A few bits I’ll highlight:
As I reported last week, ANMF members in WA are furious that the Cook Government has delayed the next stage of the rollout of nurse/patient ratios in public hospitals. The union has now lodged a dispute in the WA IRC under s44 of the Industrial Relations Act. Nurses and midwives are angry. ANMF Secretary Romina Raschilla said “we will do whatever we need to do”.
The TWU has launched Federal Court proceedings against FedEx. The logistics multinational locked out 3000 workers after they took legal industrial action. In addition to the lockout FedEx withdrew previously approved leave for delegates to attend a TWU conference and told striking workers they were no longer eligible for weekend overtime shifts.
an aside in the decision is that apparently an inflatable grub is “plainly intimidatory”.
Union members at Arts Centre Melbourne have endorsed a new EBA. The new agreement includes a 13% pay increase over 3 years (5%/4%/4%) meeting the aim of getting pay increases above the Victorian Government’s wages policy of 3% per annum. In addition to the pay increase workers will also receive an additional one-off payment of $4350 pro-rata; improved leave entitlements and the introduction of reproductive health, disability support and gender affirmation leave. Workers at the Arts Centre have been undertaking industrial action since August including two 24-hour strikes.
“It’s members of the mighty AMWU and the broader trade union movement who hold the weight of the hopes and aspirations of all Australian workers on their shoulders. If you’re an Australian worker out there and you’re not a member of your union, we encourage you to join the struggle, join the fight. We will welcome you with open arms.”