Industrial Relations Act 1960 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Collective Bargaining
20. Non-acceptance of invitation to negotiate
Feedback & supportWhere, within 7 days after service of a notice under section 18, a trade union or employer upon whom it was served has not served an acceptance under section 19, the employer or trade union by whom the notice was served may notify the Commissioner.
trade union
“trade union” means a trade union of employees or employers registered under any written law for the time being in force relating to the registration of trade unions;
Upon receipt of a notification under subsection (1), the Commissioner shall consult, or direct a conciliation officer to consult, with the employer or trade union which has not served an acceptance with a view to persuading that employer or trade union to accept the invitation.
Commissioner
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner for Labour appointed under section 3 of the Employment Act 1968, and includes a Deputy Commissioner for Labour, a Principal Assistant Commissioner for Labour and an Assistant Commissioner for Labour under that Act;
Where, after consultation with an employer or trade union on whom an invitation to negotiate has been served, the Commissioner is satisfied that the employer or trade union refuses to negotiate, he shall notify the Minister and, unless the Minister otherwise directs, the Registrar that a trade dispute exists.
employer
“employer” means any person who employs another person under a contract of service and includes —(a)the Government in respect of such categories, classes or descriptions of officers or servants of the Government as from time to time are declared by the President of Singapore to be employees for the purposes of this Act;(b)a statutory authority;(c)a duly authorised agent or manager of an employer;(d)a person who owns, or is carrying on, or is for the time being responsible for the management or control of a profession, business, trade or work in which an employee is engaged;(e)for the purposes of Parts 5, 6 and 7, the transferor of an undertaking whose employment of employees is transferred by virtue of section 18A of the Employment Act 1968;