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Code of good faith

Introductory note

I have approved the attached Code of Good Faith in Collective Bargaining under section 35 (1) of the Employment Relations Act 2000 (the Act). The changes from the previous Code were recommended to me by the Good Faith Code Committee to reflect practices, developments and experiences in applying the duty of good faith under the Act and taking into account the Employment Relations Amendment Act (No.2) 2004. The new Code comes into force on 11 August 2005.

Accordingly as of that same day I have revoked, under section 38 the Act the existing Code of Good Faith for Bargaining for Collective Agreement, approved by the then Minister of Labour Hon Margaret Wilson on 1 May 2001.

In accordance with section 39 of the Act the Employment Relations Authority or Employment Court may have regard to an approved Code in determining whether or not a union and an employer have dealt with each other in good faith in bargaining for a collective agreement. This means that if the parties can show that they have followed the Code, the Authority or Court may consider this to be compliance with the good faith provisions of the Act.

The Code will also help parties to identify all the things they should be considering when trying to bargain in good faith.

Hon Paul Swain
Minister of Labour
9 August 2005

 

Text of the code of good faith

Code of Good Faith in Collective Bargaining

Section 1 Introduction

1.1. The purpose of this generic code is to give guidance to employers and unions ('the parties') on their duty to act in good faith when bargaining for a collective agreement or variation to a collective agreement under the Employment Relations Act 2000 ('the Act').

1.2. This code is not a substitute for the Act. However, the Employment Relations Authority ('the Authority') or the Employment Court ('the Court') may have regard to it in determining whether or not the parties have dealt with each other in good faith in bargaining for a collective agreement.

1.3. Good faith under the Act requires the parties to an employment relationship to be active and constructive in establishing and maintaining a productive employment relationship. This includes a requirement that the parties are responsive and communicative and do not do anything likely to mislead or deceive each other. Therefore, when bargaining for a collective agreement the parties need to consider whether their actions will establish and maintain the type of relationship required.

1.4. The parties should also develop good faith practices that are consistent with the legal requirements of the Act. Employers and unions who act in good faith are more likely to have productive employment relationships.

1.5. Bargaining for a collective agreement (including a multi-party agreement) means all the interactions between the parties that relate to the bargaining. This includes negotiations and communications or correspondence (between or on behalf of the parties before, during, or after negotiations) that relate to the bargaining. Bargaining also includes interactions about a bargaining process agreement.

1.6. Disputes can arise over the interpretation of the words used in a collective agreement, therefore care should be taken to ensure that the wording clearly reflects the agreement reached.

1.7. There are certain matters in legislation which must be included in collective agreements including, for example, a coverage clause and provision for the expiry of the agreement.

1.8. The good faith matters set out in this code are not exhaustive.

Section 2 Agreeing a Bargaining Process

2.1. In order to promote orderly collective bargaining the parties must use their best endeavours to enter into an arrangement, preferably in writing, as soon as possible after the initiation of bargaining, that sets out a process for conducting the bargaining in an effective and an efficient manner. Even if the parties cannot agree on an arrangement they must continue to bargain in good faith, and should endeavour to ensure that such bargaining is effective and efficient.

2.2. The parties should consider the following matters which may, where relevant and practicable, in whole or in part, make up any such arrangement:

  1. advice as to who will be the representative(s) or advocate(s) for the parties in the bargaining process
  2. advice as to whom the representative(s) or advocate(s) represent
  3. the size, composition and representative nature of the negotiating teams and how any changes will be dealt with
  4. advice as to the identity of the individuals who comprise the negotiating teams
  5. the presence, or otherwise, of observers
  6. identification of who has authority to enter into an agreement, any limits on their authority, and signing off procedures
  7. the proposed frequency of meetings
  8. the proposed venue for meetings and who will be liable for any costs incurred
  9. ithe proposed timeframe for the bargaining process
  10. the manner in which proposals will be made and responded to
  11. the manner in which any areas of agreement are to be recorded
  12. when the parties consider that negotiation on any matter has been completed, and how that will be recorded
  13. communication to interested parties during bargaining
  14. the provision of information and costs associated with such provision
  15. appointment of, and costs associated with, an independent reviewer should the need arise
  16. any process to apply if there is disagreement or areas of disagreement
  17. appointment of a mediator should the need arise
  18. in the case of multi-party bargaining, how the employer parties will behave towards one another and how the union parties will behave towards one another
  19. where appropriate, ways in which good faith relations during bargaining can take into account tikanga Maori (Maori customary values and practices), and/or any cultural differences or protocols that might exist in the environment in which the bargaining occurs.

