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Workplace Ombudsman: advising and representing the Workplace Ombudsman in relation to a number of significant workplace prosecutions for alleged breaches of Federal Industrial Relations legislation including on restructuring and retrenchment/redundancy arrangements and implementation of workplace agreements.
Victorian manufacturing and logistics operations of a multinational business: Clayton Utz was engaged to provide high level legal advice and an industrial strategy to assist the client in achieving a range of commercial objectives within a period of negotiations of new workplace agreements under the new WorkChoices legislation. This included a range of complex legal advice, such as legal options available in response to industrial action and legal risks and strategic options associated with a potential restructure, as well running an arbitration before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, following an unauthorised mass union meeting, in which it was successfully argued that the union delegates did not have the authority to call a paid union meeting. Clayton Utz also participated in negotiations with the union, drafted the proposed workplace agreements and provided ongoing advice in response to general employment related matters.
South East Queensland Water (SEQWater): Clayton Utz advised SEQWater in relation to all employment aspects arising from or consequential upon the amalgamation of all water assets in Queensland and arising from the acquisition of 100 percent of shares in SEQWater by the Queensland Bulk Water Service Authority. The matter involved the management of risks and other issues arising from the transition including management of concerns in respect of termination, redundancy, conflicting terms and conditions of employment and finally the proposition by Government to transition water entities by virtue of legislative amendment.
Australian Communication Exchange Ltd (ACE): Clayton Utz has advised ACE on national industrial strategy, through changing industrial legislation, assisted in closure of interstate operations, the management of multiple stakeholders interests, planning and communication strategies for risk minimisation and ongoing negotiation and finalisation of collective and individual industrial instruments.
Brisbane City Council: Clayton Utz Brisbane represented and advised the Brisbane City Council in relation to the re-negotiation of Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 6 which involved 14 unions, over 7,000 employees and mirror agreements in both the Federal and State jurisdictions. Some of the significant elements of the transactions included the impending uncertainty then attaching to the Federal Governments amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) including but not limited to prohibited content, anti-Emwest clauses and Electrolux issues. Clayton Utz Brisbane also represented and advised Council in relation to the extension and variation of EBA 6 under the transitional legislation.
La Trobe University: Advising La Trobe University in relation to its enterprise bargaining strategies in relation to a new enterprise agreement including being a member of the team directly negotiating with the unions who are members to the current agreement. Also advising other major universities on their enterprise bargaining strategies.
