The NSW public sector granted more than 87% of women's requests for flexible work ahead of COVID-19, according to a large PSA member survey that says the pandemic has proved there is still room for improvement in the Berejiklian Government's "if not why not" policy.
The FWC is likely tomorrow to extend COVID-19 flexibilities in the clerical award until the end of March, after the ACTU agreed not to oppose the move, while unions and employers are continuing to negotiate on proposed "enduring" working from home provisions.
Treasury officials have sought to reassure senators that if employers recruit and engage young workers under the Morrison Government's $4 billion JobMaker hiring credit scheme, they won't breach the Age Discrimination Act.
NSW unions have vowed to fight a plan by the Berejiklian Government to cap annual public sector pay rises at 1.5% for the next three years, replacing a previous wage policy allowing increases of up to 2.5%.
The ACTU's national executive is today debating a Working from Home Charter of Rights, which will call for those working remotely to enjoy pay and conditions equal to those offered to on-site employees and have access to arbitration of disputes.
The ACTU will soon release an online workers' survey which will be used to identify elements of a union claim for "working from home rights", while helping to "frame" the public debate.
The CFMMEU's manufacturing division has defended a claim for annual pay rises of 4% at a major Melbourne packaging plant, arguing the business has boomed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
