This presentation examines New Zealand’s experience with minority and multiple unionism, as it has developed under that country’s Employment Relations Act 2000. In particular, the consequences of New Zealand’s system for employers and employees are explored. Comparisons with Canada are made throughout. Particular attention is drawn to the key lessons of New Zealand’s experiences, especially given recent Supreme Court freedom of association decisions which have potentially called into question certain aspects of Canada’s labour relations framework.

Mark Harcourt is a professor in, and co-chair of, the Department of Strategy and HRM at the Waikato Management School, University of the Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Mark holds a PhD from the University of Alberta, Masters of Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto, and Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s. Mark’s research has covered a number of areas in HRM, including performance appraisal, health and safety, discrimination, and recruitment via online social media. However, in recent years, his research has focused primarily on employee representation and dismissal. Mark has published more than 50 articles in various journals such as the British Journal of Industrial Relations, Industrial and Labor Relations Review, Industrial Relations, International Journal of Human Resource Management, and Journal of Business Ethics. Mark teaches HRM courses mainly at the MBA, MMS, and upper-year undergraduate levels.