contract mechanic
Posted by brett - 10:05 AM 29.08.10
I work as a contractor for a road service depot in QLD .I am required to have an ABN and supply all equipment and cover costs .Is it legal to have regular rostered shifts varying from 9 hours to 23 hours(the 23 hr shift has a 2hr break for tea)there are no rostered breaks in any other shift.We work 9 days straight then 3 days off,in that 9 days there will be 5 different shifts.We are paid on a flat rate per job basis.There are no penalty rates (christmas day we are paid less because there is less work)We receive no sick pay ,super,holidays or long service.Sometimes if some one is sick we have to do double shifts,these are 19 hrs long with no rostered breaks.When we do training it is usually after we finish at midnight then have to be at training at 8am ,when we finish training we go straight to work till midnight again.we are not paid for time at training.I would like an authoritative opinion whether this is fair or even legal.A lot of our time is spent driving.Over the years I feel it has had an effect on my health and mental well being.Thankyou
Unions Australia answered on: 01.09.2010	read comments post a comment

Re-injured due to mismanagement of RTW
Posted by Catherine - 06:46 PM 28.08.10
I have experienced re-injury (refresh of severe depression and anxiety) due to mismanagement of my return to work (RTW) program. Three managers mobbed me at a meeting declaring they would not support me in adhering to my doctor's direction that I was not work more than an average of 40 hrs p.w, once RTW was completed. The OHS manager supported them. The psychologist sought to persuade me to accept this. I referred to the organisation’s policies regarding work/life balance, time off in lieu (TOIL), work place health and safety, mature age workers, working from home and collective agreement provisions. All this was rejected. They told me TOIL was not something that I could confidently seek if I worked above 40 hours per week and people 'got caned' for asking. They said since others worked up to 55 hours a week without seeking TOIL, I would have to too. All alternatives I offered were rejected e.g. permanent part-time work; working from home at peak periods so that travel time could be spent working (this suits a lot the work types I do), transfer. When the union industrial officer spoke to the Senior Manager (SES) about this on my behalf, he supported my proposals. My manager then persuaded him that she would ‘resolve it’. Nothing was resolved and I have been subjected to increasing pressure and stress ever since and have lodged two incident reports. I have been a manager for over 15 years and have never worked in such a toxic place, surely this cannot be right.
Unions Australia answered on: 01.09.2010	read comments post a comment

employer & unions
Posted by Ronald - 05:27 PM 27.08.10
How come that the employer can dictate which union I have to join
Unions Australia answered on: 31.08.2010	read comments post a comment

irregular pay
Posted by Michael - 04:56 PM 27.08.10
my employer doesn't pay me on a regular basis. although i get paid monthly but pay day varies from the 26th or 27th to the 30th or 31st. which makes it so hard for me to budget. do i have any rights there or not as long as they are paying me on a monthly basis before the end of the month?
Unions Australia answered on: 31.08.2010	read comments post a comment

Office relocation rights
Posted by David - 10:51 PM 26.08.10
Hi, Just need to know what are my rights with regard to my workplace relocating. I have been with the company for 12 years, and they are going to relocate to the Melbourne CBD. I live in Rowville approximately 35km from the CBD. The current office is in Mulgrave 10km from my home about 15min in the car. One of the suggestions was for the employees to take public transport to the city. There is poor public transport from Rowville to the CBD. By Bus then Train it would take over 1 ½ hours to get to the CBD. By Car it would be around and hour, but I have been told that there may not be parking available. I cannot affort the $45 per day for parking, also there is consideration of the lost time in the car (away from my family) and running expenses. There are other people with the same issues, I feel that we have not been considered in the plan and are expendable. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks dave
Unions Australia answered on: 31.08.2010	read comments post a comment

getting paid correctly
Posted by Nathan - 05:56 PM 25.08.10
my wife took a higher role 3 months ago and along with that was given a pay increase. Problem is they still haven't begun paying her the promised package. Management promise they're working on fixing it but they're still paying part-time rates when she now works full-time.
Unions Australia answered on: 31.08.2010	read comments post a comment

Constant battle for pay
Posted by Kiefer - 03:11 AM 22.08.10
My boss is never exactly flush for cash, but now it's getting to the point of ridiculousness. I have been working for him for two years now, and am a permanent part-time employee in the field of hospitality. He has me on the minimum wage (which is fine) but he doesn't pay the weekend loadings, or any other loadings, such as the study loading i should receive to attend TAFE. the pay is so irregular, that in the two years i have worked for him, i have received a total of six paychecks, and he hasn't payed any super since i started. he currently owes me over $4500. I'm worried that if i confront him about it, nothing will come of it, and if i bring in workplace ombudsman or such, work will become hell. I now don't have enough money to fill my car with petrol, and I'm worried of what i can do
Unions Australia answered on: 23.08.2010	read comments post a comment

Pay Issue
Posted by Madeline - 11:46 PM 21.08.10
I am 24 years old and getting paid $16 an hour as a casual. This doesn't seem right but my employer says that it legal because we are not getting paid award wages. What is the difference?
Unions Australia answered on: 23.08.2010	read comments post a comment

Mrs
Posted by Gillian - 09:36 AM 20.08.10
daughters boyfriend just been sacked along with 2 other workers due to not enough work and had to leave on the spot. Can a company do this the union rep says yes due to number of staff there. Seems stage to me.
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Temperature issues
Posted by Kate - 12:32 PM 19.08.10
My workplace's heater recently broke, and as a result the building is often colder inside than it is outside, meaning that on 15 degree days we are working in very cold conditions. Customers also comment about how cold it is, but the company won't replace the heating system because apparently it's not in the contract for the landlord to pay for the replacement or fixing of the system. The building also has no air conditioning, so in summer it is hotter inside than it is ouside- especially on 35+ degree days. Do I have any rights about any of this?
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