Peak business group Australian Industry Group has accused the new workplace regulator Fair Work Australia of abusing its power when it comes to workplace agreements.
According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Ai Group yesterday intervened in a case to argue that the regulator was breaking the law by allowing unions to “frustrate democratic processes.”
A series of decisions by Fair Work Australia to block or delay votes on workplace agreements, and order companies to meet with unions led to the Ai Group intervening, with AI Group chief executive Heather Ridout claiming “bargaining orders must not be allowed to stop employees exercising their democratic right to approve proposed agreements.”
Ridout added: “The Act gives very substantial rights and protections to employees to ensure that they are able to make an informed decision about whether they genuinely agree to a proposed agreement. Unions also have substantial rights but they should not be permitted to obtain a bargaining order to frustrate the rights of employers and employees to enter into agreements of their choosing.”
The AI Group said if new laws were not adhered to, they would push for it to be amended.
People who read this, also liked:
The new Unfair Work Act
Fair Work Act and the implications for franchises
