Employment & Industrial Relations

Force banks to mirror RBA rates: Howes

22 May 2012 |

Trade union boss Paul Howes believes financial institutions should be forced to mirror movements of official interest rates when setting their lending rates.

Abbott promises IR reforms

22 May 2012 | James Massola

Updated | Tony Abbott has promised his MPs a future Coalition government would deliver industrial relations reform that addressed the twin problems of union militancy and falling productivity.

City-slickers deaf to rural economic woes

22 May 2012 |

Australia's real unemployment rate is twice the official figure and the Reserve Bank must urgently cut interest rates, says the nation's biggest research firm.

Youth joblessness near GFC peak: ILO

22 May 2012 |

Youth joblessness is almost back at its peak following the outbreak of the global economic crisis and is unlikely to ease until at least 2016, the International Labour Organization (ILO) warned.

Co-operation, not conflict

22 May 2012 | Graeme Watson

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Co-operation, not conflict

The industrial relations system is overly focused on disputes at the expense of fostering fair and productive workplaces.

Qantas crunch time

22 May 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 64 | Qantas crunch time

It is well known that Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce is a fan of good timing. Well an avid collector of old airline timetables, anyway.

Why your boss is not your shrink

22 May 2012 | Robert Spillane

PRINT: 23 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Remember your boss is not your shrink

Managers do engage in a bit of counselling but it’s heavy on empathy and quite pragmatic.

Harvey Norman workforce in for a trimming

22 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 22 | Harvey workforce in for a trimming

An internal email sent last week at a major franchise of Harvey Norman’s Commercial division highlights the challenges facing retailers in Australia.

How to deepen ties with Indonesia

22 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | How to deepen ties with Indonesia

Editorial | Relations between Australia and Indonesia will always be challenging given that no two neighbours are more dissimilar in so many ways.

How much Klout do you have online?

22 May 2012 | Fiona Smith

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | All you need to score is a little bit of Klout

Klout measures your social media influence, and “what’s your Klout score?” could well become a regular question in job interviews for positions in sales, marketing or IT.

Mentoring a better option than golf

22 May 2012 | Catherine Fox

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Mentoring may pip golf for driving networks

Women who find informal business networks difficult to crack are turning to an external mentor for advice.

Car group to expand in Victoria

22 May 2012 | Lucille Keen

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Car group to expand

Japanese automotive technology and components supplier the DENSO Group will expand its Australian operations boosting the number of workers at its tin Croydon.

Lump sums blow out workers’ comp costs

22 May 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Lump sums blow out workers’ compo costs

A “lump-sum culture” has emerged in the NSW workers’ compensation scheme, which has blown out costs and threatens to push up premiums paid by employers, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.

Rival unionist rejects Thomson ‘hooker’ set-up claims

22 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Rival unionist rejects ‘hooker’ set-up claims

Marco Bolano is a long-time friend and supporter of Kathy Jackson from her home base of Victoria.

Jackson’s court bid to resolve administrator issue

22 May 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | HSU seeks single venue for hearing

Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson has launched legal action to prevent two applications to appoint an administrator to the union’s troubled east branch from proceeding in different courts.

Abbott’s high praise for Michael Lawler

22 May 2012 |

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 9 | High praise

Tony Abbott heaped praise on Michael Lawler when he appointed him as vice-president of the then-Australian Industrial Relations Commission in 2002. These are his comments:

Abbott link with Lawler dismissed

22 May 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Abbott dismisses Lawler link

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has not spoken to a former appointee of his, Fair Work Australia’s vice president Michael Lawler, for years. Mr Lawler is the partner of Kathy Jackson.

IR power couple one hot item

22 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | IR power

Embattled MP Craig Thomson’s demands that Fair Work Australia answer questions about the role of one of its vice-presidents, Michael Lawler, in the investigation into the Health Services Union presents a quandary for the tribunal’s new president, Iain Ross.

Thomson’s explanations fail to shed light

22 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Explanations fail to shed light

Craig Thomson gave a number of explanations over the findings of the Fair Work Australia report against him yesterday, many explained as a set up by two Health Services Union colleagues who resented him for improving the governance of the union.

Jackson demands right of reply

22 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Jackson seeks right of reply

The woman blamed by Craig Thomson for setting him up questioned the scandal-plagued MP’s sanity and demanded a right of reply against the allegation in Parliament.

