Justin Hemmes’ hospitality empire Merivale is fighting to hold on to the $18 million settlement made in an underpayment class action lawsuit, after hundreds of additional workers unexpectedly joined the claim.
Unions are using a Labor-prompted review of awards to question whether casuals’ higher pay fully compensates them for the permanent benefits they trade away.
The low-cost operator is facing legal action for allegedly shortchanging staff millions of dollars in what is the first of many underpayment actions about to hit ASX-listed retailers.
Airlines, logistics and resources employers have been told they can no longer automatically roster workers on public holidays, and lawyers are investigating class actions.