20 March 2013

FWC hearings commenced regarding apprentices

The Fair Work Commission review of apprentice and trainee provisions in awards has entered the hearing stage commencing with Union submissions and evidence in Sydney on 4,5,6 March.  Unions are seeking an increase in the first year apprentice rate in awards and various other improvements in conditions for apprentices.
Further hearings are scheduled for 20 March 2013 in Adelaide and 21 - 22 March in Melbourne where the tribunal will continue to hear submissions and take evidence.  On these dates the final union witnesses will be cross examined and the first of the employer witnesses will also make submissions and be cross examined.  The employer witnesses will continue in Sydney on 3 April with further submissions being made by the parties on 4 and 5 April.