DEMONSTRATIONS – AUSTRALIA

Industrial ‘anarchy’: MP warns

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Original article by Dana McCauley
The Age – Page: 1 : 23-Oct-18

Employer groups estimate that the ACTU’s "Change the Rules" rallies will cost $250 million in lost productivity. Meanwhile, Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer claims that the ACTU is inciting union members to break the law, and that Australia faces a "bleak future" if a Labor government changes industrial relations laws to please the ACTU. The peak union body contends that the rallies should be viewed as political protests rather than industrial action.

CORPORATES
ACTU, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF JOBS AND SMALL BUSINESS, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP, FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Counting the costs of ACTU’s campaign

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Original article by Samantha Hutchinson
The Australian – Page: 2 : 22-Oct-18

Masters Builders Australia estimates that a six-day campaign of industrial action by unions will have a direct and indirect cost to the national economy of up to $250m. Unions forecast that rallies to be held in Sydney and Melbourne will be attended by up to 150,000 workers in each city, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry warns that this could result in the loss of some 450,000 working hours and 50,000 working days. Rallies will be held in Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin and six regional cities on 23 October, as part of the ACTU’s "Change The Rules" campaign.

CORPORATES
MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, ACTU, AUSTRALIAN MINES AND METALS ASSOCIATION (INCORPORATED), AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, DELOITTE ACCESS ECONOMICS PTY LTD, PATRICK STEVEDORES HOLDINGS PTY LTD

Companies told they need to report protesting workers within 24 hours

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 8 : 18-Oct-18

With unions set to commence a month of rallies on 18 October, Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer has warned that it is a prelude to the workplace turmoil that can be expected if Labor wins the next federal election. Meanwhile, the Australian Building & Construction Commission has told employers that they are required to advise it of any workers who participate in the rallies without authorisation within 24 hours. The ABCC has again stressed that employees could be prosecuted, prompting the construction union to accuse it of attempting to intimidate workers.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF JOBS AND SMALL BUSINESS, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MARITIME, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, ACTU, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN

Union threat to sue Ombudsman

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 2 : 17-Oct-18

The Fair Work Ombudsman recently warned that workers who attend union-organised protest rallies in coming weeks without written approval from their employer risk being prosecuted for unprotected industrial action. However, ACTU secretary Sally McManus argues that the right to attend lawful political protests is protected by the Fair Work Act, and she has accused the FWO of misrepresenting the rights of workers. Unions have also warned of potential legal action if the FWO and employers do not retract their warnings to workers about attending the rallies.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN, ACTU, HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN MINES AND METALS ASSOCIATION (INCORPORATED), THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP

ABCC warns of union rally fines

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 2 : 9-Oct-18

Work at building sites across Australia is likely to be disrupted by a series of protest rallies organised by the ACTU over the next month. However, the Australian Building & Construction Commission says building workers who participate in the rallies without written approval from their employee risk both having their pay docked and being prosecuted for unprotected industrial action. The penalty for such action is $42,00. Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker has also warned of the potential for legal action against unions and workers.

CORPORATES
ACTU, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MARITIME, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA