Waikato Times

BY THE NUMBERS

- 13 per cent of the total workforce was employed on a collective agreement last year, made up of: 9 per cent of the private sector or 120,600 workers. 58 per cent of the public sector or 177,800 workers. Over the past 20 years strike action has been decli

of negotiatin­g, they will use it as a wedge. So the first thing unions will have to deal with is an initiation notice from an employer which perhaps excludes half of their members.’’

The change would create ‘‘all sorts of mayhem’’ with a ‘‘midnight race’’ between employers and unions to be the first to launch the process.

‘‘That’s going to create far more disputes than there are already.’’

Mr O’reilly said it would make bargaining more efficient.

‘‘It is logical that employers should be

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand