When three unions involved at an aged care facility couldn’t agree on how to deal with an expired agreement, the Fair Work Commission took the unusual step of writing to the employees and asking them their opinion directly. The problem for the FWC was that one union was in favour of terminating the old agreement, […]
New figures out confirm the prolonged stagnation in the size of wage increases has not abated. In its most recent Statement on Monetary Policy, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cites low inflation as a prime influencing factor in creating this situation. The RBA makes the point too that wage increases are “an important determinant […]
Yet another decision of Fair Work Commission has secured, for a resort and country club in Perth’s Swan Valley, a multi-hire clause in its agreement allowing employees to have two jobs. Recently there has been several Commission decisions (see below) approving this useful tool to allow employees to have a second job with their own […]
Many employers would not consider consulting their employees if there was a need to alter recruitment processes. But according to a recent Fair Work Commission full bench, that could be a mistake. An employer who wanted to change recruitment processes and criteria has been obliged to consult with their employees’ union under its enterprise agreement […]
The federal court has played Santa Clause to some WA shop assistants because of major confusion over public holiday entitlements. In a ruling over the proper interpretation of a Woolworths enterprise agreement, the court found that the interaction of the Fair Work Act (and the public holidays National Employment Standard), the West Australian Public Holidays […]
The negotiations at Patties for an agreement involved the NUW, the employer and some non-union employee bargaining representatives. During the bargaining process the NUW sent a letter to the non-union employee bargaining representatives seeking a copy of their appointment as a bargaining representative; a copy of any claims/improvements they sought; and their contact details. Concerned […]
On 10 June 2011, Commissioner Raffaelli approved the Qantas ASU Agreement, despite objections from two employee bargaining representatives that terms of the enterprise agreement were discriminatory and unlawful terms. The enterprise agreement includes limitations on hours of work for part time employees and gives preference for overtime shifts to full time employees. The employees argued […]
The Inco agreement included a clause that incorporated into salaries an amount in respect of long service leave and extinguishing entitlement to long service leave or long service leave payments on termination. Intervening unions argued this was in contravention of section 55 of the Act as the clause is “detrimental” to employees’ rights pursuant to […]
Ross Clarke has more than a decade’s experience in the enterprise bargaining room.
The knowledge and skill he has acquired in this time has enabled him to develop a highly sophisticated planning and process model for successful enterprise bargaining. This proven methodology delivers results across all industries including distribution, hospitality, banking, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications and gaming.
“Ross’s knowledge of industrial relations and his ability to understand how and when to communicate internally with government; and with the media were instrumental in guiding the Association’s successful response to the campaign.”
Patrick Griffin OAM, Australian Hotels Association
Mobile: 0419 401 702
Email ross@workrelations.com.au
L3, 97 Pacific Hwy
North Sydney
Australia