First IR was founded by Paul Houlihan in 1988 to be an innovative industrial relations practice. Houlihan had long advocated an enterprise focus on industrial relations so located the company to service that market. In the intervening 15 years, the company has broadened its expertise from a purely industrial relations practice to cover the wide range of employment matters, including independent contracting, that now dominate the workplace relations system in Australia.
First IR has a diversified portfolio operating Australia-wide. In most cases, First IR's brief is to devise and implement innovative workplace relations and human resource management solutions to the competitive advantage of the client. First IR's involvement varies depending on the client's needs and the profile of their organisation.
First IR works either behind the scenes or provides a wide range of services, such as negotiations, employee seminars, preparing draft documents reflecting new or changed conditions, advice on achieving labour related goals and case presentation in industrial tribunals. First IR regularly provides strategic industrial relations planning and supervision for clients.
First IR has accomplished some of the more difficult tasks in the Australilan industrial relations context. Issues such as removal of weekend penalty rates and shift allowances in hospitality, pay cuts to assist ailing businesses, reduced award rates, reduced occupational demarcations, waterfront reform, flexible working hours, a 50 hour working week, and non-union enterprise agreements in the face of union opposition have all been successfully tackled by FIRST IR over the years.
The company has and will continue to co-operate where necessary with employer associations, unions and industrial tribunals. First IR maintains working relations with senior union officials, members of tribunals and employer representatives across Australia. However the company has also represented employers and employees to the exclusion of unions and employer associations.
In April 1996, the company was represented on the Ministerial Taskforce on Policy Development for the Workplace Relations Act.
First IR is an agreement making partner with the Office of the Employment Advocate.
More recently, with the latest changes to Employment Legislation i.e. the Fair Work Bill, First IR has been representing several companies and employer associations in various industries in the new Modern Award process. First IR is also conducting a series of briefing sessions and seminars for its clients regarding these changes and how they will effect their businesses.
First IR can provide services at a range of levels and costs. Depending on the task and level of expertise required, rates can be set on an hourly basis or on a task related basis. We are also able to provide on-going advisory services at reduced rates. We are always happy to discuss how we can best service your requirements.
Our range of clients is a testament to the quality and diversity of services we provide. Some current & former clients include:
• NatRoad Ltd |
• Gordon & Gotch |