Thomson gets a distinction in debating

22 May 2012 | Tony Walker

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | MP earns a distinction in debating

Right or wrong, Craig Thomson certainly knows how to present an argument.

‘It’s a Fair Work conspiracy’

22 May 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | ‘It’s a Fair Work conspiracy’

The Labor government preserved its tenuous hold on power after a defiant speech by MP Craig Thomson to Parliament that questioned whether a senior Fair Work Australia official had influenced a “selective and biased” investigation that found he misused union funds.

IR’s review risks ‘missing the boat’: Watson

22 May 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Workplace review risks ‘missing the boat’

Fair Work Australia vice-president Graeme Watson has called for an overhaul of the nation’s industrial relations system which he says focuses on conflict at the expense of productivity.

Manufacturers fear union power

22 May 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Manufacturers fear union power

Major changes are needed in Australia’s manufacturing sector to address concerns about labour productivity, Fair Work Australia vice-president Graeme Watson has warned.

FWA: conflict breeds conflict

22 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | FWA: conflict breeds conflict

Fair Work Australia’s Graeme Watson argues that the system is trapped in an almost self-reinforcing focus on conflict.

The face of Labor’s ills

22 May 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | The face of Labor’s ills

Hewett | Even as an exercise in delusion, Craig Thomson’s hour-long speech was painful to watch.

Dedicated Qantas workers ‘gutted’

22 May 2012 | Lucille Keen

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Dedicated workers ‘gutted’

Workers at Qantas’s Tullamarine heavy maintenance facility said it was a “sad day for Melbourne maintenance” given the “devastating” news of the plant’s closure.

Nine minutes that could make your career

22 May 2012 | Fiona Smith

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | How to get ahead - and be paid for it

Some people spend all day advancing their careers, but if LinkedIn’s to be believed anyone can do it – and still have time for real work.

Video | Craig Thomson in Parliament

21 May 2012 |

LIVE | Dobell MP Craig Thomson speaks to parliament about Fair Work Australia’s findings against him in the HSU scandal.

Job losses as Qantas focuses on Brisbane

21 May 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Job losses as airline focuses on Brisbane

Updated | Qantas Airways chief Alan Joyce has confirmed a long-term plan to move to one heavy maintenance base in Australia, casting doubt over how long the airline will keep its Victorian facility at Avalon after announcing the closure of the Tullamarine plant ­yesterday.

Emotional Thomson attacks Abbott, FWA

21 May 2012 | James Massola

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

Updated | Embattled MP Craig Thomson has declared Opposition Leader Tony Abbott unfit to be an MP and questioned what influence Fair Work Australia’s deputy, Michael Lawler, had over the agency’s investigation into allegations he misused Health Services Union funds.

RBS braces for culture shock

PRINT: Capital | 21 May 2012

Integrating cultures is crucial for successful mergers, says an organisational psychologist, as CIMB Malaysia prepares to enter Australia after buying the Asia-Pacific arm of RBS.

Employers find slim picking in US

21 May 2012 | Ben Potter

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Slim pickings in US jobs drive

They came from California, Chicago and even Hawaii to fill some of the 650 jobs on offer at the “Skills Australia Needs” jobs fair in Houston. And results were mixed.

National briefs

21 May 2012 |

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | National briefs

The NSW government will scrap future premiers’ life entitlements, including air travel and office staff.

New charges made against AWU

21 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | New charges over AWU

Former 2UE radio announcer Michael Smith on Sunday made further allegations about corruption at the Australian Workers Union between 1992 and 1996.

Unions and the super conundrum

21 May 2012 | Paul Fletcher

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Unions and the super conundrum

The Fair Work Australia report into the Health Services Union reveals a union culture where normal standards of governance are largely ignored. But it is not just union members who are affected. There is a direct link between unions and the superannuation savings of millions of Australians.

Shorten flags quick response on FWA

21 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Shorten flags quick response on FWA

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten has indicated the government will act quickly on the findings of a report into its controversial labour laws amid heightening tension between the government and business over industrial relations.

Business schools must meet need for leadership

21 May 2012 | Mark Stewart

PRINT: PAGE 2 | Business schools must meet need for leadership

The preferred skill set of potential leaders is evolving, just as the needs of business itself is evolving, and the challenge to leading business schools is to adapt and develop existing programs while remaining true to our role and purpose in servicing leadership education needs.

