Good Faith Code Just Good Intentions

Sunday 24th Sep 2000

Richard Prebble

Media Release -- Economy

The proposed code of good faith that Labour Minister, Hon Margaret Wilson, describes as a “good start” is a meaningless list of good intentions, said ACT Leader Hon Richard Prebble.

An amended code of good faith bargaining was released on Friday night and is required as part of the Employment Relations Act. The Act comes into force on 2 October.

“The code says things like, “The parties should consider the following matters” and then produces a list of fairly obvious issues such as “the proposed venue for meetings and who will be liable for any costs incurred”, but fails to provide advice as to what to do if the parties can not agree.

“The code adds nothing to what experienced industrial advocates already do.

“It appears that litigation will decide what is good faith bargaining and that means the new law is off to a very bad start.

“It is hard to see how this new code is going to create “a new work place environment,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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