Employers to share workers in first multi-employer deal

A groundbreaking multi-employer agreement that lets employers share employees has been praised as a unique way to support secure jobs but has also raised concerns it could reduce hiring and undermine competition.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s in-principle deal with nine air-conditioning manufacturers, with a further seven committed to sign up, requires employers to offer extra work during peak periods to a shared labour pool made up of the permanent employees of the other companies.