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50: Consolidation of bargaining
or “When different unions want to bargain for the same type of work, the boss can ask them to join together and make one big agreement.”
You could also call this:

“Helping groups solve big problems when they're trying to make a deal about work”

The law provides a way for people who are having serious trouble making a collective agreement to get help. If you’re part of collective bargaining and you’re finding it really hard to reach an agreement, you can ask the Authority to help you sort out your problems.

This part of the law, which includes sections 50B to 50I, is meant to help solve difficulties in collective bargaining. However, it’s important to know that you can still ask someone else for help if you want to. The law doesn’t stop you from getting assistance from other people or making arrangements with them to help you.

Remember, this process is just one option. You’re free to seek help from others too, and the rules in sections 50B to 50I don’t apply to any help or arrangements you make with other people.

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Next up: 50B: Reference to Authority

or “It explains how you can ask for help from a special group when you're having trouble making a work agreement.”
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Part 5 Collective bargaining
Facilitating bargaining

50APurpose of facilitating collective bargaining

  1. The purpose of sections 50B to 50I is to provide a process that enables 1 or more parties to collective bargaining who are having serious difficulties in concluding a collective agreement to seek the assistance of the Authority in resolving the difficulties.

  2. Sections 50B to 50I do not—

  3. prevent the parties from seeking assistance from another person in resolving the difficulties; or
    1. apply to any agreement or arrangement with the other person providing such assistance.

      Notes
      • Section 50A: inserted, on , by section 14 of the Employment Relations Amendment Act (No 2) 2004 (2004 No 86).