3 September 2013

Business Supports Employment Relations Bill

Business Central, the voice of business in the central North Island region, is generally very supportive of the Government’s proposed changes to current employment legislation in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, its counsel told the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee yesterday.

It said there were no surprises or “sea changes” in the Bill. It addresses a few discrete problem areas with the operation of the Employment Relations Act 2000, some arising as a result of recent case law.

The Select Committee was told that Business Central recognises the importance of all parties to an employment relationship adhering to the objects of the Act, particularly promotion of collective bargaining, but at the same time, protecting the integrity of individual choice whether or not to be employed under collective employment agreements.

“Business Central believes that the proposed amendments in the Bill “do not offend against” those objects.

It suggested modifications to provisions in the Bill which are intended to help break impasses in collective bargaining.

Raewyn Bleakley said “Business Central made its submissions after surveying its members, consulting its branches in the central North Island region, its Policy Council and obtaining input from its team of 14 specialist employment law consultants and lawyers”.

ENDS

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