2.3. The parties will adhere to any agreed process for the conduct of the bargaining.

Section 3 Bargaining

3.1. The duty of good faith requires a union and an employer bargaining for a collective agreement to conclude a collective agreement unless there is a genuine reason not to, based on reasonable grounds.

3.2. Genuine reason does not include

  1. opposition or objection in principle to bargaining for, or being a party to, a collective agreement; or
  2. disagreement about including in a collective agreement a bargaining fee clause under Part 6B of the Act. That is, if the parties cannot agree on the inclusion of a bargaining fee clause and there are no genuine reasons not to conclude a collective agreement, the parties should conclude the agreement without a bargaining fee clause.

3.3. The parties should, therefore, at all stages in the bargaining, act in a way that will assist in concluding a collective agreement.

3.4. As soon as possible, but not later than 10 days, after the initiation of bargaining the employer must draw to the attention of all employees under the proposed coverage clause (whether members of the union or not) that collective bargaining has been initiated.

3.5. At the beginning of bargaining, a union must notify the other parties of its procedure for ratification.

3.6. The employer must not advise, or do anything with the intention of inducing, an employee:

  1. not to be involved in bargaining for a collective agreement; or
  2. not to be covered by a collective agreement.

3.7. The parties must recognise the role and authority of any person chosen by each to be its representative or advocate.

3.8. The parties must not (whether directly or indirectly) bargain about matters relating to terms and conditions of employment with persons for whom the representative or advocate are acting, unless the parties agree otherwise.

3.9. The parties must not undermine or do anything that is likely to undermine the bargaining or the authority of the other in the bargaining.

3.10. The parties must meet each other, from time to time, for the purposes of bargaining. The frequency of meetings should be reasonable and consistent with any agreed bargaining arrangements and the duty of good faith.

3.11. The meetings will provide an opportunity for the parties to explain, discuss and consider proposals relating to the bargaining. Where proposals are opposed, each party should provide explanations which support their view.

3.12. A union and employer must provide to each other, on request, and in a timely manner, information in accordance with sections 32(1)(e) and 34 of the Act that is reasonably necessary to support or substantiate claims or responses to claims made for the purposes of bargaining.

3.13. The parties must consider and respond to proposals made by each other.

3.14. Where there are areas of disagreement, the parties will work together to identify the barriers to agreement and will give further consideration to their respective positions in the light of any alternative options put forward.

3.15. However, the parties are not required to continue to meet each other about proposals that have been considered and responded to.

3.16. Even though the parties have come to a standstill or reached a deadlock about a matter, they must continue to meet, consider and respond to each other's proposals on other matters.

3.17. The parties should attempt to settle any differences arising from the collective bargaining. To assist this, the parties should not behave in ways that undermine the bargaining for the collective agreement.

3.18. Negotiated terms and conditions, which are passed on (to an individual employment agreement or another collective agreement):

  1. during bargaining with the intention or effect of undermining the bargaining, or
  2. after the bargaining has concluded with the intention and effect of undermining the collective agreement will constitute a breach of good faith.

3.19. Relevant to the duty of good faith is whether or not an employer considering passing on the terms and conditions negotiated in a collective agreement or reached in bargaining has consulted with the union concerned before passing on the term or condition to an individual or another union. The parties should attempt to reach agreement on any pass on arrangement an employer is considering. If a pass on occurs with the agreement of the union concerned it is not a breach of good faith.

Section 4 Mediation

4.1. Where the parties are experiencing difficulties in concluding a collective agreement they may agree to seek the assistance of a mediator. This could be a mediator provided by the Department of Labour's mediation services. Parties should note that for strikes and lockouts in essential industries there are specific requirements in relation to the use of mediation services.

Section 5 Facilitation

5.1. Where there are serious difficulties in concluding a collective agreement, a party may apply to the Authority for facilitation to assist in resolving those difficulties. The Authority will then decide whether the application for facilitation satisfies one or more of the grounds set out in the Act.

Section 6 Breach of Good Faith

6.1. Where a party believes there has been a breach of good faith in relation to collective bargaining the party shall, wherever practicable, indicate any concerns about perceived breaches of good faith at an early stage to enable the other party to remedy the situation or provide an explanation.

6.2. Parties are able, in certain circumstances, to seek a penalty for a breach of good faith.

6.3. The parties are also able to apply to the Authority to fix the provisions of the collective agreement to which the bargaining relates. An application may be made whether or not any penalty has been imposed for a breach of good faith. The Authority will then decide whether the application to fix the provisions satisfies the grounds set out in the Act.