Coles workers approve landmark new agreement
More than 18 months after the Fair Work Commission struck down the enterprise agreement negotiated between Coles and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), a new agreement has been voted up by Coles workers. If approved by the Fair Work Commission, the agreement wi...CONTINUE READING
Adani mine takes centre stage in Queensland poll
The state election on 25 November is poised to shake up Queensland politics, with neither major party likely to win a majority and One Nation polling well. After ousting the widely despised government of Campbell Newman in 2015, Labor is struggling to maintain its grip on government. Newma...CONTINUE READING
The role of Queensland Native Mounted Police in genocide
The premeditated use of murderous violence against Indigenous people by agents of Australia’s early colonial order is often glossed over. For many commentators and politicians, it is too much to admit any element of malice. Take Malcolm Turnbull describing the adorning of statues of Captai...CONTINUE READING
Coles begins landmark negotiations
Coles has begun negotiations for a new industrial agreement with its workforce of more than 75,000. These negotiations come more than a year after the Fair Work Commission decision striking down its previous deal. Any new agreement that restores long-lost award entitlements, including pena...CONTINUE READING
‘We’re aware of the risks’: striking Fairfax journo
Workers at Fairfax newspapers started a week-long strike on 3 May. The decision to walk out was taken in protest at Fairfax Media announcing the abolition of 125 full time equivalent positions across the newspaper network, roughly one-quarter of all newsroom staff. The announcement is the...CONTINUE READING
Queensland ALP attacks civil liberties
The Queensland Labor government has betrayed those who hoped that Campbell Newman’s oppressive Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment (VLAD) laws would be scrapped. Instead, Labor has decided to retain them for another two years, and implemented sweeping new powers for the police and...CONTINUE READING
Brisbane Caltex workers return after deal
Workers at Caltex’s lubrication manufacturing plant and distribution centre in Brisbane have voted to return to work after 10 days of striking to defend their pay. Their action was sparked by management’s plans, as part of a new enterprise agreement, to reduce the work week from 42 to 38 h...CONTINUE READING
Brisbane Caltex workers on strike, union calls for solidarity
Workers at Caltex’s lubrication manufacturing plant and distribution centre in Brisbane are on strike indefinitely. They are protesting a proposal by their employer which will cut effective pay rates on site by 15 to 20 percent. The site is solidly unionised with the National Union of Work...CONTINUE READING
Penalty rate cut looks likely as Fair Work gives bosses more time
The Fair Work Commission has delayed its much anticipated decision on penalty rates. It has reopened the window for evidence to be submitted in order to give the bosses an opportunity to bolster their argument that the rates in the fast food, retail and hospitality awards should be cut. Th...CONTINUE READING