The CFMEU has used the Workplace Relations Act's s170NC anti-coercion provisions to fetter the legal strategies of a major builder and its subcontractors in the current bargaining dispute in the Victorian building industry.
Justice Alan Boulton at noon on Monday March 27 is to hear the CFMEU's application to stay Cmr Bob Merriman's decision to terminate the bargaining period of 216 construction companies in Victoria.
Employers in Queensland could have a powerful new disincentive to engaging casuals, if the Queensland Council of Unions is successful in a bid to boost casual loading from 19% to 28.5%.
Employers in the metals sector will be required to provide each union delegate with five days a year of paid trade union training leave, if unions succeed in an award variation application.
The NSW Government now looks likely to establish an inquiry into increasing the regulation of labour hire, after NSW Premier Bob Carr lent it his in-principle support.
The rebel "breakout" group of 11 construction companies negotiating on the 36-hour week in the Victorian construction industry are very close to finalising a deal, according to CFMEU construction and general division national secretary John Sutton.
The Federal Court has ruled that substitute public holidays are not extra public holidays but in fact are holidays in lieu, in a decision that could affect other employers with similar clauses.
Production and engineering employees at Rio Tinto subsidiary Novacoal's Howick mine in the Hunter Valley remain on basic award rates after the Federal Court rejected a union argument that a clause 20 agreement approved by the now defunct Coal Industry Tribunal still prescribed their wages and conditions.
