The pace is picking up in enterprise bargaining – managements might want to get three year agreements in place under the system they know

There is a bunch of detail to be determined on how the new IR system will work – including how long employers and unions have to reach new agreements under the existing rules. The government has increased the time before multi-employer bargaining can begin, from six to nine months after the expiration of the last agreement (CMM November 29).

Which maay mean at best, universities where agreements have expired have nine months at most from now to get a deal done with the local unions.

Unless it doesn’t – IR observers suggest that the Fair Work Commission will have a big role in deciding the operating details of the new system.