Collective Conciliation
Agency officers can be called upon to act as conciliators, when invited, by employers and workers involved in an industrial dispute. The service, which is confidential and impartial, involves an Agency officer meeting with the parties concerned, either separately or jointly, to discuss the problems at issue and explore ways of resolving the dispute. Any agreement reached is the responsibility of the parties in conciliation. The Agency does not recommend or impose settlement. The Agency may also offer its conciliation services on its own initiative when it considers that this is appropriate and likely to be of help to the parties. Conciliation is also provided as part of the Industrial Court's process of statutory trade union recognition.
Normally, before becoming involved in the resolution of a dispute, the Agency will satisfy itself that agreed procedures have been used to the full. Where there are no agreed procedures, the Agency expects an attempt to be made by the parties to reach a settlement, before the Agency becomes involved.