Industrial Relations

A win for workers—and another betrayal by the Morrison Government

The Morrison Government’s IR Bill passed the Senate yesterday, stripped of all but one of its major provisions. This was a win for unions, workers, and the community who campaigned against the changes, writes Chloe Ward.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/19/a-win-for-workers-and-another-betrayal-by-the-morrison-government/

Update: Government entrenches job insecurity with workplace law “Omnibus Bill”

Working people in unions have successfully stopped many of the worst aspects of the Morrison Government’s anti-worker “Omnibus Bill” from becoming law.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/18/gutless-government-punishes-casual-workers-after-humiliating-defeat/

Meet Mark: an imbalance of power

Imagine getting laid-off over Christmas, abandoned by your employer, left with nothing while the bills stack up.

It’s a nightmare scenario, but for Mark and 300 of his colleagues, it was all too real.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/17/meet-mark-an-imbalance-of-power/

Meet Sherree: one cut from poverty

One shift can make all the difference for aged care worker Sherree Clarke. But in the midst of a pandemic, she actually saw fewer of them.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/10/meet-sherree-one-cut-from-poverty/

International Women’s Day 2021 Report

Reality check for Australian Working Women International Women’s Day is a day to reflect upon and honour the work of all the women who fought for the rights and protections that working women have today. But this year, it’s also a day for a reality check – because this Government has left women behind. The…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/08/international-womens-day-2021-report-reality-check-for-australian-working-women/

Meet Gaby: a nurse’s concern

As a registered nurse for the past 10 years, Gaby Norman is used to taking care of others. And that’s why, with the Morrison Government proposing dangerous industrial relations legislation, she fears for what’s ahead.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/03/meet-gaby-a-nurses-concern/

Meet Llwyd: the labour hire roundabout

Llwyd is an electrician based in Brisbane, with nearly three decades’ worth of experience. But he’s trapped on what he calls “the labour hire roundabout”.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/02/meet-llwyd-the-labour-hire-roundabout/

Meet Rylee: the need for job security

Job security. That’s all Rylee Miller is asking for. She just wants to know her job is safe and permanent.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/01/meet-rylee-the-need-for-job-security/

Experts warn changes to job security will put public health at risk

No access to paid sick leave and insecure working conditions are putting Australians at greater risk of COVID-19 infection, according to a submission by epidemiologists from ANU in response to the Morrison Government’s proposed IR Omnibus Bill.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/02/16/experts-warn-changes-to-job-security-will-put-public-health-at-risk/

Morrison’s dangerous IR bill takes aim at take-home pay and secure work

Part-time workers stand to lose thousands in personal income, while others may be denied secure work altogether under proposed industrial relations changes, warns independent think tank, Per Capita.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/02/08/morrisons-dangerous-ir-bill-takes-aim-at-take-home-pay-and-secure-work/