03:44 pm, Thursday 29 March, 2012

Workers at a New South Wales company will not be required to submit urine sample for drug test, after Fair Work Australia ruled that making employees submit to urine tests for drug use is “unjust and unreasonable.”

ABC News reports that the arbitrator ruled in favour of unions who represented workers from the state-owned energy company who said that oral swabs should be used instead of having urine tests.

Fair Work Australia’s decision was welcomed by the United Services Union.

“The tribunal took a view that drug testing is not for social monitoring. Drug testing is to seek if you are fit for work, and that gets down to workplace safety,” said Scott McNamara, from the United Services Union.

“What people do on the weekend does not necessarily have a bearing on what they do during the day. It’s similar to alcohol consumption.”

The NSW energy company is still considering whether to appeal their case.

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12:13 am, Tuesday 13 March, 2012

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland issued a warning to all Queensland businesses with a scam involving callers selling products or services, which they said must be purchased in order to comply with National OHS Harmonisation laws.

Early last year, a similar warning was published on ABC News’ website. According to the report, some businesses in South Australia received phone calls or letters requiring them to purchase some products to comply with workplace safety laws. SA Consumer Affairs Minister Gail Gago confirmed that unsolicited invoices were sent to some businesses for safety products.

Under the national Australian Consumer Law (ACL), businesses operating fraudulently could face monetary and criminal penalties.

“Under no circumstances should people be forced or tricked into buying safety products and services,” says Tom Walker of SafetyCulture. “We pride ourselves on transparent, honest dealings with our clients, and welcome this warning to help protect people from fraudulent dealers.”

Victims of fraudulent companies can report violations to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission through their Small Business Helpline on 1300 302 021.

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01:32 pm, Wednesday 15 February, 2012

Over 3,000 coal miners at seven operations in Queensland state-owned coking coal producer commences their week-long strike today.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) district president, Steve Smyth said that the week-long strike will be the biggest in ten years. Workers coming from the company’s mines in Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs, Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory Crinum and Blackwater will participate in the demonstrations. The strike happens after a 15-month enterprise bargaining dispute between CFMEU and the company. Mr Smyth says that negotiations have broken down over the key issues of safety representatives, housing and equal work for equal pay.

“We’re apart in relation to local content, housing, safety, critical roles, flexibility of operations, equal pay/equal work.

“Obviously in the recent years it’s probably the largest dispute we’ve had dating back to probably even the late 1990s.”

In a statement, the company expressed its disappointment over the union’s action. They will not change their position on things that are vital for “ongoing competitiveness.”

In a report by ABC News, equities analyst Tim Morris said that the industrial action will have a significant impact on the world supply of coking coals, with customers in Asia affected the most.

“You’ve already got flooding affecting output from the east coast and Australia is one of the world’s largest suppliers to Asia, so it could have an impact on short-term pricing.

“If the tension continues, you could see some medium-term issues evolve.”

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