Employer and Employer Association Matters in 2010

Abstract

In 2010 much of the activity in industrial relations for employers and employer associations was focused on transitioning to and complying with the Fair Work Act 2009. The issues identified by employer associations as being of most concern have varied. For many in the services sector, as well as in small businesses in other sectors, the focus has been on the impact of the modern awards; while in industries such as mining, construction and manufacturing, bargaining and agreement-making have been of a higher order of priority. There have been numerous other IR matters also occupying employers’ time, including the proposed amendments to the building industry inspectorate’s powers, which remain in ‘limbo’. Towards the end of the year, serious concerns about the supply of skilled labour arose again, which, together with the enhanced union bargaining capacity provided by the Fair Work Act, suggests that employers may expect more ‘hard bargaining’ in some sectors in 2011.