David Peetz, though, is positive for unions, as it shows the latest membership increase is the biggest since 1989 and that the decline in density has almost been arrested.
OEA beefs up resources as it takes over agreement lodgement; Building worker's challenge to ABCC's Hadgkiss in Federal Court tomorrow; AMA says Work Choices medical certificate provisions trivialise sick leave; FSU more than $300,000 ahead after successful OHS prosecutions; and SDA's Victorian leadership sees off challenge.
Prime Minister John Howard today rejected claims that the Work Choices Act commencing today imposes excessive regulation on businesses, saying the laws will strengthen the economy.
The Howard Government has marked today's commencement of the Work Choices IR changes by announcing the appointment of the four part-time members of the Fair Pay Commission.
