Employers give thumbs down

By DITA DE BONI

Auckland business has given an overwhelming thumbs down to the Employment Relations Bill in a survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett said that within 24 hours of the survey being sent to member businesses, more than 700 responses had been returned.

The survey was conducted to assist it in forming recommendations on the bill now being considered by a select committee.

Of most concern to the 724 respondents were proposals aimed at compelling employers to disclose relevant financial information to unions during good-faith bargaining.

Ninety-five per cent of employers opposed sharing information with employees and unions before making changes to the business which may affect staff.


Employers also expressed concern over proposals that would allow unions access to the workplace, with one employer describing paid stop-work meetings as "paid indoctrination leave."

The definition of "good faith" was itself debated. Respondents said paid union meetings, which would be legislated at four hours a year, were totally unproductive and "a further tax."

One chamber question, which asked if employers supported or opposed replacing "court-type" procedures of the Employment Tribunal with the "inquisitorial-type" of the Employment Relations Authority, drew an 85 per cent "oppose" rate.


Over-all comments tacked to the end of the survey drew responses ranging from the disapproving to the venomous. Several answers involved a reference to communism and one said the bill should be referred to as the "Employers Suppression Bill."