THE North-west director of ACAS, Paul Oliver, has left to pursue other interests.

Mr Oliver, who started as a Manpower Adviser, has headed the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service in the region for the last six years.

He remembers the days of mass picketing, demarcation issues, strikes and dismissals with virtually no redress, and tea and sandwiches at No 10.

But he says: "The approach to handling disputes is completely different now -- an approach that accepts the reality of mutual but conflicting interests.

"And the biggest difference is in the field of individual employment rights.

"There are now over 50 ways in which an individual can legally appeal against dismissal, pay structure, health and safety arrangements, discrimination, contractual changes and the like -- a situation that keeps both ACAS and lawyers busier than ever." But all is not sweetness and light.

"Significant problems remain for trade unions, lawyers, human resource practitioners and ACAS to deal with," he says.

"Bullying, work-related stress, a culture of long hours, discrimination and low pay are issues of major concern to all of us in the employment field and is where battles of the future might be fought.

"However, as I look back over the last 30 years I have to concede that many problems for employers still result from a lack of basic procedures to handle their workforce problems.

"Some employees still have an unrealistic view of what consultation can achieve."

Mr Oliver who says its had been "a pleasure" to lead ACAS NW, hopes to remain active in the industrial relations field.