Victorian unions will use this weekend's ALP State Conference to push for the Federal Labor caucus to maintain the IR policy taken into the October 9 election and for the Bracks Government to act to protect workers before the Howard Government takes control of the Senate next year.
In an important ruling, the NSW Court of Appeal has ruled that 13 female long-term casual state school teachers were subjected to indirect discrimination when they were denied access to a pay scale that allowed permanent employees to earn up to $10,000 more each year.
Employers who knowingly expose workers to serious OHS risks face jail and maximum fines of almost a million dollars, under new legislation to be introduced by the Bracks Government this week.
A group of 20 current and former business leaders including Patrick chair Chris Corrigan and BGC head Len Buckeridge have written to PM John Howard urging him to establish a high-profile inquiry into a further wave of IR change that would include whether unions should continue to enjoy special privileges.
Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews has told employer groups that unions "would be taking a significant risk" if they relied on the Electrolux decision to claim current agreements are invalid and take what they say is protected action.
Anna Booth outlines benchmarks for Government's proposed small business IR mediation regime; Judge reserves Wesfarmers decision; Howard says dismissal exemption could drive unemployment below 5%; Costello warns unions against wage push; Mitsubishi and unions agree to four-day week; Railcorp dispute back in AIRC on Tuesday; FAAA again warns members against "sickout"; and Free online video presentation on workforce planning for Workplace Express subscribers.
A full bench of the NSW IRC is set to determine the important question of whether it can conciliate industrial disputes involving union members on AWAs.
Telstra has denied CPSU allegations that it is threatening redundancies if enough staff do not take their excess accrued annual leave over the Christmas holiday period.
The Federal Government has told the State Labor Governments that compliance with the national code of practice for the building and construction industry is a non-negotiable part of the draft bilateral agreement being negotiated over the $12.5 billion AusLink roads package.
