In an important post-Vabu ruling, the NSW Court of Appeal has made it clear that principals are not vicariously liable for the negligent actions of independent contractors they engage, as long as there is an arms-length relationship between them.
Shortages of skilled workers haven't yet driven up wages, with ABS and DEWR data released today showing little change in recent private sector pay trends.
AIRC certifies agreement that became Electrolux battleground; ASIC releases guide to long-term performance of super funds; 16% pay rise for NSW public sector workers; Status quo upheld in Qantas maintenance engineers’ dispute; and ALAEA seeks 6.6% a year at Qantas.
Australia's labour hire workforce grew five-fold in the 12 years to 2002, with the changing IR climate a key contributor, a Productivity Commission staff working paper has found.
Cabinet has received favourably Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews' broad outline of his IR agenda, and he will now begin work on a detailed policy package, a spokesperson for the Minister said this evening.
AIRC rules on private versus workplace workplace harassment; Fishing Party fends off unfair dismissal claim; and harsh to dismiss sick worker via phone.
The AWU has launched a Federal Court action against a Victorian mushroom farm, alleging it sacked six women because they refused to sign AWAs that cut their weekly take-home pay.
In a shot across the bows of the Howard Government as its inner circle meets tomorrow to discuss a federal takeover of state IR systems, the NSW IRC has today cast doubt over whether it can use the corporations power to do so.
The economics advisor to former Prime Minister Paul Keating says that structural changes to the economy, particulary the AIRC's reduced ability to pass on wage rises from the strong to the weak, has created a new era of wage stability. He predicts that pay data to be released on Wednesday probably won't show any sign of accelerated growth, despite evidence of labour shortages.