UQ in more damage control

21 May 2012 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | UQ in more damage control

The University of Queensland is in the midst of a sweeping governance reform program as it attempts regain the public’s trust following the admissions scandal that forced the resignation of former vice-chancellor Paul Greenfield and his deputy late last year.

Accounting briefs

21 May 2012 |

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Briefs

Queensland’s anti-discrimination commission has ordered mid-market accounting firm BDO and its former tax partner Tracey Murray into mediation to settle their differences over her termination last year.

Uni chiefs consider fee rises

21 May 2012 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 21 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Uni chiefs consider fee rises

Doubling student fees and imposing uniform entry scores to combat quality concerns are among the ideas being considered by Universities Australia as it prepares a watershed policy statement.

No problem here

19 May 2012 |

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 56 | No problem here

Michael Chaney was seemingly speaking with his Woodside hat on rather than National Australia Bank one when he came out backing fellow chairman Jac Nasser of BHP Billiton this week.

Beginnings: Bill Kelty

19 May 2012 | Bill Kelty

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 52 | Labor people

It was true that my childhood was a bit unusual, politically speaking. A left-leaning mother, single, poor, living in Brunswick. Who loved poetry and loved politics. And our heroes were Henry Lawson and Mary Gilmore and [Robert] Burns.

National briefs

19 May 2012 |

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 3 |

A meeting of federal and state transport ministers in South Australia on Friday agreed to set up a national maritime regulator for domestic commercial vessels. The ministers also agreed to set up a land-use planning regime to prevent inappropriate developments around airports.

Impossible mission ends in sulks

19 May 2012 | Rowan Dean

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Impossible mission ends in the sulks

Dean | In most countries, he would have to go through preselection. But we have identified faceless men working to make sure he doesn’t have to.

Rudd removal sealed Labor’s fate

19 May 2012 | Geoff Kitney

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Rudd’s removal sealed Labor’s fate

Kitney | The labour movement came together with a resounding declaration of unity and a rousing call to battle for a war already lost.

ACTU congress ‘open and transparent’

19 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | ACTU meet ‘open and transparent’

Planes, hotels, dinners, taxis and, of course, a venue – these are the ingredients for most conferences, including the recently completed ACTU congress in Sydney.

Round two buoys BMA

19 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Round two buoys BMA

Stevens | BMA management has reason to be quietly content with the result in its second ballot of the unionised half of its Bowen Basin coal-mining workforce.

Yes, Kelty the anti-narcissist has an ego

19 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Yes, Kelty the anti-narcissist has an ego

This week saw a rare sighting of Bill Kelty, as publicly elusive these days as he was powerful in times past.

Karaoke forever: it’s your right

19 May 2012 | Alan Stokes

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Karaoke forever:

Stokes | Listen closely comrades, because – like Bob Hawke – I am a fully paid-up member of the Confederated Union of Karaoke Bar Legends.

Bosses find own online bargains

19 May 2012 | Deirdre Macken

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Bosses find own online bargains

Macken | While Australians have been shopping for bargains online, their bosses have been shopping for workers online.

If you can’t beat ’em, get rid of ’em

19 May 2012 | Nick Lenaghan

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | If you can’t beat ’em, get rid of ’em

Sydney businessman Curt Roberts has a simple message for shareholders who are unhappy with their board: toss ‘em out.

Big challenges in uncertain world

19 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 62 | Serious challenges in an uncertain world

Editorial | Evidence of fragility in the world economy and financial market jitters should probably be viewed here in Australia with caution rather than alarm.

Workers to take strike action

18 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Workers at BHP to take action

Mining giant BHP Billiton faces an escalation in industrial action with its workforce at its Queensland coalmines joint venture declaring a seven-day strike from next Thursday.

NSW teachers flag more industrial action

18 May 2012 |

Striking teachers are considering whether to take further industrial action this school term if the NSW government refuses to listen to them.

Pilots at United Airlines may vote on strike

18 May 2012 |

Pilot union leaders at United Continental Holdings, the parent of United Airlines, called for members to hold a vote on whether to strike over stalled contract talks.

HP poised to cut up to 30,000 jobs

18 May 2012 |

Hewlett-Packard is reportedly poised to eliminate up to 30,000 jobs to help offset dwindling demand for personal computers as more people connect to the internet on smartphones and tablets.

