Unions and the ALP today secured support from a key business group as they continue to pressure the Morrison Government into paying UK-style wage subsidies to coronavirus-affected workers, against a background of tripartite cooperation not seen for 25 years.
The AEC will no longer conduct attendance ballots for protected industrial action until the coronavirus crisis is resolved, prompting the FWC to vary multiple union PABO applications in order to delay the close of voting and allow for postal ballots.
The coronavirus pandemic requires a temporary but fundamental reconsideration of the Fair Work Act's safety net, according to a joint bid to vary a key award to provide substantial operational and hours flexibility.
Flight Centre is hoping that thousands of workers it has stood down will be able pick up short-term work with in-demand services, such as call centres that have been squeezed by coronavirus lockdowns in The Philippines and India.
NSW has passed legislation to give workers earlier and more flexible access to long service during the COVID-19 pandemic and possibly providing a model for other states.
A joint ACCI and Ai Group application is being made to the FWC today to allow reductions in working hours while keeping the same hourly rate of pay for up to one million workers covered by the clerks award.
FWC President Iain Ross will this afternoon hear a joint application by the UWU and the Australian Hotels Association to vary the hospitality award 2010 to help businesses to save jobs as the coronavirus crisis bites.
The coronavirus crisis has prompted the Morrison Government to suspend its consultations over further changes to IR laws, including the introduction of criminal penalties for the worst cases of underpayment.
Coronavirus-driven cuts in domestic flights are hindering the movement of FIFO workers, causing some mining operations to look at special charter flights.
IR Minister Christian Porter told Parliament this afternoon that the Morrison Government has provided $42 million in extra funding to the FWO to boost its information systems as the coronavirus pandemic gathers pace.
