APESMA is set to weather the Work Choices challenge better than other unions, with its wholly-owned recruitment company contributing strongly to the union coffers, and new plans to expand the recruitment operation into the UK.
Employers will be banned from using genetic tests to discriminate against workers unless they demonstrate an actual inability to perform the inherent requirements of the job, under legislation being planned by the Federal Government.
The new higher safety net of protected award conditions for workers whose deals are unilaterally terminated under the 90-day rule will only benefit employees on agreements that incorporate those entitlements, according to a partner in a major law firm.
Stephen Jones will be the new national secretary of the CPSU, after his incumbent team appear to have swept all seven full-time positions in the union's election. But the win isn't unequivocal, with rival teams securing half of the overall vote plus and the majority of honorary positions in the union's tax/revenue and community services sections.
It's a substantial change to the Work Choices bill, but one the Federal Government drew no attention to: under the 90-day rule for unilateral agreement termination, workers will now fall back on a much higher safety net than just the AFPC.
Unions are likely to increase shareholder-based activism as their legal influence is eroded by the Work Choices legislation and planned changes to the corporations law to restrict the calling of company meetings, according to a new academic study.
Royal assent for Work Choices within "a couple of weeks", independent contractors bill next year; We're not abusing our power, PM; Andrews welcomes BCA letter; Senate inquiry into automotive component employment; and Labor MPs sing Work Choices carol.
Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon expects to use existing employment arrangements at Jetstar as the basis for engaging workers for the airline's new international arm.
The AIRC has issued a s127 order barring the CFMEU's WA construction branch from taking further industrial action on the $325m inner-city section of Perth's new 80km rail line, in a ruling that confirms Australian Building and Construction Commissioner John Lloyd can intervene virtually unfettered in construction-related tribunal proceedings.
The Work Choices legislation has passed Parliament this morning, after the House of Representatives accepted the amendments made in the Senate on Friday.
