Archived News for OHS Sector Professionals - May, 2012
Winners of the 7th annual Safe Work Australia Awards have been announced, selected from 37 finalists.
The winners and highly commended entries are:
Category 1a
Best workplace health and safety management system—Private sector
High Court rules against James Hardie directors
The High Court has ruled that seven former directors of James Hardie misled the Australian Stock Exchange about the company’s ability to fund compensation claims from asbestos victims.
Worker rights on the agenda at the ACTU 2012 Congress
Better protections for workers exercising their rights, a more balanced bargaining system and a range of improvements to economic and workplace conditions to help deliver secure jobs are all at the heart of a dynamic agenda for Australian unions leading into the ACTU Congress.
The ACTU has outlined its vision to create a better future for Australian workers with secure jobs and a stronger, more equitable economy, to be endorsed at the 2012 Congress.
Almost 1000 delegates representing workers from every industry and sector in Australia will attend the ACTU Congress at the Sydney Convention Centre from 15-17 May. ACTU President Ged Kearney said the triennial Congress – often referred to as a “Workers’ Parliament - was the largest and most important gathering of Australian unions.
“We will put forward solutions to counter this employer militancy, through better bargaining powers for workers and stronger representation rights, including a Charter of Delegates’ Rights,” Ms Kearney said.
“But we also have a growing number of workers engaged in insecure work who are often powerless against hostile employers who put profits before workers.
“In response, unions will call on the Government to strengthen the rights for employees in insecure work, and to improve their conditions of employment.
“Improvements need to be made to allow workers to bargain for job security, and to prevent big employers from holding the economy to ransom through their refusal to bargain in good faith,” she said.
Public comment on Work Health and Safety nearing close
Have your say on Work Health and Safety for the next decade
Victoria to slash WorkCover premiums
The Victorian Government has announced a major cut to WorkCover premiums, cutting them by three per cent from the beginning of July.