Reviews can hit too close to home

18 May 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Reviews can hit too close to home

When a chief executive utters the words “strategic review”, as Mike Wilkins at Insurance Australia Group did yesterday, you know a board of directors is no longer willing to live with a mess created by past managers.

Howes gets hump up

18 May 2012 |

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 48 | Howes gets hump up

For all the noise he’s been making about cleaning up standards of behaviour in the trade union movement in the wake of the Craig Thomson and Michael Williamson affairs, the AWU’s national secretary Paul Howes is prone to the odd risque moment himself.

Paradise lost, Greeks dust off passports

18 May 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Paradise lost as Greeks dust off passports

As the Greek political process becomes more farcical by the day, its people are taking a deep breath and opting out of the Mediterranean paradise that has drained all but the most stoic nationals of their hope for the future.

Canberra insider

18 May 2012 | Verona Burgess

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

It’s time to look at areas of employment where the Australian Public Service [APS] has difficulties, and we’re not talking about high-end accountants or economists. The budget has provided $1.8 million over the next three years for the Australian Public Service Commission to continue programs aimed at addressing recruitment and retention of indigenous Australians in the APS.

Fired, paid out, reinvented, rehired

18 May 2012 | Verona Burgess

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Fired, paid out, reinvented, rehired

Burgess | Rehiring public servants can be a good way of retaining skills and managing peaks and troughs, but it can also be a gravy train.

Freehills set to lead in employee relations

18 May 2012 | Rachel Nickless

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Freehills set to lead in employee relations

Freehills is planning to keep its high profile employee relations team of lawyers in a merger with British firm Herbert Smith.

Union show of defiance targets BHP

18 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Union show of defiance to hit BHP

Coalminers are preparing to declare a mass, seven-day strike across BHP Billiton’s Queensland coalmines from next week in a show of defiance against the company’s call to reduce the power of unions.

Union or business: one law fits all

18 May 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Union or business – one law fits all

Dodson | The HSU scandal has focused attention on how unions operate, the IR system, and the relationship between the ALP and unions.

Labor should heed Nasser’s wise words

18 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Labor should heed

Editorial | BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser is to be congratulated for hitting the federal government hard for creating a high-cost business environment with declining competitiveness.

Olympic Dam ‘ready to go’: Weatherill

17 May 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Weatherill confident on Olympic Dam

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says he has no reason to believe BHP Billiton will not approve spending on the $US30 billion expansion of the Olympic Dam copper, uranium and gold mine by the end of the year.

BHP to blame for IR disputes: Shorten

17 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

Updated | BHP Billiton's inability to negotiate with its workers is to blame for never-ending industrial strife at its Queensland coal mines, federal Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten says.

Average weekly earnings growth accelerates

17 May 2012 | Jacob Greber

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Mine wage rift widens

Average weekly earnings rose 1.1 per cent in the three months through February, after gaining 0.5 per cent in the previous three-month period, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals.

Reclaim IR middle ground: Shorten

17 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

The labour movement needs to “reclaim the middle ground” in the debate over industrial relations, Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten says.

Echo cleared of cover-up on MD’s exit

17 May 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Echo cleared of cover-up on MD’s exit

Updated | It was what management at The Star casino, and its owner Echo Entertainment Group, had been waiting to hear for three months: “The soap opera is over.”

Paladin backs early return at Malawi mine

17 May 2012 | Elise Shaw

Paladin Energy said discussions with the Local Staff Association (LSA) and government officials in Malawi were continuing in a bid to get striking employees at the Kayelekera uranium mine back to work.

Dewey loses last member of top management team

17 May 2012 |

For Dewey & LeBoeuf, the time may have come for last rites. It has laid off hundreds of employees, been hit with lawsuits for not paying its bills and continues to shed partners.

We have control of the levers

17 May 2012 | Jac Nasser

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | We have control of the levers

I think sometimes you have to go away from Australia for some time to fully appreciate our extraordinary opportunities.

Knives in vogue at News Ltd

17 May 2012 |

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 64 | Knives in vogue at News Ltd

News Ltd boss Kim “Jong-Il” Williams has held yet another afternoon of the long knives, this time despatching four senior magazine editors.

Cole’s moving moment

17 May 2012 |

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 64 | Cole’s moving moment

CSR’s respected investor relations boss, Martin Cole, is leaving the building materials company after a 4½-year stint.

