15 December 2004

Partnership Resource Centre Advisory Board announced

Members of the Advisory Board for the new Partnership Resource Centre have been announced by Secretary of Labour James Buwalda today.

Minister of State Services Trevor Mallard and Minister of Labour Paul Swain launched the Partnership Resource Centre in October 2004. The centre has been established to support positive relationships between employers and unions.

The Advisory Board consists of people from academia, the trade union movement, and employers. They have been chosen for their experience and activity in the field of workplace partnerships and are on the board in their own right rather than as representatives of the organisations they come from.

“The Board represents a new development in employment relations in New Zealand based on unions and employers working in partnership on issues of mutual benefit such as workplace innovation, productivity growth, service improvement and quality work places,” Dr Buwalda said.

“The Workplace Productivity Working Group’s report shows the advantage of this sort of cooperative approach and the benefits of using the ideas of everyone in the workplace.

“I am very pleased with the range of skills and experience represented on the Advisory Board and the calibre of the individuals involved, and I look forward to working with the Board.”

Members of the Advisory Board are:

Professor Nigel Haworth (Chair) Auckland University Business School

Tony Fisher General Manager Transfield Services NZ

Jean O’Callaghan Chief Executive Canterbury District Health Board

Richard Wagstaff National Secretary Public Service Association

Rosalie Webster Assistant Secretary Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union

Background:

The Centre is a semi autonomous body attached to the Department of Labour. The functions of the Centre include; to be a catalyst and advocate for partnership initiatives, provide support to partnership projects and carry out local and international research.

It will be working with unions and employers to help them to engage on issues such as skill development, work design, career development and improving workplace culture. The Centre aims to assist organisations to create a partnership focussing on constructive employment relationships and what the parties share in common rather than their differences.

The Secretary of Labour is accountable to the Minister of Labour for the operation and performance of the Centre, and has final decision-making authority, after considering the advice and guidance of the Advisory Board.

Funding of $1 million was provided in Budget 2004 for the Centre. Decisions by government on continued funding for the Centre will be made as part of the Budget 2005 process.

The Centre is managed by the Establishment Manager, who reports to the Advisory Board and the Secretary of Labour.

ENDS

© Scoop Media