The Origins and development of the personal grievance jurisdiction in New Zealand

Abstract

This paper discusses the background to the personal grievance procedure introduced in the Industrial Relations Act 1973 and the implementation of the procedure up to the time of the reform of the law in 1987. The central role of the Arbitration Court in developing the minimal legislative framework of the law is stressed. The paper concludes with a discussion of the debate leading up to the reforms and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the procedure at that point.