Australian Economy Dodges Near Crisis After Major Industrial Action Averted
The Australian economy managed to dodge a bullet after the industrial relations umpire stepped in to order the country’s largest tugboat operator to suspend a planned lockout of workers.
On Nov. 17, the Fair Work Commission ruled that Svitzer’s plan to lock out half its workforce indefinitely would cause severe damage to the economy and put the welfare of the population at risk.
The Commission ordered Svitzer to suspend lockout plans for six months, starting from 11 a.m. Australian EST on Nov. 18.
As a direct result of the order, neither the company nor unions can take industrial action during the period….