Penalty provisions

Press, 5 November 1977, Page 3

Penalty provisions

The penalty provisions of the State Services Conditions of Employment Bill hinge on the principle of notice being given of intended industrial action.

The 14 days’ notice called for under part eight of the bill gives the Minister of State Services time to call a compulsory conference or consider whether to set up a Committee of Inquiry.

But if the notice is not given, or the procedures of settling disputes not followed in any way, fines c»n be imposed. For employees, these range from $l5O for persons to $7OO for any service organisation representing employees on illegal strikes.

Employers, such as the freezing industry, who lock out State workers can be fined $l5OO

Fines for strikes in disputes which have not followed settlement procedures, or are in contravention of settlement decisions, are $lOO initially and $lOO for every day of the strike for each person.

Part eight also gives the Minister and the Public Sector Tribunal power to ballot striking workers on a return to work if sought by 5 per cent of those affected.

This provision also includes a ballot of State workers not on strike, but directly affected by it.