Australia – a tough place to do business

17 May 2012 | James Chessell

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 33 | A tough place to do business

This an edited transcript of a panel discussion to open The Institute of Chartered Accountants, NSW Business Forum 2012.

NSW teachers to strike

17 May 2012 |

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Teachers plan strike

The NSW industrial umpire has told the state’s teacher federation to consider moving planned strike action to after school hours.

Keating, Hawke agree on one thing

17 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 11 | Keating, Hawke agree on one thing

When Paul Keating took the stage to anchor an ACTU salute to Bill Kelty last night he calmed the crowd with the admonition that they should not “give him a big head”. But a bit of applause was okay.

ACTU wage push in pipeline

17 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Minimum wage and migration laws in sights

The union movement will demand substantial rises in the minimum wage and women’s wages, press employees’ rights not to work on public holidays and push for tighter labour migration agreements.

Union fund too close to Labor

17 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Union fund too close to Labor

Editorial | The ACTU believes its campaign fund will address declining union membership, but the real danger is that it will be used to support the Labor Party in its quest for re-election.

Warning from US to our unions

17 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Warning from US

US labour economist Lawrence Mishel was among friends at the ACTU national congress, warning the unionists to fight hard against any push by business for greater flexibility in workplace laws.

Business slams fighting fund idea

17 May 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Forget fighting fund: business

Business groups have slammed the ACTU move to set up an election fighting fund as an out of touch return to old fashioned industrial relations battles and warned it risked becoming a Craig Thomson-style political campaign fund.

DJs backs same-sex marriage

17 May 2012 | Sophie Morris

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | DJs comes out for same-sex marriage

The CEO of retailing giant David Jones, Paul Zahra, has urged federal MPs to back legal changes to recognise same-sex marriage saying the current ban sends a message that “it’s OK to treat gay people differently”.

Tarnished unions to fix image

17 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Tarnished unions to fix image

The ACTU will create a specialist panel headed by a former Federal Court judge to report on “best practice” governance for the union movement after the financial scandal surrounding Craig Thomson and the Health Services Union.

Jac Nasser nails Labor

17 May 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Nasser nails Labor

Hewett | Whack! Plain speaking BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has never been one for equivocation when he sees a problem.

BHP fires salvo on industrial relations, tax

16 May 2012 | Andrew White

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | BHP salvo on IR, tax

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has launched a broadside at the Gillard government, calling for a halt to tax changes that have unsettled investors, and for an industrial relations system that balances the needs of ­companies and employees to stem a fall in competitiveness.

Mining workforce turnover ‘costs $140m’

16 May 2012 |

A high staff turnover is costing Queensland's mining industry hundreds of millions of dollars a year, a report into the sector says, finding almost a quarter of the total workforce in the sector is turned over each year.

Emerson attended Thomson law firm lunch

16 May 2012 |

Federal cabinet minister Craig Emerson attended an exclusive business lunch hosted by the ALP-paid law firm representing Craig Thomson, two months before the NSW MP was suspended from caucus.

PwC boss bans staff meetings

16 May 2012 | Agnes King

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | PwC cracks down on staff meetings

PwC Australia’s new chief executive, Luke Sayers, has put internal meetings to the sword for most of the working day, claiming they distract employees from important work, such as attending to clients.

Tax system deters investors, says BHP chairman

16 May 2012 | Andrew White

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has called for the review of the Fair Work Act to strike a more appropriate balance between the needs of companies and employees to stem a fall in Australia’s competitiveness.

HSU administrator request considered

16 May 2012 | Claire Stewart

The Industrial Relations Commission will decide by Thursday whether the NSW government’s application to have an administrator appointed to the HSU East branch should be heard before Federal Court proceedings begin in June.

ACTU plan to avoid more union scandal

16 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | ACTU strategy to avoid more scandal

The ACTU will create a specialist panel to report on “best practice” governance for the union movement, in the wake of the financial scandal surrounding Craig Thomson and the Health Services Union.

Thomson faces further AEC probe

16 May 2012 | Gemma Daley

Updated | The Australian Electoral Commission needs to investigate four transactions from the ALP or HSU in relation to Dobell MP Craig Thomson, its analysis of the Fair Work Australia report says.

Honesty needed from both parties

16 May 2012 | NOEL MILLER

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 59 | Honesty needed from both parties

The media and the Opposition have been relentless in condemnation of the Gillard Labor government for their apparent lack of honesty with the Australian electorate on Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper.

FBI probes JPMorgan trading losses

16 May 2012 | David Henry

The FBI has opened a probe into trading losses at JPMorgan Chase & Co, stepping up the pressure on the bank after wrong-way bets led to more than $US2 billion in losses.

Stockland revamp welcomed

16 May 2012 | Zoë Fielding

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Stockland revamp welcomed

Fund managers and stock analysts have welcomed Stockland Property Group’s decision to cut about 30 staff from support functions and modify reporting lines across the company with effect from July 2, 2012.

Unionist to speak at HR Nicholls Society event

16 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Jackson to speak at HR Nicholls

Outspoken Health Services Union national secretary Kathy Jackson will give the keynote address at the annual dinner of conservative industrial relations group the HR Nicholls Society, becoming only the second unionist speak at the group.

Unions in a 1970s time warp

16 May 2012 | Ian Hanke

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Unions in

Over coming days, 1000 union delegates will attend the triennial ACTU congress and prove just how out of touch they are with modern Australia.

Unions vow to reignite fighting fund

16 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Unions vow to reignite fighting fund

The ACTU wants to create a permanent, multimillion-dollar campaign fund to take on the federal Coalition and business groups in the lead-up to the federal election due next year.

ACTU to push for IR overhaul

16 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | ACTU pushes for IR overhaul

Unions will press the Gillard government to strengthen bargaining rights under the Fair Work Act despite employers’ claims it already favours unions.

Staff shortages hot topic for oil executives

16 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Staff shortages hot topic for oil executives

Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson has warned of the risks that rival liquefied natural gas ventures will “cannibalise” each other’s skilled staff, driving up salaries in the already overheated resources sector.

Yahoo! chief leaves with $US1.5m bonus

16 May 2012 | Michael de la Merced

Yahoo!’s outgoing chief executive, Scott Thompson, will leave the company without severance, but with a cash bonus, after he was forced out after admitting to an erroneous academic record.

‘Client-centric’ PwC chief axes 211 jobs

15 May 2012 | Agnes King

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | ‘Client-centric’ PwC chief axes 211 jobs

Accounting giant PwC Australia has cut 211 jobs, or nearly 4 per cent of its workforce, as part of a restructure at the hand of new chief executive Luke Sayers.

Abbott to ‘strongly defend’ defamation claim

15 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Abbott will defend claim

Updated | Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has hit back at a defamation claim made against him by senior Victorian construction union official John Setka, saying it will be “strongly defended”.

HSU’s Jackson to address HR Nicholls Society

15 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

Outspoken HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson will give the keynote speech at the annual dinner of conservative industrial relations group the HR Nicholls Society, becoming only the second unionist to address the group.

Gillard appeals to unions over carbon tax fears

15 May 2012 | Mark Skulley

Updated | Prime Minister Julia Gillard has appealed to the union movement to ease public worries over the cost of living and the introduction of the carbon tax from July 1.

AMR pilots see $130m savings in US Air merger

15 May 2012 |

The lead labour negotiator for AMR Corp pilots said a merger between AMR and competitor US Airways could save $US130 million a year in cuts to bankrupt airline’s pilots’ union.

Business wants a bite of NSW train services

15 May 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 16 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Business wants a bite of NSW train services

Business groups have urged the NSW government to franchise the state’s regional train services after it flagged a major overhaul of train operator RailCorp.

JPMorgan says Drew retires, Zames to succeed

15 May 2012 |

JPMorgan Chase & Co chief investment officer Ina Drew is retiring, the first casualty after the bank suffered trading losses that could reach more than $US3 billion.

Design online: a global game-changer

15 May 2012 | Fiona Smith

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Design online: a global game-changer

Sandra Wall had been a graphic designer for 21 years when her job was outsourced to Freelancer.com – an online labour marketplace.

Free wheelers: this is your future

15 May 2012 | Fiona Smith

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Free wheelers: this is your future

Generalists take heed: the work world of the future is a marketplace for highly specialised talent and independent workers.

Small does not equate to equality

15 May 2012 | Catherine Fox

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Small may not be more beautiful for women

Just 22 per cent of small to medium-sized businesses have appointed, or plan to appoint, a woman to senior management.

