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.
The Howard Government has failed to make a case for IR change and should engage in a genuine process of consultation with unions, ACTU leader Greg Combet said today, ahead of Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews tomorrow putting his IR agenda before Cabinet.
Skills shortages, labour force participation rates and labour productivity must be addressed to remedy emerging constraints on economic growth, according to Reserve Bank Governor Ian Macfarlane.
A new agreement for the troubled Newcastle University contains more stringent requirements for consultation with unions over major change, while it also delivers 26 weeks paid parental leave for the primary caregiver and four weeks paid parental leave for partners.
The MBA wants the Federal Government to soften the Cole legislation's tough anti-pattern bargaining provisions, arguing the key issue is whether parties genuinely agree to the deals struck.
