Major building sites across Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs are expected to close down next Thursday as unions hold rallies around Australia to protest against the Howard Government’s IR changes.
NSW's Liberal leader John Brogden today said he had no qualms about the Howard/Andrews sweeping federal IR package, and confirmed he would cede NSW's IR powers to Canberra if he won office.
The Federal Court has cleared the way for a discrimination claim to proceed against Hawker de Havilland Aerospace Pty Ltd, with unions alleging the company directed bonus payments from a Boeing group share trust scheme only to non-members.
The Federal Government has this morning denied that delaying the new Fair Pay Commission's first wage determination until Spring next year would effectively result in a wage freeze for award workers.
The Building Industry Taskforce will have new powers to compel individuals in the construction industry to attend interviews, divulge information and hand over documents, after the Senate yesterday finally allowed new guidelines for the powers to take effect. Those who defy the Taskforce face penalties or up to six months behind bars.
With two federal Coalition senators already expressing concerns about the Government's second-wave plans, state shadow IR ministers will tomorrow afternoon get their turn to put their views to Federal Workplace Relations Minister, Kevin Andrews.
The NSW and WA industrial tribunals have flowed-on to state award workers the $17 weekly wage rise handed down in the AIRC’s safety net review on June 7.
Today is the last day the Coalition has to rely on Democrats' IR spokesperson, Senator Andrew Murray, to get its legislation through Parliament. He warns, however, against farewelling him finally from the IR sphere of influence.
