Wage-fixing top priority

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 1

Wage-fixing top priority

PA Hamilton The Minister of Labour, Mr Rodger, briefing employers in their monthly magazine, has sketched his ministerial programme which includes the likelihood of a Green Paper on industrial law. The discussion document would be issued towards the end of the year and, after feedback, legislation would be introduced in 1985, Mr Rodger said. Meanwhile, a solution to long-term wage-fixing had top priority and agreement, when reached; would be passed into law this Parliamentary term, he said. Other likely moves sketched by the Minister were: • A Ministerial hands-off approach to disputes unless

intervention was needed in the national interest. ® The renaming of the Arbitration Court as the Industrial Commission, which would get added powers to inquire and report to the Minister. • A bar on injunctions in disputes unless the commission ruled that talks had been exhausted. • The merging of mediation and conciliation services. 9 The formation of an Industrial Relations Advisory Council, chaired by the Minister, bringing together employers and unions. • The siting of perman-»< ent mediators at trouble spots such as Marsden Point. • The removal of “un-

necessary and unjust” industrial penalties. Mr Rodger said he believed that instead of intervening in disputes, the Minister of Labour should promote legislation which commanded the trust of participants so that conflict was resolved through effective talks. “I believe that we should avoid such legislative measures which seek to control the symptoms of industrial disagreements,” he said. Sanctions could worsen disputes and leave a legacy of bitterness that long outlived the original dispute. • “It is clear that prohibitions on the right to strike have met no or little success in New Zealand,” Mr Rodger said. -

The Advisory Council would meet regularly and discuss all industrial legislation before its introduction in Parliament, he said. “It is clear that the union structure requires significant modification. I do not favour, however, the proposals of my predecessor for the establishment of plant-based unions. Rather I intend to encourage extensive amalgamations.” Issues to be reported on by the suggested new commission included contract labour, shop trading hours, and new technology in particular industries. Of the use of civil injunctions during disputes, Mr Rodger said, “I believe that a practicable compromise would be to provide that no action shall be taken

against unions or unionists unless the Industrial Commission gives a certificate that the processes of conciliation and arbitration have been exhausted and that there is no prospect of an immediate cessation of the industrial action. “I will be investigating the merger of the mediation and conciliation services. “I am keen to see a pre- . emptive mediation service re-established along the lines of that which was originally intended when the service was set up. “Clearly the first priority for changes in industrial legislation relates to obtaining an agreement on longterm wage fixing. I envisage that this will be passed into law this year." he said.