Opposition to release IR blueprint in 2006, says Beazley; Industrial agreements inquiry on track to report on Monday; Victorian Government report highlights benefits of "quality" part-time work; Independent Contractors Act to override state employment law, says IPA; Discrimination tribunal allows employer to discriminate in favour of candidates with a history of mental illness; and International labour law conference heading for Australia in 2009.
The Federal Government's second-wave IR changes compromise public service values, are aimed at deunionising the workforce, and far, from offering workers' choice, will lead to more pro forma AWAs with non-negotiable terms and conditions, according to the CPSU's assistant national secretary, Stephen Jones.
Government might seek to suspend AIRC's hearing of ACTU's 2006 living wage claim; ALP to vote against whole second wave; NSW public school teachers vote up deal; and ACCI warns of wage-price spiral, as CPI creeps up to 3%-a-year.
The union representing long-haul Qantas pilots denies claims that the proposed new three-year agreement with the airline fails to ensure job security, as Qantas considers plans to launch a new low-cost international airline.
CFMEU construction division WA branch assistant secretary Joe McDonald, who lost his federal entry permit last year, is now facing the loss of his State permit, after the State building watchdog applied to have to have it revoked or suspended.
The Howard Government will introduce its radical second wave IR legislation to Parliament on the morning of next Wednesday, November 2, Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews confirmed this evening.
Andrews says IR bill won't compete with Melbourne Cup; Beazley issues second IR debate challenge; Interim deal for Queensland nurses; and Maitland rejects CFMEU disunity claims.
Employees currently on state awards or agreements could have their wages and conditions frozen for three years or more under the Federal Government's second-wave IR changes, according to a Sydney barrister.
It would make more sense to exclude employers of more than 100 employees from unfair dismissal claims, rather than employers of less than 100, while Government is setting up the Fair Pay Commission to lower minimum wages, ANZ chief economist Saul Eslake told a conference in Melbourne this morning.
A Queensland employer, backed by the State's peak employer body, has effectively avoided arbitration of a planned union agreement by the State's IRC, after refusing to negotiate with the AMWU.
