AMENDMENTS to the Fair Work Act that will have important implications for AREEA members’ bargaining and agreement-making strategies have passed through both houses of parliament and are awaiting Royal Assent before taking effect.
Three key areas of change affecting AREEA members are contained in the final version of the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014 and will take effect the day after the legislation receives Royal Assent, which is expected this week.
- New greenfields bargaining rules will apply where negotiations for greenfields agreements commence from the day after the legislation receives Royal Assent.
- Protected action ballot changes will apply to applications for secret ballot orders made from the day after Royal Assent.
- Unpaid parental leave changes will apply to requests for extra unpaid parental leave made from the day after Royal Assent.
For a full summary of the legislation and the amendments made to it as part of the parliamentary process, click here.
AREEA will inform members when the legislation receives Royal Assent.
Please contact your local AREEA consultant for further advice in relation to any of these matters.
