Mr. Gerry Light:

To be clear, and it has been mentioned a few times today, we talk about the statutory wage-setting mechanisms. I was one of the founding members of the JLC many years ago that existed before it was deemed to be unconstitutional and was challenged by a number of employers - not all employers, by the way. It worked very well for the sector for the vast majority of its years. It covered the retail grocery sector. On the other side was a registered employment agreement that covered the drapery sector, which also worked very well for many years in respect of engagement between the worker representatives and the employer groups. We have put out many calls over the last number of years seeking re-engagement now that the JLC structure has been deemed to be constitutional again. Alas, those calls and requests for re-engagement have fallen on deaf ears. As Ms Quinn said earlier, it is the pathway to getting to a better place in respect of the engagement of workers, giving them a sense of engagement and a say in their place of employment. Collective bargaining is a pathway on the road to that. It is certainly something that needs to be considered as part of where the sector goes next. As we said in our submission, as has always been the case in the past, good employers have nothing to fear from it. Mr. Rogers provided a good example today of the immeasurable return that employers get from employees if they treat them fairly and look after them when they are in greatest need. It is great to hear Mr. Rogers talk about the response and reaction of his employees. It does not surprise me; I have always found it to be the case through the years.