Deal on bill for union coverage

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 1

Deal on bill for union coverage

By

PATRICIA HERBERT

in Wellington

The Labour Relations Bill is now almost certain to be introduced in Parliament either today or tomorrow.

The introduction has apparently been made possible through a compromise deal on the contestability provisions. It is believed that the Minister of Finance, Mr Douglas, has conceded that provision which would have allowed workers to leave their existing unions and set up a new one provided they could meet the new 1000 minimum membership rule.

In return for his concession, however, it is believed he has won an extremely significant amendment to that clause setting out the procedures to be followed when a union wants to extend its coverage. The initial draft of the legislation provided that the change could proceed if supported by a majority vote of all affected workers.

If that requirement has been replaced by a requirement only to ballot those workers who would transfer unions, it is likely much more use will be made of the provision. It is likely, even, that it may clear the path for the formation of the singleunion sites Mr Douglas is so keen to see develop.