Today’s report back and tabling of the Employment Relations Bill should signal the end of the debate over its content - the country’s largest state sector union, the PSA said today.

‘This won’t be the case, of course. But it is time employer organisations, and those politicians acting in their spoiling and yet predictable way considered the good of everyone and just let us get on with it,’ PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said.

‘We have a “new” Government and these are its laws and approach on employment relations - end of story,’ he said.

‘The PSA sees the new ‘good faith’ environment as a challenge. We are confident most involved will positively respond, which will benefit all New Zealanders.

‘Progressive employers and unions are already working this way. It’s a shame some organisations are dragging their feet about understanding and promoting good faith,’ he said.

The bill’s significant delay has already been at some price to employees – and good employers – wanting to get on with business.

Mr Wagstaff was pleased the ‘core’ components of the bill remain and equally satisfied everyone was given the chance to argue their view and had those opinions considered.

‘We have concerns about some aspects of the bill but, and here is the difference, we can accept them and see them as proof of an even-handed approach to things,” Mr Wagstaff said.

‘Really the only thing not changing is the mind-set of the employer organisations. It is to the credit of the Government they have continued to listen and consider all points of view.

‘We need common sense, maturity and leadership at all levels. Employers simply have to dust themselves down and get on with it,’ Mr Wagstaff said.

For more comment and information please contact Richard Wagstaff on 025 277 8131
or the PSA communications officer, Colin Williams on 04 917 2039 or 025 575 839

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