Moral dilemma for PM on Thomson

15 May 2012 | Brigitte Dwyer

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 53 | Dilemma for PM over Thomson

Mark Latham is right in his “Human frailty made manifest” (Opinion, May 14); there is enough evidence for the Prime Minister to make an ethical judgement about ousted Labor MP Craig Thomson’s suitability for parliament. Not only that, but the detailed and meticulous report was drafted by Fair Work Australia, an independent and respected body which Julia Gillard helped to create.

Questions remain on Williamson

15 May 2012 | Kris Kempson

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 53 | Questions remain on Williamson

Ken Glover asked an interesting question in his letter “Why leave union man on full pay” (Letters, May 9) namely why wasn’t Health Services Union president Michael Williamson dismissed over the many allegations against him.

Sit too much? Don’t stand for it

15 May 2012 | Deirdre Macken

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Sitting too much? Don’t stand for it

Macken | Now that we know chairs are killing us, it’s time to change our relationship with them. We can begin by standing up.

Business cuts back on staff benefits

15 May 2012 | Jessica Gardner

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Business cuts back on staff incentives

Medium-sized businesses are cutting back on staff incentives, despite indicating that attraction and retention of staff is one of their biggest challenges.

Senior JPMorgan trader resigns over loss

15 May 2012 | Nelson Schwarz

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 45 | Senior trader resigns over loss

The $US2 billion trading loss at JPMorgan Chase will claim its first casualty among top officials at the bank, with chief executive Jamie Dimon set to accept the resignation of the executive who oversaw the trade.

Writing twice as fast to meet demand

15 May 2012 | Julie Bosnan

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 45 | Writing twice as fast to meet demand

The e-book age has accelerated the metabolism of book publishing, with authors pulling the literary equivalent of a double shift.

Foxconn opens up Apple’s core

15 May 2012 |

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Foxconn puts Apple’s core

The global controversy surrounding the treatment of assembly-line workers who manufacture iPhones and iPads – and just about every other consumer device – is triggering an unprecedented effort by Apple and its chief supplier, Foxconn, to lift the veil of secrecy on their operations in China and highlight how they have improved conditions.

National briefs

15 May 2012 |

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 4 |

A $750 million contract has been awarded to a consortium of Abigroup, John Holland and Coleman Rail to build the next stage of Melbourne’s Regional Rail Link.

Letting the winners win

15 May 2012 | Alan Mitchell

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Letting the winners win

Politicians have to resist temptation to get in the way of painful restructuring needed to fully capitalise on economic revolution on our doorstep.

Public service staff expands

15 May 2012 | Verona Burgess

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | More public service jobs

The Australian Public Service grew during 2011, reaching a headcount of 167,721 staff in December - 12,304 more than the last year of the Howard government.

Yahoo! boss too polished

15 May 2012 | Fiona Smith

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Yahoo! boss too polished

Scott Thompson, the Yahoo CEO caught out on resume fraud, says his fictitious computer science degree was the result of an overzealous enhancement by a recruiter.

Employers not so casual over report

15 May 2012 | Pip Freebairn

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Employers not so casual over report

Employers are fearful of proposal made by a report commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Union into “insecure work” that will be discussed at this week’s national congress.

Libs, unions step up pressure on Thomson

15 May 2012 | Laura Tingle

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Liberals, unions turn up heat on Thomson

The federal opposition is expected to push for an examination of the payment of legal fees for embattled MP Craig Thomson by the Labor Party, a tactic designed to make him ineligible to sit in Parliament.

A lie always catches up with you in the end

14 May 2012 | Fiona Smith

When does resume embellishment become a sacking offence? Top Yahoo, Scott Thompson, has discovered that fictitious degrees catch up with you.

No surprises in Skilled’s turnaround

14 May 2012 | Trevor Hoey

Increased activity in the mining and energy sectors in 2011-12 should continue into 2012-13 when analysts expect Skilled Group to generate earnings per share growth of more than 20 per cent.

Stockland axes executive, support jobs

14 May 2012 | Zoë Fielding

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Stockland cuts staff

Stockland Property Group will axe about 30 support positions from its business as part of a restructure that aims to boost efficiency.

IR, Nauru head Abbott’s reform plans

14 May 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Carbon tops Abbott’s list

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says a Coalition government would undertake “careful economic reform” if it won the next election.

Carbon compo double dip

14 May 2012 | Mathew Dunckley

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Carbon compo double dip

Workers on the minimum wage may be compensated twice for the carbon tax: through cash payments and tax breaks, and outsized pay rises.

