Le Queux, Stephane, and Peetz, David (2021) Australian Industrial Relations through Covid19/Les relations industrielles au travers de la COVID-19 en Australie. In: [Presented at the Canadian Industrial Relations Association Conference/Congrès annuel de L'Association canadienne des relations industrielles]. From: ACRI 2021: Canadian Industrial Relations Association 58th Annual Conference/58e Congrès annuel de l’Association canadienne des relations industrielles, 26-28 May 2021, Quebec, Canada and Online.

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Abstract

The public health effects of COVID-19 were less severe in Australia than elsewhere. Successful containment of the pandemic made an early recovery more feasible, though the impact on the economy and jobs, was initially considerable and uneven. A wage subsidy was introduced in response to pressure from social partners, and a form of social dialogue was surprisingly encouraged by the Liberal-National Coalition to facilitate an industrial relations reform program. However, such dialogue seemed difficult to sustain in light of the other aspects of its agenda. The so-called "Omnibus Bill" proposed the Government late 2020 still under discussion in the legislative arena is opposed by trade unions in a "Stop the Bus!" campaign. We will present the major points of contention with an emphasis on the notion of status of employment, noting that the Bill lays the ground for employers to enshrine "permanent casual" modes of employment relationship. Contractual ("bogus" or "sham") and casual forms of employment have become an important feature of the Australian labour market and this in turn has important consequences in terms of working conditions, benefits and rights, the nature of collective coverage and access to collective representation.

Item ID:	68575
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Keywords:	Covid19, Australian Industrial Relations
Related URLs:	https://www.cira-acri.ca/acri-2021
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2021 01:17
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3505 Human resources and industrial relations > 350504 Industrial and employee relations @ 100%
SEO Codes:	15 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 1503 Management and productivity > 150301 Industrial relations @ 100%
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