Staff cuts risk ‘dangerous spiral’ at Myer

Original article by Sue Mitchell
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 28-Jul-15

Citigroup’s Craig Woolford says Myer Holdings’ plan to scale back its permanent workforce could backfire by adversely affecting customer service and in turn leading to lower sales. The department store group also proposes a 20 per cent reduction in working hours for casual and part-time employees. Myer argues that the changes will result in greater rostering flexibility during periods when staff are most in demand. Myer shed 80 employees at its head office earlier in 2015.

CORPORATES
MYER HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX MYR, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, DAVID JONES LIMITED, WOOLWORTHS HOLDINGS LIMITED, CLSA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, SHOP, DISTRIBUTIVE AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION

Unions push for casual worker rights

Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 6 : 17-Mar-15

The ACTU wants casual workers to have a legal right to compulsory arbitration when employers do not "bargain in good faith". The ACTU will present its views on the matter in a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into workplace relations. The Australian Industry Group argues in its submission that workplace agreements should include a mandatory clause about measures to improve productivity

CORPORATES
ACTU, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION