Queensland employers are facing a significant increase in shift penalties, after the State's IRC replaced flat rate shift allowances with percentage rates.
After eight weeks of strikes and lockouts, about 450 workers employed by subcontractors at Alcoa's three WA refineries are back on the job - with their next two EAs wrapped up.
WR Minister Peter Reith has attempted to revive elements of his defeated second wave bill, today introducing into federal parliament amendments to the WR Act aimed at stamping out pattern bargaining and related industrial action.
The IRC has agreed to Caltex's application to terminate the bargaining periods covering its refinery in Kurnell, NSW, finding there was no reasonable prospect of the company and the AWU reaching an agreement.
The NSW IRC will on Monday hear the Employers Federation's application to vary the state childcare industry award, a move the LHMU maintains is an attack on conditions.
Injured Victorian workers will have their rights restored to seek common law damages, after the State Opposition decided it wouldn't block the legislation's passage in the Upper House.
The ALP has revealed that the Australian Industrial Registry, which reports to Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith, has a clause in its enterprise agreement allowing the deal to be re-opened to compensate employees for the effects of the GST on entitlements and conditions.
Unions are certain to push for GST-related compensation in wage claims after the Federal Budget forecast that the GST will cause a mid-year 6.75% inflation spike, taking 2000-2001 financial year inflation to an annual average of 5.75%.
The NSW IRC has fined a demolition company $75,000 over serious injuries sustained by two workers when a building collapsed at the Fox Studios development in Sydney.
