ETERNAL LEGITIMACY OF NEW-ZEALAND TRADE-UNIONS - AN UPDATE

This paper examines the current state of play in New Zealand's industr ial relations policy following the first general election under a syst em of proportional representation. The implications of the new Coaliti on Government's policy statements are examined in light of the current outcomes under the Employment Contracts Act. it is concluded that rad ical reforms, and therefore radical changes, are unlikely With the exc eption of the role of the Employment Court, institutional arrangements and bargaining outcomes under the Employment Contracts Act have becom e reasonably stable and are unlikely to be radically altered The role of the Employment Court and to a lesser extent the Employment Tribunal is under threat and a more gradual move towards further liberalizatio n of the labor market through changes to personal grievance procedures and bargaining process requirements cannot be ruled out.