News

On 15 March 2024, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down its ‘Stage 3’ decision in the long-running work value case, which has been underway since 2021. The claim, initiated by the HSU, has pursued wage increases for employees engaged in the Aged Care sector who provide direct care to aged persons under the Nurses Award 2020, the Aged Care Award 2010 and the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010.

UPDATE: In September, the FWC published the final determinations to vary each award from ppc 1 January 2025.

The Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) has launched a campaign to obtain leave and flexibility entitlements for workers experiencing reproductive health issues.

Continue reading “Queensland Unions Launch Campaign for Reproductive Leave”

As we continue the charge into 2024 and with Easter just around the corner, employers are reminded that all FOUR days across the long weekend will be observed as public holidays in Queensland, NSW, the ACT and Victoria. Different arrangements may apply in other states and territories.

After agreeing to split its desired ‘Closing Loopholes’ legislation into separate parts to secure passage of the less controversial elements prior to Christmas 2023, the next instalment of the Government’s proposed IR reform has been successfully negotiated faster than expected, with the ‘Closing Loopholes No. 2’ Bill having passed both Houses of Parliament as of 12 February. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024 (‘Closing Loopholes No. 2’) received Royal Assent 26 February 2024.

Following on from changes ushered in within part one of the ‘Closing Loopholes’ legislation (ratified prior to Christmas), the Fair Work Commission has commenced the process of constructing a suitable delegates rights’ clause for inclusion in all Modern Awards from 1 July 2024, which, once operative, will entitle elected union delegates to reasonable access to paid leave for the purposes of attending related training.

In early-August 2023, a subsidiary company of Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy group, terminated the employment of 125 workers at the Palmer Coolum Resort in a sudden mass sacking event purportedly initiated due to a “large amount” of “fraud, theft and other matters of dishonesty” across the entire site. The “scattergun approach” resulted in 47 unfair dismissal applications being lodged, four of which proceeded to Hearing, with Commissioner Bernie Riordan determining all matters and awarding sizeable compensation in each instance.

In a lesson in how not to interact with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) an applicant pursuing a dismissal claim repeatedly insulted a Presidential Member while failing in a bid to have the Member recuse himself from dealing with the case.

Continue reading ““Attention Idiots” – Sacked Worker Tees Off on Fair Work Commission”

The Queensland Government yesterday announced the appointment of four new Commissioners to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC). 

Continue reading “ES Welcomes Appointments to QIRC”

The ES office and advice line will close for the Festive period at 3.30pm, Friday, 22 December 2023 and re-open, on reduced hours, at 9.00am, Tuesday, 2 January 2024. Standard operating hours will resume from 8 January 2024.