The CFMEU (mining & energy division) has lost its High Court challenge to the Federal Government's award simplification provisions, with four of the seven judges finding WR Minister Peter Reith's laws were constitutional.
Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith plans to reintroduce his bill - rejected twice in the Government's last term - to exempt small businesses from unfair dismissal claims.
After sharing record profits with its employees under the terms of the current enterprise agreement, media giant Fairfax has told its workers it wants to end its profit-sharing scheme.
Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith plans to immediately introduce remedial legislation if the High Court tomorrow upholds the CFMEU's constitutional challenge to the Workplace Relations Act's award simplification provisions.
Adsteam Marine and the MUA have agreed to cut tug crews from four to three - saving the company $3m a year - after three months of mediation by the IRC's Commissioner Tony Wilks.
Office supply chain Officeworks Superstores and the SDA have struck a new enterprise agreement that phases down junior rates for over-18s and provides a 3.3% a year pay increase for 1,900 employees.
In a decision that opens the door wider for long-term casuals to be treated as employees, the IRC has ruled that a casual who rang his employer every day for 20 months - often finding no work the next day - was an employee under the Workplace Relations Act's unfair dismissal provisions.
In an unusual interlocutory decision that has got IR lawyers scratching their heads, the Federal Court has found it would be unfair for unions to take industrial action against BHP Iron Ore while the company is restrained from offering individual contracts to its unionised workforce.
The Federal Court has ordered an employer to pay the AWU $9,000 in fines for discriminating against employees over industrial action and their union membership.
