The prospect of a future Labor Government seizing the opportunity to create an "anti-employer" national IR system is no reason to halt the Government's plans for a unitary system, because experience elsewhere shows any rollback would be modest, according to Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews.
A senior judicial member of the NSW IRC has confirmed that unions are free to decide how to spend any fine (or "moiety") they are paid when they successfully prosecute employers for OHS breaches.
A 16-year-old apprentice electrician who was deliberately burnt on the neck and arms by his supervisor and was repeatedly asked to perform oral sex and other sexual favours has been awarded $15,000 in damages for sexual harassment.
Correction to higher education story, and NTEU announces campaign against funding-linked IR changes; AEU membership also on the rise; Reject deal that pays $10,000 more to men than women, ASU to tell Queensland IRC; Queensland to introduce its first child employment laws; and Sunshine State reverses onus in freedom of association cases.
The Building Industry Taskforce has followed up Friday's $8,500 hit against the CFMEU (construction division) in WA by securing total penalties of $7,500 against the NSW branch this morning.
An IT manager summarily dismissed for failing to inform his employer about the widespread use of pirated software throughout its operations had no basis for a s106 unfair contract claim, the NSW IRC has ruled.
Qantas has won an interim s127 order to prevent further industrial action by Transport Workers' Union ramp workers who walked off the job last week in protest over payroll problems.
Gallop Government establishes pay equity unit; SA IR reforms take effect May 16; Club justified in sacking bar worker who failed to bundy off; Better bargaining legislation might be impotent against "go early" strategies; and ACCI calls for debate on national OHS regime.
Unions at Toyota have won four years of shelter from the Howard Government's looming second wave of IR change, after striking an in-principle deal that provides an 18% pay rise, plus extra employer superannuation contributions and up to 3% in bonuses.
