Fair Work blocks unions' public holiday argument

The business community has welcomed a decision by the Fair Work Commission to block recommendations from trade unions relating to public holidays, saying they would have resulted in too many new costs and regulations, according to an article in smartcompany.com.au.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions had argued workers should receive a day off, a day of annual leave or an extra day of pay when public holidays fall on a non-work day, such as a weekend.

The incident gained mainstream attention in 2010, when Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day all fell on weekends. Six states adopted five different approaches to how the public holidays worked with regard to pay. Some used substitute days or additional public holidays, or both.

The commission heard arguments that employees should receive a day off for when public holidays fall on a weekend and receive higher penalty rates for when Christmas Day falls on a weekend.

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