Follow us on
Media Statements – Archive
Media Statements – Archive
2 August 2021 – Drivers Take on Uber in Landmark Court Case
Harmers Workplace Lawyers has launched a landmark legal action in the Federal Court on behalf of 4 drivers and the Rideshare Driver Network (RDN). RDN represents thousands of Uber drivers who are fighting for their industrial rights. The case will determine whether Uber drivers are, in reality, employees of Uber, and not independent contractors, as Uber has always claimed.
Please click here to read the media release.
Thurs 18 May 2023 – Harmers wins 2023 Australasian Law Award for Employment Law
The Australasian Law Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the leading legal professionals, firms and in-house teams in Australia and New Zealand for their contribution to the industry over the past year.
Please click here to read the media release.
26 January 2018 – Australia’s workplace relations is broken, old fashioned and unfit for purpose
In this “Opinion Editorial”, Michael Harmer, Chairman & Senior Team Leader of Harmers Workplace Lawyers, calls for a reformed workplace relations system in Australia which respects workplace rights, and the need for flexibility for workers, business and the public. A system built totally on the Australian notion of the fair go all round.
Please click here to read Michael’s “Opinion Editorial”
25 January 2018 – Sydney Train Strike: Strike Ordered Suspended
We are very pleased that the Fair Work Commission has ordered that the overtime bans and proposed strike involving Sydney and NSW Trains be suspended for at least 6 weeks. This means Monday’s planned strike cannot legally proceed, this is the outcome we were hoping for. Sydney commuters and businesses have suffered enough with the impacts of the overtime ban today. A strike on Monday would have been totally unacceptable and as Senior Deputy President Hamberger said, “ the industrial action threatens to cause significant damage to the economy of Sydney.”
Please click here to read the full Harmers media statement
24 January 2018 – Sydney Train Strike: Potential for Class Action against Union
Today Harmers Workplace Lawyers made the very important point to the Fair Work Commission that the RTBU union leadership is at substantial risk of a class action for having misled their members as to the potential consequences of their industrial action. By not fully explaining to their members that if the strike is found by the court not to be “protected” under the legislation, then companies and individuals who suffer economic loss as a result of the industrial action could sue as a class. Individual union members might also be at risk.
Please click here to read the full Harmers media statement
All media enquiries related to this matter may be directed to:
Anthony McClellan
AMC Media
Mob: 0433 122 360
E: anthonymcc@gmail.com
T: antmac9
24 January 2018 – Legal Action by Harmers Workplace Lawyers to Stop Rail Strike
Harmers Workplace Lawyers on Tuesday afternoon launched legal action in the Fair Work Commission to stop the Sydney train strike and related overtime bans. This legal action was taken well before the later announced potential deal and the vote today to proceed with the strike. The yes vote to go ahead with the strike indicates why this legal action was necessary.
Please click here to read the full Harmers media statement.
All media enquiries related to this matter may be directed to:
Anthony McClellan
AMC Media
Mob: 0433 122 360
E: anthonymcc@gmail.com
T: antmac9
Media Statement by Harmers Workplace Lawyers re: Richardson v Oracle Corporation Pty Ltd
15 July 2014
Ms. Rebecca Richardson today won the appeal in her sexual harassment case against Oracle Corporation Australia. Her damages were increased seven fold from the first decision, and she was awarded costs of the appeal. This is a very significant legal victory, not only for Ms. Richardson, who has now been vindicated by not letting this injustice rest, but for how the law should be applied in this important area of legal rights for employees.
Please click here to download the news release.
27 February 2014
James Ashby said today:
“I am extremely pleased that the Full Court has decided to reject and overturn Justice Rares’ decision in my case. I would really like to thank Michael Harmer and all my legal team. They have acted with the utmost professionalism and care throughout this whole ordeal. I have always believed the original court decision was wrong, unjust and not based on the facts. We will now continue with our legal fight to obtain justice for my original claim against Mr. Slipper. This has been a long and tortuous journey, but I am determined not to give up until my claim has been vindicated.”
Michael Harmer said today:
“We are extremely pleased that the Full Court has decided to overturn Justice Rares’ decision. Also it is gratifying that the court found that I was treated unfairly and that the adverse findings made about me “ought not to have been made.” I was not granted my appeal, on technical grounds, essentially because I was not a party to the original case. It has been an honour to support James Ashby throughout this matter and we will continue to support James as it is extremely important that he ultimately receives justice in his case.
James Ashby is a brave whistle blower who, against the full force of the former Federal Government, has pursued his legal rights. It is also important that legal firms support whistle blowers who cannot otherwise afford to access justice in our court system. Justice in this country should not be affordable only to the wealthy.”
This decision means that the original trial of the sexual harassment allegations made by James Ashby will now proceed. That substantive hearing was never heard due to the ‘abuse of process’ decision, which has now been overturned.
James and Michael are not available for interview at this time.
Media Contact
Anthony McClellan (AMC Media)
Mob: 0433 122 360
E: anthonymcc@gmail.com
T: antmac9