13 October 2004
Partnership Centre Presents Challenge to Private Sector
The Partnership Resource Centre presented a challenge to the private sector to engage constructively on the issues which
are vital to the country’s future, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.
“The Partnership Resource Centre, announced by the Government, provides an opportunity for employers and unions in the
private sector to develop new strategies and relationships to build the high value, high skill, high wage economy we
urgently need,” Ross Wilson said.
At last year’s conference the CTU endorsed social partnership strategies as recognising the voice of working people at
workplace, industry and national level.
“The CTU has been working on the establishment of this centre for several months.
“We need to move on from the lingering legacy of the Employment Contracts Act era and develop new forms of engagement
between employers and unions.”
The CTU had studied partnership models in other successful countries such as Ireland, but recognised the need for a
uniquely New Zealand model, Ross Wilson said.
“Engagement between unions, employers and Government on key issues such as skill development, productivity, and
workplace organisation is vital.
“For unions, such engagement should be made on a willing and independent basis with active membership participation.”
ENDS