This page is part of a series of pages with information for bargaining parties in the Fair Pay Agreement system:
Information for bargaining parties
Detailed information for bargaining parties can be found in the guide below:
The Fair Pay Agreements System: A Guide for Participants [PDF 2.1MB]
The Fair Pay Agreements system brings together unions and employer associations (the bargaining sides) to bargain for employment terms for all covered employees in an industry or occupation. This means that these organisations will meet to discuss and agree on a set of employment terms for the work being done within an industry or occupation.
Overview of Fair Pay Agreements
Bargaining Support Services
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will support the Fair Pay Agreement process and have bargaining support services and mediation services available to assist parties throughout the process.
Bargaining support services can support different bargaining participants including:
- a union
- an employer association
- a bargaining party
- a bargaining side.
Bargaining support services available may include:
- assisting the initiating party to define coverage
- helping unions and employer associations to understand the requirements to become a bargaining party
- helping bargaining sides to understand the bargaining process
- assisting with interparty side agreements and bargaining process agreements
- supporting bargaining sides throughout the bargaining process
- supporting bargaining sides to make sure bargaining is constructive and efficient
- assisting bargaining sides to understand the content requirements of a proposed agreement or a variation
- assisting resolving conflict within or between bargaining sides.
How to request Bargaining Support Services
You can apply for Bargaining Support Services by emailing: CapabilityandEarlyResolution@mbie.govt.nz
Please let the service know what organisation you are with and include a brief description of what support you need from the service.
Mediation Services
Mediation Services can help parties in the Fair Pay Agreement process resolve problems such as disputes and impasse. This includes resolving issues, between bargaining parties and between bargaining sides, to help make sure the process runs smoothly.
How to request mediation
You can apply for mediation by making a request for mediation services through Employment Mediation Services online. Accessing this service using the online portal will take you to a RealMe login page.
If you have any problems completing your application, you can contact us on 0800 20 90 20.
Employment Relations Authority
In some situations, the Employment Relations Authority (the Authority) can make determinations and compliance orders.
If bargaining sides are unable to reach agreement on the terms of a proposed Fair Pay Agreement they can apply to the Authority for a non-binding recommendation.
In certain circumstances, such as if an employer bargaining side is not formed, bargaining sides have exhausted all reasonable alternatives for reaching agreement, or where there have been two failed ratification votes, a bargaining side can apply to the Authority to fix the terms of a proposed agreement.