What are the changes to protected industrial action under WorkChoices?
Ballots of members, not a decision of union executive, are required to approve industrial action: • the AIRC must approve a ballot (it may not approve), after an application has been made (the employer and employees, if they wish, are to be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard); • an approved ballot agent is to conduct the ballot; • the result is to be provided to the Industrial Registrar, who must publish the result; • industrial action is only approved if 50% of members vote, and a majority approves; and • the industrial action must commence within 30 days of approval.