Media release Thursday, October 4th, 2001

Amendments planned for Employment Relations Act applauded

The Government is to be applauded for its intention to amend the Employment Relations Act to overcome recent court setbacks, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

"We are particularly pleased the Labour Minister Margaret Wilson is to amend the ERA to make clear that the Employment Relations Authority will not be required to allow cross examination during its informal investigation meetings," said Peter Tritt, EMA's spokesman on employment relations issues.

"Under the proposed amendments, the Authority will retain the ability to allow cross examinations in appropriate cases, at its discretion.

"This change is essential if the Authority is to continue its excellent work in delivering decisions on grievances and disputes within the short time frames that it is currently achieving.

"The last thing anyone wants is a return to a system like the Employment Contracts Act's overly legalistic Employment Tribunal. That took a year or more to deal with cases brought before it."

Contact: Peter Tritt tel 09 367 0921 (b)

09 845 5532 (h)

025 796 807

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