New board member appointed at BHP

14 May 2012 |

BHP Billiton has appointed the former head of global chemicals and energy company, Sasol, to its board, announcing that Pat Davies will be an independent non-executive director at BHP from June 1.

Unions face challenge to recruit youth: Howes

14 May 2012 | Michaela Whitbourn

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Unions face challenge to recruit youth: Howes

Another scandal of the sort engulfing the Health Services Union’s East branch could rip the union movement apart, Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Howes has warned.

HSU files for administration

14 May 2012 |

The Health Services Union (HSU) East branch has filed for administration and has asked the Industrial Court of NSW to appoint an administrator to take control of its affairs.

Chief looks for talent in his own mould

14 May 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 60 | Chief looks for talent in his own mould

Like any new chief executive Ian Narev is eager to put his stamp on the bank’s senior management ranks.

Offside with the ILO

14 May 2012 |

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 56 | Offside with the ILO

Brisbane coffee entrepreneur Phillip Di Bella appears to have fallen foul of the International Labour Organization, despite claiming in his promotional material that his business works “on the ground with non-government organisations including UNICEF and the [ILO] to make sure that there is no child labour used in any of the farms that we source from”.

Principle whitewash

14 May 2012 | Stephen Sasse

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 55 | Principle whitewash

I must take issue with Brian Tennant’s assertion (Letters, May 11) that there is a presumption of innocence which entitles the Health Services Union official Michael Williamson to be suspended on full pay.

‘Adapt to business needs’

14 May 2012 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | ‘Adapt to business needs’

Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans will tell universities to work more closely with business to align graduates with industry need.

Funding cuts force tough trade-offs

14 May 2012 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Funding cuts force tough trade-offs

Dual-sector universities face an increasingly precarious future as state-federal rows, budget cuts and greater competition for students make survival difficult, if not impossible.

Higher fees offset loss of numbers

14 May 2012 | Joanna Mather

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Higher fees offset losses

Annual fee rises kept university income from international students rising despite a decline in new students last year.

Putting two and two together on jobs numbers

14 May 2012 | David Bassanese

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Putting two and two together on jobs numbers

Could it be that Australia’s amazingly weak employment performance last year was largely a statistical mirage?

RBS expects its usual pay ‘ding-dong’

14 May 2012 | Louisa Peacock

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | RBS expects usual pay ‘ding-dong’

British investors may well be in the midst of a revolution against poorly performing companies and fat-cat pay, but the current investor uprising doesn’t appear be fazing Sir Philip Hampton.

Aussie bankers are hot property abroad

14 May 2012 | John Kehoe

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Australian bankers: hot property abroad

The Australian banking market has become a favourite source of human capital for overseas banks looking to add to their executive ranks.

Budget, rate cut set to boost consumer sentiment

14 May 2012 | Jacob Greber

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Budget, rate cut set to boost consumer sentiment

Confidence is at the centre of economic data out this week, as the government and markets look for guidance on the impact of the budget and interest rate blockbuster.

Jobs data gives hope but high costs bite

14 May 2012 | The Australian Financial Review

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Jobs data gives hope but high costs bite hard

Editorial | Unemployment figures can be volatile, but the unexpectedly good figure for April shows the economy is restructuring, despite the federal government emphasising handouts over productivity.

Global debt: bad news from the cellar

14 May 2012 | Alan Mitchell

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Global debt: bad news from the cellar

As in the Whitechapel detective series, it can be handy to have someone in the cellar combing through historical parallels.

TRUenergy troubled by complaint

14 May 2012 | Angela Macdonald-Smith

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | TRUenergy troubled by complaint

TRUenergy, which is gearing up for a potential $3 billion-plus initial public offering, has sought to strike out some complaints made by a former executive who has launched legal action over her dismissal.

Small town, big change, huge benefits

14 May 2012 | Natalie Gerritsen

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Small town, big change,

The location for Chevron’s $29 billion Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project is not just a greenfields site, it is also a greenfields town.

Code for conduct unbecoming

14 May 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Code for conduct unbecoming

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed a proposal for a Code of Conduct for MPs that was put on ice six months ago as the government struggles to deflect attention away from embattled MP Craig Thomson.

Human frailty made manifest

14 May 2012 | Mark Latham

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Human frailty made manifest

Latham | The time has come to see beyond the politics of the HSU controversy and think about Craig Thomson.