(1) This section applies if a person (the
"proposer" ) proposes to negotiate with a view to a negotiated agreement being made.
(2) The proposer must give each other proposed party to the negotiations a written notice of the proposer’s intention to start negotiating.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2) , a principal contractor who proposes to negotiate with a group of independent couriers must give the notice to each relevant employee organisation.
(4) A
"relevant employee organisation" , in relation to a proposed negotiated agreement, is each employee organisation or federal organisation of employees that—(a) is to be covered by the proposed agreement; or(b) is entitled to represent the industrial interests of independent couriers who are to be covered by the proposed agreement.
(5) The notice must be given at least 14 days before the negotiations are proposed to start.
(6) If an existing negotiated agreement applies to the parties, the notice must not be given more than 6 months before the nominal expiry date of the existing agreement.