Industrial law proposals

Press, 16 November 1977, Page 1

Industrial law proposals

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

A measure of agreement was reached between employers and organised labour on some aspects of the Government’s industrial legislation package — but much more work has to be done before the measures start on their way through Parliament. This was the view of a majority of members of the Industrial Relations Council after they met to discuss two of the measures — the Industrial Law Reform Bill and the General Wage Orders Bill. When the measures were introduced into Parliament last week they were referred to yesterday’s meeting of the Industrial Relations Council. It is not intended to refer them to a select committee for the hearing of evidence, but they will be before the Labour Bills Committee this week for the hearing of reports by expert bodies. Last night the Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon)

said that there were several areas where views diverged. This would involve the drafting of new criteria that he hoped would satisfy both main parties. It is also suggested that an extra member may be added to the proposed three-man Arbitration Court. The new proposals will be submitted to the Government Caucus meeting on Thursday. The complete package consists of the State Services Conditions of Employment Bill, the Industrial Law Reform Bill, the General Wage Orders Bill, and a measure yet to be introduced which deals with higher salaries. The State Services Conditions of Employment Bill began its second reading debate last Friday, but this was interrupted by the adjournment at Ip.m. It has now been set back to twenty-first position on the order paper, close to the other two.