Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Employment Relations Act 2000

Recognition and operation of unions - Union's right to represent members

18: Union entitled to represent members' interests

You could also call this:

“The union can speak up for workers as a group and help with personal issues if asked.”

A union can speak up for its members when it comes to things that affect them as a group at work. This means the union can help with issues that matter to all or many of its workers.

The law says it’s okay for a union to have different types of membership. This means some members might have different benefits or roles in the union than others.

If you’re in a union and you want them to help you with a problem that’s just about you (not the whole group), you need to give them special permission. You can do this by following the steps in section 236 of the law.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM58640.

Topics:
Work and jobs > Worker rights
Rights and equality > Anti-discrimination
Previous

17: Cancellation of union's registration, or

“This explains how and when a union can be removed from the official list of unions.”

Next

18A: Union delegates entitled to reasonable paid time to represent employees, or

“Union helpers can get paid for helping workers during work hours, as long as it doesn't cause problems.”

Part 4 Recognition and operation of unions
Union's right to represent members

18Union entitled to represent members' interests

  1. A union is entitled to represent its members in relation to any matter involving their collective interests as employees.

  2. This Act does not prevent a union offering different classes of membership.

  3. A union may represent an employee in relation to the employee's individual rights as an employee only if the union has an authority from the employee to do so given under section 236.