‘Radical’ wage-fixing soon

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 1

‘Radical’ wage-fixing soon

PA Wellington New wage-fixing legislation will be introduced to Parliament about the middle of next month, according to the executive director of the Employers’ Federation, Mr Max Bradford. In an address to the Institute of Management yesterday, Mr Bradford said the legislation would be radical. It would also reflect considerable agreement between the three main parties represented in longterm reform committee negotiations. They are the

Government, the Federation of Labour and the Employers’ Federation. “The Government will need to take the parties beyond agreement in principle to encourage enterprise and industry bargaining, and establish some firm, but voluntary measures to give effect to the agreed principles,” Mr Bradford said. Other areas, such as the improvement of disputes procedures, conciliation, and mediation services, were far less contentious. He expected the longterm committee to resume

deliberations the week after next. Mr Bradford said the introduction of a new wagefixing system made him optimistic that more employment opportunities would be created. He suggested the longterm reform committee deliberations had foundered in recent months because trade unionists sensed there might be a Labour government in November, the union movement was committed to a campaign of industrial action against the wage freeze, the F.O.L. had indicated that it was walk-

ing away from agreement reached in the long-term committee’s deliberations to date, the time devoted to the wage reform question at the F.O.L. conference last week had been insignificant and the Government had announced its intention to legislate for wage reform based on the agreement reached so far. Mr Bradford said considerable agreement had been reached in the long-term committee talks. Some points on access to the Court remain unresolved, however, said Mr