Pay penalties to be saved as workers score wage win
Weekend penalty rates will be protected by the federal government as minimum wage workers are about to get a boost to their pay packets.
Labour
Workforce worries cast shadow over net zero transition
From wind farms to EV chargers, electricians are key to decarbonisation but even with a steady stream of keen trainees, workforce shortages loom large.
Nest eggs on the boil as super guarantee cracks open
Award wages, super contributions and energy bills are rising as a new financial year rings changes for households.
‘Embarrassed’: ABC’s Lattouf legal bill to top $2m
Defending its sacking of a radio presenter will likely cost the Australian public broadcaster more than $2 million, a year after rejecting a settlement offer.
Labour market stays tight despite surprise drop in jobs
The economy lost some jobs in May, confounding expectations, but the Reserve Bank will likely view it as noise not signs of a weakening labour market.
Fate of construction union hangs on High Court ruling
The embattled CFMEU will find out if its bid to overturn its construction division being forced into administration will be accepted by the High Court.
Spotlight on unemployment as jobs market loses heat
Jobs data is set to dominate the economic agenda in Australia, while onlookers expect the Federal Reserve to keep US interest rates on hold.
Economic summit aims to firm up drooping productivity
Anthony Albanese is confident businesses and unions can find common ground in the quest to improve Australia's ailing productivity.
Business, union divisions threaten to derail PM summit
The prime minister hopes business groups and unions will unite to address a lagging economy but there are already signs of division before a planned summit.
Estimated thousands trapped in Australian farm slavery
The fruit, vegetables and meat in Australian's fridges are often picked or processed by migrant workers, who are highly vulnerable to modern slavery.
Unions hail pay boost for millions of low-paid workers
Workers on minimum award rates will be given one of the highest above-inflation pay increases in history to help redress falling living standards.
Supermarket giant acts on ‘appalling’ worker conditions
Migrant workers fear deportation if they speak up about their poor workplace, with Woolworths uncovering 'unliveable' housing conditions in its supply chain.
AI in sights to build up nation’s sliding productivity
It takes an Australian worker twice as long to build a home as it did 50 years ago, making it all the more urgent to fix declining productivity growth.
Money still on rate cut despite surprise spike in wages
Workers have enjoyed their sixth consecutive quarter of pay packet growth as all eyes turn to the Reserve Bank's upcoming decision on interest rates.
Dance industry stepping into new era of safety for kids
Child safety has long been a major issue for the dance industry but an innovative program could help studios keep kids safe and comply with tougher laws.
Call for workplace change to drive electric car take-up
Fewer than one-in-three electric vehicle drivers can access a charger at work and incentives could get more people to go electric and drive to the office.
Multibillion-dollar benefit of reproductive leave
Giving workers one day of leave a month to care for reproductive needs would help reduce the $21.3 billion cost of absent employees, a report has found.
Vow insulation discounts won’t repeat tradie tragedies
A state government has dismissed concerns that discounted home insulation could lead to a repeat of a disastrous program that cost four workers their lives.
Doctor covering 150 patients pleads for fair treatment
Henry Crayton worked 135 hours in the past fortnight with just one day off, covering 150 patients per shift - and he's not alone in wanting better treatment.
Scalpels down as doctors plan rare strike over pay rise
Doctors in dozens of hospitals are set to walk off the job for the first time in more than 25 years, causing another headache for patients and officials.
Women warned as coalition pushes work-from-home ban
Women will be most affected by an opposition proposal to force public servants back to the office full time, a government frontbencher says.
Butchers, bakers and makers better off in the bush
Nearly 100 jobs pay better in country Australia, with 67,000 roles available outside the cities, according to new research encouraging workers to make the move.
Bosses urged to stay flexible as gender pay gap narrows
The gender pay gap is steadily closing amid warnings revoking work from home flexibility will impact women's ability to earn more.
Senators warned don’t ‘badger or harass’ witnesses
A complaint has been made about how a government official has been treated at a Senate estimates hearing after a fiery session.
No more train delays as union action ordered to stop
A stoush that has crippled rail services for months has temporarily ended as passengers look forward to getting back on track with trains on time.
Sneak strike ‘gaslights’ commuters on Valentine’s Day
Authorities are blaming a "sneak strike" for the cancellation or delay of more than 1200 train services amid union claims workers were locked out.
Premier stands by police minister after top cop fiasco
Premier Jacinta Allan has backed her police minister after the top cop was forced out after a loss of confidence from the force he led for nearly five years.
‘Preferred’ koala park opens door to major logging
A state's so-called koala wars appear no closer to being resolved as spatial mapping highlights the possible impact on native forest of a national park plan.
Australia rejects ‘killing’ the US aluminium market
Australia has denied exploiting tariff exemptions granted by the first Trump administration despite claims aluminium sales have been "killing" the US market.
Union demands rejected as airport workers strike
A global service provider rejects union pay demands citing economic concerns as over 1000 airport ground workers strike across major Australian airports.
Wards shut as fears mount for mass psychiatrist walkout
Psychiatrists have begun to walk away from their jobs in the public system over an intensifying wage dispute which threatens to cause significant bed closures.