Opening of conference on enterprise bargaining

Enterprise bargaining would be at the centre of workplace reform in Australia in the 1990s, Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson said today.

"It will hopefully lead to a new workplace culture that, through co-operative efforts, will be more responsive to the demands of change," Mrs Henderson said.

The Minister was opening an industry conference on enterprise bargaining.

She said the recent national and State wage case decisions offering wage increases in exchange for productivity gains paved the way for a new era in industrial relations.

"The decisions create a new framework for conducting industrial relations at the workplace," she said.

"The focus of wage negotiations will be shifted to the workplace level.  This will allow greater employee involvement in decisions about improving workplace productivity.

"Wage increases will be based on gains from efficiency measures designed to increase productivity."

The two-day independent conference is looking at how the recent wage case decisions will affect industrial relations in Australia.

"Benefits include better and more rewarding work and improved profitability and international competitiveness," Mrs Henderson said.

"The enterprise bargaining principle requires that agreements are negotiated through a single bargaining unit.  This presents a challenge to employers and unions.

"The continuing role of unions in maintaining the employment conditions of workers is essential.  The New Zealand approach to enterprise bargaining, which weakens the role of unions, is not a solution as it does not encourage co-operation.

"Enterprise bargaining is not intended to replace the protection of the existing award system.  A safety net is important for all workers, particularly for the less skilled in the workforce.

"The Industrial Relations Commission will have an important role in monitoring agreements for fairness and equity."

Mrs Henderson said that consultation and participative practices were a prerequisite to any enterprise bargaining agreements. 

"This makes it incumbent on unions and employers to be properly trained to consult and co-operate to make enterprise bargaining successful," she said.

"In comparison with other States, WA is well advanced in developing a suitable framework for enterprise bargaining in the public sector.

"The Government has developed guidelines designed to help negotiations within Government agencies and will be amending WA's Industrial Relations Act to streamline enterprise agreements."