Strikes can only usually happen within a short time frame, when the collective employment agreement is expiring and the two sides are negotiating a new agreement. But the firefighters’ strike introduces an additional complexity. According to the act, “a collective agreement may contain such provisions as the parties to the agreement mutually agree on”. That has not featured in the firefighters’ negotiations, which have already extended over 14 months. The Authority could provide facilitation assistance similar to mediation, but with the option of making recommendations about the process for reaching agreement and/or outlining the actual terms of the employment agreement.

Source: Stuff August 22, 2022 03:10 UTC