A full bench of the NSW IRC, led by the President, Justice Lance Wright, today began hearing evidence from a dozen childcare workers at the start of an LHMU pay equity case seeking wage rises ranging from $177 to $540 per week.
As the Howard Government moves toward drafting its independent contractor legislation, a new inquiry report by a Government-dominated Lower House committee has recommended contractors be regulated as commercial entities outside the traditional IR system, while the labour hire sector should be subject to a voluntary industry code of practice.
Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews has backed away from his call for a Senate inquiry into the second wave IR legislation after the Prime Minister and Liberal Senator George Brandis refused to support the proposal.
New ABS data released today appears to confirm that labour shortages are driving up wages, with trend rates of pay excluding bonuses increasing by 1.1% in the June quarter and 4% in the year to June - a new annual record.
Taskforce fails in bid to have CFMEU official's permit revoked; Safety net increases flowed-on in Queensland, SA; and AiG warns Government against bowing to pressure, calls for fair workplaces.
The AIRC has approved a rule change it recommended for the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association to formalise its coverage of nearly all workers employed by Forstaff at Qantas's maintenance facility at Avalon, near Melbourne.
The day after Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews confirmed he was in favour of a Senate inquiry into his second-wave laws, a Coalition member has told a meeting of the joint parties in Canberra that it was not a good idea.
Last week it was the construction industry, this week the Federal Government will take advantage of its new majority in both Houses of Parliament to reintroduce its legislation targeting the manufacturing sector - the Better Bargaining bill.
The National Party's West Australian branch has urged the Federal Government to take a cautious approach to its second wave IR changes, particularly its planned exemptions from unfair dismissal laws.
